Fun Camping Ideas For Kids

For fun camping ideas for kids, just look around your campsite! The possibilities are limitless. Here are a few to get your children started.

A welcome sign made with pine cones in a grass field

Our campsite was covered with large pines cones - so we used them to make a "Welcome" sign!

Should we bring the iPad?

Resist the temptation!

If you are a first time camper, you may wonder how your children will entertain themselves at camp without a TV or a video game system.

It's a valid concern. These days, many children are unaccustomed to big blocks of unscheduled time. At school and after school, most of their activities are planned for them. They may have forgotten how to make their own fun.

Portable Shower for Camping

This portable rechargeable camping shower set means you can shower anywhere!

Read more at Amazon here and find the best price!!

Portable Camping Shower

Fun Camping Ideas

The ability to entertain yourself is an important one, and a camping trip is the perfect opportunity to practise.

I predict that after just a little bit of time away from their usual routines, your children will rediscover their innate talent for creative play.

They'll relax into the rhythm of camping and discover all sorts of fun activities, guided by what they find in the environment.

At first, your children may want your guidance in finding something to do. Have a few fun camping ideas up your sleeve to get them started, and they will soon remember how to make their own fun.

Pack a few toys and games

You don't need to bring a lot of playthings when you go camping. A few well-chosen favorites will keep your kids busy for hours.

Here are some toys that will suggest fun camping ideas.

Kites

If your campground has an open field or a large beach, bring along a kite. Flying kites on the beach on a windy day is fun!

Mint's Colorful Life Delta Kite

You can buy this great kite HERE on Amazon!

Sidewalk chalk

Many state and provincial parks have lovely paved roads and not much traffic. Suggest that your kids decorate the road in front of your campsite.

You can buy this Sidewalk Chalk Set HERE on Amazon.

Bikes

Those paved roads are also perfect for bike riding.

dad and boys biking on paved campground roads

Bigger kids will love exploring on their own. The relative safety of campground roads makes this a great opportunity to begin to ride independently.

Campsite Games

A campsite game like Ladderball or Cornhole is an easy way to get the fun started.

Learn more about campsite games here.

Balls and frisbees, cars and trucks

Sometimes the simplest toys are the best!

When was the last time you played ball? It's still as much fun as it was when you were a kid!

Insect nets and critter keepers

It's fun to try to catch insects, minnows and frogs.

CLICK HERE to read more about these nets for catching bugs and to purchase.

Teach your children to handle the creatures carefully, and to release them back to their homes after studying them.

This is a great bug catching kit! Read more and purchase it here for a good price.

Pails and shovels

My boys used to spend hours digging in the sand.

Be sure to take along some beach toys. The set below has a great selection - CLICK HERE to purchase on Amazon.

Board games

On a rainy day, or a very hot day when no one feels like running around, playing a board game is enjoyable. Read about our favorite board games to play while camping here.

Fun camping ideas that don't need equipment

Once my children relax into the camping groove, they begin to make up their own play. There's something about camping in the natural world that stimulates all sorts of creative ideas! The environment itself suggests what to play.

If there are logs or driftwood, they might build a fort.