The 10 Best Kids Camping Chairs (Babies And Toddlers Too) – 2023

Camping with little ones can be a great way to bond as a family away from the iPads and televisions, or it can be a total disaster. The outdoors is a fantastic place to let kids run free and wild, but if you don’t come prepared you might soon regret it. One of the best ways to prepare for a good camping experience is to pack the right gear.

Kids tend to like doing what adults do, and they are known for getting messy. A camping chair is a fun way to include them in grown-up camping activities (namely, sitting) while keeping them off the ground and out of the dirt.

But how do you know which one to get?

There are many different types, and some are better than others in certain situations. To help you make that decision, we spent a week with the experts testing out various styles and brands. We put in roughly 40 hours of research to find the best kids camping chair for all ages and needs.

While you may want a chair with a very specific set of features, we think the Melissa & Doug Child’s Outdoor Chair is the best overall pick to satisfy the majority of shoppers. It checks all the right boxes while offering design options that can appeal to any kid or toddler out there.

Comparison Table

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10 Best Kids Camping Chairs (Toddlers & Babies Too)

1. Melissa & Doug Child’s Outdoor Chair – Best Overall

An alternate title for this chair would be “Most Exciting.” We are linking to the Bella Butterly model, but Melissa & Doug produces a line of kids’ camping chairs in a variety of different styles. Each one is guaranteed to make your little one excited to go camping. 

The Melissa & Doug outdoor chairs are adorable, easy to use, and light enough for most kids to carry in the matching carrying bag. While this one doesn’t come with a lot of extra features (like a shade or a tray), it has all the essentials for a sturdy camping chair and the bright vibrant designs to get your kid’s attention. 

The chair is made of a metal frame surrounded by a durable, odor-resistant material that is easy to wipe clean. It is recommended for use by toddlers and children but is best for those on the smaller side. The feet provide plenty of grip to keep your kiddo safe and stable on different outdoor terrains. 

Features: Metal frame, matching carry bag, mesh cupholder, colorful design options, one-move setup

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2. Coleman Kids’ Quad Chair – Best Quad 

The Coleman Kids’ Quad Chair is the classic camping chair but in a miniature form. It is great for kids who want to mimic the adults and sit in a “grown-up” chair. It has a subtle yet colorful style and quad-leg stability to keep your little ones safe and secure. 

The Coleman Kids’ Quad Chair has a low seat to help short legs access easily, a cupholder for sippy cups and bottles, and a strong steel frame for multiple uses over many years. Despite its small size, this chair is rated for up to 160lbs, so your kid can conceivably use it for quite a long time. 

Features: Steel locking frame, low 10.2” seat height, 24” seat, glow-in-the-dark cupholder design, 160lb weight limit

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3. Baby Delight Go With Me Chair – Best for Infants 

We know many parents that swear by this chair (this article’s authors included!). We are calling it the best for infants, but what’s great about this chair is that it can grow with your child. The full 5-point harness helps your infant sit upright safely (starting at about 3 months of age), but older kids can also sit comfortably as well when the harness is removed. 

It comes with a functional sunshade and a tray for food during the early years. The material gives ample cushion, and the multi-fold leg frame keeps it stable on many different terrains. 

One of the coolest features of this seat is that there is a removable flap on the seat that helps your baby practice standing while safely secured within the seat. It is rated up to 75lbs, which is less than some others on the market but suitable for quite a few years. When not in use, it all folds up into a conveniently included travel bag. 

Features: 4.9lb weight, rated to 75lbs, suitable starting at 3 months, transforms for different ages, includes sunshade and snack tray, comes in multiple colors

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4. REI Co-op Camp Chair Kids’ – Best for a 10-Year Old

This is a camping chair that is meant to last. While it doesn’t come with some of the fun designs and characters of other models, it feels both comfortable and sturdy. We doubt your kids will really notice the lack of cartoons (unless another kid has a more exciting-looking chair of course!) 

In our tests, this definitely felt like the most durable chair, and one capable of supporting heavier kids. We think it is most appropriate for your 10-year old because of its quality construction as well as its mature-looking design. This is a great chair for older kids who want to feel like one of the grown-ups. 

It also has one of the more spacious cupholders, which is great for older kids with larger drinks. Some of the kids’ chairs we tested had abnormally small cupholders. The attached carry strap is a great alternative to the traditional carrying bag. 

Features: 4lb weight, rated up to 150lbs, steel frame build, armrest pocket for small items, integrated carry strap

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5. Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable Booster – Best with Tray

The Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable Booster is a low-to-the-ground chair most suitable for babies and toddlers. Kids with longer legs will end up mostly on the ground and likely uncomfortable. 

This is also a chair that can do well in many different settings, from home to the beach to the campground. It is very lightweight and simple in design. Its low height makes it one of the most stable chairs we researched, and the quick setup saves crucial seconds in a pinch. 

We love the tray on this chair. It is BPA free, dishwasher safe, and detachable. It comes off quickly and easily so you can get an antsy baby out in a hurry. 

Features: BPA-free tray, compact carrying bag, 3-point harness, rated to 37lbs, steel frame

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6. Kelsyus Kids Outdoor Canopy Chair – Best with Shade

An oft-overlooked feature of camping chairs is protection from the sun. Hopefully, your camping spot will be well-shaded by trees, but if not, a good sunshade can be a helpful feature for your kid’s camping chair. Some kids are ultra-sensitive to sunscreen, while others simply refuse to wear it. 

Instead of endless arguing, you can make use of the sunshade as a physical barrier to the sun. The shade also means you can use this chair in many different settings, such as a tailgate or the beach. 

To top it all off, the chair itself is great as well! It includes all the necessary components of a fantastic camping chair: built-in cupholder, durable steel frame, and integrated carrying straps. 

Kids might also enjoy that this is a mini version of the Kelsyus original canopy chair for adults, so the whole family can have a matching set along with the best handheld spotlight here.

Features: 5-6lb weight, rated for up to 75lbs, shade transforms into carrying bag, 50+ UPF sun protection, built-in cupholder

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7. OZARK Trail Kids’ Youth Folding Chair – Best on a Budget

The OZARK Trail Kids’ Youth Folding Chair is a solid option for anyone wanting a kid’s camping chair without a serious investment. Trust us, we know how outrageously expensive some of these products can get! 

It is rated for up to 125lbs, with a durable steel frame and basic polyester fabric. In our tests, this chair held up pretty well to heavy use, but it definitely doesn’t feel or look as sturdy as some of the other options (such as the REI or Coleman chairs). If you aren’t a hardcore camper or think your kid might not get much use out of her chair, this product is definitely worth a look. 

Features: Rated for up to 125lbs, steel-frame design, polyester fabric material, built-in cupholder, equipped with carrying bag

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8. Helinox Chair One Mini – Best for Backpacking

For anyone adventurous enough to take your little one backpacking, the Helinox Chair One Mini is exactly what you need. It weighs in at just about a pound and folds up nicely into the included carrying bag. The seat is very low-to-the-ground to accommodate little legs and keep your wiggly toddler from falling over. 

This chair is rated for up to 200lbs, but we don’t think folks of that size would be particularly comfortable in this chair. It is technically a chair for adults (or customers of any age), but it is exceptionally small and not generally recommended for those over 5 ft tall. 

You don’t have to go backpacking to buy this chair; it is very comfortable and durable and would make an excellent chair for car-camping, tailgating, or general backyard use as well. 

Features: Easy to pack, includes carrying case, featherweight 1.1 lbs, 200lb weight limit, machine-washable fabric, low 9” seat height

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9. Kelty Low Loveseat – Best for Sharing

Let’s face it, kids like to fight over things. If you find yourself constantly battling your kids over who gets which chair, why not stick them both on a loveseat instead? 

The Kelty Low Loveseat seems to be made specifically to address this issue for parents. But in actuality, this is another chair technically made for adults. It comes in both regular and low heights, and the low version is perfect for kids of all ages. 

Kelty is an outdoor gear juggernaut, and you can’t argue with the quality of their products. Their Low Loveseat is really durable and even marketed as “dog-claw-proof”, which means you can bring your furry friends on the adventure, too! 

Since this “chair” is already more like an outdoor couch, you won’t be surprised to learn that it comes with multiple cupholders and a gear pocket on the back as well. And when you’re packing up, simply pick up one side of the product and watch it collapse into the carrying pack. Voila! 

Features: 600d Polyester fabric, low base 13. 5-inch seat height,  slightly reclined design, 42 inches of seating space, insulated cupholders, adjustable armrests, weight capacity of 500 lbs, 15 lbs total weight

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10. Coleman Stadium Seat – Best Stadium Seat

To round out our list, we are including an unconventional option: the stadium seat. A stadium seat, most commonly used for sporting events, is a great way to get back support on otherwise backless surfaces. When camping, this could be fallen trees, stumps, rocks, or just the ground itself. 

The Coleman Stadium Seat is a lightweight, affordable, and nicely padded way to sit cleanly and comfortably on a flat-ish surface without needing to pack a full chair. It can be used on elevated surfaces or the ground and is versatile enough for lots of different events (including the stadium events it was made for). This style is popular among backpackers because it can also serve as a pillow at night. 

Stadium chairs fit both kids and adults too, so it’s a great piece of camping gear to have in your supply for general usage. You can even lay the back flat for a double seating pad. You may also like the best folding wagon for kids on the Stay on Trails Blog.

Features: Integrated carry straps, seatback pocket, 15.5 inches wide, roll-up storage, lightweight

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What is the Best Camping Chair for Kids? – Final Thoughts

All things considered, we chose the Melissa & Doug line of kids’ camping chairs as our top pick. They make so many different styles and designs, it’s hard to imagine any kid who couldn’t find something they love. Melissa & Doug is also known for its incredible children’s products, both in appeal and in quality. 

These chairs don’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the others, but since kids tend to destroy and/or outgrow things quickly, you’re probably better off just sticking to something basic and appealing. Just make sure you know what your needs are before choosing a product from our list. Do you need something lightweight for backpacking or is it more important to have plenty of accessories? If you want a chair that you can rely on to last a long time, excite your kids, and work well in a variety of settings, go ahead and buy a Melissa & Doug Child’s Outdoor Chair with confidence.

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