Best Kids Camping Chairs, As Chosen By Outdoorsy Parents

I usually don’t bring a camp chair for my kids. They can sit on the ground or a log. But, if I want to bring a chair for myself, I’ve found that my kids will steal it from me. Then I have to kick them out of it, or I have to worry that they will topple over since the chair is too large for them.  I guess it’s only fair that my kids get the same comfort I do. 😀

If you are going to spring for a kids camping chair,  you should get one that is stable (don’t have to worry about it toppling over into the campfire!), has the right seat height, and is actually practical for camping.  It also helps when the camping chair has cute or cool designs that your kids will love. Here are the top picks.

*If you have a really little kid, see these picks for Best Toddler Camping Chairs instead.

 

Quick Picks:

• Best Overall: Coleman Kids Quad Chair because it has a low seat height, is lightweight, very sturdy, has a cool (but not cheesy) design, and is suitable for ages 3-7
• Best for Older Kids: REI kids camp chair is a quality chair which will grow with your kids; suitable for ages 4-10 years old
• Best for Cuteness: Melissa and Doug camping chairs are cute, affordable, and good for kids 3-5 years old

 

Best Camping Chairs for Kids

*Note that I used the seat height, weight limit, and dimensions to determine the appropriate age range for these camping chairs; the age range might not match what the manufacturer listed in the product description.

 

1. Coleman Kids Quad Chair

Best for: A sturdy camping chair with a low seat height

This kids camping chair is a good balance between fun designs and practicality.  Kids will like the fact that the chair has glow-in-the-dark elements on it.  Parents will like that it has a low seat height of just over 10 inches, so even little kids will be able to get in/out easily without toppling over.

Note the chair is smaller than it seems in the pictures.  While it should last your kids a few years of camping and has a high weight limit, older kids will get cramped in the chair.  If your children are tall, it might only be okay up to 5 years old.

---

2. REI Co-Cop Kids Camping Chair

Best For: A very durable yet lightweight camping chair which will grow with your kids

REI’s kid camping chair is everything you’d expect from the company: good-quality camping gear at an affordable cost.  The chair is made from a solid construction and is very sturdy.  It won’t wobble around, even on uneven ground.  The seat height is 11 inches, which means it will be too tall for toddlers and they’ll need some help getting out of the chair.  It’s better for slightly older or taller children.  The chair only comes in blue and red, with no designs, but it means older kids won’t be stuck with a babyish chair.

The chair doesn’t come with a carrying case but there is a strap built into the chair for easy carrying.  It’s only 4lbs, which is pretty lightweight for the sturdiness, so maybe you’ll even be able to get your kids to carry it themselves (here’s to wishful thinking!).

---

3. Melissa & Doug Camping Chairs

 

Best for: A super cute, cheap camping chair

These kids camping chairs are incredibly popular and get put on every “best” list out there.   Young kids will like the cute designs.  No, the chairs aren’t just a cute gimmick: they actually do hold up over several years’ of use.  The construction isn’t as solid as the REI chair above, but that does make the chair lighter.  The seat height is low enough to be used with small children or even toddlers but it will still fit kids up to around 6 years old (depending on  how big your child is).

---

4. Wilcor Kids Folding Camp Chair

Best For: A cute camping chair for slightly older children

If you want a cute kids camping chair but for slightly older children, these ones by Wilcor are great. They are very sturdy but weigh under 4lbs.  At 11 inches high, this chair is best for kids from 4 years old (despite the fact the manufacturer says 2 years old).  The chair should be fine for most kids up to 6 years olds. After that the seat will be too cramped.

---

5. Kingcamp Camping Chair

Best for: An adult chair that kids of all ages can use too

This camping chair is a low camping chair which is meant for adults.  However, because the seat height is just 8 inches, it is also suitable for children too.  You’ll appreciate the fact that the chair is ridiculously sturdy and won’t tip over (which will make you calmer around the campfire).

The issue with using a low adult chair for children is that the seat is still very deep.  If your kid sits back in the chair, their feet will not touch the ground.  I actually like this for very little kids: they can sit cross-legged (which my kids prefer anyway). Toddlers are also used to having their legs completely extended in strollers, and the chair depth is long enough for that.

A lot of adults like this low chair to sit in while playing on the ground with their kids.  I will warn you though that it sucks to get out of such a low chair.  Still, it’s something you and your kids can use for years.

---

6. Strongback Prodigy Kids Chair

Best For: Good posture

The brand Strongback makes folding chairs with ergonomic designs for good posture.  There is an raised back area which provides lumbar support so you can’t slouch in them like a typical camping chair.  They are really comfortable and the back support makes it easier to do things like eat in the chair.  I also love that the Strongback chairs are very sturdy and strong.  They will last for years and small teens can sit in it too.  It’s just too bad the chairs don’t come in any cute designs for kids.

---

7. Foam Camping Pad

Do your kids really need their own camping chair? I’m a minimalist camper and most of the time my kids and I just sit on a foam sleeping pad.  It’s lighter, easier to pack, they can lie down on it, and I don’t have to worry about them falling out.   I usually take a pad on hikes too so we can sit on it during breaks.

For sitting on, I prefer smooth pads (as opposed to ridged or bumpy sleeping pads) since they are easier to clean and don’t get gunked up as easily.  Most foam pads cost less than $20 and will last for years.

Get It Here

---

 

Choosing the Right Camping Chair for Your Kids

Since this will probably be the only chair your children have to sit on while camping, make sure you get the right one.   Here’s what you need to consider to get the right chair for your kids:

 

Weight Limit

The weight limit on camping chairs indicates how much weight the chair can safely hold.  It does not mean that it will fit children up to that weight: a chair with a 100lb weight limit won’t necessarily fit a 100lb child! A high weight limit is a sign of good quality, so it’s worth getting a chair with a high weight limit even if your child is still very light.

 

Height from Ground

A lot of kids camping chairs are stupidly high off the ground.  The high center of gravity means the chair is more likely to fall over.  Young children might need help getting down from a tall camping chair.  Another major issue: their feet won’t rest on the ground.   There aren’t any standard seat heights for kid’s chairs, but below is what Montessori recommends.

*It’s a good idea to measure your child’s sitting height (with feet flat on the ground) before buyin a camp chair.

Age	Seat Height
1-2	7"
2-3	8"
3-4	10"
4-6	12"
6-8	14"
8-11	15"

 

Stability

Please do NOT get a beach-type of chair for camping!  These are not very stable and thus not very safe for sitting in front of a campfire.  Instead, look for 4 separate chair legs.  The wider the legs, the more stable the chair is.

Canopy

I personally don’t find canopies useful while camping, but a canopy is useful if you want to use the chair on the beach too.  Just pay attention to the canopy height: tall kids (even within the weight limit of the chair) will likely hit their heads on the canopy.  A canopy also means the camping chair will be bulkier and heavier.

 

Will It Grow with Your Kid?

If the camping chair actually fits your child well, they will grow out of it quickly.  If you have a young child and want the chair to last for more years, look for one which is low to the ground but still has a high weight limit – like the Coleman Kids Quad chair which is just 10.2 inches off the ground but has a weight limit of 160lbs.

 

Cute Designs

My kids annoyingly are more likely to use something if it has cute designs on it.  There are plenty of cute camping chairs for kids – just think about whether your kids will still like the design next year or whether the design is gender-neutral enough for another child to inherit the chair later down the road.

 

---

Image credit: “Chairs Around Campfire” (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) by camknows,