Camping with small kids

[Mark Brenckle]

Nice little setup right here

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/rvs/6060138434.html

  This is what I'd recommend as well, we had one when I was a kid (4 kids, 1 adult and a dog). Sets up quick, a little heat if you need it and running water sure makes it a little easier to clean up. My older brother continued using ours when he had 2 kids, I'm pretty sure we got 25 years of use out of that old thing.

[syoungs]

I love my 12x20 alaknak, was on the fence on that vs the 12x12 and the 10x14 springboard for 8 months or so, now that I have the 12x20, I don't regret it in the slightest, almost wish I had the biggest one, though it'd be Overkill 75% of the time.

Setup of the 12x20 only takes me about 10 minutes longer then setting up an outback lodge 12x12, if I do it by myself, with a partner, it's equal.

The 12x20 allows room to grow, and a place to hangout in bad weather if needed, plus the stove option is great. The price difference is worth saving a little more imho, and I believe resale value to be higher on the 12x20 then the 12x12.
92xj has a sweet springbar, I think it might get cramped for 4 with dogs, but I do envy that tent, would be great for when I'm rolling solo or with only one other person for sure!

[rosscrazyelk]

I have 2 kids and have 2 dogs, used to be 3 dogs.
We camped in a 8 man Westwind by Cabelas until the zipper on the rain fly broke. Now we have the Guardian 8 man. We fit no problem. Plenty of room to play if it's crappy outside. I mean unless it is bad you are outside most the time anyway.
I put down a outdoor rug on the inside so the dogs claws don't year it up. Also we put the dogs straight into the kennel once inside.

[ctwiggs1]

http://www.jumpingjacktrailers.com/index.php

These look totally legit and you can find a smaller model that will tow with your durango.  It would give you more room to have gear as well as you have the trailer deck.  I was considering the largest so I could take the side by side with me on a more regular basis.  I wish it had a stove jack sewn in though.

Too rich for my blood! 

[Karl Blanchard]

Camp trailer with a shower

Honestly, I really disliked camping with small kids.  It was a full time job to keep them alive   they are 4 and 7 now and we have a blast.  They don't try and eat dirt or crawl in the fire.  They don't trip over EVERY SINGLE stick, rock, or dimple in the ground

[cbond3318]

We used the Kodiak this year during September. Our sons are 4 and 2. Loved the tent but it was about as small as we would go. My wife and I had a queen size cot and the boys each had the kids size Cots. Coolers and totes stayed outside. We will be getting the Alaknak 12x20 with vestibule this year to accommodate the growing.

If done right camping with the little ones is the best thing on earth!! Good luck with whichever way you go, being out there with them is number one , the rest is just static.

[ctwiggs1]

Camp trailer with a shower

Honestly, I really disliked camping with small kids.  It was a full time job to keep them alive   they are 4 and 7 now and we have a blast.  They don't try and eat dirt or crawl in the fire.  They don't trip over EVERY SINGLE stick, rock, or dimple in the ground

I would be lying if i I didn't admit I'm at least slightly terrified of this.

[Fl0und3rz]

Start with established camp sites, if you must.  I prefer primitive camping, but the established sights make little one camping a little easier for sure.  There is nice site at Kalaloch that has fun for the little ones. 

[WSU]

Camping when they are that age is tough.  They do fall in the fire and over every stick.  Keep those things in mind when deciding where to camp.

[grundy53]

I have a 12x12  Alaknak. Last summer I took the family camping a couple times. That's my wife and I plus 3 kids. Last summer they were 3,1, and 1. There was plenty of room even with two pack and play's. It was fun and I can't wait to do it again this summer now that they are a little older. I think your kids will be fine at that age. My twins are almost two and love being outside and they do fine. Plus it's fun to laugh at them when they trip over everything .


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[Alchase]

We started with this inexpensive Coleman tent, with a divider in the middle.

https://www.campersland.com/weathermaster10.html?gclid=CJqg24mS_9ICFRBxfgod0AAL8Q

The wife and I on one side with a queen blowup mattress, the kids on the other with blankets and sleeping bags. Once the kids started getting older we let them stay in a cheap dome tent.
I upgraded to a Cabellas West Wind 8 man for hunting.
Kids the age of yours are easy to entertain, but they need to be entertained constantly. There are some fantastic state parks in Washington, they are great for kid camping. Most even have story time when park rangers come in and tell cool stories around the campfire. Our kids loved these and the guided tours. Remember they do not know what "real wilderness" is yet, so Snipe hunts, trips to the bathroom in the dark with flashlights are an adventure to them. Exploration games go over really well. At that age they zonk out pretty early after an active day, then Mom and Dad get a little alone time. Meals can be easy, hotdogs for dinner, you can even put them on sticks and let them cook the dogs over the fire with Mom and Dads help. Lunchables are always a hit for lunch. Keep the meals simple and easy to prepare.
It is really fun to see how exited they get with simple things like tidal pools and small streams, star gazing!
Keep them dry and warm, and wear them out.
You and the kids will make memories that last forever.

[JDHasty]

Our kids have camped from the time they were born, but in a travel trailer so I am not going to be much help in that regard. 

Bridget's first trip she was about five month's old.  It was in April, to Sprague to meet up with a guy and get one of the dogs bread.  She kept taking our covers off and the wife and I nearly froze solid.  I had only my Compact II by Hunter that I had when I was single back then and it had a single double bed and I didn't bother with the heater unless it was in the dead of winter.   Then we got a Stealth 2216 Toy hauler and Elise's first trip was to Omak Stampede when she was about two weeks old.  Dale was born in May and I think his first trip was to Scootney Reservoir when he was a couple weeks old.

For our kids going camping all summer is just a normal part of life.  I am probably going to buy a wall tent w/frame soon because Bridget is really interested in tent camping more.         

[CJ1962]

My advice is to keep it small nothing bigger than a 10x12.  The tent is really only needed for sleeping.  If you have pet that can't sleep outside, than get a different pet.  As soon as the kids are a little older they will want there own tents and you won't be stuck with some huge tent that you don't need any more.  Also a lot of campsites don't really accommodate huge tents.

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[Fl0und3rz]

Great thread. 

[Alchase]

On a serious note -

Never and I mean Never forget the Smores!
You night make it through one night with only marshmallows to roast, after that their will be mutiny and blood!

The kids will be really disappointed as well