Helping Kids Sleep at Camp (When It Doesn’t Come Easy)

I get it because I’ve been there. Not in a "cute camping trip" way. In a "carrying a 30-pound toddler by the fire at 10 p.m. because nothing else worked" kind of way.

In summer 2022, my middle child struggled with sleeping in the tent…. the whole season. And when I say struggled, I mean I tried everything. I scoured the internet for advice, hoping for a magic solution, but the honest truth? It was a long, exhausting process.

If you’re here wondering if your child will ever sleep while camping, you’re not alone.

Here’s the full picture of what we tried, what actually helped our kids sleep while camping, and what I wish someone had told me back then.

What We Tried (and Tried Again)

We threw the entire toolkit at it:

• Full bedding from home: comforter, pillow, sheets, anything to feel familiar.

• Rotating sleeping setups: with me in the tent, with Grandma in her camper, solo with a sound machine.

• Chasing the perfect site: beachside (waves for white noise), forested (quiet and dark).

• Movement and soothing: walks in the carrier, rocking by the fire until he drifted off, then transferring to bed.

• Late bedtime strategies: letting him stay up later to fall asleep naturally once truly tired.

  
  

Some things helped a little for a night or two, but nothing solved it fully. And it was SO hard when I felt like no amount of effort was working.

What Ultimately Made a Difference

After a summer of trial and error, this is what actually helped the most:

1. Exposure Over Time

The more nights he spent camping, the less scary and unfamiliar it became. Camping wasn’t a once-a-year special event, it became normal. That mattered.

2. Being His Comfort Zone

No matter where we camped, I stayed consistent:

• Same bedtime songs

• Same soothing voice

• Same gentle back rubs

• Same patience (even when it took everything I had)

  
  

Even when he cried, even when he wouldn’t settle, I made sure he knew he was safe and supported.

3. Choosing the Right Campsites

I started prioritizing:

• Secluded sites (so less noise from neighbors)

• Waterfront or forest sites (nature sounds like waves or wind)

• Low-traffic areas (back loops or smaller campgrounds when possible)

  
  

Nature’s background sounds helped muffle unpredictable campground noises that could startle him awake.

4. Bringing a Comfort Item from Home

A favourite blanket, a stuffed animal, even a piece of Mom’s hoodie… something that smelled like "home." It wasn’t just a cute extra; it was essential.

5. Letting Go of a Rigid Schedule

At home, we had a strict bedtime routine. At camp, I learned to flow with the day:

• If he needed to stay up later, we let it happen.

• If he needed to fall asleep in my arms and transfer, we did it.

  
  

There’s no award for "perfect camping bedtime" only memories (and sometimes survival!).

Bonus Tips: What Might Help Your Kid Sleep at Camp

Every kid is different, but here’s what I would try again if I were starting over:

• Stick to your home routine (as much as you can). If your little one is used to a story, a song, or a certain stuffed animal, keep that part the same. The familiarity can be calming when everything else feels new.

• Bring comfort from home. A favorite blanket, pillowcase, or stuffy goes a long way. (We once squeezed three “must-have” loves into our tent, worth it!)

• Layer wisely. Kids sleep better if they’re warm but not sweaty. I like fleece pajamas + a hat if it’s chilly, then peel layers off if they overheat.

• White noise helps. Nature sounds are beautiful… unless your kid is wide-eyed listening to every snap of a twig. A small portable white noise machine or even a phone app can drown out the distractions.

• Don’t fight the late sunsets. Campsites stay bright much longer than at home, so a sleep mask or blackout shades for the tent can help kids wind down when the sun is still up.

• Expect a rough first night. Honestly? It’s normal. Everyone’s adjusting. Night two is usually smoother.

  
  

The biggest thing I learned: it’s less about perfect sleep and more about building memories.

Even if bedtime feels messy, the giggles, stories, and morning snuggles are the part they’ll remember most.

What I Wish I Knew Back Then

• It’s normal for camping sleep to be hard for some kids.

• You didn’t mess up by struggling, you’re doing something brave and beautiful.

• Patience matters more than perfection.

• And sometimes? Those brutally hard nights end with something unexpected, like a 3:00 a.m. sunrise over the St. Lawrence River, holding your sleepy toddler close, realizing that these messy, imperfect moments are the ones you’ll cherish most.

  
  

✨ Related Family Camping Posts:

• Essential Camping Gear for Families: What You Really Need

• Setting Up Camp With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)

• Camping with Kids: How to Actually Make it Easier (After a Rough Start)

With love,

The Duquette’s