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Camping with Your Toddler
Tips to Keep Young Explorers Safe
By Jessica Williams
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 No. 1 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.