Babies and toddlers are full of energy that makes crawl tunnels perfect- whether they are moving experts or just learning to crawl.
Even though toddler crawl tunnels make a great toy, it’s important that your little one is safe while they’re inside of them. You’ll want something durable that’s going to hold its shape while your baby is crawling through!
Below you’ll find our top choices for best crawl tunnel for kids and a guide that’ll help you know what to look for while you’re shopping.
Best Crawl Tunnels with Ball Pit
While many of the reviews for these tunnels, tents, and ball pits are positive for quality, the Hide-N-Side Play Set, although larger, is quite a bit more expensive than the smaller 3-in-1 Pop Up Play Tent and the EocuSun Tent, Ball Pit, and Crawl Tunnel.
Hide-N-Side Ball Pit, Play Tent, and Tunnels for Kids
The Hide-N-Side Ball Pit, Play Tent, and Tunnels is designed for indoor and outdoor use. It has several features that help kids have fun and is recommended for ages 12 months to six years.
This setup comes with three tunnels, a ball pit, a square tent, and a teepee style stent. It also has a ball hoop, target wall, and four ‘dart-balls’ to use with the target wall. The teepee tent is designed with several holes for your child to throw balls through as well. While there are four balls included, you’ll need to buy extras for the ball pit. The manufacturer recommends 400-600 balls.
The entire structure is made from a durable fabric stretched over harder supports. The supports are flexible, so they may bend if your child is especially rough on them. One thing nice about this is that the design is very lightweight and folds up easily. It also doesn’t take up a lot of space once folded and comes in a convenient carrying bag.
The fabric is bright-colored and visually engaging. There are also windows and mesh panels in different areas, which helps airflow and stops your kiddo from overheating while they are inside.
This crawl tunnel set features a maze-style design. You can configure it in several different ways, which is nice since it takes up a lot of space. One thing to note is that the connections could be better. There are several ties where the tunnels connect to the building and they can come untied, especially if your child is playing rough. You’ll also want to be sure only one child is crawling through the tunnel at a time because of the flimsier design.
Even though this isn’t the most durable choice, your child does have a lot of fun for the cost. The company also offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Several pieces for lots of fun
- Maze-style design that can be put together different ways
- Lots of mesh panels and windows
- Different games that your child can play
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Lightweight
- Folds down easily and comes with a carrying case
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not especially durable
- Tunnels can come untied
- Balls for ball pit are not included
If you want just a tent, check out the best play tents.
3-in-1 Pop Up Play Tent with Tunnel and Ball Pit
The 3-in-1 Pop Up Play Tent with Tunnel & Ball Pit has a pop-up design that is easy to set up. It’s manufacturer recommended for ages three and older.
The fabric for the tent, tunnel, and ball pit is made using 190T polyester taffeta. It’s a highly durable material that resists wear and tear, which is important for younger kids that play rough. Even though this has durable fabric, the structure isn’t very sturdy so it can tip. The connections between the tent, tunnel, and ball pit also aren’t especially sturdy, so they can pull away from each other.
The pop-up design makes this easy to assemble and a carrying bag is included. This makes the crawl tunnel and tent a good set for playdates or if you want to be able to put it up out of the way when your kid isn’t playing with it. Taking it down is a little more difficult, even with the included instructions. You can find videos online that can also help. Once you do learn, it’ll be significantly easier to take down.
With all the different areas for kids to play in, this is great for encouraging creative play. Your child can crawl through the tunnel into the tent and pretend it’s a house or a cave. It also has bright colors that are visually stimulating.
Another nice thing about this tent and crawl tunnel is the mesh windows and openings. This allows for good airflow, which helps prevent overheating.
The ball pit can be fun to play with, but the balls don’t stay inside very well. There are openings near the bottom where the crawl tunnel connects to the pit and they can fall out. Additionally, you’ll need to purchase balls for the ball pit because they are not included.
Pros
- Pop-up design makes this easy to set up
- Comes with a carrying bag
- Tunnel, tent, and ball pit give kids lots of ways to play
- Bright, visually stimulating colors
- Fabric is durable
- Mesh windows areas for good airflow
- Can use parts separately or together
Cons
- No balls included
- Balls fall out of the ball pit
- Connections between the separate parts aren’t very sturdy
EocuSun Kids Play Tent & Ball Pit
The EocuSun Kids Play Tent & Ball Pit is recommended for ages six months and old. It’s recommended for kids ages 6 months and older and is available in a red or blue polka dot design.
The three pieces included in this set can be used together or separately. The material is a soft polyester fabric that wipes clean easily. There are also mesh panels along the tunnel, which make this a good choice for outdoor use since your baby is less likely to overheat.
Another fun feature of this is the basketball hoop found in the ball pit area. You’ll need to purchase balls to use this, as they are not included with this set. Something else to keep in mind is that there is an opening for the tunnel where the balls will go out of the ball pit. Even though the ball pit can be used separately, your child is likely to lose a lot of balls that way. They also fall out between the tunnel and ball pit because of the tie-in design.
The pop-up style design is easy to set up and collapse when playtime is over. This set also comes with a lightweight carrying bag for storage. Since it can easily be cleaned, it’s great for use in the backyard, the park, and playdates.
This baby crawl tunnel and tent is also very durable. It features double-stitching at the seams and a safety hose along the steel frame.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Mesh areas and windows for good ventilation
- Soft, polyester fabric is easy to clean
- Good for indoor or outdoor use
- Parts can be used individually or separately
- Easy to set up
- Folds easily and stores when done
- Recommended for ages six months and up
Cons
- Balls fall out where the tunnel is tied
- Hard to use ball pit separately
- Balls not included
Best Hard Plastic Play Tunnel
Climb-N-Crawl Caterpillar
The Gus Climb-N-Crawl Caterpillar is made of hard plastic material, making it more durable than some of the other options. It’s designed for indoor and outdoor use and is sturdy enough that kids can climb on top of it as well as through it. This caterpillar crawl tunnel is recommended for ages 3-8 years.
Gus the Caterpillar is made from a durable, thick plastic material. The materials used are Greengard certified, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals or emissions. Additionally, the hard plastic is easy to keep clean and sanitize, so it’s a good choice for indoor and outdoor use. It is designed to be weather-resistant and fade-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it crumbling after a couple of years outside.
This crawl tunnel comes with four chunky pieces that make up the tunnel, as well as a head, tail, and ten feet. Some people were confused because the advertisement says eight pieces, however, the eight pieces include the connectors. All the tools you need to put this together are included. You can assemble as is or purchase the extension for this, which gives you more of the plastic middle pieces and connectors for a longer caterpillar tunnel. Even though the instructions could be a little easier to understand, this can easily be assembled in about 20 minutes.
Even though this is more expensive than other options, it is the most durable and will likely last for years. Without fabric, there’s no risk of tearing and the supports aren’t going to be bent or damaged from your child climbing on the structure. You could even combine this with a slide and a climbing toy to make a little indoor or outdoor playground for your toddler.
Pros
- Comes with all the hardware and tools needed to put together
- GreenGuard certified
- Wear-resistant, fade-resistant materials
- Plastic is easy to wipe clean and extremely durable
- Can be climbed on
- Bright, colorful caterpillar design is cute
- Will last for years
- Indoor or outdoor use
Cons
- Expensive
- Instructions could be written clearer
Best Pop-Up Play Tunnels
Similar in price, the Play22 4-Way Play Tunnel and the Hide-N-Side Kids Play Tunnel are larger and suitable for multiple children to play at once. However, the Melissa & Doug Giddy Buggy Tunnel is a much smaller tunnel that is more fitting for one child.
Play22 4-Way Play Tunnel
The Play22 4-Way Play Tunnel is a great choice if you are looking for a larger play tunnel. Each of the tunnels is 8′ each, giving your child plenty of room for crawling around. It’s recommended for kids ages 1 and older, so it’s perfect for crawlers and toddlers.
The roomier play space is nice because it allows 2-3 kids to comfortable play at once. Each tunnel is 18″ in diameter, so they are wide as well as being longer. The pop-up style design makes this easy to set up in just a few minutes. It also features a tie-lock design, which is quicker and easier to use than tunnels that just tie on.
This is made from durable, high-grade polyester. The material wipes clean easily, which makes this play tunnel great for indoor or outdoor use. Additionally, it folds back easily and compactly into the included carrying case.
The center of this has an opening in the top where your child can poke their head out. One downside is that there are no mesh areas in the tunnels, which makes it harder for air to get through. You’ll want to use this out of direct sunlight to keep your child from overheating inside. Additionally, too much exposure to sunlight can fade the bright colors of the fabric.
Pros
- Tunnels are 18″ wide and 8′ long
- Bigger than some other play tunnels
- Tie-lock design makes assembly easy and more durable
- High-grade polyester is durable and wipes clean easily
- Easy to fold and store
- Good for indoor or outdoor use
Cons
- Not a lot of airflow
- Sun exposure can fade the fabric
Melissa & Doug Giddy Buggy Tunnel
The Melissa & Doug Giddy Buggy Tunnel is a fun, engaging crawl tunnel shaped like a friendly crawl tunnel. It also has two soft ‘doors’ on either end that your child will love pushing open. This crawl tunnel is recommended for ages 36 months-5 years.
If you’re looking for a standalone crawl tunnel or don’t have a lot of space, this is a great choice. The tunnel has a collapsible frame that makes it easy to store when it’s not being used. It comes in a cardboard shipping sleeve, which can be used as a storage case. However, it’s not as nice as carrying bags that come with some other crawl tunnels.
The bright colors used in this design are especially engaging for younger eyes and the material can be wiped clean easily. Even though this is recommended for ages 3-5, however, the design is a little small. A larger kid won’t be able to crawl through as easily.
Something to note is that the feet on the bottom are only for decoration. Since there’s nothing to secure this to, the crawl tunnel can rollover as your child plays in it. This is a problem you’d likely have with any standalone collapsible crawl tunnel.
One of the nice things about this being a Melissa & Doug product is they’re a well-established company known for their high-quality toys. You shouldn’t have any trouble contacting customer service if you do have any issues with the product.
Pros
- Cute doors on either side that can be pushed open
- Design is eye-catching and has bright colors
- Pops open and folds shut easily
- Doesn’t take up a lot of space
- Reputable company with good customer service
- Material wipes clean easily
Cons
- No way to stabilize the tunnel
- Doesn’t come with a carrying bag
- Tunnel would be small for a large five-year-old
Hide-N-Side Kids Play Tunnels
The Hide-N-Side Kids Play Tunnels is a great choice if you’re looking for something bigger so more than one kid can play. The four tunnels connect to a pod in the middle, so there are lots of areas for your child to explore. It’s recommended for babies and toddlers age six months and older.
This is made using durable 190T soft polyester fabric stretched over thick steel wiring. It features a pop-up style design and can easily be folded again and put away in the included storage bag. There are also plenty of windows in this and the tunnels allow good airflow.
One of the nice things about these crawl tunnels is that they don’t use ties to connect the tunnels to the pod in the center. They use easy-twist locks instead, so it’s faster to set up. This also offers a more secure connection than ties, so it’s less likely the tunnels will detach during playtime.
Even though this is made from a soft, polyester material, it’s still easy enough to wipe clean. It is designed for indoor and outdoor use, however, the manufacturer recommends that it not be used on hard, abrasive surfaces like gravel and concrete.
Even though the material is durable, it does wear down eventually. The bright colors can fade if it’s used in the sun and the metal wires eventually start to wear through the wires, especially in the areas where your child is crawling on top of them. Fortunately, if you do experience excessive wear, this does come with a 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Soft, durable polyester material
- Pop-up design is easy to assemble
- Stores in the included carrying bag
- Bright, colorful design
- Easy-twist locks
- Pod in the window with a peek-a-boo window
- Wipes clean easily
- Good for indoor or outdoor use
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Wears down with play
- Can fade
- Can’t use on concrete
UTEX 3pc Space Astronaut Kids Play Tent
The UTEX 3pc Space Astronaut Kids Play Tent features a cute, space-themed design that will help your child feel like a real astronaut as they crawl through the play tunnel between the two tents. It is recommended for indoor or outdoor use.
One of the tents is shaped like a rocket and has windows that allow good airflow, while the other features a panel with all the planets in the solar system. This makes it fun for your child to learn while they play. There is also a mesh area on the crawl tunnel so it stays cool during playtime.
If you’re looking for something a little more sturdy, one of the nice things about this is that it comes with stakes for you to secure it to the ground while playing outdoors. There is a carrying bag included for when this isn’t in use and it folds back up. However, the instructions aren’t the best and while the crawl tunnel is easy to fold, the tents are a little more complicated.
Another nice feature of this tent and crawl tunnel set is that it’s made from durable fabric. It uses 190T polyester taffeta material. In addition to being soft, this also wipes clean easily.
One thing to note is that the tunnel uses a tie-on design. With the ties, the tunnel can tear away from the tents if kids are being too rough.
Pros
- Comes with stakes for added security when used outside
- Wipes clean easily
- Fun design makes pretend play easy
- Mesh area on the tunnels and windows in the tent allowing good airflow
- Made from durable material
- Stores in the included carrying bag
- Planets are labeled for easy learning
Cons
- Instructions for folding the tent could be written better
- Tunnel has a tie-on design
Crawl Tunnels Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Hide-N-Side Ball Pit, Play Tent, and Tunnels for Kids | 9.8 | 9.2 | 64.95 |
| Melissa & Doug Giddy Buggy Tunnel | 4.1 | 9.6 | 54.99 |
| 3-in-1 Pop Up Play Tent with Tunnel and Ball Pit | 9.9 | 9.2 | 40.99 |
| EocuSun Kids Play Tent & Ball Pit | 4.1 | 9.0 | 35.99 |
| UTEX 3pc Space Astronaut Kids Play Tent | 9.2 | 9.4 | 35.98 |
| Hide-N-Side Kids Play Tunnels | 9.5 | 9.2 | 35.95 |
| Play22 4-Way Play Tunnel | 9.0 | 9.2 | 33.99 |
| Climb-N-Crawl Caterpillar | 3.9 | 9.6 | - |
How We Selected Crawl Tunnels for Babies and Toddlers
Size
Crawl tunnels come in all shapes and sizes. First, think about how much size you need. Are you going to have one child using the tunnels or does your toddler have friends or siblings that play frequently? If you want a crawl tunnel for more kids, you’ll likely want to find one that is wider so they can crawl by each other without climbing on top of each other.
Crawl tunnels may also be different lengths. Consider where your child is going to play with the tunnel most- in the house or outside. If you are looking for something that goes outdoors, you’ll want to consider the materials used and if they can easily be cleaned. Crawl tunnels may also be part of a larger set up that goes to a bounce area or a ball pit. Be sure you have room for these as well.
When you’re looking at the size, you’ll also want to think about storage. Many toddler crawl tunnels are collapsible, so they store easily when not in use. This is a feature you’ll want if you don’t have a room dedicated to just baby playing since they take up so much space. You also won’t want to leave the tunnel outside too long, so the materials don’t weaken or become damaged.
Safety
When purchased from a responsible manufacturer, crawling tunnels are safe for babies and toddlers. One thing you can do is be sure that the crawl tunnel you choose is designed to be used by children. You should also be sure your little one is in the recommended age range. Some crawl tunnels are designed for babies, while others are better suited for older children.
Finally, watch your child closely when they’re playing with the crawl tunnel. While they are safe, kids are notorious climbers and you’ll want to be sure they don’t jump onto it or hurt themselves.
Materials and Durability
Often, the materials that a company uses in the crawl tunnel affect the durability. Fabric crawl tunnels seem to be the most popular, however, there are also some made of plastic. When looking at fabric, you’ll want to choose something that isn’t going to rip easily. It’s also important to consider the rods or other structures that help the tunnel hold its shape. This is especially true if multiple kids will be using the crawl tunnel, since they may play a little rougher together than they would alone.
Something else to consider regarding materials is how easily they can be cleaned. Babies and toddlers are naturally messy. If you’re planning to use the crawl tunnel outdoors, you want to be sure the material is durable enough for this and that you’ll easily be able to clean it if it gets dirty. You’ll also want to be sure the material won’t rip when it’s on a hard surface.
Even though some crawl tunnels are marketed as being for outdoor use, many fabric options use a metal structure to hold them together, since metal is a little more flexible than plastic. However, something with a metal frame is also more susceptible to rust if it is left outdoors.
Features
Crawl tunnels may be sold by themselves or as part of a set of fun things your child can play with. Ball pits and tents are some of the most common attachments for crawl tunnels. One of the nice things about a tent area or attached playhouse is that it gives kids somewhere to hang out together where it’s a little roomier once they’re done crawling around. If you choose one that has a ball pit, you may want to buy extra balls depending on how many are included.
FAQs About Crawl Tunnels
Are crawl tunnels safe for babies and toddlers?
Crawling tunnels do not pose any significant risk to babies or toddlers. As long as you buy from a responsible manufacturer and follow some safety guidelines, your baby can have fun playing in crawl tunnels with minimal risk.
If you are going to let kids play together, be sure they are close to the same size and that the crawl tunnel is large enough for them to play together. This will stop older kids from crawling over younger kids and hurting them. If the crawl tunnel is on the smaller size, have kids take turns while they are playing and watch closely.
One thing to note is that many crawl tunnels and tents can get hot inside. This is especially true when they’re used outdoors in the sunlight. You’ll want to monitor babies and toddlers closely and be sure they don’t stay in the crawl tunnel too long if it is hot outside. You can also help with the temperature by setting the crawl tunnel in the shade and avoiding playtime during the hottest parts of the day.
What are some of the benefits of a crawling tunnel?
Any toy that gets your child moving is great for encouraging physical activity. They require your child to crawl or scoot, which works different muscles than other types of play. As your child plays, they are also developing motor skills that build the foundation for many physical activities they’ll do throughout their life.
As an added benefit, encouraging your child to be physically active now encourages healthy habits in the future. Physical activity reduces the risk of many diseases, helps with skeletal development and builds muscle strength, and improves coordination.
Are crawl tunnels machine washable?
Even though crawl tunnels are often made from fabrics, they are rarely machine washable. Most use a pop-up style design, so you cannot remove the metal or other supporting materials from the inside. If you can remove the fabric from the supports, you’ll still want to follow manufacturer instructions on how to wash a crawl tunnel.
In most cases, you’ll want to spot wash it using a damp rag and mild soap. Rinse it and allow it to air dry. Avoid putting any harsh chemicals on the crawl tunnel that could damage the fabric.
