“Let’s go camping” is one of my favorite things to hear (and since we live where the weather is beautiful all year long we can go camping pretty much anytime). Lucky us!
Camping with kids can be a little challenging but it’s much easier when you’re prepared with a few tried and true camping ideas just for kids.
I did a little internet searching and Pinterest digging and came up with an incredible camping resource. I found so many yummy camping recipes, activities to keep the kids busy, tips for successful camping, DIY supplies, and even supplies I would love to buy that I had to put all these camping ideas in one place!
Now I’m totally ready for the next time M and M yell “LET’S GO CAMPING!!!!”
(For tips on camping with toddlers click here.)
Yummy Camping Recipes
If you love the idea of cooking with real food while you camp kids check out The Camping Family Handbook. I’m a proud affiliate of Kitchen Stewardship.
- Rolo Marshmallows
- Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Foil Packs
- Hobo Eclairs
- Fruit Cones healthy camping snack
- Grilled Picnic Taco Nachos
- Walking Tacos (tacos in a bag)
- Eggs on the Grill
- BBBQ Chicken Nachos
- Cheesy Dutch Oven Potatoes
- Breakfast Burritos
- BONUS! Campfire Churros
Fun Kid Activities Perfect for Camping
No list of camping ideas for kids would be complete without some fun activities.
- Glow in the Dark Baseball
- Firewood Building
- Target Practice
- Make a Compass
- Bubble Station
- Books about Camping
- Ring Toss
- Bean Bag Toss
- Camping with Kids (what to pack)
- Little Explorers
Awesome Camping Ideas and Tips for Camping with Kids
- How to Sleep Well in a Tent
- How to Make WaterProof Shoes
- Tick Safety
- How to Choose a Camping Tent
- How to Keep Food Cold While Camping
- Non-Toxic Fly Repellent
- How to Locate a Leak in an Air Mattress
- Home-Made Bug Spray
- Campsite Organization
- How to Treat and Avoid Poison Ivy
Camping Supplies to Make
- Mini Survival Kits
- Ketchup bottle pancakes
- DIY Ladder Golf Game
- Bottle Cap Candles
- Hillbilly Washing Machine
- Make your own mini spice containers
- PVC Tent Weights
- Glow in the Dark Pathway
- Tablecloth Anchor
- Mason Jar Oil Lamp
Camping Supplies to Buy (contains affiliate links)
- Portable Radio
- 10 must-have camping supplies (plus more in the comments)
- Portable Highchair
- Pack-Away Kitchen
- Hammock
- Disc Swing
- Cooking On A Stick: Campfire Recipes for Kids
- Portable Toilet
- Flashlight
- The Camper’s Journal
- Organic Brushing Rinse
- Mystical Fire
BONUS! Print, cut, and pack up these Camping Jokes and Camping Puns.
Your turn! What camping tips, activities, and supplies make camping more fun or easier for you?
This an awesome collection of great ideas and tips! (And thanks for including a link to my “tick safety” post. 😉
I pinned this to my camping board – appreciate the work you put into gathering it together! We haven’t got to camp nearly as much as I’d like, due to me and my husband’s opposite work schedules, but I’ll definitely be referencing this again when we do.
Thank you so much Tami! It was a really fun post to research. I can’t wait to go camping. 🙂
Here’s a couple of others —
To repel mosquitos… rub dryer sheets on places they bite most or just loop one through a belt hoop on pants. You won’t be the camp “no-pest strip” anymore!
To keep soot from the fire off cooking pans, coat with dish soap before putting on the fire. It washes right off!
My sister is going to LOVE the dryer sheet tip, she always ends up the center of every BUGs attention.
always looking for different ways to enjoy camping. Portable homemade cloths-washer looks like a winner.
Thanks Bill!
Now that the camping season is getting closer your post is a must read.
I really liked the post on how to choose a camping tent.
Thanks for sharing.
This is a resourceful collection of tips for camp lovers like me! I was especially excited about the tips available for camping with children seeing as I have two pre-teenagers who are excited about the outdoors as well. ‘Camping with kids- what to pack’ has proved very insightful.
These are great tips – thank you! We usually go on one camping trip each year, but our trip last summer went so well that we’ll try to go a few times this year. 🙂
YAY! That’s so great.
Hi Jill: Thanks for this awesome compilation of camping tips and tricks, and congratulations on a great looking website.
I was simply researching campsite cooking. Your list of camping tips provided the whole box & dice and should be bookmarked by newbie camper and experienced outdoor types alike.
Your tips for keeping kids entertained would be invaluable for first-time family campers.
Many children find it a wrench to be separated from their computer games when taken for a camping trip for the first time.
Cheers, Leon
Thank you for such a nice comment! We are actually going to be in the market for a tent here pretty soon. I look forward to reading some of your reviews.
Love your ideas and tips
I absolutely love camping, especially with my family! The experience tends to bring us closer together, and we always have a ton of fun! I’ll have to keep these ideas and tips in mind for our next trip! Thanks for sharing!
YAY! Thanks for stopping by.
We have backyard camping every weekend and I will never run out of ideas with this Jillian. Saved this on my pocket. Made my day sooo much!
Yay! So glad you’ve found it useful Pria.
wowo. this tips is very nice. happy hollyday.
I am from Indonesia, indonesia has much montains is beautiful. maybe you wont to camping in indonesia. 🙂
Amazing resource for campers, wow! Thank you so much for this.. 🙂
Excellent resource list. Especially like your section on fun activities for kids. You can never have enough things to do to keep them entertained.
cheers
Awesome to see the kids coming along in the outdoors! Thanks for the suggestions.
Excellent lists! Thanks!
I shall reblog this for future reference.
Great guide! Inspires me to be doing an article on drip coffee makers for camping, as these come with some special requirements to make it even happen. Thanks!
Awesome ideas, I am planning to make a trip for my kid with outdoor camping and cooking. Thank you so much for sharing this useful post !
thanks for the tips , there are some tips that I know , but there are also new tips that I know , and very helpful.
I’m from the Indonesia , and in Indonesia sekai many beautiful places , especially for camping event . Juka you want to visit to Indonesia .
Yoga mats are great for sleeping on hard ground and using at the beach sand doesn’t stick !
Bring mosquito and insect repeller to protect your family from these harmful insects. Bring enough foods that are not easy to be spoiled. And don’t forget to bring medicinal kit.
Thank for a great article Jillian ! You Didn’t forget to mention about Portable Toliet, it is what I want to mention too!
It’s expensive but worth every penny for me. I really enjoy camping with my hubby & two little boys but as a mom who is very close to 49 with 5 & 7 year-old boys, my body needs comfort.
https://www.discobedshop.com/Disc_O_BedL_p/30001bo.htm
Great curated list. We camp a lot and always looking for new things to do. Thanks for taking time to put it together.
Thanks for giving ideas for camping and fun and i will use some ideas from this one thanks for sharing
I have been on the look for ways to enjoy camping. This Portable homemade cloths-washer looks great. Thanks for sharing
I’m thinking about camping after this pandemic (covid-19). Thanks for sharing this blog atleast i have an idea now.