I Can Do Anything (And You Can Too): Adventuring With a Toddler

If you've ever thought you can't do something or go somewhere because you have a kiddo, I have news for you: You can. And you should.

Traveling with a toddler isn't easy. Sometimes it's not fun.

But more often, it is. And when it's good, it's magical. All it takes is a little pre-planning and preparation, some adjusting of expectations and you can go anywhere and do anything, toting that kiddo right along.

Dora Babs the Explorer and Mom in Moab, Utah

We camped for 5 days in the desert outside of Moab, Utah, next to the climbing rock face called Sunshine Wall. Our first outdoor climbing experience, we were led by our dear friend Nay, and accompanied by his friend Rachel.

giving my mother a heart attack, one adventure at a time

(What did we do with the dogs while we were away? Got a homeless person to stay at our house and care for them, of course. That's it's own post: How to Find a Free Dog Sitter, coming soon.)

Babs packing list for the desert:
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Closed-toe shoes
Sandals
Socks
3 pair shorts
4 T-shirts
2 long-sleeves
Sweater
2 pants
1 sweatpants
5 undies
Potty chair

Babs was on week 2 of potty training, so we toted her potty chair on our day trips. She def peed in a public parking lot a time or three. Who cares. If people had kids they'll probably understand. If not, Whatever™.

It was hotter than... something really hot, and our campsite had zero shade after 8 a.m., so naps were tough, considering our tent bakes like an oven when the sun hits it. Naps were taken in the air conditioned truck driving to/from day-climbing destinations.

Once, she napped in the hammock with me as my compatriots climbed in the La Sal mountains. (A 20 degree difference from our campsite to climbing site in the mountains meant for a warm, snuggly swing in the hammock with my sleeping girl. A better time was never had.)

What Toys to Bring Traveling?

Keep it simple. Go for the biggest bang for your buck. A little rubber ducky gets old in ten minutes, but two barbie dolls can provide hours of entertainment. We brought a small tote of toys because we had the space, but mostly, she played with a bucket, two cups, a spoon and an empty spice container. (Lots of playing in the sand.)

Pro tip: Make a game out of burying 'treasure' in the sand for her to dig up. It doesn't matter what the treasure is.

Books for reading before sleep were essential. Bring as much as you can to keep their routines the same as at home. But the deviation from routine isn't going to make a child go berserk, either. Prep the kiddo by telling them, "We're going camping (or x, y or z), so you're not going to have "favorite toy x" for a few days. But it'll be home waiting for you when we get back."

If you're unsure about the adventure with the kid, try not to let it show. They're little sponges, they soak up voice inflection and facial cues. Be excited about it: "We're going CAMPING! Oh my gosh this is so amazing! I can't wait! Are you excited Babs? It's going to be so much FUN!"

Odds are your can-do, flexible attitude will be infectious.

Toddler Foods While Traveling

Frozen sausage (the more natural the better: hold the nitrates, please.)
Pumpkin pie (make one beforehand and pack it in Tupperware.)
String Cheese
Lunch meat
Canned Vegetables (carrots, green beans, corn, whatever greens your kid will eat)
Pouches (having a few on hand is a good idea when you're in the middle of nowhere)
Cereal (or other snacks such as granola and raisins)

Oh, and don't forget the marshmallows!

The Benefits of Community

A rock climbing trip would not have been possible with only 2 people and a kid, since one person is climbing and the other is belaying and there's no one around to make sure Babs doesn't fall onto a cactus.

Having 1-2 more people along was essential for this trip, and indeed would make any trip with a kid easier, provided the people are semi-helpful.

Babs and Rachel looking at the cows that were just...hanging out...everywhere

Our 1-2 people were amazingly helpful in keeping Babs entertained, happy and cactus-free for these 5 days. Traveling with friends, family, or another group who has children is a huge benefit and I highly recommend it.

Nay helping Babs 'Climb rock like Mommy'

Babs had so much fun waking up (at the ass crack of dawn: "Sun's awake!") to a new adventure every day. We took her on short hikes, threw her in the pack and hiked in to climbing spots, checked out Arches National Park, and basically just toted her wherever we wanted to go.

Mind, we hadn't showered for 3-4 days at this point

I always had a backpack pre-loaded with whatever she may require: sunscreen, chapstick, water, snacks (cheerios, raisins, pouches), some toys, some books, extra clothes. I usually had a small cooler packed with cold foods, too. But as long as she had someone to engage with, look at the new surroundings, and make up stories, she was a happy camper.

Hell, I even took her into a hostel shower. That sounds a tiny bit irresponsible, but it was actually totally cool. We escaped the 95 degree heat at our campsite, wind that blew sand into our eyes (and everywhere else) and incessant black flies, for a day trip into Moab, where we checked out a cool rock shop, had dinner and yes, stopped off for a quick $3 shower at a hostel.

"Babs, put your hands on your head and don't touch anything!" She did really well, and it was incredibly refreshing.

The view from the top of a climb. Photo courtesy of Nay, as I was too busy not dying to take any pics at this point

Mr. Go rappelling, which is even more fun than it looks

I'm so thankful we didn't miss out on this amazing trip because we were too scared to try traveling with our ever-changing, unreasonable Terrible 2-year-old. The scenery was breathtaking, falling asleep under the desert sky, bright with stars was an incomparable experience.

And now that we've done it, I realize how easy it is (not "easy easy" but do-able and enjoyable).

Any adventure truly is possible, kid and all.