The Family Camping Series: Activities

Welcome to the Family Camping Series. This blog series is all about making family camping fun, easy, and unforgettable.

There’s something special about camping as a family—the crackling campfire, the shared laughter under the stars, the stories told in sleeping bags, and the simple joy of being together without the buzz of everyday distractions. Whether you're seasoned outdoor adventurers or pitching your first tent, camping offers the perfect opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and create memories that last a lifetime. We’ll be covering helpful hints from planning and packing to campsite meals and creative activities for the whole family.

In this first article, we’re focusing on what many parents consider both the biggest challenge and the biggest reward of camping with kids: activities. When planned thoughtfully, these experiences can spark curiosity, foster teamwork, and turn ordinary days in the woods into extraordinary adventures. Below, you'll find a curated list of family-friendly camping activities to help you make the most of your time in nature.

So gather around the digital campfire, and let’s dive in!

I Spy Nature Walk – Take a walk and encourage kids to engage in observation by playing an old school game of I Spy. This is also a great way to teach children to be aware of their surroundings while enjoying the great outdoors.

Nature Explorers – Bring some binoculars, magnifying glasses, shovels like this GP Factor camp shovel that will last a lifetime, buckets, butterfly nets or jars and encourage your children to explore. You’ll be amazed by the observations they make.

Read in Nature – Utilize your local library, thrift store, or home collection to grab some books about nature. Pack a few with you to read under a shady tree or the stars at night. We love books about bugs, plants, or animals!

Arts & Crafts* – Whether you grab a simple coloring book and pack of crayons or are ready to take on a nature art masterpiece, get creative in the great outdoors. We love our travel packs of nature crafts for easy grab and go activities.

• Coloring books grabbed from our local dollar store and a pack of crayons make for a simple activity while at our campsite. We have been loving the selection of coloring books geared towards older children and adults as well!
• Paints, markers, glue, paper, etc. packed up in a zipper pouch allow our children to use their imagination and create!
• Nature bracelets just require some tape. Loosely tape a bracelet around your child’s wrist, sticky side out and let them collect leaves, twigs, rocks, etc. for a wearable masterpiece.
• Leaf rubbings are one of our favorite simple crafts – some paper and crayons and you are set!
• Rock painting is a fun way to leave a token behind at campsites for others to find and enjoy.

Pro Tip: Bring twine and some clothespins to hang crafts to dry after completion and decorate your site!

*Please note we use washable, non-toxic paints for our activities and make sure to clean up any by-products of our creativity. 

Nature Bingo – We love this free printable Nature Bingo. We laminated our set and grabbed some dry erase markers to play over and over again.

Toys in Nature – Grab some toys from home and get them dirty! Trucks and tractors are our favorites for outside play. Let your children use their imaginations to ‘mow’ the grass or ‘excavate’ a dirt pile. Small figurines and other items you already have at home can also work well for this – just be prepared to give them a good bath when you get home!

Pro Tip: We set up our outdoor water table with dish soap and call it a car wash when we get home, so the children get to help during the cleanup process too!

Something to Ride – While this is dependent on the campsite and your child’s age, we find that restless legs can often be tired out by a bike or scooter. Remember those helmets and get those little bodies moving!

Camping with family isn't just about where you go—it's about what you do together while you're there. The activities you choose whether it's a simple nature walk or creating a nature art masterpiece, help shape the stories you'll tell long after the trip is over. With a little creativity and flexibility, there's no shortage of ways to keep everyone engaged, curious, and smiling.

Final Thoughts

As you start planning your next camping trip, keep this list of activities in your back pocket. Try a few, tweak them to fit your family, and don’t be afraid to invent your own traditions. After all, the best memories are often the unexpected ones.

Stay tuned for the next article in our Family Camping Series, where we’ll dive into campsite meal ideas that are both kid-approved and stress-free for parents. Until then, happy camping—and don’t forget to pack the marshmallows!