Camping with kids creates magical memories that last a lifetime, but let’s be honest, those memories can quickly turn from magical to maddening without enough activities to keep young explorers engaged.
The great outdoors offers endless possibilities for fun and discovery, but sometimes kids need a little structure to avoid the dreaded “I’m bored” refrain.
Here are ten tried-and-tested ways to keep kids entertained and engaged during your next family camping adventure.
Take a look. They are sure to inspire you for your next adventure.
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Transform an ordinary hike into an exciting expedition by creating a nature scavenger hunt.
Prepare a list of items for kids to find: pinecones, specific leaves, animal tracks, interesting rocks, or various colors in nature.
For younger children, use pictures instead of words. Bring small paper bags for collecting treasures, and offer a special prize or treat when they complete their hunt.
This activity not only entertains but also teaches kids to observe their surroundings more carefully.
2. Campfire Storytelling
There’s something magical about sharing stories around a flickering campfire.
Bring a book of campfire tales appropriate for your children’s ages, or create a collaborative story where each person adds a sentence or two.
For extra fun, try the “fortunately/unfortunately” game—one person starts with a scenario, the next person adds a fortunate event, followed by an unfortunate one, and so on.
The sillier the better!
3. Outdoor Art Studio
Nature provides the perfect materials for creative expression.
Bring washable paints to create rock masterpieces, collect leaves for leaf rubbings with crayons and paper, or gather sticks, pinecones, and pebbles for nature collages.
String and yarn can transform branches into simple dream catchers or mobiles. These activities keep kids busy and result in special souvenirs to take home.
4. Camp Olympics
Create a series of silly games and challenges for your very own Camp Olympics.
Events might include pinecone tossing, sleeping bag races, nature relay races, or balancing challenges. Make simple medals from aluminum foil and ribbons, and host an awards ceremony at the campfire.
The physical activity will help tire out energetic kids before bedtime.
5. Nighttime Stargazing
The night sky away from city lights is one of camping’s greatest wonders.
Bring a star chart or download a stargazing app before you lose cell service. Lie on blankets and identify constellations, planets, and perhaps even satellites moving across the sky.
Challenge kids to create their own constellations and tell the stories behind them. A pair of binoculars can make this activity even more engaging.
6. DIY Camp Instruments
Create a camp band with homemade instruments!
Fill empty water bottles with pebbles for shakers, stretch rubber bands across empty tissue boxes for string instruments, or tap sticks on logs for percussion.
Host a campfire concert where everyone showcases their musical talents—real or improvised. Record a video of your wilderness symphony to enjoy later.
7. Wilderness Photography Challenge
If your children are old enough to handle a camera or phone, give them themed photography challenges.
They might capture “something red,” “something smaller than your thumb,” or “interesting shadows.”
For younger kids, make cardboard “cameras” they can use to “photograph” interesting sights by framing them and describing what they see.
Create a digital album of your trip’s highlights when you return home.
8. Camp Cooking Classes
Involve kids in meal preparation with age-appropriate tasks.
Let them wrap potatoes in foil for the campfire, mix pancake batter for breakfast, or assemble s’mores.
For a special treat, try banana boats—slice a banana lengthwise (still in peel), stuff with chocolate chips and marshmallows, wrap in foil, and heat until melted.
Cooking teaches valuable skills while resulting in delicious rewards.
9. Creek Exploration
If your campsite is near a stream or shallow water, spend an afternoon exploring aquatic ecosystems.
Bring clear containers to catch and observe small water creatures (always release them afterward). Make leaf or twig boats and race them down gentle currents.
Skip stones or build small rock dams. These water activities provide hours of entertainment and natural cooling on hot days.
10. Flashlight Tag and Shadow Puppets
Once the sun sets, the fun doesn’t have to end.
Play flashlight tag—a combination of hide-and-seek and tag where “it” uses a flashlight beam to tag others. For quieter evening entertainment, create shadow puppets on the tent walls.
Teach kids classic hand shapes or invent your own creatures. A headlamp pointed at the tent ceiling creates the perfect backdrop for this imaginative play.
Conclusion
Remember that the most memorable camping experiences often come from unplanned moments—following a butterfly, watching clouds, or simply enjoying quiet time in nature.
Pack these activities as a backup, but also allow plenty of unstructured time for kids to discover their own wilderness adventures.
Happy camping!
