Camping Activities for Kids

The author’s daughters kayaking in Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Camping is the perfect backdrop for adventurous play, wonder, and learning. Immersed in nature, children can discover new skills, explore the environment, and deepen their appreciation for the natural world. While I don’t think it’s a parent’s job to keep their kids constantly entertained, sometimes kids might need a bit of inspiration to fully appreciate their surroundings. So, we've compiled a list of fun and educational activities to help keep kids engaged during your next family camping trip.

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

This classic game is a sure-fire way to keep children excited and active. Before your trip, create a list of natural objects to find, such as a pinecone, a feather, or a smooth rock. Once at the campsite, set the kids off on their scavenger hunt. This activity not only sparks curiosity but also helps children to identify various elements of nature. [note: this is also a good time to make sure your kids know what poison oak and poison ivy look like, and to remind them to never pick mushrooms 🍄]

2. Star Gazing

Nighttime can be a magical time for kids to learn about astronomy. Take along a star chart or download a star-gazing app and let them identify different stars, planets, and constellations. It's a beautiful way to introduce children (and ourselves) to the wonders of the universe.

3. Leaf Rubbing Art

For preschool to elementary aged kids it’s nice to bring along paper and crayons for when there’s a little bit of downtime. This particular activity only involves leaves your kid(s) find on the ground, crayons, and paper. Place a leaf under a piece of paper, rub a crayon over it, and watch as the leaf's image appears on the paper. This craft not only fosters creativity but also allows kids to observe the various types of trees around them.

4. Wildlife Watching

Teach your kids about local wildlife by observing animals in their natural habitat. Consider bringing binoculars and a wildlife guide (often sold at visitor centers or camp stores) to help identify different species. Make sure to emphasize the importance of observing from a distance and not disturbing the animals. 

Birds are probably the easiest to spot on any trail or campground. Use the binoculars and a simple trifold local bird guide if you have it but one fun thing we do is just take pictures using our cell phones and then look the birds up when back at camp (if you have wifi) or home. 🐦‍

5. Hiking

Turn a simple hike into an educational adventure. Along the trail, kids can explore different types of plants, spot insects, or learn about rock formations. Hiking is not only great exercise, but it also presents a wonderful opportunity to teach kids about the importance of preserving nature.

If you have the time/energy, create a scavenger hunt of sorts by giving your kids a pretend quest (make up a story of where you’re going and assign a purpose to the hike 🔎). Or, bring treats to entice them along the way (“once we get to X trail crossing, you get a treat”. Lollipops usually work for our kids and they don’t melt like chocolate 🍫)

6. Map Reading

In this digital age, the art of reading a physical map is being lost. Bring along a map of your camping area or just use the one provided by the ranger/camp host at check-in and let your kids lead the way to certain landmarks or amenities. This fun activity can help develop their sense of direction and spatial awareness.

7. Storytelling

Gather around the campfire and let the storytelling begin. You can tell stories about the local area's history, indigenous people, or wildlife. Not only does this spark imagination, but it also helps children to develop their listening skills and learn about different cultures or historical events.

We’ve found that the time around a campfire can go from silly to serious pretty quickly. Our kids made up a ‘broadcast interview’ game where they get to pick anyone from around the campfire to interview and that person has to make up a name, occupation, and life story based on the questions asked. The names get creative and the occupations insane pretty quickly 😂

As things quiet down, our kids start asking about our family’s history and start asking questions about the universe, spirituality, life, and more. Questions that might get an eye roll if asked by parents during the day come pouring out of our kids in the evening. Don’t miss the opportunity! ✨

Outdoorithm Collective campers in Muir Woods

8. Camping Journal

Encourage your kids to keep a camping journal. They can draw what they see, write about their experiences, or press flowers to keep as mementos. Journaling is a fantastic way to practice writing and observation skills, and it creates a beautiful keepsake of their adventures.📓

These activities are sure to enrich any camping trip by blending fun and learning in the great outdoors. Just remember, the key is to keep things flexible and follow your child's interests. Their natural curiosity and enthusiasm will lead the way.

Happy Camping!

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