Photo by @melissagaylephoto
The Best Baby Gear for Camping
What to bring on camping, hiking and picnicking adventures—for babies and toddlers.
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Published Dec 8, 2023|Updated On Sep 6, 2024
Published Dec 8, 2023Updated On Sep 6, 2024
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Photo by @melissagaylephoto
Are you the type of family who likes to take on the great outdoors? Your travel adventures don’t have to stop just because you have a baby or toddler in tow—you’ll just need the right gear.
I’m Alainna, Babylist’s newsletter editor and resident outdoorswoman—and I’m here to help. Below are my favorite items for camping, hiking and picnicking with my own two kids.
In some cases, I recommend creative ideas for repurposing products you may already own (like the packing cubes I used to stay organized while backpacking along Europe’s 100-mile Tour du Mont Blanc, before kids). And in others, I have 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 my one-year-old cozy during a winter camping trip). There’s one item that didn’t make the list below that I also highly recommend: 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
First-Aid Kit
Small boo-boos happen. Colorful bandages can make all the difference.
Yeti
Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler
This was originally for picnics, but these days, it holds breastmilk and refrigerated baby pouches everywhere we go.
The Honest Company
Baby Wipes
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.
Skip Hop
Pronto Signature Changing Station
This compact clutch has taken up permanent residence in our trunk for on-the-go diaper changes.
Babo Botanicals
Sensitive Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Don't forget the SPF! We like this pediatrician-tested formula for our eczema-prone toddler.
WiHoo
Mini Handheld Stroller Fan
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.
BLDG ACTIVE
Active Skin Repair
This no-sting first-aid spray helps all the boo-boos heal faster—wounds, sunburn, rashes, bug bites and more—and is safe for babies, too.
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
OmniBoost Travel Booster Seat with Tray for Baby
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.
Yogasleep
Hushh Portable Sound Machine
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.
Morrison Outdoors
Little Mo 20° Down Baby Sleeping Bag
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.
Guava Family
Lotus Travel Crib & Play Yard
We love this travel crib's backpack straps! Our toddler loves crawling in and out of the side "door".
REI Co-op
Jetboil Flash Cooking System
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.
KidCo
Portable Fold Up Travel Activity Seat with Floor Pad
This is a safe, portable place for non-walkers to stand and play that keeps them contained while you're setting up camp.
Roar
Baby Monitor
This battery-operated baby monitor = portable peace of mind (up to 1000 feet).
Momcozy
M9 Wearable Electric Breast Pump with Smart App
I found the long battery life—up to six sessions on a single charge—useful while being off the grid. (And bonus: the nearly-five-star Babylist Shop reviews mention that it boosts milk supply for some!)
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
Pods
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.
BOB Gear
Revolution Flex 3.0 Single Jogging Stroller
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.
Thule
Sapling Child Hiking Backpack Carrier
Going somewhere not accessible by stroller? This hiking carrier ranks highly in fit (my husband is a foot taller than me, yet this adjusts to be comfortable on both of us) and storage space.
Busy Baby
Toy Bungee & Tether
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.
Zojirushi
Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug
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!
Avon
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Towelettes
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.
Best Gear for a Picnic or Beach Trip
These nice-to-have items make al fresco family time a breeze.
Gladly
Anthem4 All-Terrain Wagon Stroller
Our favorite feature on this 4-seater workhorse is the included “lounge pad,” which transforms the rugged wagon into a cozy (& contained) area for our kids to lie down outside.
Pop 'N Go Playpen
Premium Indoor and Outdoor Baby Playpen
Of all the beach tents we love, this one's the easiest to set up (and it's very lightweight).
Gathre
Easy Clean Large Play Mat 54x54
This mat may not look very outdoors-friendly, but it’s super portable, compact and can be hosed off.
Best Gear for Flying with a Baby or a Toddler
Traveling far for your next adventure? Consider bringing these.
No Reception Club
The Getaway Bag
We rated this the best travel diaper bag for good reason: more pockets than we can count.
Ergobaby
Omni Classic Mesh
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.
DINO BARS
Variety Box
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.
Cotopaxi
Allpa 35L Del Dia Pack
With built-in packing cubes, backpack straps and a carry-on size, this luggage is as family-friendly as it is rugged. We use one for the kids and one for ourselves.
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