We started our kids fairly young in the back yard. With s’mores. Those were critical.

When we started car camping we’d ironed out some of the difficulties (more comfortable sleeping pads, a warmer sleeping bag, who slept where, having all required stuffed animals in place). Mrs. Magnet is a genius cook and had made a really delicious campfire meal, which was much appreciated. There were other kids nearby and ours were equipped with headlamps and allowed to run around and get worn out playing. At bed time, we ran into one unanticipated challenge: the campsite was dramatically darker outside than our back yard. I had a flashlight in my pocket that I set to Moonlight mode and clipped near the top of the tent, and that got it done.