by maipham

December 20, 2021

best camping beds for toddlers

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I went camping with my toddler about six months ago, and it was probably one of the least relaxing trips I've ever had. I think I only slept for about 4 hours in total. My portable beds were ineffective for camping. It did not fit in the tent, made a lot of noise, and ripped holes in the tent floor. My toddler is cranky because he did not get enough sleep the night before.

I started looking for toddler camping beds while on a camping trip last weekend. I experimented and discovered that some options stand out as very excellent. Having a portable toddler bed has been highly beneficial to me. It aids in reducing sleep disruptions for my child.

best camping beds for toddlers

So if you intend to take your toddler camping, think about purchasing a toddler camping bed. It makes your trip more relaxing and allows you to get some extra sleep.

Check out my recommendations for the top 5 best camping beds for toddlers. These recommendations are based on my extensive research and experience with toddler camp beds. I hope you find this list of toddler camping beds helpful.

Our top picks for best camping beds for toddlers

SECOND BEST

Leachco BumpZZZ Travel Bed

RUNNER-UP
 

Lotus Travel Crib

Best camping beds for toddlers: does your toddler need one?

You might wonder if a camping bed is essential. Here are three reasons you should buy a portable toddler bed for camping.

To begin with, most toddlers are squirmy creatures. At night, they will roll around the tent. This is troubling for two reasons. The first is that your toddler will almost certainly kick you in the head (not fun!). And if your toddler rolls off the sleeping pad, the ground absorbs the heat from their body.

Second, portable sleeping beds keep toddlers in place in the tent, preventing injuries. It can also make sleeping in a tent much more comfortable.

Finally, if you don't want to bring a camping bed with you, there are other options for keeping your toddler in the tent. Bring some large pillows to place on each side of your toddler's sleeping mat, use double-wide sleeping pads, or attach the sleeping bag to the pad,... But all these ways are contrary to what you might think. Because they will not keep your little one warm at night, your child must be protected from the elements. A sleeping pad should place inside or beneath the camping bed on chilly nights. So, while not completely necessary, a camping bed is the best way for your toddler.

5 best camping beds for toddlers

When looking for the best camping beds for toddlers, consider how frequently and where you will use them, weighing product size and purpose for your next family camping trip.

Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed

Regalo My Cot is better suited for preschool and kindergarten-aged children and is relatively easy to find. This portable toddler bed resembles an old-fashioned folding bed with metal legs that fold and unfold quickly. It is ideal for camping because it is simple to set up and keeps your toddler above ground without posing significant risks of falling.

It's easy to use. There is no need to blow it up or assemble it; unfold it, and you're ready to go. The frame is light steel, and the sleeping area is covered in canvas. A fitted sheet that can remove adds a layer of comfort. The cot folds up to 9 x 8 x 24 inches, making it portable and easy to store.

The Regalo My Cot is lightweight, durable, and affordable, and it includes a fitted sheet. Parents report sturdy and large enough to last their children for several years. They also mention how many kids enjoy it and how eager they are to sleep on it whenever they get the chance. This is most likely what you had in mind when you thought of a camping bed – and it's adequate for the occasional camping trip.

One thing to remember is that there are no rails or a place to put them. Several reviewers have also reported the cot tipping over if the child's weight is shifted entirely to one side. Because of the lack of rails and the potential for tipping, I recommend the Regalo My Cot only for children who sleep peacefully and do not toss and turn all night.

What we like

  • Easy setup – Fold and unfold
  • Folds small, easy to pack in the car
  • Durable steel frame to hold up to 75lbs
  • Lightweight
  • Includes fitted sheet makes for easy leaning and upkeep
  • Cost-effective

What we don't like

  • Less comfortable
  • No safety rail
  • Canvas can be loud when toddlers move around on it

Leachco BumpZZZ Travel Bed

The Leachco Bump ZZZ Travel Bed may be a good choice for families with children aged three and up. This spacious and lightweight model is used immediately, with no need for inflation or more equipment.

This LeachCo travel bed is made of soft foam and has soft cushioned bumpers on all sides to prevent toddlers from falling out of bed. The foam pad and outer bumpers can be easily removed and washed. And the bumpers mean you won't have to worry about a child who moves a lot while sleeping.

It's also a good size, measuring 58 x 39 x 7 inches. When folded, this child's fold-up bed measures 20 x 37 x 15 inches, and the mattress at 11.5 pounds. So it is larger than the average suitcase, but it is still light enough to carry to the car and in and out of the house. 

This children's fold-out bed's fold and go functionality makes it extremely simple to set up and fold away. It can also function as a lounge cushion when folded over. As a result, this fold-out toddler bed is best suited for a camping weekend or as a toddler sleepover bed.

However, there is one major drawback: the higher price tag. It is not only the most expensive option in my best kid's portable toddler bed reviews, but it is also the largest when packed. Because this bed takes up a lot of space, I wouldn't recommend it for air travel. It'd be perfect for a toddler bed at grandparents' homes, on road trips, or while camping.

What we like

  • Soft foam with cushioned bumpers makes it very comfortable
  • The Fold & Go function makes it easy to set up and fold away
  • Foam pad and outer bumpers easily removed for washing
  • Includes carry bag
  • Polyurethane Foam bed with bumpers and headrest
  • Machine washable cover
  • It folds into an included storage bag
  • Made in the US

What we don't like

  • Not suitable for air travel
  • Higher price

Lotus Travel Crib

The Lotus travel crib is an excellent portable bed for toddlers that has been specially designed to be easy to carry and fold/unfold. To make the mattress more comfortable for toddlers, they make a plush, quilted sheet.

The Guava Lotus is comparable to a Pack 'n' Play, but it is more durable, lighter, and easier to assemble. The bag converts easily into a backpack for hands-free carrying. It's sturdy, simple to make, and comes with optional upgrades like bug netting and a sunshade ideal for camping.

In our Sprinter van, we removed the first-row bench seat to make room for our son's car seat in the second row. This allows us to fit his bed between the bench and the front cab area. Our son slept soundly in our van while wearing his Guava Lotus.

What we like

  • Lightweight
  • It comes with its own carry case
  • It comes with GreenGuard Gold non-toxic certification thanks to the use of non-toxic materials
  • Easy to set up and fold down
  • Mattress approves overnight sleep for kids up to age 3
  • See-through mesh sides for airflow and safety

What we don't like

  • Difficult to bend over the side
  • Not cheap

Baby Delight Go with Me Bungalow Deluxe Portable Travel Cot

This is a great brand, and their chairs are on my list of the best baby camping chairs. It's a little more expensive, but the canopy means you'll get more use out of it, such as taking it to the beach.

It will be good to accompany you because it has rails. The Bungalow travel cot is the best camping cot for toddlers.

The Bungalow is relatively light and portable. It also includes rails and an optional canopy. (Yes, I'm going to bring up the rails again!) My son moves so much in his sleep that he falls right off a mattress or cot if there are no sides.) During the day, the canopy acts as a sunshade, and at night, it can make the bed a little darker.

If your toddler has trouble adjusting to new sleeping environments or is used to sleeping on a mattress, they may struggle to sleep on a cot. It's a great option if they're easygoing with sleeping and can fall asleep anywhere.

What we like

  • Removable canopy with UV protection
  • Feet won’t tear tent floor
  • Storage pocket
  • Easy to use.

What we don't like

  • Low capacity
  • Only for small kids.

Coleman Camping Cot

This Coleman Camping Cot is unique because it comes with its air mattress. The air mattress serves as an additional layer of comfort. It has a large weight capacity and is simple to assemble.

The Coleman Camping Cot is a queen-sized cot that can accommodate two people. However, there is a middle frame bar that is uncomfortably tight. This is where the air mattress comes in, and all you have to do is fill it with air and place it on the cot.

A sewn-in cover keeps the air mattress in place and prevents sliding off the cot. This set also includes a battery-powered air pump.

It's simple to assemble; pull from the sides, and you're done. Although heavy (around 42 pounds), it folds up nicely and can be stored in the included carry bag. The good thing about this bag is that it has wheels, which aids in portability.

The downside is that it squeaks when you move on the cot because of friction between the frame and the fabric. You can get rid of it by wrapping moleskin tape around the bars in contact with the material. Aside from that, there isn't much wrong with this cot, and you'll appreciate how comfortable it is.

What we like

  • Good for partner sleeping
  • Sturdily built with steel frame
  • Has side tables that can hold your cups
  • Easy to set up and roll down
  • Air mattress is comfortable

What we don't like

  • Legs lack a locking mechanism
  • Squeaks loudly

How to pick the best camping bed for toddlers

Here's a quick rundown of the factors to consider when buying the best camping beds for toddlers:

Safety

best camping beds for toddlers

When looking for the best toddler camping bed, safety is an essential factor to consider. Toddlers are not as fragile as babies, but they are also not as strong as adults. Many toddlers are still using cribs or just transitioning to a toddler bed, so there is still a fall risk. When shopping for camping beds for toddlers, pay close attention to the product's safety features. For your toddler's safety, you can never be too cautious. Safety rails are one of the safety features that come in handy with toddler beds. Another consideration is the height of the beds are off the ground–some are flat on the floor, while others are elevated. These are essential features to consider for portable toddler beds.

Comfort

The comfort of your toddler's camping bed will have a significant impact on how much sleep you get. The more comfortable they are, the better they sleep well. And if your toddler sleeps through the night, so will you! So, when looking for a camping bed for your toddler, consider comfort. If you're looking for comfort, some features of toddler camping beds to consider are the material used, whether they’re inflated, and whether the design of the bed is high quality.

best camping beds for toddlers

Convenience

A simple portable toddler bed to set up, take down, and move will undoubtedly make traveling and camping more enjoyable. Vacationing with a toddler is already difficult enough–you don't need to add the additional stress of an inconvenient toddler bed to the mix. When it comes to convenience, consider how easy it is to set up a bed, how easy it is to take down, how heavy or light it is, how easy it is to pack up, how easy it is to carry, and how easy it is to store. It's often much more convenient than lugging around a Pack n Play.

Wrap up

best camping beds for toddlers

For both you and your toddler, getting enough sleep is critical to having a pleasant family vacation. Getting the best camping beds for toddlers was an excellent idea to make nights in your tent more restful. So, if you're concerned that your toddler won't be willing to sleep in a new location, invite him/her to assist you in selecting the perfect bed and use some options above as starting points. They may soon ask to use their favorite camping bed at home as well!

About the author 

Mai Pham

Mai Pham discovered her passion for writing a few years ago and she never stop thinking about it ever since. She finally took the leap and created Live a Worthy Life to brag about her smart ass (mainly just for fun). Enjoyed the fun writing brings, now with her new interest in everything-baby-related, she created Mommy Instinct, to tell mamas that it's ok that they mess up, that they don't know what the hell they are doing, and that it's okay to sit back and relax for a while.

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