Nostalgia for the great outdoors often hits when we’re cooped indoors for too long. Suddenly, we remember camping trips from childhood – roasting marshmallows over a crackling fire, hiking through forests, and sleeping under the stars.
But if you have young children, the thought of taking them camping might fill you with dread. After all, camping with kids requires a lot of extra planning and preparation. However, camping with kids can be a fun and rewarding experience – for both you and your children. With a bit of forethought, you can ensure everyone has a great time.
In this article, we’ll give you some ideas for fun things to do when camping with kids. With our tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors with your little ones in tow.
8 Ideas for Fun Things to Do When Camping with Kids
Here are some ideas for fun things to do when camping with kids:
Explore nature's wonders with a scavenger hunt
One of the best things about camping is getting to explore nature. Help your children appreciate the natural world by going on a nature scavenger hunt. Make a list of items they can look for, such as different types of leaves, berries, flowers, and rocks. Alternatively, you can download a nature scavenger hunt printable like this one.
Head for the waters and go fishing
Fishing is a classic camping activity that kids will love. Even if your children have never been fishing before, they’ll be able to learn with a little help from you. Take them to a nearby pond or lake and teach them how to cast their line. You can usually rent it from the campground office if you don't have any fishing gear.
Gather 'round the campfire for a Sweet S'mores session
S’mores are a staple of any camping trip. Roasting marshmallows over the campfire and sandwiching them between graham crackers and chocolate is fun for kids of all ages. If you have young children, supervise them while they’re near the fire. The same goes for making s’mores – help them to toast their marshmallows, so they don’t get too close to the flames.
Embark on a breathtaking hike
Hiking is another great way to explore nature and get some exercise while camping with kids. Choose a trail that’s appropriate for your children’s ages and abilities. You might want to stick to shorter, easier trails if you have very young children. The fresh air and exercise will tire them out, so they’ll be ready for bed when you return to the campsite.
Stare in awe at the night sky
One of the best things about camping is sleeping under the stars. Before bed, take your children outside to look at the stars. See if you can spot any constellations. If you have a telescope, this is a perfect opportunity to use it. Stargazing is a great way to get your kids interested in science and the night sky.
Dive Into a refreshing swim
If your campsite has a swimming area, take advantage of it! Swimming is a great way for kids to cool off and have fun. You can always go to a nearby lake or river if there's no pool at the campground. Just be sure to supervise your children at all times. Consider investing in a life jacket for each child.
Create art with nature's wonders
Camping is the perfect opportunity for your children to connect with their creative side. Bring along some crayons, paints, and paper so they can make artwork inspired by nature. Alternatively, you can use items you find on your nature scavenger hunt to create collages or other types of art.
Sing your heart out around a campfire
One of the best things about camping is sitting around the campfire at night. Make the experience even more enjoyable by having a campfire singalong. Break out your guitars (or other instruments) and lead your children in some of their favorite songs. You can also make up your songs about camping or nature. If you don’t play any instruments, no worries – just lead the singing!
5 Gaming Ideas for Kids When Camping
Camping is a great opportunity to unplug technology and enjoy good old-fashioned fun. Pack some favorite family games to play while you’re camping. If you don’t have any, there are plenty of classic camping games that kids will love, such as capture the flag, horseshoes, and frisbee.
Here are some fun things to do when camping with kids. With a little creativity, you can keep your children entertained while enjoying the great outdoors!
Liven up your game night with a Cornhole tournament
Cornhole is a classic game that’s perfect for camping. All you need is two all-weather cornhole boards and some bean bags. Place the boards at opposite ends of your campsite and let the tournament begin! The whole family can join in on the fun. Make it even more interesting by setting up scorecards or offering prizes for the winners.
Level up your night with a water balloon toss tournament
This is a classic party game that can be easily adapted for playing outdoors. All you need is a water balloon for each player. To play, line up the players on opposite sides of a net or taped line. The first player from each team throws the balloon to the player on their right; then the next player does the same, and so on. The team that makes it to the end of the line first without dropping the balloon wins.
Dare to redefine your boundaries with frisbee
Frisbee is a great game to play outdoors with kids. It’s easy to learn and can be played in a small space. To play, simply throw the Frisbee back and forth between players. The object of the game is to keep the Frisbee from hitting the ground. You can also set up targets for players to aim for, such as garbage cans or buckets.
Harness the power of hula hooping
Hula-hooping is a great way to get kids moving. It’s also a lot of fun! To play, have each child take turns trying to keep the hula hoop spinning around their waist for as long as possible. The child who can hula hoop the longest wins.
Start Planning Your Next Camping Trip
One of the best things about camping is sitting around the campfire at night. Make the experience even more enjoyable by telling campfire stories. You can tell family-friendly jokes, share spooky ghost stories, or retell classic fairy tales. Just be sure to keep the stories age-appropriate for your audience.
You can have a lot of fun camping with kids if you get creative. There are many things that you can do to keep them entertained. From playing games to telling stories, there is something for everyone. Just be sure to supervise your children at all times and pack everything you need before heading out on your trip. With a little planning, you can ensure that everyone has a great time.