Spring Camping Activities for Families

Okay, campers– It’s spring break and time to get outside with the fam! This season, we’ve got the know on all the best outdoor activities to enjoy as a family. From camping in a beautiful destination to spending a simple day outdoors. Here are some great ways to reconnect and get active.

Whether your crew wants to go all-out, or lay low and indulge in relaxing outdoors. We’ll talk about outdoor recreation, chill ways to pass the time, and rainy-day camping activities. Keep reading and discover the next activities for your spring family camping adventures!

1. Hiking

Hitting the trail as a family is an easy way to spend time together outside. First of all, it’s free! From paved, easy nature walks to steep challenging peaks. Hiking is a great opportunity not only to stretch your legs but to spend some quality time with each other.

Apps like AllTrails are excellent resources. Gather trail information, reviews, and status of hikes near you.

2. Snowshoeing

There is often leftover snow in the mountains in spring. Go on a high-elevation adventure, and get one last snowshoeing session in! This is not only great exercise, but due to the slower pace of trekking, a great time to view wildlife! It’s great cardio, strength, and endurance training. Don’t forget to wear SPF! Those sneaky mountain UV rays can be strong. Gather around the campfire at the end of a long day in the snow!

3. Wildflower Viewing

Spring has sprung and so have the wildflowers! Time to whip out the plant identification books and get the lowdown from rangers on what to keep an eye out for. Bluebells, iris, trillium, marigolds, and violets are some stunning buds you may spot across the U.S. this spring! 

4. Biking

We’re ditching the training wheels for this one. Go for the ultimate family bike ride this spring! This is another way to make group exercise fun and rewarding. Bicycles have so many great attachments and features these days. Attachable bike seats for little ones make it easy and safe to include every member of the family. Strap a little picnic basket and blanket to a rack, or panniers and head out for a picnic! Of course, don’t forget helmets!

5. Bird Watching

There is nothing like the shared joy of a cool discovery together! Discover new, beautiful birds and wildlife on a family bird-watching excursion. 

Kid-sized binoculars, bird books, and identification booklets make the activity super fun! You’ll have expert birders on your hands in no time!

6. Glamping for The Whole Family

A glamping excursion for the whole family may be in order! This spring, treat the crew to some much-needed rest and relaxation. Glampsites seamlessly blend luxury with outdoor living. So families have access to comfortable amenities as well as living close to nature.

The key to a great family glamping experience is the perfect tent! A family glamping tent should have certain features. It should be spacious, have bed platforms, a stove, and ample room for gear and campers! Make it feel even more like home with pillows, blankets, and candles! This spring, treat your family to a glamping adventure that combines comfort with the beauty of the outdoors!

7. Fishing

Grab your fishing poles and bait! Fishing nets are a great thing to have to help the little ones feel included, too! Fishing with the family is a great opportunity for kids to learn lessons and skills. From patience to the technicalities of fishing. Kids can learn casting, reeling, and hooking skills. Additionally, it’s the perfect time to practice enjoying the time in nature, whether or not it yields any results.

8. Stargazing

When the sun sets, nature puts on a show! If you’re lucky to have a clear night, this spring, you won’t want to miss out on stargazing opportunities. Discover new constellations, watch shooting stars, and maybe even catch a celestial event! Check out our blog about upcoming stargazing events you won’t want to miss this year! Read about it here!

9. Kayaking

Kayaking is a great way to get some family time on the water. The easy two-sided paddle and low profile of the boat make it beginner-friendly and easy to learn. A double-seater kayak is perfect for couples and kids. It is truly an activity suited for all ages. Even the grandparents will enjoy a leisurely paddle! It requires minimal strength and coordination, but yields highly rewarding results! 

Kayaking excursions are generally affordable, and sometimes involve wildlife sightings! Remember to wear a wide-brimmed hat for UV protection, ample sunblock, and a life vest! 

10. S’mores Around the Campfire

Unwind from your day of hiking, birding, or kayaking with a cozy campfire! Just outside of your family camping tent, there is often a fire pit or designated area. Kids can pitch in and learn the ropes of fire safety and building at this time.

And what’s the key to the ultimate campfire? S’mores of course! This is truly one of those simple but great joys in life. And all it takes is some good sticks, marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers! 

Get out some extra wiggles and giggles before bed with classic spooky stories, or debriefing the day.

Fun Family Games for Spring Campers: Rainy Day Activities

If rainy spring days are keeping everyone inside the tent, here are some quick tips to help you have a successful day indoors!

Enjoy endless rounds of card games, puzzles, and storytime over a cup of hot cocoa! Board games, reading books, coloring, and making crafts are great pastimes, too. An extra fun treat is projecting a pre-downloaded movie onto a sheet or the wall of the tent.

For campers who are itching to get out of the tent, drive over to the visitor center or a local town to learn, explore, or chat with a ranger.

Extra Accessories for Tent Camping and Family Games!

Having some extra materials on hand always comes in handy! When camping, you never know when you might need a multitool or a tarp. When playing games and activities, little details like this help out!

A Canvas Tent

The first step to enjoying a rainy spring day is having an awesome tent setup. A 4-season canvas tent is the perfect solution to all things cold, rainy, and damp. Canvas is a highly durable and breathable material. In wet conditions, it fights off condensation. When temperatures drop at night, the canvas works to insulate the interior. For unpredictable spring days, count on a canvas tent!

Camping Accessories

A few essential camping accessories can create the perfect rainy-day retreat!
Utilize a tent wood stove for the ultimate cozy vibes! Tents can get really chilly on a rainy day. But with a stove, the canvas traps the heat. Now, you have the perfect warm space and a place to make hot chocolate while hanging out.

A ground tarp is one of those pieces of gear you should just never leave without. This can be used for a multitide of reasons! From a picnic blanket to a shade, to a tent footprint. What’s more is that this is a great surface to lay down for board games and activities. Firstly, it makes clean up and whole lot easier in the tent. Secondly, it minimized the chances of pieces getting lost! It can also be used for outdoor activities and games!

Have a designated camping bag for games and activities! That way when the rains come, you won’t be scrambling to find all the stuff you had planned. Board games and puzzle pieces will remain organized in a waterproof canvas bag.

The Most Important Thing…

Is making memories! It can be tempting to get caught up in comparison. Maybe you don’t have all the fancy gear, or maybe the only time you have to spare is a long weekend. 

Whatever it is, remember the most important thing is intentional time together. Whether you’re renting gear, doing free activities, or making up your own fun! That is time well spent that you can’t get back. So get out in the sun, hit the trails, and make memories that you’re proud of and that the whole family can enjoy.

Wrapping Up

This spring, get outside with the family and find your niche! It’s a great way to reconnect and exercise. Soak up the pure delight of spending time together outside, and the simple joy of a rainy day inside.

There is an array of activities that your family will love this spring. From biking winding trails to stargazing at constellations. Perhaps a relaxing glamping trip is in order! But whether you’re hiking, kayaking, or spotting wildflowers, this spring will be full of family fun.

With the right tent setup and a positive attitude, heavy weather is no match for quality family time! A durable canvas wall tent is the perfect space for family camping. It’s spacious, breathable, and warm. With the right accessories– like a waterproof tarp and stove– the whole family will be comfortable.

Remember, the most important part about this is unplugging and making memories.