35 Exciting Summer Camping Activities for Kids You Won’t Want to Miss
Have fun this summer on your campouts with these 35 camping activities for kids and crafts that your kids will surely enjoy!
Hey y’all, Tiffany here with some fun camping activities and crafts for kids!
Going camping is one of our family’s favorite summer staycation ideas. I grew up going camping with my family, and I love being able to continue it with my children.
When I would go camping with my family, we would often hike out and live off of the fish that we caught. It was fun, but it was also a lot of work and kept us pretty busy.
My children aren’t quite at the age where they could handle a long hike or live off fish, for that matter – they can be picky eaters!
One of the best things about camping is that it’s low-cost (especially when you can find good deals on camping equipment). We are pretty frugal, so these free printables and activities are perfect for our family while we still have younger kids in the home!
Hopefully, you’ll enjoy these fun activities as much as we do! And while you’re at it, give these tin foil dinners a try. If you need more ideas, here are some additional camping activities for young kids kids
Camping Activities and Crafts for Kids
CRAFT: Wrapped Walking Stick
Bring along a pocketful of beads skipping stones and yarn and use them to decorate a walking stick you find on the hiking trail.
These simple materials can transform an ordinary walking stick, often found along the trail, into a personalized work of art. Take the time to pause during your hike, selecting beads and wrapping yarn around the stick, adding bursts of color and texture to its surface.
This creative activity allows you to express your creativity by enhancing your connection to nature and your surroundings with your unique touch.
Camping Word Search for Kids
A printable camping word search for kids will get children in the camping mood. It will keep the kids occupied on the drive to your favorite campsite.
As they search for words like "tent," "campfire," and "hiking," children not only become familiar with camping-related vocabulary but also get excited about the upcoming outdoor experience. Moreover, the word search keeps them occupied during the drive to the campsite, turning what could be a mundane journey into an enjoyable part of the camping experience.
This activity encourages curiosity and anticipation, setting the tone for a memorable camping trip filled with exploration and adventure.
Campfire Camping Word Search for Kids
Here’s a printable word search for kids to take on your family's next camping trip. A relaxing activity your kids can do while sitting around the campfire or your backyard bonfire.
As children search for camping-themed words amidst the flickering flames and serene wilderness surroundings, they can sharpen their vocabulary skills and their appreciation for the great outdoors.
This simple yet enjoyable pastime adds a touch of relaxation and fun to your camping experience, creating cherished memories that will last long after the flames have died down.
Outdoor Photo Scavenger Hunt
Looking for a fun way to get the kids engaged in being outdoors? An outside scavenger hunt for kids is just the thing. Instead of fighting with the kids to get off their devices, have them use their cell phones/cameras to explore where they are, and photograph the world around them. This photo scavenger hunt is also great for camp or nature-themed birthday parties.
Imagine the excitement as young adventurers scour the campsite or party venue in search of hidden treasures and elusive creatures while learning about their environment and forming lasting memories with friends and family.
With each snapshot, children will engage with the outdoors and cultivate a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around them, making every outdoor excursion an unforgettable adventure.
Free Printable Gone Camping Count and Color Activity For Kids
Here is a fun Camping Count and Color Activity. This free printable is a perfect boredom-busting activity for kids this summer on your campout!
This fun-filled activity promises to captivate young minds as they immerse themselves in the excitement of camping while practicing their counting and coloring skills. Whether it's counting the number of tents, campfires, or stars in the night sky, children will delight in the challenge of identifying and coloring each element of the camping scene.
Watch the little ones embark on this delightful camping-themed adventure, creating cherished memories that will last long after the campfire embers have faded away.
Free Printable Camping Scavenger Hunt
While you relax on your next camping trip, your kids will love discovering nature with this free printable camping scavenger hunt! All the items have pictures next to the words so kids of all ages can use the scavenger hunt.
This scavenger hunt is an inclusive and enjoyable activity for the whole family. From spotting wildlife to identifying different types of trees and plants, each item on the list promises to ignite curiosity and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
While you bask in the tranquility of the outdoors, your kids will be eagerly scouring the campsite, eagerly ticking off items from their scavenger hunt checklist.
Campground fun with printable Camping Scavenger Hunts
These camping scavenger hunts are perfect for younger kids who are old enough to venture a little ways away from the campsite.
Add an extra layer of excitement to your campground adventures with these printable Camping Scavenger Hunts! These scavenger hunts offer a fun and engaging way to discover the wonders of nature while enjoying the great outdoors. With charming illustrations and easy-to-understand prompts, children will delight in searching for items like pinecones, animal tracks, and colorful wildflowers as they embark on their outdoor adventure.
Grab a copy of these scavenger hunts and watch as your little ones embark on a memorable journey of exploration and discovery amidst the beauty of the campground.
Glow in the Dark Water Bottle Bowling
Add some excitement to your summer nights around the fire pit with Glow in the Dark Water Bottle Bowling! Crafted from simple materials like water bottles and glow sticks, this easy DIY game is perfect for keeping the kids entertained while you relax.
Simply fill empty water bottles with glow sticks, set them up like bowling pins, and let the glow-in-the-dark fun begin! Whether you're camping in the backyard or enjoying a night under the stars at the campground, this illuminated bowling game is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.
Gather around the fire pit and watch as the glow-in-the-dark pins light up the night and bring a new level of excitement to your outdoor gatherings.
Take a Nature Safari & Create these Nature Rubbings
Embark on a thrilling Nature Safari with your little explorers and create these enchanting Nature Rubbings! No passport required—just grab some paper, and crayons, and head out to a nearby nature trail or your campsite.
Encourage your children to discover the textures and patterns of nature by placing paper over various surfaces like tree bark, leaves, and rocks, then gently rubbing crayons over them to reveal intricate details. This simple yet captivating activity allows kids to connect with the natural world while fostering creativity and appreciation for the beauty of their surroundings.
Pack your supplies and get ready for a wild adventure as you roam the great outdoors and create stunning nature rubbings together!
Camping Scavenger Hunt
If you’re ready to get out and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature, you need to be certain that you have this fun Camping Scavenger Hunt as well. It’s not only a lot of fun, but it’s a great way to have the kids (and adults!) scrambling around to find all the items on the list.
Lace up your hiking boots, grab your binoculars, and prepare for a memorable adventure as you embark on a scavenger hunt like no other. From spotting wildlife to identifying different types of plants and natural features, this activity promises hours of outdoor fun and excitement for the whole family.
Camping Tic Tac Toe with 18 Free Camping & Road Trip Printables
Keep the kids entertained on your next camping trip with 18 FREE printable activities, including Camping Tic Tac Toe!
From Tic Tac Toe to scavenger hunts and road trip games, there's something for everyone in this diverse collection of printables.
Whether you're lounging around the campfire or hitting the open road, these activities are sure to add an extra layer of excitement and enjoyment to your camping experience. Gather the family, print out your favorites, and get ready for endless hours of outdoor fun and adventure!
Free Printable Camping Bingo
Celebrate all there is to love about camping with Free Printable Camping Bingo!
Gather around the campfire and enjoy a game that captures the essence of the great outdoors. With colorful illustrations depicting camping essentials like tents, campfires, and s'mores, this bingo game is perfect for family fun under the stars.
It does not matter if you are camping in the wilderness or setting up in your backyard, Camping Bingo promises hours of entertainment for all ages. Print out the bingo cards, grab some markers, and let the camping adventures begin!
Summer Scavenger Hunts: 3 free printable scavenger hunts for summer!
Summer vacation is the season for exploring new places — from the beach to the forest and everywhere in between. Make the most of your kids' summer adventures with these 3 free printable scavenger hunts for summer! These printable summer scavenger hunts will help keep your kids occupied during all of your summer adventures.
These printable scavenger hunts are the perfect way to keep your kids engaged and entertained. From searching for seashells by the shore to spotting wildlife in the woods, each scavenger hunt offers a unique and memorable experience for the whole family.
Kids Nature Scavenger Hunt (and free printable!)
If you are looking for an easy, free printable nature scavenger hunt, grab a copy here!
Explore the wonders of nature as you search for treasures like leaves, rocks, and wildlife in your backyard, a local park, or a nature trail. This scavenger hunt is sure to ignite curiosity and excitement in kids of all ages. Grab your printable scavenger and treasure hunt top sheet now.
Fun Printable Camping Bingo for Kids
If you're planning a camping trip or just missing your family time outdoors, be sure to check out this free printable camping bingo for kids.
Experience the excitement of the outdoors with this Fun Printable Camping Bingo for Kids if you are gearing up for a camping trip or simply longing for some outdoor family fun. This free printable camping bingo is sure to delight kids while having a blast spotting the items on their bingo cards.
Perfect for camping adventures in the backyard or at a campground, this bingo game promises hours of entertainment for the whole family.
Free Camping Coloring Pages and Activity Pages for Kids
Get ready for summer camping fun with these free camping coloring pages and activity pages for kids. Print them for your family!
From coloring in scenes of tents and campfires to the campfire stories and solving camping-themed puzzles and mazes, there's something for every young adventurer to enjoy. Grab your crayons, print out these pages, and let the summer fun begin!
Handprint Campfire Craft For Kids [Free Template]
Whether you go camping as a family or send the kids off to summer camp, you’re going to love this easy handprint campfire craft.
With just a few simple materials and steps, you can create a fun and memorable craft that captures the spirit of outdoor adventures. Gather the family or campers together and let their creativity shine as they make their unique campfire scenes using their handprints.
Easy Nature Fairy Houses for Kids! - Red Ted Art - Make crafting with kids easy & fun
A super simple "no-prep" needed creative activity for kids whilst camping or out and about. Make your own nature fairy houses from local materials. Then make up your own stories to teach kids all about the fairies and elves that may come and visit!
Once your nature fairy houses are complete, it's time to bring them to life with your own stories and imagination. Invent tales of whimsical creatures and magical adventures that unfold in the forest or campground. Whether it's a fairy tea party under the trees or an elfin dance by the stream, the possibilities are endless.
Camping Rock Craft - Tealight Candle Campfire Family
Create an adorable family of rocks with this fun camping craft. Your kids will enjoy personalizing their rock family.
Gather smooth rocks of various shapes and sizes from the surrounding environment, ensuring they're clean and dry. Set up a crafting station with paints, markers, and any other embellishments your kids might like to use. Then, encourage them to let their imaginations soar as they paint faces, add details like hair and clothing, and even give each rock a name.
As they work on their rock family, children can share stories and anecdotes about each family member, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. Once completed, these personalized rock families can serve as cherished mementos of your camping trip, reminding your kids of the fun memories made in the great outdoors.
Super Fun Hot Rock Melted Crayon Craft
This nature-inspired craft is perfect for your next summer camping trip. All you need is crayons and rocks that you can find around your campsite.
To get started, simply collect a variety of smooth rocks in different shapes and sizes from the natural surroundings of your campsite. Then, unleash your imagination as you use crayons to decorate the rocks with vibrant colors and whimsical designs. From simple patterns to intricate scenes inspired by nature, the possibilities are endless.
This craft not only encourages creativity but also provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate its beauty. As you adorn the rocks with colorful designs, take a moment to observe the sights and sounds of the wilderness around you, allowing the peaceful ambiance of the outdoors to inspire your creations.
Nature Hunt Bingo
Here's a FREE Nature Hunt Bingo printable that will get your family out and about, exploring, identifying, appreciating, and loving all that nature has to offer!
With a variety of items to find and identify, from different types of plants and animals to natural landmarks and phenomena, this Nature Hunt Bingo printable promises hours of enjoyment for the whole family. Whether you're exploring a local park, hiking trail, or your backyard, this bingo game provides an exciting way to engage with nature and discover its beauty.
Popsicle Stick Tent Craft
Kids who love camping will adore this popsicle stick tent craft. Make the tent then draw what is happening inside of the tent. Lift the upcycled fabric flap to see what is happening in the tent.
To get started, gather popsicle sticks and glue to construct the tent frame, and then use colored markers or crayons to draw scenes of what's happening inside the tent on a piece of paper. Attach the paper to the tent frame, allowing kids to peek inside and see their imaginative scenes.
For an extra touch of authenticity and interaction to encourage kids, add an upcycled fabric flap as the tent door. Kids can lift the flap to reveal what's happening inside the tent, adding an element of surprise and delight to their camping-inspired creation.
Cardboard Tube Binoculars: the perfect spring and summer time kid's craft
This cardboard tube binoculars craft is an enjoyable activity to build anticipation for their summer camping adventures!
Get your kids excited for their summer camping adventures with this entertaining cardboard tube binoculars craft! By crafting their binoculars, children can immerse themselves in the spirit of outdoor exploration and anticipation for the upcoming camping trips.
Earth Day Nature Bingo Card
Nature bingo makes a great camping activity for kids who love to play!
Engage in the spirit of Earth Day with this Nature Bingo Card. This activity provides an exciting opportunity for kids to immerse themselves in nature while learning about the environment, they will also develop a deeper appreciation for the Earth and all its wonders. Head outside and enjoy the journey of exploration and discovery with Earth Day Nature Bingo!
Free Printable Camping Scavenger Hunt for kids
These free printable camping scavenger hunts are a fun, low-prep outdoor activity for kids! Pick from a picture scavenger hunt for younger children or a text-based scavenger hunt for older children to keep your little ones busy and exploring during your campout.
These scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to keep your little ones busy and actively exploring during your camping trip. Encourage your kids to observe their surroundings and appreciate the natural world, and let them foster a sense of curiosity and excitement about the great outdoors.
Print out these scavenger hunts and watch your children have fun on a thrilling adventure of discovery and exploration!
Difficult Camping Word Search
This difficult camping word search is a great print-and-go activity to take with you on your family’s next summer camping trip. Challenge your upper elementary or older child to find all the hidden words in this printable word search.
It offers a wonderful opportunity for family bonding as you work together to uncover each hidden word.
Head out on your family camping trip or adventure and be sure to pack this challenging word search. It's the perfect companion for sparking excitement and creating lasting memories during your family's outdoor escapades.
Camping Bingo Free Printable
Free printable Camping Bingo is sure to keep kids and adults busy and entertained in the wilderness and make for the best outdoor activity when they are out and about.
Enjoy the hours of entertainment in the wilderness with this free printable which is full of fun and excitement to your outdoor adventures. Whether you're hiking, camping, or simply exploring nature, Camping Bingo is the ultimate outdoor activity to keep everyone entertained while they're out and about.
Head to the outdoors with this Bigfoot Game!
A fun game to play outside while camping is this bigfoot game!
Crafted with ease, this game promises hours of laughter and enjoyment as you play around the campsite. Whether you're gathered around the fire or exploring the wilderness, this silly game is sure to add excitement to your outdoor adventures.
Camping Printables That Make For Fun And Happy Campers
Are you planning an epic camping trip with the kids? These Camping Printables will not only help you to organize your trip but will add some extra fun too!
You'll be able to map out your summer camp activities now, create packing lists, and even enjoy some camping-themed games and scavenger hunts along the way. So, get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime with these handy printables by your side!
10 Free Printable Camping Coloring Pages for Kids (age 3+)
Are you getting ready for the camping season? Then print these fun camping printables and get your kids excited.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a longer adventure in the great outdoors, these printables are perfect for adding an extra dose of fun and excitement to your camping trip. From scavenger hunts to activity sheets, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Grab your camping gear, pack your printables, and get ready for an unforgettable outdoor adventure with the whole family!
Fun Camping Charades and Pictionary Ideas and Printables
There's nothing quite like the joy of playing charades or Pictionary with your family. And now, you can elevate the fun even further with these free printables featuring prompts perfect for both games!
With a wide range of words and phrases to act out or draw, these printables are guaranteed to keep the laughter flowing and the creativity soaring. Whether you're gathered around the campfire on a camping trip or enjoying a cozy night in at home, these games are sure to create unforgettable moments and strengthen the bonds of family togetherness. Print out the prompts, and let the games begin!
Fingerprint Fireflies Around a Campfire Handprint Craft + Background Printable
Here’s a fun Summer craft for kids that makes a cute keepsake and is also fun for a camping-themed craft!
Kids will make fingerprint fireflies around a handprint campfire using our camp craft background printable.
I Spy Pollinator Scavenger Hunt & Tips to Protect Honey Bees
Take a leisurely walk and embark on an exciting adventure with this pollinator scavenger hunt! This activity encourages you to explore your surroundings and search for various pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, as well as the plants they pollinate.
As you journey through nature, keep your eyes peeled for these vital creatures and the beautiful flowers they visit. Not only does this scavenger hunt provide an opportunity to learn about pollinators and their importance to ecosystems, but it also allows you to connect with the natural world in a meaningful way.
Bird Watching with Kids | Free Bird Watching Journal
What better way to enjoy the serenity of nature than by going bird watching while camping? With this free bird-watching journal in hand, you can embark on an unforgettable adventure during your next camping trip. Spend your days observing and identifying the diverse array of bird species that inhabit the area, from colorful songbirds to majestic birds of prey.
This bird-watching journal provides a structured format for recording your observations, including space to jot down details such as the bird's species, behavior, and habitat. Not only does it serve as a valuable tool for documenting your bird-watching experiences, but it also encourages you to deepen your understanding of avian ecology and conservation.
Free Printable Nature Journal Cover
Head outdoors with this nature journal in hand and record all of the wonderful things you see. Print your Free Printable Nature Journal Cover and add it to the front of a small notebook.
You will be all set for your next camping adventure.
Also, check out our other summer posts to have a great vacation:
- 32 Cheap and Free Summer Activities for Kids
- Free Summer Printables for Kids
- DIY Summer Crafts for Kids
- Summer Activities with Kids Using Water
- Summer Activities for Kids
- Delicious Summer Salads
- Yummy Summertime Meals
- Amazingly Delicious Summer Dessert Recipes
- Popsicle Recipes for Kids
- Summer Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
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