Don’t shy away from camping because you have a little one. I’m here to tell you that you CAN have a great experience camping with toddlers and babies! We started camping when our youngest (now 2) was just a few months old, so I speak from experience. There are so many great products out there to make camping with babies and toddlers a breeze, but it can quickly become overwhelming. So if you are planning to camp with your little guy or gal let us steer you in the right direction. We’ve laid out our favorite products we’ve used and love!
While you’re at it, be sure to check out my 9 Best Products for Beginner Campers post that has our favorite general camping products.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using a link. Please see my disclaimer for more details.
Best for Baby Camper Sleeping
Unless you co-sleep, you’ll need a safe place for your infant to sleep at night and for naps in the camper. We have a small camper, so there wasn’t much space for a pack-n-play. But we found this Dream On Me Travel Playard that has worked well for us with our little guy. We convert our dining table into a bed, and set the playard on top. It’s also great to take outside at the campsite for a safe place for baby to play and not have to worry about getting in the fire. Buy it here on Amazon. You can also add this sheet that fits.
Best for Toddler Camper Sleeping
Our two-year-old has now outgrown the playard and started sleeping on the bed converted from the dining table. But..Every. Single. Night. he falls out of bed and wakes up crying! So we recently bought this bed rail guard as an inexpensive solution.
It folds down so it’s easily stowable in our small camper when not in use.
Best for safe place to play
Of course your baby or toddler will do most everything you do on your camping adventures. But at times you want to be able to relax for a few minutes and not worry about your little one wandering off or falling in the campfire. I recommend bringing along an easy-to-assemble pop-up outdoor playard. They are roomy enough for your little guy or girl to safely play with their toys or take a nap next to your camping chair.
Best for Eating
You’ll be spending a lot of time eating meals at your campsite’s picnic table. To keep your hands (and lap!) free, we love this high chair that hooks on the edge of a table. It’s study enough for toddlers too, and will hold a child weighing up to 37 pounds.
Best For Strolling Around the Park
You’ll definitely want some sort of stroller to take family walks around the campground. We have gotten a lot of miles out of our Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike. We actually have an older model than what is shown below, but I love how the new ones fold down! This is a tricycle that will last you years, because it’s easily convertible for different ages…12 months to 5 years! The first 3 stages have a handle to push like a stroller while the kiddo learns to peddle. The last stage is a regular tricycle.
Best for Playing with Siblings or Parents
We actually never had a product like this for our kids, but my sister-in-law brought a similar one along on a recent camping trip for my niece and I wondered why I never thought of that! A big playmat would be great for throwing a bunch of toys out and keeping your little one entertained at the campsite. It’s large enough for big brother or sister to join in the fun too! I love this because it’s waterproof and cleans up easily. It’s one of those products that could be used pretty much anywhere! For a cheaper option, you might consider this waterproof picnic mat instead.
Best for Hiking
There are a lot of hiking backpack carriers out there for active families with great reviews. Click here for some options. We have this one and use it A LOT (not just for camping). It’s great because it has a stand to sit down when we are loading/unloading our toddler and also has some storage to pack along diapers, wipes, etc.
Best for Bike Rides
Most families bring their bikes to ride around the campgrounds, but we don’t want to leave baby out! We recommend this bike trailer that easily hooks on and off to mom or dad’s bike. It folds down for easy transport, and includes a canopy as well as a five-point harness for safety.
Share and Comment!
Do you have any of these products? Any other camping products you love for babies and toddlers that I missed? Comment below!
And then share this blog post with other camping friends with littles!