Taking kids camping can be one of the most rewarding family experiences. The fresh air, beautiful scenery, and time away from screens create perfect opportunities for bonding and adventure. However, keeping children engaged and entertained in the outdoors requires some planning and creativity.
These camping activities for kids will help make your next family trip memorable and exciting. From traditional campfire fun to educational nature experiments, these activities work for children of all ages. Whether you’re camping in a national park or just setting up a tent in your backyard, these ideas will keep the whole family busy and happy.
The key to successful camping with kids is having a variety of activities ready to go. Some days might be perfect for hiking and outdoor adventures, while rainy weather might call for tent games and creative projects. With these camping activities for kids in your toolkit, you’ll be prepared for any situation that comes your way.
1. Build and Cook Over a Campfire
Teaching kids how to build a campfire is one of the most valuable camping skills they can learn. Start by showing them the three types of materials needed: tinder (small, dry materials like leaves and pine needles), kindling (pencil-thick twigs), and fuel (larger logs).
Let children help gather firewood around the campsite, but make sure they understand safety rules first. They should wear closed-toe shoes and never break branches from living trees. Only use fallen wood that snaps easily when bent.
Once the fire is ready, kids can help cook simple meals. Hot dogs on sticks, foil-wrapped potatoes, and marshmallows are perfect starter foods. Even children who are picky eaters at home often love food cooked over an open fire.
Always supervise children closely around fire and teach them to stay seated when not actively cooking. Have a bucket of water nearby and make sure kids know how to properly put out a fire when finished.
2. Make Classic S’mores with Creative Variations
No camping trip is complete without s’mores! This classic treat is simple enough for young children but fun for the whole family. Start with the traditional recipe: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars.
Show kids how to safely roast marshmallows over the coals, not the flames. Teach them to rotate the marshmallow slowly for even browning. If it catches fire, they should blow it out calmly instead of shaking it around.
Once kids master the basic s’more, try creative variations. Use different cookies like chocolate chip or peanut butter instead of graham crackers. Try different chocolates, or add sliced strawberries or bananas for extra flavor.
For a fun science twist, build a solar oven using a pizza box, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. Kids can make s’mores using only the sun’s power while learning about solar energy.
3. Go on Nature Scavenger Hunts
Nature scavenger hunts are perfect camping activities for kids because they encourage observation and exploration. Create age-appropriate lists of items to find like smooth rocks, pinecones, feathers, or flowers with specific colors.
For younger children, focus on simple items they can easily spot. Older kids can search for more challenging finds like animal tracks, specific types of leaves, or different bird calls.
Make the hunt more educational by including learning opportunities. Ask kids to find leaves with different shapes, rocks with interesting textures, or signs that animals have been in the area.
Consider using printed nature bingo cards or creating your own checklist. Some camping stores sell bandana bingo games that are easy to carry and reuse on multiple trips.
4. Set Up Shadow Puppet Theater
When the sun goes down, flashlights become magical tools for entertainment. Shadow puppet theater is one of the most creative camping activities for kids and requires only a flashlight and a flat surface like a tent wall.
Start with simple hand shadows like rabbits, dogs, or birds. Show kids how moving the flashlight closer or farther away changes the size of the shadows. Let them experiment with different hand positions to create their own shadow creatures.
Encourage children to create stories using their shadow puppets. They can take turns being the storyteller while others make the shadow characters. This activity builds creativity and confidence in public speaking.
For added fun, bring along some small toys or cut-out shapes to create more detailed shadow scenes. Kids can create entire shadow plays with multiple characters and storylines.
5. Build Natural Shelters and Forts
Building shelters using natural materials teaches kids practical outdoor skills while letting their imagination run wild. Look for areas with fallen branches and plenty of leaves for building materials.
Start with simple lean-to shelters using a large branch propped against a tree. Show kids how to layer smaller branches and cover them with leaves for insulation. A-frame shelters work well too and are more stable in windy conditions.
Let children design and build their own small forts. Give them challenges like making a shelter big enough for two people or building one that stays dry in light rain. This encourages problem-solving and engineering thinking.
Always teach Leave No Trace principles. When finished playing, kids should take apart their shelters and scatter the materials back where they found them. This protects the environment for other campers and wildlife.
6. Create Nature Art and Crafts
Nature provides endless supplies for creative projects. Leaf pressing is a classic activity that creates beautiful keepsakes. Place leaves between paper towels and press them under heavy books or rocks for several days.
Nature mandalas are another wonderful project. Have kids collect various natural items like flowers, stones, and sticks. Then arrange them in circular patterns on the ground. These temporary art pieces can be photographed before being returned to nature.
Leaf bunting makes great campsite decorations. Help children poke holes in colorful leaves and string them together with twine. Hang the finished garlands between trees or around the campsite.
Sun-bleached art combines science with creativity. Place leaves and other objects on construction paper and leave in direct sunlight for several hours. The paper will fade around the objects, creating beautiful silhouette prints.
7. Learn About Stars and Space
Camping provides the perfect opportunity to teach kids about astronomy. Away from city lights, the night sky comes alive with stars, planets, and constellations that are impossible to see from home.
Start with easy-to-find constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion. Use star charts or astronomy apps to help locate them. Red flashlights work best for reading charts without ruining night vision.
Create constellation games by having kids connect the dots between stars. They can invent their own star patterns and make up stories about them. Keep a moon journal to track how the moon’s shape changes each night of the camping trip.
For extra fun, download a stargazing app that uses the phone’s camera to identify stars and planets in real time. This technology makes astronomy more interactive and engaging for children who are used to digital learning.
8. Play Water Activities and Games
If your campsite is near water, swimming and water play provide hours of entertainment. Always supervise children closely and make sure they wear properly fitted life jackets.
Water balloon fights are perfect for hot days. Set up team games or let kids have individual water fights. Just be sure to clean up all balloon pieces afterward to protect wildlife.
Stone skipping contests teach kids about physics while having fun. Look for flat, smooth stones and show children the proper throwing technique. See who can get the most skips or the longest distance.
Try sink and float experiments using natural materials found around the campsite. Kids can test their predictions about which items will float and which will sink, turning water play into a science lesson.
9. Go Fishing and Learn Water Safety
Fishing teaches patience, coordination, and respect for nature. Many campgrounds are located near stocked lakes where children can easily catch fish. Check local regulations for license requirements before starting.
Show kids how to bait hooks, cast lines, and reel in fish safely. Even if they don’t catch anything, the experience of trying is valuable. Fishing also provides quiet time for conversation and bonding.
Use fishing time to teach important water safety rules. Children should know what to do if someone falls in the water (throw a flotation device and get adult help rather than jumping in themselves).
Consider catch and release fishing to teach conservation. Show kids how to handle fish gently and return them safely to the water. This builds respect for wildlife and understanding of environmental responsibility.
10. Try Fun Science Experiments
Camping provides a natural laboratory for hands-on learning. Solar ovens made from pizza boxes, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap teach kids about solar energy while cooking actual food.
Build weather stations using simple materials. A rain gauge can be made from a clear container with measurement marks. Wind vanes show wind direction, and homemade barometers can indicate air pressure changes.
Dirt science experiments let kids explore different soil types found around the campsite. Have them observe how different soils hold water or support plant growth. This connects camping activities for kids with earth science concepts.
Make simple chemical reactions using safe household items. Baking soda and vinegar volcanoes are always exciting, and color-changing reactions can be created using cabbage juice and various safe acids and bases.
11. Practice Survival Skills and Navigation
Teaching basic survival skills builds confidence and practical knowledge. Start by helping kids create simple survival kits with items like whistles, bandages, emergency blankets, and water purification tablets.
Map reading and compass navigation are valuable skills that make great camping activities for kids. Start with simple exercises around the campsite before progressing to longer navigation challenges.
Show children how to identify animal tracks and signs. Footprints in mud, chewed pinecones, and animal droppings all tell stories about local wildlife. This builds observation skills and nature awareness.
Water purification demonstrations teach kids about the importance of clean drinking water. Show them how to filter water through cloth and sand, though always use commercially purified water for actual drinking.
12. Try Outdoor Cooking Challenges
Turn campfire cooking into exciting competitions. Set up Iron Chef-style challenges where kids must create meals using specific ingredients. This builds creativity and basic cooking skills.
Campfire pizzas are fun and easy to make. Use English muffins or tortillas as bases, add sauce and toppings, then wrap in foil and cook over coals. Kids love customizing their own personal pizzas.
Cooking challenges teach measurement, following directions, and teamwork. Have kids work in pairs to create the best campfire quesadilla or the most creative skewer combination.
Safety is always important when kids are cooking. Make sure they understand how to handle hot pots and pans, and always have adults supervise when children are near the fire.
13. Go on Photography Adventures
Give kids disposable cameras or old digital cameras to document their camping experience. Photography encourages them to notice details and beauty in nature they might otherwise miss.
Create photo scavenger hunts with specific subjects to find: animals, interesting rocks, beautiful flowers, or funny-shaped clouds. This combines exploration with artistic expression.
Teach basic photography concepts like composition and lighting. Show kids how the same subject can look completely different when photographed from various angles or at different times of day.
For older children, introduce simple astrophotography using smartphones and tripods. They can learn to photograph the moon, bright planets, or star trails with longer exposures.
14. Create Stick Mazes and Construction Projects
Collecting sticks provides exercise and purpose, then building with them encourages engineering thinking. Stick mazes can be simple or elaborate depending on the age and interest of the children.
Start by gathering sticks of various sizes. Lay them out to create maze patterns with clear starting and ending points. Kids can time each other navigating through their creations.
Stick fort building combines the construction skills from shelter building with imaginative play. Children can create elaborate stick cities or simple geometric structures.
Use sticks as learning tools for math concepts. They work great for creating shapes, practicing counting, or building patterns. This makes learning more hands-on and engaging than traditional worksheets.
15. Play Traditional Camping Games
Oversized checkers brings a classic game outdoors. Paint bucket lids in two different colors and use a large tablecloth or tarp marked with a checkerboard pattern as the playing surface.
Horseshoes and ring toss games work well for mixed age groups since they can be adapted for different skill levels. Younger children can stand closer to the target, while older kids can try more challenging distances.
Frisbee games provide active fun that builds hand-eye coordination. Ultimate frisbee works well for larger groups, while simple games of catch are perfect for smaller families.
These traditional games are some of the best camping activities for kids because they require minimal equipment but provide maximum fun. Most supplies can be made from items found around the campsite.
16. Try Nighttime Adventure Activities
When darkness falls, camping activities for kids can become even more exciting. Flashlight tag combines the classic game of hide and seek with the adventure of playing in the dark.
Set clear boundaries for nighttime games and make sure all children have working flashlights. The person who is “it” must tag others by shining their light on hidden players.
Glow stick dance parties create magical evening entertainment. Hand out glow sticks and play music for impromptu dance sessions. Kids can create glow stick jewelry or play glow-in-the-dark ring toss.
Night walks with flashlights let children experience the campsite in a completely different way. They might hear owls, see nocturnal animals, or notice how different familiar places look in the dark.
17. Enjoy Bike and Wheel Activities
Many campgrounds have safe roads perfect for biking, scootering, or riding tricycles. These activities provide great exercise and let kids cover more ground than walking.
Create bike obstacle courses using natural markers like pinecones or rocks. Time kids as they navigate the course, or turn it into a game where they must stop at each station and complete a challenge.
Campgrounds are excellent places to teach younger children how to ride bikes. The roads are usually flat with minimal traffic, and there’s plenty of space to practice without danger.
Group bike rides can become adventures where kids search for specific landmarks or try to spot different types of wildlife along the way.
18. Create Camping Journals and Documentation
Keeping a camping journal helps children process their experiences and creates lasting memories. Provide notebooks and colored pencils for drawing and writing about daily adventures.
Encourage kids to sketch what they see rather than just writing. Pictures of interesting rocks, pressed flowers, or drawings of animal tracks make journals more personal and meaningful.
Star journals are special additions where children can draw constellation patterns and record which planets or shooting stars they observe each night.
Reading journal entries aloud around the campfire creates opportunities for sharing experiences and reflection. Kids often notice different details and have unique perspectives on the same activities.
19. Practice First Aid and Safety Skills
Teaching basic first aid builds confidence and practical life skills. Show kids how to clean and bandage small cuts, treat minor burns with cold water, and remove bee stingers safely.
Create family survival kits together and make sure children understand how to use each item. Include whistles for emergency signaling, bandages for injuries, and emergency contact information.
Practice what to do if someone gets lost. Children should know to stay in one place, blow a whistle in three short bursts, and make themselves visible rather than wandering around looking for help.
Role-playing different emergency scenarios helps kids remember important safety information. Make it fun rather than scary by treating it like a game where they get to be the heroes.
20. Try Animal Tracking and Wildlife Observation
Looking for signs of local wildlife turns every walk into an adventure. Animal tracks in mud or sand tell stories about which creatures visited the area recently.
Bring magnifying glasses for bug hunts and close observation of small creatures. Kids can safely observe insects, spiders, and other small animals without disturbing them.
Bird watching teaches patience and observation skills. Even children who think they’re not interested in birds often get excited when they spot their first hawk or colorful songbird.
Create wildlife observation sheets where kids can draw or write about animals they see. Include space for noting the time, location, and behavior of each creature observed.
21. Make Music and Perform
Campfire singing is a traditional part of camping that creates lasting memories. Teach kids classic songs like “Kumbaya,” “This Old Man,” or “Home on the Range.”
Natural materials make great musical instruments. Sticks can become drumsticks, rocks can be shakers, and hollow logs make excellent drums. Let kids create their own camping band.
Encourage children to make up their own songs about their camping experiences. They can write lyrics about the places they’ve seen, animals they’ve observed, or friends they’ve made.
Performance time around the campfire gives kids chances to build confidence and share their creativity. Dancing, singing, and storytelling all count as valuable performance experiences.
22. Practice Weather Observation and Prediction
Learning to read natural weather signs is both educational and practical. Teach kids how different cloud types indicate weather changes and what animal behavior might predict storms.
Set up simple weather monitoring stations using homemade instruments. Rain gauges measure precipitation, and wind socks show wind direction and strength.
Weather prediction games make learning fun. Have kids guess what the weather will be like the next day based on current observations, then check their accuracy the following morning.
Understanding weather patterns helps children make better decisions about activities and safety. This knowledge serves them well beyond camping trips.
23. Build Rope and Knot Skills
Knot tying is a practical skill that kids can use in many situations. Start with simple knots like the square knot and bowline before progressing to more complex techniques.
Show children how different knots serve different purposes. Some knots are strong for securing loads, while others are designed to be easily untied even after bearing weight.
Practice knot tying with games and challenges. See who can tie specific knots fastest, or have kids teach knots to each other to reinforce their learning.
Understanding rope and knots connects to many other camping skills like setting up tarps, securing gear, and building shelters. These are valuable life skills beyond camping.
24. Try Geocaching and Treasure Hunting
Geocaching combines technology with outdoor adventure. Use GPS devices or smartphone apps to find hidden containers that other people have placed in the area.
Create family treasure hunts around the campsite using simple clues and small prizes. This activity works well for mixed age groups since clues can be adjusted for different reading levels.
Letterboxing is similar to geocaching but uses written clues instead of GPS coordinates. Families leave stamps in hidden boxes and collect stamps from boxes they find.
These activities teach navigation skills while adding an element of mystery and discovery to hiking and walking around the campsite.
25. Try Physical Challenges and Games
Active games help kids burn energy and develop physical skills. Apple stacking challenges test steady hands and patience as children try to build the tallest tower possible.
Rock tower building combines engineering with physical coordination. Kids must balance stones carefully to create the highest stable tower without it falling down.
Balancing games using natural materials teach body awareness and control. Children can walk along fallen logs, balance rocks on their heads, or try other safe physical challenges.
These camping activities for kids provide healthy competition and physical development while using materials found naturally around the campsite.
26. Create Camping Crafts and Art Projects
Friendship bracelets made from embroidery thread create lasting souvenirs of camping trips. Kids can make bracelets for family members or trade with other campers they meet.
Bubble play and sidewalk chalk provide simple entertainment that works especially well for younger children. Pack these items for rainy day activities or quiet time.
DIY fairy houses built from natural materials spark imagination and creativity. Children can create elaborate fairy villages using sticks, leaves, moss, and stones.
These craft activities give kids something to do with their hands while sitting around the campsite and create tangible memories of their outdoor adventures.
27. Practice Hiking and Trail Skills
Family hikes build endurance and confidence while providing opportunities to see wildlife and beautiful scenery. Start with short, easy trails and gradually increase distance and difficulty.
Teach trail marking using natural materials so children can find their way back. Use rock cairns or stick arrows, but always dismantle them when leaving to preserve the natural environment.
Building hiking endurance takes time and practice. Celebrate small achievements and focus on enjoying the journey rather than just reaching destinations.
Trail skills like reading trail markers, staying on designated paths, and recognizing hazards are important for safety and environmental protection.
28. Try Canoeing and Paddle Sports
Water sports add excitement to camping trips near lakes or rivers. Canoeing teaches teamwork since paddlers must coordinate their movements to steer effectively.
Stand-up paddleboarding builds balance and core strength while providing a unique perspective on the water. Start in calm, shallow water where falling in is safe and fun rather than scary.
Always prioritize safety with properly fitted life jackets and adult supervision. Check local regulations and weather conditions before starting any water activities.
These activities often create some of the most memorable moments of camping trips and help children develop comfort and skills around water.
29. Play Card and Board Games
Rainy days and evening downtime call for indoor entertainment. Pack travel-sized versions of classic games like Connect Four, Trouble, or Uno for easy transport.
Word games like Banangrams work well for mixed age groups since they can be adapted for different vocabulary levels. These games also provide learning opportunities disguised as fun.
Camping-themed card games like “Toasted or Roasted” add to the outdoor atmosphere while providing entertainment that doesn’t depend on weather or daylight.
Having backup entertainment options ensures that camping trips stay fun even when outdoor activities aren’t possible due to weather or other circumstances.
30. Organize Group Games and Team Building
Capture the flag and similar group games work well when multiple families are camping together. These activities build teamwork skills and create friendships between children.
Relay races can be adapted for camping environments using natural obstacles and challenges. Kids can carry water, navigate around trees, or complete tasks at each station.
Team building activities help children learn cooperation and communication skills. These lessons serve them well in school, sports, and other group activities throughout their lives.
Large group games are perfect for family reunions, Scout groups, or other organized camping events where many children need entertainment and structure.