My husband and I took our oldest son, Chris, camping for the first time when he was 2 years old. Despite being right next to four adults, Chris managed to plow straight into an old fire pit, landing face first in the ash. He was shaken up (his parents were worse), and luckily, he hadn’t landed in anything dangerous like broken glass or splintered wood. Despite that scare, both of our sons camp with us now, and we’ve learned that camping with a toddler can be lots of fun if you prepare for safety issues.

If you and your partner like to camp as a couple, you may be excited to introduce your toddler to this world of adventure. And chances are, your child will love it! Camping is great for the senses. Your toddler can smell the sweet scent of the trees and flowers, feel the bright sun on his face and hear the birds and insects singing and buzzing all around him. Camping gives your family time to slow down from a fast-paced lifestyle and spend some wonderful time together. But, before you can enjoy your adventure, you must take precautions and plan accordingly. Here are some things to remember:

• ALWAYS keep a close eye on your child. This is the number one rule.



• The campfire is very dangerous. Your toddler may not understand that a fire is hot and may try to touch it. If you must pitch the tent or do something that will distract you, make sure someone else is watching your child or place him in his car seat with the car door open so you can talk to him.



• If you are camping near water (a lake, river or even a small stream), always keep your child close to you when at the shoreline. A river that looks calm may actually have a fast current that you can’t detect. Your child could get swept down quickly and may be hard to rescue if you are too far away. If your campsite is on the shoreline, put your child in a lifejacket (but don’t let a lifejacket give you false security – always stay near your child). Secure all boats when they are not in use.



• Losing your child in an uninhabited area is incredibly frightening; so again, never leave your child unattended. But, because toddlers are notorious for running off when you turn your back, you might want to carry a few current photos of your child with you and dress your child in bright colors (a hat that is “hunter orange” is a good choice). Teach your child to yell back when you yell for him.



• Sunburns can happen even on an overcast day or in cooler weather. Protect your child (and yourself!) from harmful rays by wearing large brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts and pants. Have your pediatrician recommend a good sun block for your child if you will be swimming.



• Protect your child from harmful insects. If you will be hiking in a wooded area, or if the campsite is less popular than others, you should dress your child in protective clothing (denim and other heavy fabrics are best if weather permits) or ask about a safe bug repellent. Ticks can carry diseases, so always check your child’s entire body thoroughly when coming out of wooded areas (this applies to suburban parks, too).



• Most wild animals will steer clear of your campsite, but if you are camping in a popular area like a national park or near a lake, you may have to contend with animals that are accustomed to scrounging around at night for food left by campers. Read all of the warning materials provided by the park or camp host. Other campers might bring their dogs with them, so also look out for roaming pets.



• Your toddler doesn’t know the difference between fresh food and food that has been left out. Keep the garbage bag out of your child’s reach and try to burn anything that won’t release toxic fumes. Similarly, if you are boiling your drinking water, keep the water that may be contaminated out of your toddler’s reach.



• Learn to identify poisonous plants and know which plants are common in your area. Poison ivy and poison oak will cause symptoms if touched, but there are numerous plants that are toxic when ingested.



• And finally, consider camping closer to a phone (or within cell phone range) or small community. If you need help, you will be glad you aren’t miles and miles from civilization. You and your partner could always take a camping trip alone if this isn’t exactly what you had in mind, and you will have plenty of time to camp further away when your child is older.

Taking a child who is accustomed to a baby-proofed environment camping can be challenging. It is tough to keep a toddler out of trouble. But if you are prepared for an adventure with your toddler, you will probably have a great time! And if you find your toddler eating ants, take heart – as a wise friend of mine used to say, “bugs have protein.”

Want to see more?

• Springing Free: Outdoor Activities to Share with Your Toddler
• Want Your Kids to Choose to be Active? Start Them Early!
• Summer Backyard Safety Checklist
• Talk about it!