Camping with Toddlers: Family Fun on Lake Lanier

We just got back from a weekend long camping trip to Shoal Creek Campground on Lake Lanier. This is our first lake camping trip and first time camping with just our immediate family. We have taken both of the boys camping in years past, with the help of other family members, but at ages 3 and 5 we are ready to go with just our family. I am pretty sure camping will get better and better every year.

We usually go camping in the mountains, but switched it up to go lake camping as it is closer to home (only 45 minutes away) and near where we keep our boat. I am much more of a lake person (than mountain person), so highly recommend going camping near the lake if you get a chance.

We arrived at the campsite around 5 on Friday evening and after switching our campsite to a more family friendly spot (they were very accommodating and allowed us to switch to a flatter spot), we set up camp. It wouldn’t be a camping trip without a few hiccups–lets just say we ended up having to blow up a mattress in the woman’s bathroom and Reid and Drew both got attacked by yellow jackets near the campsite. Luckily, Reid is not allergic to bees and the Boy Scout troop next to us offered pain wipes. Note to self: ALWAYS bring antihistamines and Tylenol on camping trips.

Following the mishaps, we grilled hotdogs and hamburgers and roasted marshmallows by the fire. We all went to bed around 9:30 when the sun went down. The weather was perfect with a cool breeze off the lake, which is very nice for a June night in Georgia.

On Saturday morning, we woke up and ate coffee cake/cinnamon rolls before heading to the boat and going on the lake for the day. I bought Drew a lily pad for Father’s Day which we took out for the first time! It was a blast and we all enjoyed lounging and floating around. Reid took a nap on the boat in the middle of the day, which allowed Drew and I to spend some quality time with Walker in the water. It is so much fun when we get to have one on one time with the boys!

Following our lake adventure, we went back to camp where I took a shower and the boys played games before eating dinner. Our menu was the same both nights which worked out great!

Sunday morning we had a big pancake, egg and bacon breakfast before packing up camp and hitting the lake for a second day in a row. It was so nice being able to have back to back days on the water. We went to a sandbar where the boys played on the beach. We stayed at the lake until around 2 and then headed back home.

We all had a wonderful time and the boys are already asking when we can go back camping.

Things I learned:

Always bring along medicine, including children’s medicine.
If your site doesn’t have power, use the bathroom. We will bring our coffee pot next time and just plug it in the bathroom
Bring new and exciting games that kids can play independently.
Pack in laundry hampers (stack two together: one for dirty clothes and one for clean)
Bring along bottle water and jugs of water (always better to over prepare)
Paper products and plastic utensils: I know this is wasteful (as are water bottles) but it is wayyy more convenient and makes life easier when camping