We’re obviously only a year and a half into camper life, and we’re still learning, but the things we have concentrated most on are the things that make our toddlers’ lives easier, and, therefore, our lives easier! While we’re still relatively new to traveling by camper, we’ve already discovered that these things just make sense and make camping with two kids, starting when they were 2 and under so much easier. Now, they’re one and three and we’re just updating this as we go!
A Camper High Chair
We did our first camping trip without a high chair thinking Charleigh was surely ready to sit in the booth. After all, our camper is fairly tight quarters. Big mistake. She ate poorly because she had so much freedom to move and she made a big mess! So, we found this pop up high chair that folds down super small and is really easy to store under our bed. Once Liam was big enough to sit up and eat solids, we got one for him too! Plus, they perfectly fit right up at our booth. They also have detachable trays which is handy for meals that we eat outside of the camper or around a fire. Charleigh has since moved over the booth, but we have zero regrets about having bought two instead of rushing CJ into the booth.
Useful Tip: If you get one of these, they’re handy for all kinds of occasions – BBQs, family events at places without high chairs, etc.
Lightweight Basket for Toys
We knew that toys might be a difficult situation in the camper. Of course, we want our kids to be entertained, but we also want to keep our area clean and organized because four people living in one camper can feel… “cozy”. So, we currently keep the amount of toys limited to one cloth basket. It’s a lightweight option and it makes for one central location for your kiddos to put the toys after they pick up after themselves.
Pack N Play
While we still have a kid under two, it’s really important that he has a safe space to sleep that doesn’t take up all kinds of space and is lightweight. So, we use our pack n play for him to sleep in. It fits perfectly outside our bedroom and he sleeps so beautifully in it. Plus, now that the kids have their own room in our new camper, it fits in there for a cool, dark place for Liam’s nap time. It offers support and also folds down super easily to fit in our under-bed storage while traveling. Plus, when your kid is an infant, it’s a great spot to pop up during the day if I need to get some work done or clean up for a bit.
These Specific Toys Are Amazing In The Camper
We love to have engaging toys for our little ones that help keep them occupied. We definitely use TV too, but we’ve found that these toys are some of the most engaging ones that our kids go back to again and again. I originally was making this much more descriptive, but I’m just going to list out their favorites and each one is linked to purchase.
This Light Up Busy Board Montessori Toy or this Car Busy Board or this Cube Busy Toy– helps with fine motor skills. Both kids love all three of these toys.
Magnetic Tiles are a huge hit in our household. We make buildings, stained glass windows and “art” out of them. They’re also great for learning shapes and colors too!
Both kids love this Popup Montessori Toy – also works with fine motor skills, but is great for learning shapes, colors, etc. Also, this Popup Alphabet Toy that help
These Kidnoculars and these Bugnoculars! Both encourage our littles to investigate their world a bit more closely.
Mess-free crafting options are HUGE in our camper. We love the Mess-Free Markers, Color Sheets and Mess-Free Specific Paper. There are also these Reusable Water Paint Pads – they have given us hours and hours of entertainment.
This handheld, peg-free version of Lite Brite has been a game changer! Both kids love it and as they grow up, there are games and design prompts too. For now they just like making their own patterns.
Then we have loads of other small toys that fill out the bucket like play food, cars, these tubes, a couple of puzzles, etc.
Books, Books, and More Books!
Our kiddos love books! So, we’re sure to bring a handful of different ones. Most of the time we read several per day, but it’s good to have variety so they look forward to reading more on rainy days and before bed. These are some of our kids’ favorites:
All of the Grumpy Monkey Books, but especially Grumpy Monkey: Spring Fever, Grumpy Monkey’s Little Book of Grumpiness, Grumpy Monkey: Up All Night and Grumpy Monkey: Don’t Be Scared.
We love the Little Naturalists Books, but especially Georgia O’Keeffe Loved the Desert, The Adventures of John Muir, George Washington Carver Loved Plants, Ansel Adams and His Camera, Teddy Roosevelt Loved the Outdoors and John James Audabon Painted Birds.
These non-series, but equally loved books: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse, Acorn Was a Little Wild, The Gruffalo, Let’s Go On a Hike, I Love the Mountains, What is a Family?, The Story of Ferdinand, Same Same But Different and Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy.
A Kid-Proof iPad Case
Like I said, there are parts of days when putting Bluey or Super Simple Songs is just the easiest thing to do, especially if we’re trying to clean up meal messes or taking turns showering. Having things downloaded on an iPad in this case that is essentially indestructible is the easiest option for us. Plus, it’s portable, so it can go in the bunk, on our bed or at the kitchen table.
Side note: I don’t know what other traveling parents do, but we have yet to use an iPad in the car, and we plan to keep it that way as long as humanly possible. If you’re also doing this, I’d love to hear how it’s going!
A Potty Seat
If you have a toddler who’s potty training, getting a simple potty seat like this that you can put to the side when not in use is huge when it comes to those tiny camper bathrooms!
Kid-Sized Camp Chairs for Toddlers
These chairs are perfect for sitting out around a campfire, taking in the view or just relaxing outside the camper. Charleigh Jo loved hers last year, Liam is finally get to use his this year! Plus, they look so cute sitting in them! I love these because they have arms and help hold them in.
This Sit-Me-Up for Infants
I used this Sit-Me-Up for both of our kids when we traveled, but it became especially handy in the camper. It folds up to take up almost no space which is perfect for travel and storing it even in the destination, but it’s nice to be able to contain your kiddos with spots to clip toys onto the little tray.
I’m sure we’ll update this as we go and once they’re no longer toddlers we’ll probably write a whole new post. But if you’ve got an infant or a toddler, (or if you’re crazy like us and started camping with 2 under 2 – now having a 1-year-old and 3-year-old.) I think these things will help you make your experience in your camper so much easier and more fun for all of you!
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