Looking for camping activities for kids that turn an ordinary trip into a fun-filled adventure? Whether you’re in the woods, at a family campground, or just pitching a tent in the backyard, the right activities can make all the difference. From creative nature crafts to exciting outdoor games, this list is packed with ideas to keep kids entertained, curious, and connected to nature. Let’s explore how to make your next camping experience unforgettable for the whole family.
10+ Camping Activities for Kids
Camping activities for kids can be exciting and meaningful when paired with nature-based fun. Below are 10+ engaging ideas to explore during your next outdoor adventure.
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Encourage exploration and observation by sending kids on a hunt for specific natural items or sights within the campground. This activity gets them moving and helps them notice details in their surroundings.
Materials Needed:
- Paper or printable scavenger hunt lists
- Pens, pencils, or crayons
- Optional: Small bag or container for collecting items (if allowed by park rules)
- Optional: Magnifying glass
How to Do:
- Create a list of things to find. This could include items like: a smooth stone, a jagged leaf, something red, a feather, a specific type of tree, a bird’s nest (from a distance!), animal tracks, moss, etc. Tailor the list to your specific camping location.
- Distribute the lists and writing tools to each child or team.
- Explain the rules: stay within designated areas, be respectful of nature (don’t pick protected plants), and be safe.
- Send them off to find the items on their list.
- Gather back together to share what they found or saw.
2. Campfire S’mores
A quintessential camping treat! Making s’mores is a fun, interactive, and delicious activity that’s perfect for gathering around the campfire (with adult supervision).
Materials Needed:
- Marshmallows
- Graham crackers
- Chocolate bars (break into pieces)
- Long roasting sticks or skewers
- Active campfire (ensure it is a designated fire pit and follow all fire safety guidelines)
How to Do:
- Prepare the ingredients: break graham crackers in half and chocolate bars into pieces that fit the crackers.
- Carefully put a marshmallow on the end of a roasting stick.
- Hold the marshmallow over the glowing embers of the campfire, rotating slowly for even toasting. Keep a safe distance from the flames.
- Roast the marshmallow to your desired level of golden brownness (or char!).
- Carefully slide the hot marshmallow onto a graham cracker half with a piece of chocolate.
- Top with another graham cracker half to create a sandwich.
- Press gently to let the chocolate melt slightly.
- Enjoy your warm, gooey s’more!
3. Stargazing
Away from city lights, the night sky at a campground can be spectacular. Stargazing is a peaceful, educational activity that encourages wonder and curiosity about the universe.
Materials Needed:
- Blankets or comfortable chairs for lying/sitting
- Optional: Star chart, stargazing app for a phone/tablet
- Optional: Binoculars
- Optional: Flashlight with a red light setting (preserves night vision)
How to Do:
- Wait until it is completely dark.
- Find an open area away from direct lights (like the campfire after it’s died down or covered).
- Lay down on blankets or sit comfortably and look up at the sky.
- Point out constellations, planets (if visible), and the Milky Way.
- Use a star chart or app to identify what you see.
- Talk about the vastness of space and tell stories about constellations.
4. Nature Journaling or Sketching
Encourage kids to observe and record their camping experience. Whether writing descriptions, drawing plants and animals, or pressing leaves, a nature journal is a wonderful keepsake and promotes mindfulness.
Materials Needed:
- Notebook or journal
- Pencils, pens, crayons, or colored pencils
- Optional: Small watercolor set
- Optional: Clear tape or glue stick for attaching small items (like fallen leaves)
How to Do:
- Find a quiet spot in nature.
- Observe the surroundings using all senses (what do you see, hear, smell, feel?).
- Write down observations, feelings, or poems about the experience.
- Sketch plants, animals, landscapes, or interesting objects found.
- Press small, dry leaves or flowers between the pages (if allowed and done carefully).
- Date each entry to remember when and where it was created.
5. Leaf Rubbings
A simple, classic art activity using natural materials. Leaf rubbings help kids appreciate the different textures and patterns found in nature.
Materials Needed:
- Collection of different shaped and textured leaves (ensure they are fallen or allowed to be collected)
- Thin paper
- Crayons (without the paper wrapper)
How to Do:
- Gather various types of leaves.
- Place a leaf vein-side up on a hard, flat surface (like a picnic table or a book).
- Lay a piece of thin paper over the leaf.
- Hold the paper firmly in place with one hand.
- Using the side of a peeled crayon, gently rub back and forth over the area where the leaf is underneath.
- The texture of the leaf will appear on the paper.
- Try different leaves and different colors for varied effects.
6. Build a Fairy House or Gnome Home
Spark imagination and creativity by using natural materials to build tiny structures for imaginary creatures. This is a gentle way to interact with the forest floor.
Materials Needed:
- Materials found on the forest floor: twigs, leaves, moss, small stones, bark, acorn caps, fallen flowers, etc.
- Optional: Small amount of mud or clay as “mortar”
How to Do:
- Find a small, undisturbed area, perhaps near the base of a tree or under a bush.
- Gather fallen natural materials from the surrounding area. Do not break live branches or pick living plants.
- Begin constructing a small house or structure using the gathered materials. Use twigs for walls, bark or leaves for a roof, pebbles for a path, etc.
- Be imaginative and create tiny furniture or decorations.
- Leave the structure in place for others to potentially find and enjoy (unless specifically prohibited by park rules).
7. Storytelling Around the Campfire
Gathering around a campfire to share stories is a timeless camping tradition. It encourages listening skills, imagination, and bonding.
Materials Needed:
- Active campfire (ensure safety measures are strictly followed)
- An audience!
- Optional: Flashlight for dramatic effect
- Optional: A book of stories
How to Do:
- Once the fire is safely established and embers are glowing, gather around.
- Decide who will go first.
- Stories can be spooky tales, funny anecdotes, personal camping experiences, or entirely made-up adventures.
- Take turns telling stories. Encourage everyone to participate, or simply enjoy listening.
- You can also read aloud from a book or use a flashlight to make shadow puppets while telling a story (see activity below).
8. Identifying Plants and Animals
Turn a walk around the campground or nearby trail into a learning experience. Identifying local flora and fauna helps kids connect with the specific environment they are camping in.
Materials Needed:
- Local field guide (book or app) for plants, birds, insects, or mammals
- Optional: Binoculars
- Optional: Camera (to photograph for later identification)
How to Do:
- As you walk, point out different plants and animals.
- Use the field guide or app to help identify what you see.
- Discuss interesting facts about the species found.
- Encourage kids to ask questions and share their observations.
- Emphasize looking and identifying, not touching or disturbing unknown plants or wild animals.
9. Shadow Puppets
A simple, fun activity perfect for inside the tent after dark or against a flat surface lit by a flashlight. All you need are your hands and a light source to create a world of characters.
Materials Needed:
- Light source (flashlight, headlamp, or lantern)
- Flat surface (inside of a tent wall, a sheet hung up, or a wall)
How to Do:
- Wait until it’s dark.
- Shine the light source onto the flat surface.
- Position yourself between the light and the surface.
- Use your hands to create shapes and characters on the surface by casting shadows.
- Learn how to make common shapes like a dog, a bird, a rabbit, or a wolf.
- Create a story using the shadow puppets.
10. Campground Bingo
A fun way to explore and become familiar with the campground surroundings. Create bingo cards with common camping items or sights to find.
Download the Campground Bingo Worksheet now!
Materials Needed:
- Pre-made or handmade bingo cards (each with a different arrangement of items)
- Pens, pencils, or markers to mark squares
- Optional: Small prizes for the winners
How to Do:
- Create bingo cards featuring items commonly found at a campground (e.g., tent, RV, campfire, picnic table, bird, squirrel, specific tree type, water faucet, signpost, lantern, cooler, hiking boot). Make several different versions of the card.
- Distribute the cards and markers.
- Explain the goal: be the first to find and mark off a complete line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) of items on their card.
- Let the kids explore the campground (within designated safe areas and with adult supervision).
- As they find items, they mark them on their card.
- The first child to get Bingo calls it out and shows their card.
11. Basic Knot Tying
Learning to tie basic knots is a practical skill useful in camping and many other situations. It’s also good for developing fine motor skills.
Materials Needed:
Rope, cord, or thick string (different lengths are good for practice)
How to Do:
- Start with simple, useful knots like the Square Knot, Figure-Eight Knot, or Bowline (with supervision for more complex knots).
- Demonstrate how to tie the knot slowly, explaining each step.
- Have the kids practice tying the knot themselves.
- Provide encouragement and assistance as needed.
- Challenge them to tie it faster or without looking.
12. Rock Painting
Collect smooth rocks and turn them into colorful art pieces. This is a relaxing, creative activity that leaves a small, positive trace in the camping environment (or can be taken home).
Materials Needed:
- Smooth, clean rocks
- Acrylic paints or paint pens
- Paintbrushes
- Optional: Small cups for water (for cleaning brushes)
- Optional: Sealer spray (adult use only, for preserving the art)
How to Do:
- Find smooth rocks (ensure collecting rocks is allowed in the area).
- Wash and dry the rocks thoroughly.
- Set up a painting area, covering surfaces if needed.
- Let kids paint designs, pictures, or abstract patterns on the rocks.
- Allow the paint to dry completely.
- Optional: Apply a sealer spray (done by an adult) to make the rocks weather-resistant.
- Place the painted rocks in spots for others to find (like along a trail or near a campsite marker) or take them home as souvenirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some fun things to bring to camp?
To make the most of your camping activities for kids, bring items that support both play and learning in nature. Essentials include:
- Nature scavenger hunt lists and crayons for exploring the outdoors
- Marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate for making campfire s’mores
- Blankets and a star chart to enjoy stargazing under the night sky
- Journals and colored pencils for sketching and reflecting in nature
- Flashlights or lanterns for shadow play and nighttime safety
- Bingo cards and small prizes to make exploring the campsite exciting
- Rope or string for learning how to tie useful knots
- Acrylic paints and smooth rocks to create colorful souvenirs
2. How to keep kids entertained while camping?
The key to keeping kids engaged during a camping trip is offering a variety of nature-based and creative activities:
- Start with a nature scavenger hunt to encourage observation and movement
- Let kids build a snowman, fairy house, or decorate the campsite using natural items
- Set up a campfire storytelling session or let them perform shadow puppet shows at night
- Try stargazing and teach them about constellations using a phone app or star chart
- Introduce journaling or sketching to reflect on their experience in a peaceful way
- Bring art supplies for leaf rubbings or rock painting
- Create a campground bingo game to keep kids excited while exploring
- Teach basic survival skills, like how to tie knots or identify plants
- Rotate activities throughout the day to maintain excitement and avoid boredom
- With a mix of hands-on creativity, outdoor play, and quiet reflection, camping becomes an enriching experience kids will remember for years.
Final Thoughts
With the right camping activities for kids, every outdoor trip can become a fun-filled journey of exploration and joy. From nature games to simple crafts and stargazing, these activities help children stay curious, active, and deeply connected to the camping experience. More than just entertainment, they create lasting memories and spark a love for the outdoors. So get ready to pack your bags, plan your adventure, and make camping a magical time for the whole family.
