Snuggle Up - Comparison of Double Sleeping Bags

This summer, the days have felt especially long. Due to COVID, I find myself saying “no” and “we can’t” a lot more than I want to. The restrictions and precautions evoked by parks and outdoor spaces, along with those we choose to abide by as a family, have left me feeling like I’m trapped in a shrinking room! Then one day, shoulders slumped as I sad-sacked around the house, I decided to change things up. All summer long, my husband and I have been missing our regular adventures. Camping has been high on our list because, though he has been camping in our old Westy, our 3-year-old has never been tent camping! Cue, backyard camping! The Pre-Test We figured there was no reason to put it off any longer. I got our tent out of the basement and walked purposely across the living room toward the back door, only to be stopped halfway by my very insistent son. He was VERY interested in setting up the tent… in the living room. And that’s exactly what we did. It was the perfect way to test out this whole camping thing… before we tested it out. Though my intention was to pitch the tent in the backyard, I recommend this “pre-test” to anyone who has concerns about your child actually sleeping in the tent. Our son has always been an early riser and so he is also an early sleeper. To expect that he could get to sleep at his usual 5 PM bedtime with the summer sun still at its peak and so many backyard distractions was a tall order. We had other concerns too but the most pressing was bedtime routine, general supervision, and whether or not my husband and I would get any sleep. With the tent set up in the house, my son was content to “pretend camp” for weeks. We looked for plastic night animals with our headlamps, roasted Lego marshmallows, and slept under a Christmas light sky. It was a major success and was just what we needed to shake up the boredom. However, if you opt to skip this pre-test and head right to the backyard I do have a few helpful tips. Photo Credit: Deanna Curry @shinydayadventures Taking the Tent Outside Though our son is an early sleeper part of the appeal of going camping is that you get to do things you normally wouldn’t (here are some ways to make camping fun for kids). When we finally made it outside with the tent we stayed up until it got dark, around 8:30 pm, looking for nocturnal animals and lightning bugs. By then we didn't have to worry about the sun and all the neighborhood noise had quieted. Not to mention, he was so tired we didn’t even need the bedtime routine to lull him to sleep. We also let my son fill his tiny belly with a marshmallow, hot dog, and Chex Mix dinner. As far as supervision, we actually went to sleep when my son did that night because, well, we are parents and we are tired. But if you’re camping with a baby (check out this post on camping with a baby) or your kids go to sleep before you, a baby monitor, or even an open window, depending on your situation should suffice. Photo Credit: Ashley Scheider Backyard Camping Tip The number one tip I can offer is this, try to remember why you wanted to do this. We did it because we wanted our son to experience all the things we love about camping and being outside. So, we let our kid eat junk food, set off a few sparklers, forgot about bedtime, were noisy and ridiculous, and as much as possible tried to remember what it’s like to be a kid. Need more inspiration? We got you covered: Camping with Great Books Things to Know for Your First Camping Trip Helping children and families sleep better when camping Do you have a favorite family room or backyard camping memory? Share it in the comments! Be sure to join the Hike it Baby Community Facebook Group. It's a great place to ask questions, learn from others, and share your family's outdoor adventures! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Editors Note:   We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you.   But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

Camping with kids can be a joyful, memory-making adventure, but choosing the right setup matters. Some families find peace in the simplicity of sleeping in a tent, while others prefer the comfort and ease of car camping. This piece explores the benefits and challenges of both styles, offering thoughtful guidance to help you decide what feels best for your family. Whether it is your first time camping or you are looking to try something new, this guide supports you in making the outdoors feel doable. “And Into The Forest I Go, To Lose My Mind And Find My Soul” ~ John Muir Camping with kids can sometimes feel like we are losing our minds! Although, I’m sure when John Muir originally wrote this he was not referencing parenthood, but rather a more sophisticated scene where one can tune out and find new perspective. Either way the quote is fitting. Camping with kids in a tent, in a car, with a goat or on a boat, it’s all a crazy wild adventure and if we’re going to do it, it’s helpful to figure out the best method for our families before we head out. Here are a few pros and cons for both tent and car camping (I’ll leave Dr. Suess to explain the subtle perks of camping with a goat on a boat). For this article let’s assume that car camping includes actually sleeping in the car as well as camping from it, while tent camping implies that all our necessary gear, food and bedding is hiked into the camping spot with no access to a vehicle.   Car camping The first thing that comes to mind is that car camping allows us to bring EVERYTHING! This one can easily be either a pro or con depending on the needs for your family. Having that extra space is great when trying to bring that favorite book, stuffed animal or enough diapers. Plus, there’s endless room for things like bikes, buckets and shovels and frisbees to keep the kids entertained. Not to mention the adult perks like the big cooler (that’s right, the heavy one with all the ice, drinks and burgers), the two-burner stove, depending on your set-up and those sweet camping chairs to sit around the fire with. The flip side of bringing so much is that, well, there is so much! It becomes hard to keep track of everything. It also creates a bit of chaos at the campsite (something all parents probably have plenty of already) and the purists among us might argue that it takes away from the actual experience of camping because it creates such luxury. Tent camping That brings us to the next thing on my list. Car camping can allow for a lot of things tent camping can’t, but if the goal is to camp overnight in a remote area, car camping is out. Cars can only go so far, but our legs can take us almost anywhere! Carrying everything in a backpack makes for more succinct, compact packing. The space provided is self-limiting. There is only so much room and once it’s gone, that’s it. So, only the necessities make the cut.  Depending on the situation, this may make things more or less difficult. It's more difficult with smaller kids who may also have to be carried, but it's less difficult with older kids who may enjoy the independence of packing, hiking and carrying their packs. Other factors And finally, weather is a huge factor to consider when camping. If it's a nice sunny day, then no worries, car camping, tent camping and even goat camping is a great option. But if the weather turns, so can the entire camping trip! Being prepared for any kind of weather is the best any of us can do, but car camping can ensure protection from bad weather -- even during those unpredictable weeks between seasons. Tent camping in bad weather is doable but comes down to preparation and gear. For instance, a four-person family tent with standing room may be just as leak-proof as some vehicles out there, but a lightweight 3-season tent with no head room may prove a bit more interesting in terms of staying warm and dry in that spring storm. On that note, just like anything else, camping is not one-size-fits-all and every family is different. Choosing the best camping solution for your family depends on your camping goals, timeframe and, of course, those tiny people we bring along with us! This is a basic list of pros and cons but there are many others that could be added. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons for your family! Read more: The ultimate guide to camping with kids What to look for in a kid-friendly camping site Helpful camping hacks for camping with kids Photos by Arika Bauer. About OutGrown OutGrown is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every family, especially those with babies and young children, can experience the benefits of time outside. Since our grassroots beginning in 2013, we have supported more than 300,000 families with the help of thousands of volunteers across the country. We believe nature belongs to all of us from the very beginning. That means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and supporting families in finding their way outdoors, whether that starts with a stroller walk, a community outing, or a quiet moment under the sky. You can learn more and explore our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org. Editor’s Note Thank you for reading. At OutGrown, we believe content should offer more than information. It should create a connection, support real-life caregiving, and reflect how families grow together through nature. Everything we share is made with care by our team and volunteer community. If this piece inspired you or helped you feel more confident in your outdoor journey, we invite you to support our work by donating today. Your contributions help us keep resources free and accessible to all families. Please remember that the experiences and tips shared in this article are for general information only. They are not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or safety advice. Always consult with a qualified provider if you have specific concerns or questions. We are glad you are here. We are growing something meaningful together