My wife and I,my daughter, son-in-law and their 15 month and 3 year old are thinking of going to the boundary waters first or second week of September. We have all been multiple times,so were experienced but not with small kids. We're thinking Alton so we don't have to portage much. My wife and I usually go in September and October so I know the weather can be warm to real cold. We have the flexibility in our schedule to change if the weathers going to be to cold and will go a different time. With the 15-month-old tossing and turning all night, how do you keep them warm. Any advice on taking small children is welcome. Or do you think we're crazy trying to go this time of year. Y

The 3 year old will be harder to keep warm. We use 0 degree bags and stay up till midnight to make sure everyone is tucked in. Kids can't regulate their body temps easily so they won't wake up till they are really cold. I also pack small fleece blankets to throw on top when they are that little because a 3 year old hates being mummies. The baby is way easier. We just dress them in winter suits and put a sleeping bag over if needed. All kids get some kind of air mat. Also bring kid size rain ponchos to go over rain gear. Kids won't stay under a tarp so they will get soaked then not feel cold till they are really cold. Of course always have the in life jackets.

Here's a couple of trip reports when we first took our baby daughter to Canoe Country. Maybe you'll find some useful information?



Brule Bay baby

Big Moose and a little girl ~ A river less paddled

I don't think I can add any additional expert advice to what has been given. Those are great suggestions. We took my daughter when she was 3 1/2 up on Sag. We had blankets under our sleeping pads and one over the top of all four of us. I was in a 20 degree bag so I really didn't need the extra warmth. The toughest is making sure they are dressed warm if they are old enough to head out of the tent for a nature break. That was always my job ("Dad has the flashlight!"). Warm sweaters and socks are key. The snowsuit is a great idea -- especially for those cooler September nights.

Thanks for all the info. Since we are base camping would it be better for the little ones to play around camp all day or go on day trips.

quote SteveF: "Thanks for all the info. Since we are base camping would it be better for the little ones to play around camp all day or go on day trips. "

When we based camped with our little ones, we did day trips or sometimes took a half-day in camp. We just kept it really flexible depending on how the kids (and we) were doing. If you dig a little, there are loads of tips and tricks on this forum to make your trip easier and more fun.

And, no you're not nuts to go. We went in the fall with our young kids all of the time (they're now teens). With kids, being flexible is key. As you might have guessed, the pace is completely different than an all adult trip. Have a great trip! Let us know how you fair.

My youngest at 3 sleeping at the end of a portage on the Isabella River system. She also napped in the canoe.


And another late fall trip taking a load of kids 'fishing'. The youngest at 4, kept happy with a sucker.
!$/a

Everyone taking turns at paddling. The 3 year old again with a sucker.


The 4 year old was responsible for portaging a paddle and keeping her pfd on.

And now they can can carry anything that we can. This photo was when they were a little younger, but they're ages 12 - 18 now.

You can stay in Camp or go out. When my kids were little we would base it on nap time. We go fishing in the morning come back to camp for naptime and then do a day trip after. Or sometimes we would just day trip and make sure that while we were day-tripping we were in the canoe during nap time.