Making Camping Fun for Kids: Tips, Tricks, and Activities

Camping can be an incredible adventure for kids, filled with opportunities to explore nature, learn new skills, and bond with family. Imagine your little ones delighting in items found on a nature trail, playing tag with each other near the tent, and laughing as stories are shared around a campfire. Pretty great, right?

However, it can also be challenging to keep children entertained and active throughout a camping trip. Picture kids grumbling about being bored, picking fights with each other, and asking if it's time to go home for the millionth time. Sounds pretty miserable.

Well, here are some tips and tricks to ensure your camping experience is fun and memorable for the entire family.

Engaging Activities for Kids

One of the best ways to keep kids entertained is by planning engaging activities. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Scavenger Hunt: Create a nature-themed scavenger hunt with items like pinecones, specific leaves, or animal tracks. This activity encourages kids to explore their surroundings and learn about nature. You can make a simple list based on items found around your camping area, but here are a few ready-made options as well!

Craft Time: Bring along some simple craft supplies like paper, markers, crayons, and glue. Kids can create nature-inspired art. Here are a few ideas:

• Bark rubbings: Have your child hold a piece of paper up to the bark of a tree and then gently rub a crayon over the paper. The bark texture will come through! They can do this on several tree types and compare the results.

• Leaf rubbings: This is similar to bark rubbings, but the paper is set on top of a leaf. Then, the crayon is rubbed gently over the leaf shape. This can be fun when a variety of leaf shapes are used and compared.

• Nature Creature: Kids can find a variety of nature items and then glue those items down onto a piece of paper. They can use markers or crayons to make their own nature creature using the gathered items.

• Create a tree: Have students draw a tree trunk on a piece of paper. Then, they collect leaves and glue them on in order to finish the tree!

• Observation sketch: This one is simple! Give kids a piece of paper and some drawing tools. Ask them to find an area that they would like to sketch, and then let their creativity shine! Any paper or notebook can be used for this, but if you are looking for a book type of option, the Nature Explorer's Sketchbook has some nice features!

Storytelling: Gather around the campfire and take turns telling stories. You can share traditional campfire tales or make up your own adventures. One fun idea is to have one person start a story and tell a few lines. Then, they pass it to the next person and that person adds on to the story. This continues around the campfire. The story will take some unexpected twists and turns! Also, here is a fun Would You Rather Campfire Game Book that could provide some lighthearted fun and laughs for the family!

Keeping Kids Active

It's important to keep kids physically active during your camping trip to help them burn off energy. Here are some ways to keep them moving:

Hiking: Choose kid-friendly trails and go on hikes as a family. Make it more exciting by turning it into a nature walk, where kids can spot different plants and animals. Here is a hiking journal for kids and teens. It includes spots for journaling, but it even includes games, scavenger hunts, bingo, and more!

Games: Bring along some outdoor games like frisbee, soccer, or a kite. These activities can keep kids entertained for hours and are a great way to bond as a family.

Water Fun: If you're camping near a lake or river, take advantage of water activities like swimming, fishing, or skipping stones. Always ensure safety and supervise children around water.

Family Fun Together

Camping is a wonderful opportunity for families to spend quality time together. Here are some ideas to make the most of your family camping experience:

Campfire Cooking: Involve kids in the cooking process by letting them help prepare meals or make their own campfire treats like s'mores or hotdogs. Here are some kid-safe marshmallow roasting sticks. They are extra-long, have a rubber handle, and tips to keep sharp edges covered when not in use. If you are looking for some yummy camping recipes, be sure to check out these posts: Must-Try Pudgie Pie Recipes and No-Cook Camping Breakfasts.

Star Gazing: Lay out a blanket and enjoy the night sky together. Use a star chart or app to identify constellations and planets. This can be a magical and educational experience for kids.

Board Games and Cards: Bring along some family-friendly board games or a deck of cards for some evening entertainment. These can be a great way to wind down after a day of outdoor activities. Here are some fun options that our family has enjoyed. Bonus...they come in travel cases - great for camping! Spoons, Skip-Bo, Uno, and Farkle. Additionally, here is a roll-up chess and checkers set that would be perfect for a campsite!

With a little planning and creativity, camping can be an unforgettable adventure for kids and an excellent family adventure. By incorporating engaging activities, keeping kids active, and enjoying family time together, you're sure to create lasting memories. So pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and get ready for a fun-filled camping trip!

*Note: I recommend products on this page. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

*Note: I recommend products on this page. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Click image to pin for later!

Click image to pin for later!

Join our community for updates, recommendations, and offers.

We'll give you access to our downloadable Adventure Bucket List planner as a thank you!

We will send regular emails (typically weekly) with outdoor info you can use. You can unsubscribe from those emails at any time.