So, you're thinking about camping with a baby? Either you're wildly optimistic, or your sleep deprivation has finally broken you, either way, we're here for it.
At Sunkissed, we believe babies belong in nature (with SPF and snacks, obviously). Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just got peer-pressured into booking a DOC site, here’s everything you need to know about camping with a baby or toddler, from sleep setups to what the heck “TOG” even means.
🍼 Can You Camp With a 1-Year-Old?
Short answer: heck yes.
Long answer: your trip might involve more sand in your nappy bag and fewer toasted marshmallows than you remember, but 1-year-olds are great campers. They’re portable, still pretty immobile (win!), and deeply fascinated by sticks. You just need to be slightly more prepared than your pre-baby days when you thought packing two beers and a blanket was enough.
🛏️ Where Does a Baby Sleep When Camping?
Some babies love the tent vibe. Others, not so much. Your best bet:
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A portacot – stable, enclosed, and familiar.
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A travel bassinet or inflatable travel bed – great for toddlers
Avoid air mattresses for babies (more on that in a sec), and make sure whatever they sleep on is firm, flat, and safe. Chuck in a familiar blanket or soft toy for comfort.
🧳 What to Pack for Baby Camping?
Besides your will to survive? Try this:
✅ Nappies (so. many. nappies.)
✅ Wipes & nappy bags
✅ Baby sleeping bag or wearable blanket
✅ Layers – it gets cold at 3am!
✅ Sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses (we might know a cute pair- here 👀)
✅ Bug spray (baby-safe)
✅ Portable highchair (hello, Sunkissed 👋)
✅ Snacks, formula, or boob – depending on your milk plan
✅ First aid kit with baby essentials
✅ White noise machine if you're feeling boujee
💤 Can a Baby Sleep on an Air Mattress While Camping?
Short answer: nope.
Babies need a firm, flat sleep surface to reduce the risk of suffocation and SIDS. Air mattresses are too soft and often unpredictable (like your baby’s mood after 5pm).
Stick with a portacot or a firm foam mat, and always follow safe sleep guidelines.
👶 What Is the Youngest Age to Take a Child Camping?
Technically, from birth — if you're a legend.
Most parents wait until the 3–6 month mark, when routines are a little more established and you’ve learned how to set up a tent in less than 4 hours. But we’ve seen families taking 2-month-olds on campervan trips like it’s no big deal. Power to them.
🌡️ What TOG Sleeping Bag for Baby Camping?
If you’re camping in a cool NZ night, a 2.5 TOG or even 3.5 TOG sleeping bag is your friend. Layer your baby up, use merino base layers, and always check the back of their neck (not hands!) to see if they’re too hot or too cold.
Pro tip: Don’t forget a beanie for early morning feeds. You’ll thank us later.
🏕️ What’s the Best Age for Camping With Kids?
Every age has its quirks, but if we had to choose:
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Under 6 months: Sleepy and immobile (dreamy).
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6–12 months: Into everything, but still portable.
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1–2 years: Wildcard. But so much fun.
No matter the age, it’s doable with the right prep, and a sense of humour.
Final Word: Take the Trip
Camping with a baby might not be a holiday in the traditional sense, but it is a memory-maker. You’ll get dirt in places you didn’t know existed and may not sleep much, but your baby will giggle at birds, play with leaves, and love the constant attention.
And hey, with your Portable High Chair and Baby Sunnies in tow, at least they’ll look good doing it.
