Camping activities and crafts for kids

Camping is full of adventure for children: sleeping in a tent, cooking outside, exploring nature and watching the stars. Whether you are camping in the woods, at a campsite or in your own backyard, a few planned activities make the trip even more fun. This guide has camping activities for kids, camping games, crafts, stargazing tips, rainy day ideas and a simple packing list.

Camping games for kids

1. Flashlight tag. The person who is "it" tags others with the beam of a flashlight.
2. Nature scavenger hunt. Look for a pine cone, a feather, a smooth stone, a Y-shaped stick and a leaf bigger than your hand. See our full list in outdoor activities for kids.
3. Campfire story chain. Each person adds one sentence to a story.
4. Shadow puppets. Make animal shapes on the tent wall with a flashlight.
5. I spy in the woods. Spot trees, birds, bugs and colors.
6. Animal charades. Act out animals you might see in the woods.
7. Glow stick ring toss. Throw glow stick bracelets onto a stick in the ground.
8. Capture the flag. A great game for groups in an open space.
9. Camp bingo. Make a bingo card with things to spot: a squirrel, a campfire, a tent, a bird, a mushroom.
10. Hide and seek. Set clear boundaries and play in daylight.

Camping crafts for kids

• Leaf crowns. Staple leaves onto a strip of card.
• Painted rocks. Paint stones with faces, animals or patterns.
• Stick frames. Tie four sticks into a square with string and add a photo or drawing later.
• Pine cone animals. Turn pine cones into owls, hedgehogs and mice.
• Nature bracelets. Wrap tape sticky side out around a wrist and stick on leaves and petals.
• Nature journal. Draw what you see and press small leaves inside.
• Star charts. Color our moon and stars page and mark the constellations you spot.
• Bark rubbings. Put paper on a tree trunk and rub with a crayon.

Stargazing with kids

Away from city lights, the night sky is amazing.

• Lie on a blanket and let your eyes adjust for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Find the Big Dipper (the Plough in the UK). It looks like a saucepan.
• Look for the moon and talk about its shape.
• Watch for shooting stars and satellites moving slowly across the sky.
• Count stars in one small patch of sky.
• Use a star map or an app to find constellations.

Back home, keep the space fun going with space coloring pages and our space activities for kids.

Campfire activities

• Toast marshmallows (with close adult supervision).
• Sing campfire songs.
• Tell not-too-scary stories.
• Play "would you rather".
• Make campfire snacks like banana boats with chocolate, wrapped in foil.

Always keep children a safe distance from the fire, set clear rules and never leave a fire unattended.

Backyard camping

You do not need to travel to go camping. Pitch a tent in the backyard and enjoy:

• A picnic dinner outside
• Flashlight games
• Stargazing
• Stories in the tent
• Breakfast cooked outside in the morning

Backyard camping is a great first step for young children who might be nervous about sleeping away from home.

Rainy day camping activities

If it rains, stay cozy in the tent:

• Play card games and board games.
• Read books with a flashlight.
• Color with a clipboard and a printed coloring book.
• Do mazes from the maze maker.
• Tell stories and jokes.
• Listen to the rain and guess when it will stop.
• Put on rain boots and go puddle jumping!

Camping packing list for kids

• Tent, sleeping bags and pillows
• Flashlights or headlamps with spare batteries
• Warm layers, rain jackets and extra socks
• Hats, sun cream and bug spray
• Water bottles and snacks
• A first aid kit
• Activity bag: cards, a ball, coloring pages, pencils and a clipboard
• A favorite teddy for bedtime
• Glow sticks
• Plastic bags for wet clothes

Camping learning activities

• Map reading. Use a simple map of the campsite or trail.
• Wildlife spotting. Learn the names of birds, trees and insects.
• Weather watching. Notice clouds and wind and guess the weather.
• Leave no trace. Teach children to take all rubbish home and leave nature as they found it.
• Measuring. Measure how tall a tree is by comparing it with a person.

Camping with kids by age

Toddlers

Keep trips short and close to home. Bring familiar bedtime items, stick to routines and focus on simple fun like digging, splashing and watching birds.

Preschool

Nature hunts, shadow puppets, glow sticks and short walks. Let them help with simple jobs like collecting sticks.

School age

Hiking, helping set up the tent, map reading, stargazing, nature journals and campfire cooking with supervision.

Camping crafts to take home

Encourage children to make one keepsake from each camping trip: a painted rock, a nature bracelet, a stick frame or a page in their nature journal. Write the place and date on the back. Over the years, these small souvenirs become a treasured collection of family adventures.

Camping safety for kids

Teach children a few simple rules before you go: stay where adults can see you, carry a whistle and blow it three times if lost, never eat wild berries or mushrooms, keep away from the campfire unless an adult is there, and always wear a life jacket near deep water. Check for ticks after walks in long grass and woods. Knowing the rules helps children feel confident and safe.

Finally, keep the first trips short and simple. One night close to home, with familiar food and a favorite teddy, builds confidence for bigger adventures later.

Frequently asked questions

What can kids do while camping?

Flashlight tag, nature scavenger hunts, shadow puppets, stargazing, campfire stories, crafts with leaves and pine cones, and games like camp bingo.

How do I keep kids busy on a rainy camping trip?

Bring card games, books, coloring pages, mazes and a clipboard, tell stories in the tent and go puddle jumping in rain gear.

Is backyard camping good for kids?

Yes. It is a fun, easy way to try camping, especially for young children, with the comfort of home close by.