what it’s REALLY like winter camping with a toddler

Jan 3

It happens all the time…

My husband and I get amped for seasonal camping. We have the hot tent (that we bought 3 years ago and this is the first time I’ve used it), the stove and everything else you could need for a winter hot tenting excursion.

… and then we remember that we have an almost 2.5-year-old which changes E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

Toddler stepping out of canvas tent in winter.

She’s resilient as hell.

But backcountry camping, winter camping - it all takes more effort and it’s exhausting.

We booked a site at Silent Lake Provincial Park for January 1, 2021. A perfect way to celebrate the new year.

Winter campsite set up at an Ontario Parks location.

Mountain roads can be hazardous for Tonka trucks…

We layer her with merino wool, fleece and two different snowsuits… but when toddlers simply refuse to wear their mittens… sh*t can really hit the fan.

No matter how many times we explain that her hands will get cold, it doesn’t matter.

Setting our Snowtrekker tent up as quickly as possible and getting a fire going inside is priority number one.

A heater to take the edge off in the background while B gets a fire started in the wood stove.

A warm place to take layers off and get cozy is the ticket! She had fun inside the tent while we unpacked and setup for the night.

We were very lucky with the mild temperatures for this trip. Made being outside fun and manageable. Once the sun set, we made dinner and had a fire outside.

I mentioned that we brought a heater. The plan was that since we were on an electrical site, we could keep it on during the night and not have to worry about feeding the fire… it wasn’t warm enough (for me).

I spent most of the night checking the sleeping bear beside me making sure she was warm (she was), but I was also suffering from the oncoming of a cold. So it was a tiresome - and long - night for me.

Our warm space for the duration of our winter camping adventure.

I also don’t have a winter sleeping bag. My husband did and he was fine. So many details to make sure you have an enjoyable time! So, next on the list is a winter sleeping bag for me.

I could hear snow falling all night on the tent and then it sliding down the fabric in sheets. I could also hear snoring on both sides of me.

When daylight came, I was most excited for coffee! We lit the fire and in a matter of minutes it was toasty warm!

This little girl is a champ. Winter camping has nothing on her!

My daughter did great (as long as she kept her mittens on!). We brought a few toys from home that made being in the tent for longer periods of time easier.

It’s really comforting knowing that when she’s had enough time outside and she’s getting cold, that we can just go warm up inside. These hot tents are AMAZING.

We were going to spend a second night. We paid for a second night. But because I didn’t sleep well and was getting sick, I knew that we had to leave. Disappointing because we brought our skis and snowshoes and had planned a day of exploring the park’s trails.

We opted for a winter wonderland walk instead.

Sun shining on a new day, in a new year.

Here’s the deal.

With a toddler, you will have to have several pairs of mittens (I always keep a set inside my coat so they’re toasty warm when she needs a changeout). You will spend a lot of time convincing them to wear their mittens.

You will also spend a lot of time taking snowsuits off and on when they’re in and out of the tent.

Just make sure they’re warm and they’ll have a blast. Lots of walks, lots of moving around… and snacks, lots of snacks.