Surviving Kids and Camping While Pregnant

0

A family making S'mores on a camping trip.The summer can often bring vacations, day trips, and family time together. Instead of the standard hotel and sightseeing trip, perhaps it’s time to have a true outdoor experience. Last summer, our family invested in a tent, a couple of sleeping bags, and lots of bug spray. And just like that, a new family camping experience ensued. 

Camping While Pregnant

This may be a “no-no” for some. But I decided this was a nice opportunity to spend outdoor time with my husband and two daughters before our family grew. My two biggest concerns were the heat and the bathroom availability. Our campground had regular facilities with running water that was only a few minutes’ walk to get to. It was hot in the morning, but a cool shower and my portable fan were beneficial.

The Essentials to Bring Camping 

Besides the necessities, such as sleeping bags, coolers, and water, here are some other things to consider.

  • String or rope to let bathing suits and towels air dry.
  • Lanterns or glow sticks for the kids. The glow sticks are fun for the kids and will also come in handy inside the tent at night, so it’s not as dark for the kids.
  • Fire pit since not all campgrounds have fire pits, so you will want to find out. In addition, you will also need to purchase wood from your particular campground vs. bringing it from outside.
  • Instant coffee, breakfast muffins, or bagels.
  • Portable speaker, a map, and walkie-talkies in case you go exploring.
  • Ketchup/mustard packets, plastic utensils, paper towels, and garbage bags.
  • S’mores goodies, and do not forget the roasting sticks.
  • Water jugs for drinking or a quick clean or rinse.
  • Cot, an egg crate topper, or an air mattress as your back will thank you the following day.
  • Fan! There are options for portable ones with a battery pack that you can have charged up for the night(s). 
  • Patience! It is a camping trip, and you’ll need to adjust if you are not in your usual element. 

This is not a complete list, but some essentials I recommend you check off your packing list!

Lots of Family Time

One of my favorite parts of camping is unplugging for the weekend. We’ve found that camping over a holiday weekend was significantly more affordable than a hotel, and there were no crowds. We had no electronics, no television, and no internet. It was nice not to know what was happening in the world for a couple of days.

My family and I ate each meal together at our picnic table. No one was looking at iPads or devices. We had nice conversations with each other. My husband and I enjoyed quiet time by the fire once our children slept. We learned quickly that the raccoons come out when it’s quiet and dark, so be sure to pack up any food before bed. 

If camping in a tent is not for you, staying home can also lead to indoor “pretend camping” family fun. 

The Downtime at the Campground

A weekend at a campground also meant finding things to do with our time there. Some campgrounds offer playground areas for kids. We brought our scooters (bikes would be great too if you can fit them), and we explored the grounds. Our campground was next to the beach, which offered us a couple of hours each day to play in the sand and ocean. 

Many campgrounds have a schedule of activities, and you can also find various things such as movie nights and game nights happening. 

Here are some popular places in Connecticut to camp with facilities:

Rocky Neck Beach State Park {East Lyme, Connecticut}

Lake Compounce {Bristol, Connecticut}

Hammonasset Beach State Park {Madison, Connecticut}

Mineral Springs Family Campground {Stafford, Connecticut}

Black Rock State Park – Watertown, Connecticut

Kettletown State Park {Southbury, Connecticut}

Where are some great places that you have camped at? Any must-haves for your camping trip?

This post contains affiliate links.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here