Toddler Testers UNLEASHED in the Camper: How To Babyproof A Trailer
We brought in the best “inspectors” that lollipops could recruit. They were small, curious, giggly, and way too adorable to take seriously. Then we let them roam our 22ft travel trailer to see what trouble they’d find.
And honestly, it worked (and it was fun)! Toddlers are incredible at spotting hazards adults stop noticing. Letting them loose showed us exactly what needed fixing. This was our whole strategy to figure out how to babyproof a trailer for real life. Not a perfect Pinterest or Instagram life. Real life. The kind where something is always sticky, and there are Hot Wheels everywhere.
Today we’re giving you an inside look at what they found and what we did to fix them. If you’d like to watch the fun, the YouTube video is at the bottom of the blog 👇
*MISTAKES WERE MADE* and learnings around peel and stick in a temperature-fluctuating trailer were discovered quickly too. We have included our warnings or NEW suggestions in this blog!
What our little Toddler Testers found in the trailer
Here are the hazards they uncovered in a single exploration. Click to jump to section.
1. Sharp handle corners hurt
2. Bathroom door opens easily
3. Bathtub gap is a potential mold factory *WE HAVE MADE BIG MISTAKES HERE*
4. Oven handle and knobs are fun *A MISTAKE HERE TOO*
5. Cabinets hold treasure
6. Cutlery drawer is at the perfect little kid height *A SMALL MISTAKE HERE*
7. Plug sockets have interesting holes
8. Entryway is a great playground
How to babyproof a trailer (we put a lot of trust in peel-and-stick!)
Links to products provided where possible. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Sharp Handles Swap!
Kids have a talent for finding the pointiest thing in the room. For us, it was the eye- and knee-level rectangular metal handles on cabinets and drawers that left a boo-boo when our youngest bent down to pick up a toy. We swapped all the lower level handles to curved ones and hopefully saved ourselves from future tears there.
This took me a total of 20 minutes, but 12 of that was on ONE sponge drawer which annoyingly had to be completely disassembled. I also had to use the existing handle screws, as the new ones that came with the curved handle kits were too long for the door depths.
2. Bathroom Door Handle Secured
The bathroom door turned into a revolving slapstick bit and we were terrified of trapped fingers or bonked heads. We added a Safety 1st peel-and-stick door handle lock, which has worked amazing so far.
3. Bathtub Gap Filled In *MISTAKES WERE MADE*
We come from a home ownership mindset, and saw a large gap all around the tub as something that needed to be filled. Kids that treat the bath as a splashpark usually means water ends up everywhere it shouldn’t, and I was concerned that a good slosh would make mold grow in this gap or behind the surround.
ERROR: We used waterproof bathtub sealant and naively filled in the gap. Don’t do this.
We then found out from helpful Facebook trailer owner groups that this gap is here for a reason to allow for water evaporation and flexibility in travel. Basically, it is built that way for a reason. So what originally took 10 minutes to fill in then took 57 minutes to remove. Lessons learned… and many regrets.
4. Oven Handle and Knobs Temptation
Oven knobs are like toddler kryptonite. They see them and must twist them. Same with the big shiny handle that was fun to yank on. We used a knob cover set on the temperature dials, and a flexible safety strap lock to keep the door closed.
ERROR: The knob covers did not stay put, and were basically just spinner toys that popped off easily. See below for our new fix with an oversized mousepad.
🛒 Click for link to buy: – Flexible Childproof Safety Locks for Cabinets – 8 Pack
🛒 Click for link to buy: – Gaming Mouse Pad/ Desk Mat – Large Size 35.4 x 15.7 inches
5. Cabinet Exploration No More!
Our cabinets open with the little tug, and the toddlers tugged on everything. A quick couple child locks turned the dangerous “treasure chests” into regular, boring cabinets. Now the kids move on within three seconds, which is honestly all we hoped for.
🛒 Click for link to buy: – Flexible Childproof Safety Locks for Cabinets – 8 Pack
🛒 Click for link to buy: – Lazy Susan Pinch Locks for Cabinets – 6 Pack
6. Cutlery Drawer
This one was a high priority. Forks, scissors, and various pokey things don’t mix well with tiny humans. After much fiddling with instructions, I installed a peel-and-stick hidden drawer lock that certainly kept the sleek outside look. I was happy too that the magnetic key stuck securely to the hood extractor for easy use.
🛒 Click for link to buy: – Safety 1st Adhesive Magnetic Lock System – 4 Locks and 1 Key
ERROR: The peel-and-stick worked well for two camping trips, but then fell off. The set comes with screws, which I would suggest using instead to better deal with fluctuating temperatures that usually come with trailer life.
7. Plug Sockets Hidden
Sockets are little magnets for small explorers. We put in outlet covers and try to remember to push down the telescoping one next to our bed to hide it. Now the plugs are completely forgotten. Victory!
🛒 Click for link to buy: – Safety 1st Plug Protectors – Pack of 24
8. Entryway Door and Fire Extinguisher
The screen door was basically a toddler and dog escape hatch. Right beside it was the fire extinguisher, which was getting way too much attention as well. We came across a lightweight, expanding, freestanding gate at a liquidation store, and it has been perfect to block the entryway. It helps keep kids and dogs safe, while also keeping muddy shoes and wet jackets out of reach on the entry mat.
(We’ve used it so many other places while camping too, so we went back and bought 2 more).
🛒 Click for link to buy a SIMILAR product: – Expandable Wooden Garden Trellis Fence Panel
Our top tip: Let the little ones “inspect” to help you babyproof a trailer
Let your kids roam (supervised) and just observe. They’ll naturally look for places to hide, climbing spots, and focus on weird things. Watch what they’re drawn to and that’s where you focus your fixes. We did exactly that, thanks to our toddler testers. Nothing fancy or expensive. Just solid, practical fixes that make a big difference when you’re living tiny with tiny people.
To babyproof a travel trailer sounds boring, but trust me, doing it this way made it way more fun. The goal is simple. Make the trailer safe, keep the adults sane, and give the kids space to explore without constant heart attacks.
Thanks for reading — and if you haven’t yet, check out our video “Toddler Testers UNLEASHED in the Camper! | Babyproofing Our Trailer”. It’s a mix of cuteness, patience, and helpful tips.
Safe travels and happy exploring!
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YouTube Babyproofing Video:
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