Looking for the best camping toys and activities for kids? From hands on nature exploration to fun outdoor games, we’ve gathered our favorite gear and ideas to keep your little ones entertained.
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Camping is one of our favorite family activities. With three boys who love all things nature, it’s often at the top of our weekend list in the summer and fall. There is just something about stepping away from the busyness of life, unplugging and being fully present together.
This list contains some of our favorite camping toys and activities that almost make the packing list when we go camping with our kids.
These items would also make an awesome Christmas gift or birthday gift for kids who love being outdoors!
Preparing Kids For Their First Camping Trip
If you are planning your first camping trip with little kids I would highly recommend doing a practice run at home. Set up a tent in the backyard and have a family sleepover, this helps everyone get comfortable before your trip.
We also like to take a few short hikes with our kids ahead of time. It helps us work out the kinks and sets us up for a smoother camping experience.
Reading camping themed books is another great way to prepare. Some of our favorites include:
At home we’ve added some camping themed toys to our playroom. This camping set has a pop up tent and great camping themed toys! These let the kids “practice” camping and after trips they often reenact their adventures.
Hiking Essentials for Young Explorers
Hiking is a big part of our camping trip. There is nothing better than having no set schedule and letting the kids set the pace.
Each of our kids has their own “adventure bags” with a water bladder, which makes carrying water easier. My 5 year old loves his Camelbak mini pack and my 2 older kids use this hiking backpack made for kids.
Inside their packs they always bring:
- Magnifying Glass for Inspecting Bugs
- Kids Binoculars
- Bug Nets (which is probably our most used camping item!)
- Bug Houses (because no bugs are allowed in the tent or camper)
- The Backyard Bug Book For Kids
- Outdoor Explorer Kit
These little tools make every hike an adventure.
Water Toys & Play Ideas For Camping Trips
Even if the campsite doesn’t have a lake, we always bring a water toy bag. Between surprise rain showers, puddles and dirt patches the kids always find a use for them.
Our water toy bag includes:
Best Camping Toys For Kids
Some toys are reserved for camping, which makes them extra special:
Another favorite? Walkie talkies. My kids use them constantly both camping and at home. They’ve survived drops, rain and toddler play and still work perfectly.
When I asked my 8 year old what the best camping toy is he responded: “sticks and stuff in nature”. And honestly, he’s right. Watching our kids build stick forts, skip rocks, climb trees and invent games with nothing but nature is my favorite part of camping.
Classic Outdoor Games For The Whole Family
We love classic outdoor games like bags (cornhole) and washer toss. They are fun for the whole family and don’t take up much packing space. Lately we’ve been into Kubb which is really simple and fun for all ages!
For rainy days or downtime, we pack a basket of travel board games and card games. Our favorites include:
Pro tip: Bring a tabecloth for your picnic table. It keeps game pieces from slipping into the cracks. We use this dice container to keep our dice contained. Also, if you have little hands playing card games these card holders are our favorite!
Fun Outdoor Activities
Scavenger hunts are a family favorite. Here is a free printable scavenger hunt (that has pictures for little ones that are not yet reading). We try to complete it as a family and then have a popsicle or s’more treat after to make it a little more fun!
Other favorites include:
Rock painting– We use acrylic paint markers and challenge the kids to write uplifting messages. Then we hide the rocks around the campground.
Bubbles– Always a hit with kids of all ages. Check out our DIY bubble solution and giant bubble wand tutorial– both of these go on every camping trip with us!
Nature books & coloring books– Perfect for quiet time or winding down. We love Backyard Explorer: On The Nature Trail: What Will You Find? and Exploring Nature: Activity Book For Kids.
Camping Gear For Kids
Camping is extra special when kids have their own gear. Here are some of our favorites:
Tips for a Safe Camping Trip
For safety, we always carry this first aid kit, a utility knife and extra snacks in our adult pack. Hikes don’t always go as planned and being prepared makes a big difference.
If your campsite is a road trip away, check out our post on tips for road trips with kids and our favorite screen-free travel activities.
In my opinion there is no better way to spend a weekend than camping with family the memories we make are priceless.
I’d love to hear your family’s favorite camping toys and activities, share them in the comments so we can all add new ideas to our list!
