skip to main content
The Best Baby Gear for Camping
February 27, 2023

The Best Baby Gear for Camping

Babylist editors love baby gear and independently curate their favorite products to share with you. If you buy something through links on our site, Babylist may earn a commission.
The Best Baby Gear for Camping

Are you the type of family who likes to take on the great outdoors? Your adventures don’t have to stop just because you have a baby or toddler in tow—you’ll just need the right gear.

To help you get out the door and into your next adventure as seamlessly as possible, our resident outdoorswoman Alainna Wurfel—toddler mom, avid camper and Babylist’s newsletter editor—pulled together her favorite items to have on hand for outdoor excursions big and small.

In some cases, she recommends creative ideas for repurposing products you may already own (like the packing cubes she used to stay organized while backpacking along Europe’s 100-mile Tour du Mont Blanc, before kids). And in others, she’s researched and tested goods specifically designed to keep your little one safe and happy out in the wild (like the wearable sleeping bag that kept her one-year-old cozy during a winter camping trip). There’s one item that didn’t make the list below that she also highly recommends: Ikea bags, for schlepping toys, snacks and other baby gear around.

Best Grab-and-Go Gear

Stash these items together so that you can easily find them for any adventure.

Welly
Small boo-boos happen. Colorful bandages can make all the difference.
Buy Now
Yeti
I got this as a birthday present, for picnics. These days, it holds breastmilk and refrigerated baby pouches everywhere we go.
Buy Now
The Honest Company
They're going to get messy out there—and you won't always have access to potable water. These baby wipes are gentle enough for hands and faces.
Buy Now
Skip Hop
This compact clutch has taken up permanent residence in our trunk for on-the-go diaper changes.
Buy Now
MDSolarSciences
Speaking of the sun, don't forget the SPF! We like this dermatologist-recommended formula for our eczema-prone toddler.
Buy Now
WiHoo
I bought this to stay cool during labor and delivery, and now I strap it onto the stroller wagon when we're out on warm days.
Buy Now

Best Gear for Camping with a Baby or Toddler

Pro tip: bring any nature-themed books your child loves, and point out their favorite illustrated flora and fauna IRL.

hiccapop
While camping on his first birthday, our son loved eating his meals in this by the lake, inside the tent and next to the campfire. The cover is washable, too.
Buy Now
Yogasleep
You might end up with rowdy neighbors in the tent next door. Even when it's quiet, Mother Nature can spook little ones. This helps.
Buy Now
Morrison Outdoors
When a sleep sack won't cut it during colder evening temps, these wearable sleeping bags—in baby and toddler sizes—are an outdoorsy parent's go-to.
Buy Now
Guava Family
We love this travel crib's backpack straps! Our toddler loves crawling in and out of the side "door".
Buy Now
REI Co-op
If you're a frequent camper, there's a good chance you have this top-rated water heater for meal prep already. It's great for quickly heating water to warm bottles, too.
Buy Now
KidCo
This is a safe, portable place for non-walkers to stand and play that keeps them contained while you're setting up camp.
Buy Now

Best Gear for Nature Walks & Hiking With a Baby or Toddler

If you have a walker, don’t forget to put them in durable, close-toed shoes.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Organizing baby items into packing cubes makes finding what you need on the trail a breeze. Designed for serious backpacking, these are ultra lightweight and built to last.
Buy Now
BOB Gear
This all-terrain jogging stroller glides smoothly over unpaved paths. When we flew with ours for a weekend of hiking in Colorado, we loved using it to haul our luggage from the car to check-in, too.
Buy Now
REI Co-op
Going somewhere not accessible by stroller? This hiking carrier ranks high in every category including fit, comfort and storage space.
Buy Now
Busy Baby
If your baby needs a toy or a teether while adventuring, there's a good chance they'll drop it in the dirt. Attach one end of this bungee to their toy and the other end to your carrier or stroller.
Buy Now
Zojirushi
This highly rated travel mug keeps liquids piping hot and doesn't leak. Bring one for your coffee, and one to hold warm water if you need to heat up a bottle on the trail. Cheers!
Buy Now
Avon
Bug repellent could mean the difference between an enjoyable trek and a disastrous one. These wipes are super convenient, baby-safe and won't spill in your day pack.
Buy Now

Best Gear for a Picnic or Beach Trip

These nice-to-have items make al fresco family time a breeze.

Veer
The oversized wheels can tackle sand, snow and gravel, and you can even attach a car seat to this stroller wagon, making it adaptable for infants, toddlers and bigger kids.
Buy Now
Pop 'N Go Playpen
Of all the beach tents we love, this one's the easiest to set up (and it's very lightweight).
Buy Now
Gathre
This mat may not look very outdoors-friendly, but it’s super portable, compact and can be hosed off.
Buy Now

Best Gear for Flying with a Baby or a Toddler

Traveling far for your next adventure? Consider bringing these.

No Reception Club
We rated this the best travel diaper bag for good reason: more pockets than we can count.
Buy Now
Ergobaby
If you're checking a jogging stroller, babywearing throughout the airport is the way to go. This one is lightweight, great for all climates and doubles as a great hiking carrier.
Buy Now
DINO BARS
Snacks can get messy, but these all-natural bars are wrapped with edible paper to keep the gooey goodness inside contained during your flight. They're great to bring on hikes, too.
Buy Now
This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and review products, as well as the Babylist Health Advisory Board.