Parents often worry about keeping their toddlers in the tent at night while camping.
You can keep your toddler in the tent at night by sleeping between them and the door, putting them in a toddler sleeping bag, or using a portable crib. It’s usually not too hard to keep your toddler in your tent because they naturally want to stay near you and avoid going out in the dark alone.
Here are my tips for keeping your toddler or preschooler in your tent all night.
How to Keep Your Child in the Tent at Night
While it’s understandable to worry about how you will keep your child in the tent at night, unless you have a sleepwalker or a child who likes to roam the house at night, you probably won’t have much trouble. Most kids are hesitant to leave a familiar space at night, especially to go outside in the dark. Plus you will be sleeping nearby and will probably wake up when your toddler does.
However, if you are concerned about your child slipping out of the tent in the middle of the night, here are some things you can do to prevent this.
Sleep Next to the Door
First, consider sleeping between your child and the tent door. Sleeping near the door will force your child to walk over you in order to get outside, which will help make sure you wake up before they can escape. If you’re worried your child will be confused waking up in a strange new place and start looking for you, the best place you can be is next to them or between them and the door.
Use a Toddler Sleeping Sack or Bag
Most toddlers and babies are too small to safely use a sleeping bag. They can slip down inside, a dangerous situation. Instead, a toddler sleeping bag is ideal. These have the insulation and warmth of a sleeping bag while being safe for toddlers like a sleeping sack. They have arms that keep the baby from wiggling out or getting the sleeping bag over their head. You can read more about toddler sleeping bags in this article.
Besides keeping your baby warm and safe, toddler sleeping sacks have another advantage- they seriously restrict your toddler’s movements. While they might be able to wiggle around or even crawl a bit, they won’t be able to walk and certainly can’t escape from the tent while snuggled in one of these sleeping bags.
Use a Portable Crib or Playpen
Finally, you could also use a portable crib or playpen for your baby or toddler to sleep in. This is a great option for kids who don’t like sleeping in strange places as it can feel more like being at home. It also limits their movement. While most toddlers can figure out how to climb out of a portable crib, it will slow them down a bit. Others won’t even try to climb out, especially if they’re used to sleeping in a crib at home.
Learn more about sleeping in a tent with kids here.
How to Keep Your Toddler in the Tent if They Go to Bed Early
Most toddlers and preschoolers go to bed long before their parents. How do you do this in a tent? Many kids aren’t comfortable falling asleep by themselves in strange places, especially if they don’t have a normal bed and they can hear activity going on outside. If toddlers wake up in a strange place and you aren’t there, they will get scared and might try to come find you.
You can help your toddler fall asleep early by following your normal routine as much as possible. You might not be able to have an evening bath, for example, but you can still brush their teeth and have a bedtime story. You can also bring your child’s lovey or a blanket from home to help them feel safe and comfortable. If they are having a hard time relaxing, an engaging audiobook or movie can help them forget they are in a new place.
Once your little one has fallen asleep, you may want to resume your evening, sitting around the campfire, talking with the other adults, and enjoying your camping trip. If you’re worried that your toddler will wake without you and leave the tent, stay close by and keep an ear out for them. I usually sit right outside the tent after they’ve fallen asleep. If you hear them get restless or they start crying, try to get to them quickly. They will fall back asleep more easily if they don’t wake up fully.
Conclusion
Tent camping trips with toddlers and preschoolers can be intimidating and a little bit scary, but when you think through each part of the trip you will be able to plan better and prepare for situations such as your toddler trying to escape from your tent.