Camping can be an awesome family bonding experience, if you prepare and bring along the right equipment! Time together out in nature is one of the best ways to see our families come together and make lifelong memories. But camping with kids isn’t always for the faint of heart, especially when no one’s getting sleep! Read on to learn how we’ve made it happen without losing our minds.
This post has been sponsored by Coleman®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hi guys! Today’s post is close to my heart because it’s only been the last couple years that I’ve even been willing to start camping with my family, little ones and all! It can be overwhelming to plan to take the whole family camping (The food logistics! The sleeping arrangements! The diapers! Oy vey) but I firmly believe that it really can be a great family bonding experience.
With well-chosen camping gear and equipment, we’ve been able to really enjoy ourselves on our family campouts and ensure that everyone gets the sleep they need (even mom and dad).
Just like any trip away from home, it’s important to recreate our normal sleep environments as closely as possible. Kids especially are creatures of habit and don’t enjoy having their routines changed. In our house, most of us sleep in cool, dark rooms with some sort of white noise, all of which can be difficult to replicate in a noisy campground. Here are a few simple supplies that help us make it happen!
- NEW Coleman® Dark Room Tent: This tent is PURE genius. I love the fact that camping means both going to bed and rising earlier than usual, as we follow the sun’s cues. But sometimes mom and dad just need a little more sleep in the morning, or you want to start putting kids to bed before it’s pitch black outside. The Coleman® Dark Room Tent blocks 90% of sunlight and reduces heat, which means it’s actually pleasant to use, even in the desert! There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of night covered in sweat.
Coleman is also an enduring brand that I remember using even as a child. I’m happy to purchase camping equipment that I know will last and last, providing years of enjoyment for our little-big family! You can find the Coleman® Dark Room Tent at Target, along with a ton of other great camping supplies. You can’t beat being able to shop for camping supplies, food, clothing and shoes all at the same (wonderful, magical) store!
BONUS: I set this tent up in just a few minutes with my trusty helper, and I could’ve even done it by myself. I have absolutely no patience for tents that include confusing instructions, miles of poles or convoluted set-ups. If I can put this tent up, anyone can!
- Comfortable sleeping bags & air mattresses: You guys – bringing along an air mattress for Luke and me to sleep on has been life-changing! I mean that in all seriousness. Sleeping on the ground is pretty much the worst thing ever, if you ask me, so having a comfy bed makes it all worth it.
- White noise machine: If you’ve read this post about getting babies to sleep, you’ll know that we’re BIG fans of white noise. Sometimes the natural noises of the outdoors are enough to soothe little kids to sleep while camping, but sometimes they make suburban babies nervous (especially if you’re camping near scary-sounding wildlife). Grab yourself a white noise machine that takes batteries (or a portable fan!) and stick it in your tent. It’ll do wonders for getting little ones to sleep, especially if the grown ups still have some partying to do.
- Important sleep buddies or blankets: Does your toddler have a favorite blanket or pillow? How about a stuffed animal that always rests at the end of their bed? I try to always remember these little loveys because they can turn a tent into a warm and inviting place to sleep, even amidst an otherwise unfamiliar environment.
So, there you have it: our tips for getting 8 kids to sleep, even when out of their familiar environments. I hope it inspires you and your family to brave the outdoors and make some amazing memories!
Don’t forget to grab your own Coleman Dark Room Tent at your local Target store! Do you have any other tips to share for ensuring everyone sleeps when camping with kids?
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