Adventures in Keiki Camping

Okay, I like camping, but I also like sleep. I love sleep … I miss sleep. Eleven months old and the little stinker still doesn’t sleep through the night. Up twice a night, three times, four … A growth spurt, a new tooth, a cold, learning to crawl, learning to walk, another tooth. Yes, I miss sleep.

But we decided to take a gamble on sleep this weekend and took the kids camping on the north shore. I’ve been to many public campsites in Hawaii that tend to have loud music and parties that go on well into the night.  Hey, i’ve been a part of those parties, but at this stage in my life, not so good. We decided to try Camp Mokuleia which is kind of expensive for camping ($15 pp, really?), but has hot showers and an enforced quiet time. Not sure if that includes screaming babies?

Anyways, it was awesome. The perfect place for our camping with two trial run. And as a bonus it seemed to be the only place on the island that was dry on this rain-soaked weekend. Both kids were excited and happy the entire time. From the start, they were enthralled with the tent – so much that I had to kick them out in case it rained and we were stuck inside it all weekend. The beach was beautiful and we only saw a handful of people. Not so great for swimming (although snorkeling may be a good option in the summer), but there was a tidal shelf with lots of pukas to explore – crabs, anemones, sea cucumbers. Perfect. We meant to check it out at night, but the kids crashed post-marshmallow roasting. We were also right across from Dillingham air field. In the morning airplanes buzzed over head and dropped off scores of sky-divers. We watched them turn somersaults and speed to the ground. And as far as sleep, well, i’ve had worse nights. We’ll be heading back this summer!

Poking a sea cucumber is pure joy!

check out the tiny anemones!

Have you taken small kids camping? I’d love the hear your stories!