Five-year-olds want their own chair at the fire. Sturdy kid-sized chairs with cup holders and easy-clean fabric are the sweet spot. We cover this in more depth in our roundup of the best camping chair for 8 year old.
These chairs fit most 5-year-olds.
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Quick Picks
- Best overall: KABOER Kids Folding Camping Chair
- Best classic: Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Bella Butterfly Chair
- Best with lock: EVER ADVANCED Padded Kids Camping Chair
- Best sturdy: Pacific Play Tents Kids Folding Chair
- Most fun: BusyBee Kids Hammock Camping Chair
- Best to grow into: Black Sierra Kids Tractor Camping Chair
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Standout feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KABOER Kids Folding Camping Chair | Best overall | Kid size | Water and stain resistant | View |
| Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Bella Butterfly Chair | Best classic | Child-sized | Matching storage bag | View |
| EVER ADVANCED Padded Kids Camping Chair | Best with lock | Kid size | Safety lock | View |
| Pacific Play Tents Kids Folding Chair | Best sturdy | 100 lb capacity | 14 x 14 x 23.5 in | View |
| BusyBee Kids Hammock Camping Chair | Most fun | 125 lb | Gentle swaying seat | View |
| Black Sierra Kids Tractor Camping Chair | Best to grow into | 150 lb | Tractor design | View |
Detailed Reviews
1KABOER’s kids chair uses coated Oxford fabric that resists water and stains on a heavy-duty steel frame.
Fun prints, a cup holder and a carry bag make it a family favorite.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Sturdy steel frame
- Easy-clean fabric
- Cup holder
Watch out for
- Prints vary
- Not for teens
Key Specs
- Frame: steel
- Fabric: coated Oxford
- Extras: cup holder, bag
2. Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Bella Butterfly Chair
2Melissa & Doug’s Bella Butterfly chair is a child-sized folding lawn and camping chair with a butterfly-shaped back.
It has a cup holder in the armrest, water-resistant, easy-to-clean fabric and a matching carry bag. Check the age label on the listing before buying for a young toddler.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Kid-sized and fun
- Cup holder
- Easy to clean
Watch out for
- Outgrown by older kids
- Theme not for everyone
Key Specs
- Size: child-sized
- Fabric: water resistant
- Extras: cup holder, bag
3EVER ADVANCED’s padded kids chair sets up in seconds, and a safety lock keeps it from folding accidentally.
Padding and a cup holder make it comfortable for longer sits around camp.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Safety lock
- Padded
- Quick setup
Watch out for
- Heavier than basic kids chairs
- Small for teens
Key Specs
- Lock: anti-fold safety lock
- Padding: yes
- Extras: cup holder
4Pacific Play Tents’ Super Chair is sized at about 14 x 14 x 23.5 inches and holds up to 100 lb.
Its proportions suit young kids, and it folds into a bag for camping and backyard use.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Kid proportions
- 100 lb capacity
- Folds small
Watch out for
- Small for tweens
- Simple design
Key Specs
- Size: about 14 x 14 x 23.5 in
- Capacity: 100 lb (listed)
- Style: folding chair
5The BusyBee chair is a hammock-style kids seat on a stand, with triangular side supports, crossbars and anti-slip feet.
It supports up to 125 lb and has an elevated, wide seat for growing kids, with a secure lock.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Fun swaying seat
- Stable stand
- Higher capacity
Watch out for
- Bigger to pack
- Needs supervision for swinging
Key Specs
- Capacity: 125 lb (listed)
- Style: hammock on stand
- Feet: anti-slip
6Black Sierra’s kids chair has a fun tractor graphic and holds up to 150 lb, so it lasts well into the school years.
It folds into a carry bag for camping and sports.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- High capacity for a kids chair
- Fun design
- Carry bag
Watch out for
- Theme not for everyone
- Larger than toddler chairs
Key Specs
- Capacity: 150 lb (listed)
- Design: tractor
- Extras: carry bag
How We Chose
We compared seat size, height, weight capacity, comfort features, packed size and durability across dozens of camping chairs, then read verified owner feedback to find weak points that spec sheets miss. We did not receive free products, and we do not claim hands-on testing. TOR Scores combine published specs, verified owner feedback and overall value.
Kids Camping Chair Safety
Kids chairs are small, but the same safety rules apply as for any gear. Keep these in mind: You may also find our guide to the best camping chair for 2 year old helpful.
- Adult supervision: stay close to young children whenever they are sitting, climbing or playing near chairs.
- Check the age and weight labels on every chair; many folding chairs are labeled for ages 3 and up.
- Safety locks: chairs with a lock that stops accidental folding reduce pinched fingers.
- Pinch points: set up and fold chairs yourself, and keep small fingers away from hinges.
- Fire distance: keep kids chairs well back from campfires, stoves and heaters.
- Stable ground: set chairs on level, firm ground away from drop-offs and water.
- No standing or rocking: teach kids to sit, not stand or tip back, in folding chairs.
For the youngest children, a low, stable seat used under close supervision is safer than an adult-style folding chair. Related: our shortlist of the best camping chair for 10 year old.
Choosing the Right Size by Age
- Ages 1 to 3: low, wide seats close to the ground, ideally with a safety lock or a seat designed for little ones. Supervise constantly.
- Ages 3 to 6: classic child-sized folding chairs with cup holders fit well. Look for easy-clean fabric.
- Ages 6 to 9: larger kids chairs with 100 lb or higher capacity last longer.
- Ages 9 to 12: youth chairs or compact adult chairs; many tweens are happiest in a light adult chair.
Kids grow fast, so a chair with extra capacity and room usually gives you more seasons of use. If you are comparing options, our guide to the best camping chair for 1 year old is worth a look.
Campsite Setup Tips for Comfort
- Set chairs on level, firm ground; dig in or move rather than sitting on a slope.
- Keep chairs a safe distance from the fire and never leave fabric near embers; see Smokey Bear campfire safety.
- Bring a small sit pad or blanket for chilly nights; cold air under the seat cools you fast.
- Use established sites and durable surfaces to protect plants and soil.
How to Care for a Camping Chair
Let fabric dry fully before bagging the chair, because damp storage causes mildew and rust. Brush off sand and dirt, wipe frames with a damp cloth, and spot-clean fabric with mild soap. Check rivets, hinges and stitching at the start of each season. Store chairs indoors or under a cover, and replace a worn bag before it tears on the trail.
Related guides: best camping chair for 3 year old, best camping chair for 6 year old, best camping chair for 7 year old, best camping chair. See every pick in our Camp Furniture category.
Sources and further reading: National Park Service: camping basics, Leave No Trace: the 7 Principles and National Park Service: the Ten Essentials. Product specs and weight limits come from brand listings on Amazon; always follow the maker’s stated capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can a child use a camping chair?
Check the label; many kids folding chairs are labeled for ages 3 and up. Younger toddlers need low, stable seats and constant supervision.
How do I keep kids safe in camping chairs?
Supervise closely, use chairs with safety locks, keep fingers away from hinges and keep chairs well back from fires and water.
How much weight do kids camping chairs hold?
Many hold about 75 to 150 lb, so check the listing. Higher capacity chairs last longer as kids grow.
How far should chairs be from a campfire?
Keep chairs a safe distance from the fire, leave room to walk around it and never let fabric sit near embers or sparks.
Should a 5 year old carry their own chair?
Light kids chairs are easy to carry, which many kids enjoy, but adults should set them up.
Final Verdict
The KABOER kids chair is our top pick for a 5-year-old, with Melissa & Doug as the classic and EVER ADVANCED for a safety lock.
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