How to Get Kids to Sleep in a Tent
Getting children to sleep in a tent is one of those camping challenges that sounds straightforward but can genuinely make or break a trip.
A child who sleeps well in a tent means a family that wakes up rested and ready for another brilliant day outside.
The good news is that most children, once they have adjusted to the novelty of sleeping in a tent, actually sleep brilliantly outdoors.
Here is how to make the adjustment as smooth as possible when it comes to getting children to sleep camping.
Why Children Struggle to Sleep in a Tent
Novelty and excitement. The first night in a tent is exciting. Children who are thrilled about camping will often resist sleep simply because they do not want the day to end.
Unfamiliar sounds. A campsite at night sounds very different to a bedroom. Other campers, wind in the trees, animals, the rustle of the tent fabric, all of these can be unsettling for children not used to them.
Light. In summer, tents can stay light until very late in the evening and get light again very early in the morning. Without a proper dark environment, falling asleep and staying asleep is significantly harder.
Temperature. Getting the temperature right in a sleeping bag is harder than it sounds. Children who are too warm will resist sleep; children who are too cold will not manage it at all.
Practise at Home First
The single most effective thing you can do to help children sleep well in a tent is to give them experience of it before the trip.
Pitch the tent in the garden and let children sleep in it one or two nights before you go.
This removes the novelty factor, they have already slept in a tent, they know what it sounds like. The first night on a proper campsite then becomes much easier.
Maintain a Normal Bedtime Routine
The camping bedtime routine for kids should be as close to the home routine as possible.
If your child has a bath, story, and song routine at home, replicate as much of it as you can on the campsite.
A wash in the toilet block replaces the bath. The same story read in the tent. The same closing ritual you use at home.
Start bedtime at the same time you would at home. The temptation on a camping trip is to let bedtimes slide because the evenings are fun.
Overtired children in tents are significantly harder to settle.
Manage the Light
In summer, a tent can be frustratingly bright well into the evening.
Blackout bedroom pods, available on many family tents, are a significant help. If your tent does not have them, a dark sleeping bag pulled over a young child’s head can help block light.
An eye mask for older children who will tolerate one is worth trying.
Familiar Comforts From Home
Bring things associated with sleep from home. A favourite teddy or comforter. Their own pillow in a familiar pillowcase. A bedtime book they know well. A torch they can use if they wake in the night.
The familiarity of objects associated with home and sleep helps children transition into sleep in an unfamiliar environment. For toddlers sleeping in a tent, this is particularly important.
Dealing With Night Waking
Children often wake in the night on the first night of a camping trip and take a moment to remember where they are.
This is normal and usually resolves itself quickly. Keep a small torch in an accessible place in the tent.
For children who regularly need night-time toilet trips, walk the route with them during the day so it is familiar before darkness falls.
Getting Better Each Night
Almost universally, children sleep better on the second night of a camping trip than the first.
By the third night, many children sleep better in a tent than they do at home, the fresh air and exercise simply knocks them out.
If the first night is difficult, be patient. Keep the routine consistent and trust that it will improve.
For more practical camping tips for families, visit our family camping tips section, check out our how to keep kids warm when camping guide, and explore everything at Camping With Kids.
