Let’s Go Camping with Kids!!! 40 Tips, Activities, Games and Recipes

Camping is one of our favorite ways to spend time as a family. Camping with kids is so much fun (especially if you’re prepared). I’ve shared my list for 10 must have camping supplies and 50 ideas for making camping easier, the tips in the comments are awesome too! I thought a camping with kids post just seemed like a good idea… what do you think?

I’ve rounded up 40 tips, activities, games and recipes to make camping with kids just as fun as it should be! (For tips on camping with toddlers click here.)

Tips for Camping with Kids

1. Get the kids excited with some camping pretend play before you go.
2. Pack clothes with easy dressing in mind. (The tent would stay so much neater!)
3. Pack the lovies and blankets that help your little one feel comfortable and sleep well.
4. Put together a good first aid kit.
5. Think about a safe campsite layout.
6. Make a hand washing station that is easy for kids (and adults) to use.
7. Get two of these collapsible bins. One for laundry and one for trash. At the end of the trip tie up the bag, toss the laundry bag in the car and the trash in the dumpster.
8. Keep meals and sleep schedules as normal as possible. Sticking to these routines will help kids adjust to the flexibility of the rest of the day.
9. Make a light up bug for the kids to carry around and use after dark.
10. Include rest times (even for older kids), with a break from playing hard. Bring along puzzles, books and quiet building toys for lounging in the tent once in a while.

Kids Camping Activities (contains affiliate links)

1. SunPrint paper kit
2. DIY paint with water pages
3. Find the tree leaf hunt
4. Happy camper scavenger hunt
5. Cloud Inspecting
6. Go searching for animal tracks (only if your little ones won’t be scared to know what’s around) 🙂
7. Study the stars and constellations
8. Make a solar oven
9. Milk jug yo yo
10. Enjoy some outdoor pretend play with your own explorer kit

Camping Games for Kids (contains affiliate links)

1. Charades for Kids
2. Nature tic tac toe
3. Lawn twister
4. Portable CornHole
5. Glow Ring Toss Game
6. Mini Frisbee Golf
7. Kick the Can
8. Unique Tag Games
9. 10,000 Dice Game
10. Ladder Toss Game

Kid Friendly Camping Recipes

If you are new to camping or new to camping with young kids check out The Camping Family Handbook. I’m a proud affiliate of Kitchen Stewardship.

1. Pancake Dippers (Bacon inside… I’m thinking a little sugar in the batter would eliminate the sticky syrup too!)
2. Pancakes using a DIY pancake batter dispenser
3. Campfire Popcorn – 3 Ways
4. Create a grab and go snack station
5. Campfire Nachos
6. Pocket Pizzas
7. Hobo Meals (I like the idea of letting kids pick their own filling.)
8. Curly dogs (on a stick)
9. Campfire dessert – Orange Blueberry Muffins
10. Campfire Strawberry Smores

Now I just know you have a few tips to add! Leave your tips for camping with kids on the comment section.