Fun Kids Camping Ideas
Nothing says summer like a hot roasted marshmallow right out of the campfire! (Golden brown…not on fire!) Getting away from the hustle and bustle of life for some fresh air and family time is the perfect little weekend getaway. We’ve rounded up some amazing tips and camping activities like easy camping meals for family, camping activities for kids, tips for camping with toddlers, camping games for kids, packing ideas, and hacks to make your next camping trip easy, fun, and memorable! You can consider this the ULTIMATE guide to family camping!
Also, if you haven’t checked out our printable Family Camping Trip Kit yet- ummm you NEED to! Trust me when I say, it will make your life a WHOLE lot easier!!
There are so many great ideas here, you should pin this bad boy so you can look it over and over again. Really, you should! Alright, let’s get started…We’ve broken the tips down into a few different categories (hint: click on each link to be taken down to that particular content):
- Easy Camping Meals for Family
- Camping Activities for Kids
- Packing Ideas for Camping with Kids
- Tips for Camping with Toddlers
- Camping with Kids Hacks
Easy Camping Meals
When camping with kids it’s important to keep the meals simple and kid friendly. If the recipes are simple and completely delicious then you’ve turned a family camping trip into an AH-MAZING family camping trip. We’ve gathered all the best easy camping meals for family that the KIDS will love! Of all of the camping activities out there, eating is always a safe bet! Now, when camping with toddlers, good, but simple, food is an absolute must!
- Campfire Popcorn Satchels – Only two ingredients for the little campfire treat. Make a little tinfoil bag tie with a string and hang it over the campfire. In no time you’ll have delicious fresh popcorn for the whole group. When you take your kids camping make sure to have good snacks on hand!
- Nutella and Banana S’mores – All you need is: Peanut butter cookies sandwich together nutella, banana, and campfire roasted marshmallow. Yum! Put nutella on anything and it transforms it into a culinary masterpiece.
- Banana Boats – You’re going to need a spoon to eat these little campfire treats! These little boats are completely customizable for every little camper. Camping with toddlers can be hard–or it can be fun! Let everyone fill their boats with some of their favorite treats and wait by the campfire while it all melts together.
- Hobo Hamburgers – These little tinfoil dinners have few ingredients, but man, do they look good! Make these as a family before heading out into the great outdoors. Yummy dinner and clean up is a snap!
- S’mores Trail Mix – You’re 3 ingredients away from a fun camping snack you’re kids will love! All of the yumminess of a s’more without the campfire. Camping with kids just got a whole lot tastier!
- Campfire Cones – Chocolate, peanut butter, and marshmallow turn into something magical when added to an ice cream cone and warmed by a campfire. Just saying… camping activities don’t get tastier than this!
- Campfire Orange Cinnamon Rolls – Store bought cinnamon rolls wrapped inside of an orange and roasted on the campfire. So the orange keeps the cinnamon roll safe from the flames, infuses it with citrus and makes if moist and gooey.
- Campfire Monkey Bread – This pull-apart bread is cooked up in a dutch oven over the campfire coals. Yummy!
Ideas 9 – 16 of Delicious Camping Meals for Family
- Campfire French Toast – Something that looks this good has got to be a pain to make. Wrong! This camping recipes is so easy and make camping with toddlers a breeze!
- Omelet in a Bag – Let the little campers design and make their own omelets. This could be one of the most fun things to do while camping. The best part is – it’s mess free! Perfect for family camping.
- Taco in a Bag (Walking Tacos) – Open a personal bag of chips (corn, Fritos, Doritos), add meat toppings, grab your fork, and you’ll got yourself a fast and kid friendly camping dinner.
- Camping Pizza – My kids would eat pizza for every meal if they had their choice. So if your family is anything like mine, this camping pizza recipe will be a hit!
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal with Banana and Chocolate Chips: This one-pot breakfast is the perfect way to start the day! Ready in 15 minutes and the kiddos will love the peanut butter and chocolate chips over banana and oats! All you need is some boiling water and quick oats!
- Egg in Toast Basket: When I make this at home I let me kids use their favorite cookie cutter to make the hole in the middle of the bread. When camping I use whatever is handy – like the lid of the peanut butter jar. Add the bread to the frying pan, crack the egg in the middle, and cook them both at the same time for yummy eggs and toast.
- Camping Mac and Cheese – Just because you’re camping with kids, doesn’t mean you have to leave the mac and cheese at home! Dutch oven mac and cheese is one of the best ways to use your campfire. It’s sure to impress even the pickiest of kids.
- Camping Pineapple Upsidedown Cake – Tin-foil pineapple upside down cake pockets that are very family friendly. Plus, everyone gets their own little pouch. Don’t forget the whipped cream for this camping recipe!
Ideas 17 – 24 of Delicious Camping Meals for Family
- Camping Quesadillas – Just like at home, add all of your favorite quesadillas toppings to your tortilla, wrap in tinfoil and lay on the grate right over your campfire. The fire with melt everything together and just like that, dinner is done! One of our favorite ideas for easy camping with kids!
- Campfire Eclairs – Just because you’re camping with kids doesn’t mean you can’t be fancy! Take your campfire desserts to “gourmet” with these little campfire desserts. They looks so good, it’s hard to believe they were cooked over a campfire.
- Blueberry Cobbler – If you haven’t eaten dutch oven cobbler before – you are missing out. Get your family a dutch oven and stoke the fire. You won’t regret it!
- Ice Cream in a Bag – Ice cream and kids camping?! Yes, please! Let your little kiddos make their own ice cream. Don’t forget the gloves! Little hands get cold when mixing the bag.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars – All of the yumminess of a PB&J wrapped up in a granola bar. Make before you go for a quick snack or a tasty treat while out for a family hike.
- Camping Breakfast Burritos – Make these little burritos before heading out for your family camping trip that way you’ll have more time for other camping activities. Wrap them in tinfoil, toss them in warm coals, and done. Breakfast is on it’s way!
- Campfire Corn on the Cob – Wrap in tinfoil and add to the coals. If you want some butter on your corn {who doesn’t?!} add some inside the aluminum foil. The butter melts all over the corn as it roasts on the campfire. YUM!
- Camping Nachos – Nachos while camping?! Yes, you can! AND it’s a lot simpler than you’d think. Everyone will love this kids friendly camping recipe! Your camping with kids adventure just got a whole lot yummier!
Ideas 25 – 30 of Delicious Camping Meals for Family
- Curly Dog – Aren’t these fun! Wrap pre-made dough around your hot dog, add it to your roasting stick, and cook over your camp fire. The kids will love this one!
- S’mores Mini Dippers – If your campsite doesn’t allow campfires, here is a perfect make ahead treat that will satisfy all of your s’more cravings.
- Chopped Mexican Corn and Bean Salsa – This yummy, fresh salsa is a quick meal or a perfect side dish. So prepare these fresh ingredients your family will love!
- Canned Biscuits Campfire Donuts – A “camping with kids” favorite! Donuts should always be on the menu when camping and these are so easy and fun there are no excuse not to. Shake in a brown paper bag with cinnamon and sugar for a delicious topping.
- Dutch Oven Lasagna – Make this yummy camping recipe and not only will your kids love it, your fellow camping neighbors will come over to see what you’re cooking!
- Chile Cheese Fries – This indulgent comfort food is sure to warm you up when the sun goes down and the temperature starts to drop. The family will love it and it’s so easy to make!
Camping Activities for Kids
There are so many new things to do and see when you’re camping with kids. Camping games with kids, hiking, swimming, sitting around the fire, there are so many things to do while camping. Camping with toddlers can be a lot of time if you plan ahead and keep them busy. So we have tons of kids camping ideas to fill your time and make memories. Here are a few ideas!
Ideas 1 – 8 of Camping Activities for Kids
- 17 Fun Activities to Entertain Kids While Camping – Here are 17 camping games for kids that take little to no set up. Plus, you don’t have to pack extra stuff from home!
- Flashlight Tag – What little campers don’t love flashlights? This is the classic game of hide and seek, played in the dark.
- Park Ranger – This cute game requires a larger group, an open area, and a huge imagination. So it’s sure to make camping with kids full of a lot of laughter.
- Map Making and Navigation – Here is a great activity for camping with kids. Challenge the group to make their own map of the area. This camping activity is a great way to learn some compass skills too! (The original idea we had here no longer exists, so we found another option for you!)
- Capture the Flag – This game can be as simple or complicated as you’d like. Split up into teams, pick a flag, pick a base and let the chasing begin. Get capture the flag game pieces here!
- Camping Bingo Card: This cute link is no longer available but we found a similar bug bingo card, here! It is so cute!
- Camping Songs for Kids: Singing around the campfire are some of the best family memories! Here’s a great list to start your family campfire song collection.
- Nature Tic-Tac-Toe – Another great idea for camping with kids! Use sticks, rocks, pine cones, or anything collected around your campsite for this quiet and fun game of tic-tac-toe!
Ideas 9 – 16 of Fun Camping Activities for Kids
- 10 Fun Camping Games for Kids – I love fun family activities and this list has something for everyone! Plus, they don’t cost money and don’t require a lot of extra stuff from home. Perfect for camping!
- Kids Explorer Journal – This is a must for camping with kids! Invite your little campers to write down some of the things they see and find as they explore around nature. Free printables, yay!!!
- Wind Chime – Hand-painted and decorated by all of the kiddos – this wind chime will add some charm and music to your campsite. Grab some string, paint and craft rings here. Tin cans are FREE!
- Bubble Station – Camping is the perfect place for bubbles! No need to worry about bubbles spilling all over the house, either, because you use a genius plastic drink dispenser like this one! So here is an easy and inexpensive DIY recipe for a bubble station.
- How to Make a Compass – By using a few items you already have around your house.
- Firewood Building Blocks – Before lighting up your campfire, let the kiddos stack the firewood first. Build towers and structures. Let them use their imagination before setting it all a blaze!
- Bean Bag Toss – This is such a cute DIY game for camping with kids. Toss it in a bag and use it over and over again. Grab some bean bags here!
- Target Practice – Nerf gun and empty toilet paper tubs make up this easy camping activity. If you have sling shots bring them along for the ride.
Ideas 17 – 21 of Outdoor Camping Activities for Kids
- Glow in the Dark Baseball – Glow sticks and a basketball and bat turn a normal game of baseball into a night time event. Bring enough glow sticks for each player to shine – this glow gear would be a great option.
- Ring Toss – Save a few paper plates {a camping miracle} for this DIY game for camping with kids. Little hands can build this game with very little help.
- Camping Charades – Charades is a fun, easy, and creative way for kids to play and entertain themselves and you. The whole campsite will be laughing in no time.
- Golfball – This camping with kids idea is so unique and fun! Everyone will get dirty and tired, but a good time is in store for all. This is a great idea for a group of pre-teens and teens and all you need are two foam bats and some tennis balls.
- Pipe Ball Game – Bring some ping pong balls and some red solo cups and you’ve got yourself a fun game for the kiddos!
Ideas 22 – 26 of Fabulous Camping Activities for Kids
- Tin Can Lanterns – Let each little camper make their own little lanterns to hang around the campsite. The best part is… Tin cans are FREE! Yay!
- Mini Marshmallow Shooters: This camping with kids idea was so cute I had to try it out myself. Total success! The whole family loved shooting marshmallow all over the yard. These little shooters are making their way into our camping box.
- Water Bottle Bubbles – A fun way to recycle some of your empty water bottles.
- Pony Bead Lizard Tutorial – Arts and camping craft time! So if you’re in need of a little quiet time, this bead project will keep their minds active and thinking creatively. You can get beads here!
- Taped Candy Treat Ball – Pick out some of your family’s favorite candies and some clear packing tape you’re on your way to a candy ball. Remember to pack some dice and you’ll have everything you need for this fun camping game.
Packing Ideas for Camping Activities with Kids
Do you ever get the feeling that you’ve forgotten something as soon as you head out on the road for a big trip? There are so many things to do while camping, you need to be organized and prepared so you can actually enjoy it! Don’t worry, these ideas will help make sure you’ve got everything you need to make your camping activities and adventures a success!
Ideas 1 – 5 of Packing Ideas for Camping With Kids
- Things to Pack for Camping/ Checklist – With so many things to do while camping, make sure you don’t forget anything with this free printable checklist!
- Keeping Things Organized – Great tips from other camping with toddlers! We all learn from each other, right? This lady has got it down!
- Portable High Chair – Keeping the baby out of the dirt long enough to eat can be a struggle while camping with toddlers. A portable high chair is a great way to clean them, contain them, feed them, and then set them down and let the dirtiness continue.
- Water Backpack For Kids – When camping with kids, we often take day hikes and explore our area. Hiking is one of the best camping activities for kids. Each child has their own water and carries it around on their back. This is a great way to keep their hands free and make sure everyone has plenty of water.
- Shower Cap Shoe Cover – Kids tend to get really dirty camping. {We all do, really.} Cover your shoes with a shower cap so that they don’t get other things in your bag dirty. So all of your camping activities will be more fun if you don’t have dirty camping gear.
Ideas 5 – 10 of Packing Tips for Camping With Kids
- Toy Tub – Tubs are ideal for both transporting toys to the campsite and keeping them all in one place.
- Things I’ll Never Camp Without – This list will help you make sure you’re ready to go kids camping. Also, another great addition to the list is these make-up cleansing cloths!
- Table Cloth – Picnic tables are so nice to have at a campsite. The problem is the wood is hard to clean and there’s no way to know what was on the table last. {Yikes}. Cover the table with a cheap vinyl table cloth like this one and put your mind at ease. Kids camping has never been so easy!
- Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent – I’m pretty paranoid about using anything with chemicals when camping with toddlers. I love that this spray’s “active” ingredients are Lemongrass, Citronella, and Rosemary oils. No bites on him either! Also, a good idea to test on Baby a few days in advance to avoid a reaction.
- Bag Clothes for Each Day – Keep all of the clothes for the family organized by bagging them for each day.
Tips for Camping with Toddlers
There are so many amazing families out there, but few are brave enough to take their babies, toddlers, and kids camping. We live and learn and these gals have a lot of tips to share to make camping with kids easier for all of us. We have so many camping activities for kids, camping crafts, and camping games for kids! So grab a pen and get ready for some fun.
Ideas 1 – 5 of Tips for Camping with Toddlers
- Tips for camping with a baby – These are some great tips if your taking baby out for his/her first camping trip.
- How to Camp with an Infant – Things to do while camping with an infant!
- 5 Tips for Camping with Babies – Great ideas for camping with kids, but my favorite tip is to bring a tarp for the baby to play on. SO smart!
- Bumbo – Getting the baby off the ground can be a challenge when camping. If your little one doesn’t sit up yet, a bumbo is the perfect way to keep them upright and out of the dirt.
- Sleep Sack – We’ve used this since our toddler could get himself out of his swaddle. It works so well, he can’t kick it off, and it kept him warm all night.
Ideas 5 – 10 of Tips for Camping With Toddlers
- Dirty Diaper Bags: I got these for my baby shower and hadn’t used them yet (oops). I was pretty impressed. They are infused with baking soda to keep the stinky diaper smells down, and really helped between treks to the dumpster. The dispenser part was great when fumbling around in a dark tent!
- Naptime – When it comes to a baby schedule, things can really get crazy when camping. When a baby misses a nap he/she will not be a “happy camper.” Keep everything running smoothly with a Portable Baby Rocking Swing or a Infant Travel Bed.
- 4 Helpful Tips for Keeping a Toddler Safe Around the Campfire – There is nothing better than sitting around a campfire as the sun goes down. However, the fire can be dangerous and tempting to a small child. Keeping them safe can be a challenge. Kate gives 4 really great tips for keeping babies and toddlers safe by the campfire. Also when you just need to set the baby somewhere safe for just a minute, check out this portable activity station!
- Confronting Bedtime Intimidations While Camping: Camping with kids can be really intimidating and the scariest part is when the sun goes down. So here are some great tips on how to face that fear and have a successful bedtime.
- Plastic tubs Bath Time – are a great way to keep dirt and creepy crawlies out of your gear. When empty they make great camping baby bath tubs. Babies get so dirty when camping!
Camping with Kids Hacks
These hacks, tips, and ideas for camping activities are going to make your next family camp-out a walk in the park! Or a walk in the woods… Either way! So check out these things to do while camping that will make your time memorable and fun. Kids camping doesn’t have to be a disaster. So use these camping with kids hacks!
Ideas 1 – 8 of Hacks for Camping With Kids
- Pocket Tacklebox – Everything your kids need for a quick trip down to the stream…all in an Altoid tin! Small and light – perfect for kids camping!
- Random Camping Tip – So random? Yes. Super helpful for camping with kids? Yes!
- 10 Tips for Fall Camping with Toddlers – Camping with kids in the cold has it’s own set of challenges. These hacks and tips are tried and tested!
- Easy Ketchup Bottle Pancakes – Pre-make your pancake batter at home and add it to the ice chest. When breakfast time comes around make some of you family’s favorite designs with the easy to pour ketchup bottle. Upcycled! 🙂
- Portable Baby Nap Area
- Homemade Natural Bug Spray – Oh, bugs!! If there is a bad thing about camping it would have to be the bugs. Here’s a DIY recipe to keep those little critters off of your kids!
- Sage Fir Bundles – Keep the mosquitos away and make the whole campsite smell wonderfully. Forget camping, I want to do this at my house!
- Soap Pouch – Pack a wash cloth and bar of soap together for easy cleaning. Did I mention camping with kids can get kinda dirty?
Ideas 9 – 16 of Hacks for Camping With Kids
- Ouch Pouch – Bumps and scraps will happen while camping. Here is everything you need all wrapped up in one cute package.
- Shoe Organizer Kitchen Organizer – Keep the campsite organized and clean with all of the cubbies in an over-the-door shoe organizer! So this is where my shoe buying habit pays off.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Path – Getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom can be a scary thing for a little camper {and adults too!}. Light the way with this fun DIY glowing path using some glow-in-the-dark spray paint.
- Foam Floor – Tent floors can be cold and the last thing you want is cold kids in the night. A foam floor is a good way to keep the tent warm and clean!
- DIY Single Antibiotic Packs – Individual packs of antibiotic make for light packing and keep everything nice and clean. Plastic straws, who knew?
- Handwashing Station – These are easy to make and will keep your kids’ hands clean even when you’re away from running water.
- Pack a mini first-aid kit – These little kits are so small each child could have their own. Build it in an old prescription bottle or Altoids tin.
- Trail marking tape – If you go out for hiking as a family it’s possible to get separated and lost from the rest of the group. Especially if camping with young children. Marking the trail is a good way to keep everyone together and aware of their surroundings.
Ideas 17 – 21 of Hacks for Camping With Kids
- Easy Outdoor Candle Stakes – Bring a little extra light to extend on into the evening with these Candle Stakes – an easy and affordable DIY camping idea! All it takes is some taper candles and craft dowels. So, keep in mind that this idea is not for all families. If you have really little kiddos, it might be difficult not to touch these tempting little fire sticks.
- Potty Training and Camping – Sometimes potty invades all areas of your life and camping is no exception. So here are some great tips about how to camp and keep the potty training on track.
- The Utilmate Family Camping System – This family is serious about their camping and they have some great ideas. Tubs full of everything the family needs for a weekend of camping. Easy to grab and go and easy to clean up and head home.
- Head Light Lamp – Strap your headlamp onto a gallon of water to illuminate the entire tent. A perfect camping night light for little campers.
- Yoga Mat Sleep Pad – Lay a yoga mat under your child as a protective layer from the cold ground and as a comfortable pad. Plus, they roll up nicely and are easy to pack.
Ideas 22 – 25 of Hacks for Camping With Kids
- DIY Fire Starters – Struggling with the fire is the last thing you need when you’ve got a cold hungry family. These fires starters will get your fire roaring in no time.
- Camping in the Rain – The rain doesn’t have to reign in a good family camping trip. Here are some tips on staying dry and happy.
- DIY Toilet Paper Dispenser – Keep your T.P. dry and clean with this DIY dispenser.
- Solo Cup I-pad Speaker – If the whole family wants to gather around and watch a flick in the tent it might be difficult for the whole clan to hear. Make a small hole in a red plastic cup and tape it to the side of the iPad. Instant speakers! Plus now you have all these cups for drinking, use a sharpie to write names and boom cups for the week!
Whew!! Made it! The only thing left to do is load up the family van and get out of town!
THE BEST CAMPING RESOURCES:
- 101 Genius Camping Ideas
- 101 Camping Hacks (Including Camping Recipes)
- The Best Camping Gear & Gadgets
- Camping Themed Party Printables
And don’t forget to check out our printable Family Camping Trip Kit!
This sucker is loaded with EVERYTHING you need to organize your next camping trip and makes it easier than ever!
So there you have it. We have all the camping activities covered with this huge list of kids camping ideas. Now, we hope you have a great time camping with your kids!
We LOVE camping as a family! All of these ideas are amazing! Saving this post to come back to time and time again! Thank you!
LOVE all the camping hacks!! These are perfect! ❤️
Such great ideas!!!
Love all the camping meal ideas!
Woah!! So many ideas, thanks!!
Great tips Amanda, surely my younger siblings will like it and my time with my partner will be much longer than before. Thank you.
What an awesome compilation of great camping hacks and tips. I’ve been a lifelong camper and I learned a few things. For those new to camping who want to get their feet wet before investing in a lot of gear should try one of the many week long family camp programs across the nation. My personal favorites in California are Campus by the Sea on Catalina Island, Forest Home in the San Bernardino Mountains and Mt. Hermon near Santa Cruz. Give them a try, your kids will tell you they prefer it to Disneyland.
Thanks so much for sharing- that sounds amazing!
Thank you so much for all the camping ideas! Loved your site!
Hi Angel! Thank you so much for your kind words, we are so happy you enjoy the site!
Happen to stubble upon this website, instantly loved how organized, inventive, captivating, informative, helpful and not boring….
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING ALL THIS RESOURCEFUL INFORMATION TOGETHER!
Norma, thank you so much for your kind words! We are so glad you enjoyed this article. 🙂 Have a fabulous day! XO
Great ideas! Recipes? Or how to’s? I am not at all crafty so I can’t just look ata picture and know. Maybe I’m the only one
Hi! So the fun thing about this (and our other round-up) post is that we have linked to the recipe or tutorial on each of these ideas so if you click on the pink title of each idea, it is actually a hyperlink and will take you to the site with all of the information! I hope that helps! XO
Great list Amanda! Keep up the good work
Thank you so much!!
Soooo many FUN ideas!!! Love this post!!!
Yeah, totally pinning this for the camping with baby section!
Um PINNED! Im going to be loving you in about 4 years, Amanda! 😉