There’s a huge variety of designs, features, and functionality when it comes to kids’ camping chairs. You may have a toddler whom you’d prefer to keep off the ground while they’re eating at the campsite, or a tween who isn’t quite ready for an adult-size chair. You may be in the market for sun protection for your kid for summer afternoons by the lake or in the backyard. When making this list, we considered age and size recommendations, durability, special features, customer reviews, and the recommendations of a pediatrician to narrow down the many choices. Read on for the best camp chairs to keep kids’ bodies erect, off the ground, safe, and protected from the sun at every price point. They’ll also love that the chair is just like an adult camp chair, with soft seating and a mesh cup holder in the arm of the chair that’s just like the grown-ups’ seats—only the 10-inch seat height makes it perfect for young kids. On a more practical note, we love that this chair collapses and comes in a slender bag with a drawstring closure and a cross-body carry strap. At less than 4 pounds, it’s light enough for your kid to carry themselves, which will give them a feeling of accomplishment. Price at time of publish: $51 The OmniBoost is also pretty low to the ground, so your toddler can sit comfortably and put their feet on the ground while they’re resting or eating. The chair also has a pocket sleeve on the back that’s perfect for stashing sunscreen, books, bibs, spoons, or other outdoor necessities. With large, flat feet for stability, it’s easy to use this chair on almost any surface, though it is a little too wide for most picnic table benches.  The chair’s folding frame collapses for travel and comes with an over-the-shoulder carrier you can tote to the beach, campsite, or the backyard. The seat also has a three-point restraint that fits around your little one’s waist and between their legs, keeping them secure while they’re seated—and giving parents a moment to breathe! Price at time of publish: $45 Since they’ll be carrying the chair (or you will) while looking for the right spot to sit, we looked for a lighter option, and with this one coming in at just 4 pounds, it is the ideal choice. It comes in two colors, a handsome gray and a crystal blue, and definitely feels more grown-up than some of our other chairs, which is great for those older kids who don’t want to use things that look “babyish.”  This chair doesn’t come with a carry case or bag (one less thing to lose!), but it has an attached strap built into the chair for easy carrying. This chair also has a pocket in the right armrest for drinks, snacks, or whatever they want to keep with them. Price at time of publish: $40 The scoop seat, which is made from easy-to-clean nylon, slightly reclines but has a nice amount of support. The height is low, which means this chair, while having a high weight capacity that could support an adult, is easy for little people to get in and out of. It’s also nice to stretch out in to watch the stars—our favorite camping activity. Price at time of publish: $150 This bucket-style chair is also extremely budget-friendly, coming in just under $20 at most retailers, and well built for the price. The heavy-duty waterproof fabric with double stitching makes it sturdy enough to support an adult’s weight without tearing, which is important for stability and safety in the great outdoors. Price at time of publish: $30 The larger-than-most canopy is rounded to maximize sun protection beyond midday, as the sun rises and dips. The canopy may also shield your child from some mild rain, though not completely, of course. You can then retract the canopy when it’s night or you need a little warmth from the sun.  While this chair is a bit heavier than some of the other chairs on this list, it’s super easy to clean and it folds up quite compactly. Price at time of publish: $65 Made with waterproof nylon or polyester (depending on your color choice) and foam that provides comfy padding, this chair can give them the support and space they need at a picnic table or sitting on the ground. Though it looks like a simple enough seat, the Crazy Creek has sturdy carbon-fiber stays to keep their backs upright, and it’s adjustable for a wide range of sitting positions for customizable comfort. The other thing we love about this chair is that it weighs in at a bit over a pound and can be folded almost flat. You can slip it into a tote bag or a backpack, or just tuck it under your arm and carry it wherever you go. This is a great option for city living or anyone living in a smaller space who wants to get outside. Price at time of publish: $60 This chair is durable enough to hold up over several years of being used—maybe by more than one kid. While they aren’t the most solid chairs on the list, they’re pretty sturdy and very lightweight. The seat height is on the lower side, meaning you can use this chair for a larger toddler up until about age 6. The armrest features a small cup or snack holder, and the chair folds up easily into a cute matching carrier. Price at time of publish: $33 This chair has a convex back area that provides excellent lumbar support integrated into the frame, so when you’re seated you can’t slouch like you can in some camping chairs. It’s super comfortable and helps fight bad sitting habits that can be hard to break as your kids age.  This chair has a larger weight capacity than some of our picks, so your kids can use it from their tweens into teenage years. It also comes with a pocket on each arm for drinks, snacks, and more, as well as a mesh pocket across the back for extra storage. The chair also collapses and fits neatly into a tube-shaped tote that can be carried over the shoulder or by hand, ready to bring to events, hikes, or the beach. Price at time of publish: $84 This chair is well constructed and has a cup holder on one arm. It’s also available in other colors, like purple and pink. Price at time of publish: $33

What to Look for in Kids’ Camping Chairs

The qualities of a good camping chair really vary based on your needs and your child’s needs, according to Dr. Diamond. But there are a few ways to narrow down your choices.

Comfort and Ease

“Whatever is comfortable and portable for you, your children, and your family is fine!” Dr. Diamond tells Verywell Family.  The best part about getting a camp chair is that you’re already doing parenting right, she continues: “If you’re using a portable chair, it’s likely because you’re going camping, to the beach, or traveling somewhere with outdoor activity, which is more important for back and body health than worrying about the type of chair you’re bringing.” However, you do want to look at how well made the chair is, Diamond notes, explaining that you want to make sure “it’s sturdy enough to support you and your kids without collapsing! The only true contraindication to me to buying a chair (as with anything) is a product recall.”

You’ll also want to look for the features you and your child might need for an activity. We like canopy or umbrella chairs for sun protection at the beach. You may want cup holders for picnics and camp dinners, or a carrying bag for longer walks from the car. 

Portability and Weight

Many camp, beach, and outdoors chairs fold up for easy carrying. You may want to look at the weight of the chair to determine if your child can carry it, as well as if it comes with a carrying case or has handles. If you’re planning on hiking with a chair, or even carrying it to the beach, portability is a major consideration.

Size and Weight Limit

Look closely at the size of the chair to make sure your child can get into it safely and won’t outgrow it too quickly. Also pay attention to the weight limit. If they grow too big for the chair, or if a grown-up decides to borrow it, someone may end up on the ground.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Tanya Edwards is an experienced parenting, food, beauty, and health journalist who has been writing and editing parenting stories for over a decade. She’s also an avid outdoors person and can often be found hiking through the woods or at the beach with her nieces and nephew. However, if the adults have chairs, your child might feel more included if they have their own. It’s also often easier to manage eating and cleanup with a chair.