There’s nothing quite like a family camping trip to make lifetime memories. From waking up to birdsong and the early morning sun, to going on meandering hikes and discovering new trails, and finally finishing the day with a storytelling session around the campfire– seasonal camping vacations are often beloved memories for all members of the family. When you’re traveling with young children, though, it can be difficult to plan activities to keep everyone happy, healthy, and having fun. We’ve compiled several ideas of kid-favorite camping activities, catering to a variety of kids’ ages and parents’ prep time, that are worth a try next time you have the whole gang together for an outdoor adventure.
Table Of Contents
Solo Activities
If your child is ready for some individual adventures, or you’re looking for an easy and fun way to keep a younger sibling entertained while the older kids help stoke the fire, look no further than these tried-and-true solo activities.
Biking, Skating, and Scootering
Many families use a camping trip as the perfect excuse to dust off the kids’ bikes, bring the rollerblades out of the hall closet, and ready the longboards for some off-roading action. Whether with friends or alone, a campsite is a perfect place to turn a kid loose on their chosen set of wheels. It’s easy to set clear boundaries on how far they are allowed to go (i.e. “Stay between us and that outdoor faucet,” or “Bike only on the trail that leads right to our campsite”), and a campsite is a new terrain that kids are sure to love exploring. Be sure that your child is equipped with any necessary safety items, though– a protruding tree root or stray rock can be an unexpected hazard if a child is used to playing on paved skate parks or bike trails.
Card Games
No packing list is complete without a good set of playing cards. If you or your child are playing solo, try learning a new magic trick, practicing solitaire skills, or learning how to riffle and bridge shuffle. By the time the rest of the family is ready to join for an after-dinner round of Uno or Kings in the Corner, your child is sure to have a new party trick to share– even if their sleight of hand skills may still need some work!
Wildlife and Landscape Photography
Let your child’s inner artist grow through wildlife and landscape photography. Equipped with a handheld camera, an old cell phone, or a durable disposable camera, any time and place throughout a family camping trip can provide the perfect opportunity to capture the next National Geographic cover photo. If you’re up for a little challenge, create a list of camping-related prompts that your child can search for and photograph throughout the vacation, scavenger hunt style. A prize for completing the whole list is entirely optional, but certainly not discouraged!
Outdoor Art Class
What better time for your child to learn about nature than when they’re spending all day outdoors, exploring and discovering new things? Turn a laid-back afternoon at the campsite into an impromptu art class– no canvases required. Try making leaf rubbings, where you place a piece of paper gently over top of a leaf or flower before rubbing it horizontally with a crayon to reveal the imprint of the leaf. Gather wildflowers to press when you return home by placing them on parchment paper in between book pages and waiting for two to three weeks as they dry. Find a small, pocket-sized journal and show your child how to create a nature journal with drawings and observations of the plants and animals they encounter, then work together to identify any unknown items using their descriptions. There’s no shortage of artistic pastimes to enjoy, either alone or with the whole family.
Group Activities
First-time campers and camping enthusiasts alike tend to agree on a few staple activities for a classic camping adventure. As long as snacks are kept handy and the physical intensity isn’t too strenuous, these excursions are great ways to get kids involved in the fun as well.
Go Hiking
The trails are calling, and there are plenty of ways to keep kids engaged in a brisk hike, especially if an afternoon swim or the promise of a hot dog dinner is used as an incentive. Play “I Spy” while walking, or practice walking the trail as if it’s a runway show. Once you reach your destination, encourage kids to be proud of how far they’ve come, and see if they can spot any interesting landmarks from your new vantage point. Check to see if there are any logbooks at the summit of your hike, and have your kids help write a note or leave a geocache token for future hikers to discover.
Spend Time by the Water
A good lake day is always a crowd-pleaser, and kids are some of its most vocal supporters. Bring along an inflatable floaty or two, water wings or pool noodles, and waterproof shoes to keep any small feet away from potential sharp rocks at the mouth of the lake. If you’re feeling ambitious, or if your children are a little older, take this opportunity to teach them how to kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
Ball and Lawn Games
One soccer ball (and a ball pump or some duct tape, just in case) can go a long way to keep a group of kids entertained. Pickup scrimmages, juggling practice, or simply passing the ball back and forth are all chances to stay active and enjoy the time outdoors with family and friends. Bring along a set of spikeball or pickleball lines and rackets to provide even more options for campsite sports.
Starting Traditions
A weekend out camping is a perfect time to teach life skills and start new family traditions. Show your children how to cook over a campfire with fan-favorite camping treats like tinfoil meals, roasted hotdogs, fruit hand pies, or s’mores. Stargaze on picnic blankets, in hammocks, or bundled up inside tents. Share stories and tell jokes around the campfire, building memories and bonding with each other over the ups and downs of the trip.
Final Thoughts
While camping with children may seem daunting, having a few activities to offer in downtime or when kids get restless is a great way to keep everyone’s adventurous spirits high. If you’re traveling with a very young child, try to keep them on a routine as close to their daily schedule as possible to stay ahead of any potential difficulties. If your family usually serves dinner at a certain time of day, plan your day outdoors so you’re able to dish up at roughly the same time. If your child is used to storytime before bed, make sure they’re cozy in their sleeping bag and listening to their favorite story around their usual bedtime. It can be easy to lose track of time when you’re out on vacation, but for younger children, these habits are crucial for a good night’s sleep and an upbeat attitude the next day. Also, do your best to stay organized. Keep any supplies for kid-friendly activities in an easy-to-reach tote or bag, and pack a bag of car-ride games like coloring sheets, books, and snacks ready to go for the ride home. No matter how you choose to spend your family camping trip, make some great memories with kids of any age with these activity ideas!
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