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If you’re planning on camping with kids, one of the must-have items you’ll want to bring is kids camping chairs (actually, camp chairs for the whole family too). Giving kids a designated place to sit is a game changer at meal times and can make your time around the fire considerably safer as well, since kids will hold still better.
Even if you’re camping in an RV or will have a picnic table, pack the kids camping chair so that everyone has a comfortable place to stay and you have more options to spread out as well. Through the years, we’ve had dozens of camping chairs in our family. Some of them are small and lightweight, others are heavy beasts, and of course, our favorite camping chairs are the ones that the kids can play HARD with and they still hold strong without breaking. Our camping chairs get lots of use at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and especially when we bring out the camping desserts for kids!
If you’re looking for a lightweight camping chair for kids, there are tons of options. When buying kids foldable outdoor chairs, consider how portable and stable they are for convenience and safety. And you don’t have to compromise style, either! From comfort to personalized colors, your kids will be excited to have a “big kid” chair of their own.
If your children aren’t at the “big kid” stage yet, a baby highchair for camping is a great option since it can be used for mealtime as well as playtime. These chairs will bring the safety and utility of highchairs but in a lightweight and portable package — perfect for camping!
Can kids use adult camping chairs?
Oftentimes, parents are looking to save a few dollars and get their kids an adult camping chair. While kids can technically sit in an adult camp chair they are not ideal for younger kids. Camping chairs are less stable than a regular chair, so they tip over more easily, so getting a kids camping chair can prevent kids from falling out or tipping over as easily.
If you’re like us, camping chairs are mostly used when we’re eating meals or hanging out around the campfire, so unless you want your kids to spill all your food when they get off balance, a kids camp chair is a great idea. We recommend getting a camp chair that’s sized so that kids can put their feet on the ground while their sitting for extra stability, and to reduce the risk of them tipping over.
When young kids sit in an adult camping chair, they often tip over when they’re getting in or out, which can often mean a spilled meal, or worse, a tumble into the fire. For safety, we recommend that all kids ages 5 and under sit in kid-specific camping chairs. Once our kids are about age 8 or 9, they usually transition to an adult camping chair to accommodate their taller bodies.
Top Features In The Best Camping Chairs For Kids
Before you jump right in and buy the first kids camping chair that you see, first consider a few different things. First of all, what is the age of your child? If you have a toddler, you may want a baby camping chair with a tray so that it doubles as a highchair and gives them a solid place to eat.
If your kids are a little bit older consider getting a kids camping chair with a carrying bag so they can help move it around and be responsible for setting it up and taking it down.
Here are our favorite camping chair features for kids:
Here are our favorite camping chair features for babies:
Best Kids Camping Chairs Review
While it’s tempting to run down to Walmart for a cheap camping chair, that may not always give you the best quality or the most features in your kids camp chair. Below are our favorite camping chairs for kids to help you have a great time on your next family camping trip.
Make sure to read to the bottom for the cutest camping chairs with animals, characters and colors the kids will absolutely LOVE!
Overall Best Kids Camping Chair
Coleman Kids Quad Camping Chair
Weight Capacity: 160 lbs
Seat Height: 10.2″ off the ground
Best For: Stability (locking steel frame), Durability
These Coleman kids quad chairs for camping are a staple for outdoor adventures, and are the safest kids camping chairs we’ve found. With a locking mechanism, this camping chair won’t fold up on itself if it accidently gets tipped over, making it safer for kids and also one of the most sturdy camping chairs we’ve seen.
With two colorful fabric options, blue and orange or pink and purple, your kids will have their very own, special seat around the fire. These small camp chairs for kids are made with durable polyester and a strong steel frame that locks securely in place. The lower seat makes it easy for kids to get into and prevents tipping over. Best part — the chairs come with a built-in cup holder to keep juice and water within arms reach.
Best Features Coleman Quad Camping Chair
Best Youth Budget Camping Chairs
FireFly Youth Camp Chairs
Weight Capacity: 120 pounds
Best For: Best fun camping chair on a budget, love the 2 cup holders for drinks and snacks
These are the best budget camp chairs we’ve seen for kids. They’re a little bit better quality than the cheap Walmart camping chairs and we absolutely love the fun colors, designs, and patterns. Best of all is they’re only about $20. These camping chairs are all rated to seat kids 120 pounds and under, so this is a great kids camp chair choice that will last kids until they’re ready for an adult size camping chair.
Best Features Firefly Youth Camping Chair
Best Kids Canopy Camping Chair
Quik Shade Canopy Camping Chair For Kids
Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
Best ages: 2-6
Best For: Perfect for hot days or camps where there is no shade, safety lock to hold shair open
If a shady spot is hard to come by, then this chair is for you! It comes with a built-in and adjustable canopy that provides fantastic sun protection. This chair even looks impressive and with the safety lock to hold the chair open, it’s a really safe chair for kids. When you fold it down the chair weighs less than 5 pounds and the canopy becomes locks into place so it doesn’t slide down. It’s so light and easy to set up that it’s perfect for kids. The only downside to this canopy camp chair is that there isn’t a lot of room between the seat and the canopy so taller kids will hit their heads.
Best Features In The Quik Shade Kids Canopy Chair
Best Lightweight Kids Camp Chair
Trekology Portable Camping Chair Ultralight
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Weight: 2 lbs
Best For: Backpacking, Older Kids
If you’re gearing up for a backpacking trip, then you’ll want these ultra-light kids folding chairs for camping. All of the other chairs we’re mentioning are only suitable for car camping, but this lightweight camp chair can be taken into the backcountry as well, and works great for older children.
It’s made from strong nylon and aluminum alloy, but weigh just over 2 lbs. The youth camping chair becomes super compact — perfect for packing and carrying a distance to campsites. And the design makes this a great choice for children. The seat is deep and low, which is easy for kids to get into and get comfy. The same chairs are also available for adults, which means it won’t be outgrown and is a great camping chair for older children. You’ll be able to use this lightweight camping chair for kids for adventures in years to come.
Best Features In The Trekology Ultralight Camp Chair for Kids
Wilcor Kid Folding Camp Chair For Kids
Weight Capacity: 125 pounds
Seat Height: 11″ off the ground
Best Ages: 2-6
These chairs are so fun with their adorable characters that your kids will be excited to sit back and relax! They come in three adorable animal options: a bear, moose, or dog. The animal face smiles on the back of the chair. And the chair is complete with fun ears or antlers sticking out the top, and little paws on the arm rest! These are perfect for small kids, since it is low to the ground and keeps them secure. They will enjoy the built-in cup holders and can even help carry it using the convenient bag. These are sure to keep the smiles going around the campfire!
Best Features Of The Wilcor Animal Camp Chair
KIDS ONLY Beach Baby Umbrella Chair
Weight Capacity:
Seat Height:
Best For:
Who can resist this adorable kids camping chair with an umbrella? These kids folding chairs for camp will keep the family ready for hours of play! Kids can take breaks and snacks while shaded by the removable umbrella. You can easily take the umbrella off for evenings around the campfire. A perfect combo chair! There is a built in cup holder and carrying bag, so your essentials are covered. In this fun aqua colour, this small camping chair for kids is a fun addition to your family outdoor parties.
Best Features Of The Baby Beach Umbrella Chair
Best Baby Camping Highchairs
A baby highchair for camping is a must-have for our family. My kids are all VERY messy eaters as well as very active, so for meal time, they need their own child camping chair with tray to help contain them and their messes. Having a baby camping high chair can also make camping with a baby much less stressful since it can help give mom and dad a break during camping mealtimes.
Overall Best Baby Camping Chair
Baby Delight Go with Me Chair With Sun Canopy
Age range/weight range: 3 months up to 75 lbs
This baby camping chair hasn’t missed a thing and we can easily say this is the best baby camping chair we’ve ever seen! It comes fully equipped with a hard plastic eating tray, a sunshade canopy, the perfect seat height for little ones, and a five-point buckle belt. Its soft seat makes it comfortable for babies to sit in for long periods of time. The best part is that everything is removable and adjustable. This makes cleaning super easy. Not only that, but as your babies grow you can open leg flaps into a seat for supported standing, or remove the harness and tray to transform it into a “big kid” seat. And of course, the whole thing can fold down and fit inside an easy-to-carry bag.
If you’re looking to get one camping chair that can take your child from baby until they’re a teen, this is the chair to buy. This child’s camping chair with tray makes it easy for baby to use, and the camping chair tray makes meal time and playtime so much easier.
Best Features in The Baby Delight camping high chair
NOTE: Because this camping chair is designed for all ages, the seat height will seem taller on younger kids. This doesn’t mean it’s the wrong size, just remember that you’re shooting for a chair seat height that can fit your toddler as well as your 8 year old comfortably, so this is a good middle ground.
Ciao! Baby Portable Outdoor Camping High Chair
Age Range: 3 months-3 years old
A lightweight and durable necessity for when you bring your baby camping. This is a baby high chair for camping is free standing and requires no assembly. It simply folds open like an adult chair, but with all the added features needed to keep your baby safe and comfortable. The chair is equipped with a five-point buckle belt, a lower seat height to accommodate smaller kids, and a wrap around tray. Your baby will be secure with a convenient place to eat. The chair is made using strong canvas, and the tray has an extra layer of clear vinyl for an easy wipe clean. There is also a built in a cup holder, pouch, and leg rest. The whole thing will fold down and fit in a carry bag that’s perfect for camping trips and beach days. This chair works well for both baby and little kids.
Best Features of The Ciao Portable Camping High Chair
15 Cutest Animal and Character Camping Chairs For Kids
Character camping chairs for kids are a great way to get them excited about going on outdoor adventures. Not only are they comfortable and durable, but they also come in a variety of fun designs that your child will love. Plus, most of these are relatively inexpensive, so these chairs are an incredible value.
While some of these may not be the absolute best quality, we all know that sometimes with kids, LOOKS MATTER! If getting an animal camping chair is what it takes to get your kids to LOVE CAMPING, then these are absolutely worth the price (even if they break at some point.)
If you have little kids who are picky about what their gear looks like, they’re sure to find an animal camping chair or character camping that they love below:
Simply click on each photo for more details of the character camping chair.