33 Super Fun Camping Activities For Toddlers & Young Kids

These fun camping activities for toddlers and young kids are essential for your next camping trip! 

For parents, the thought of taking toddlers and young kids camping can be both exciting and daunting. How do you keep them entertained? How do you make sure they’re safe while exploring? 

Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! These super fun camping activities for toddlers and young kids will keep them engaged, happy, and safe but also help them learn more about the world around them.

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Why You Should Take Your Toddler Camping

Camping is a fantastic way to introduce your toddler to the great outdoors. 

Camping isn’t just a fun family activity—it’s also an educational experience for your toddler.

It offers opportunities to teach them about nature, stimulate their curiosity, and develop their physical abilities.

Studies have shown that approximately 87% of people who played outside often as a child value nature as an adult.

Instilling this value of caring about the environment is something that you can pass on to your toddler by taking them camping.

Plus, spending time away from screens and usual routines can help strengthen your bond as a family.

Check out these great toddler camping gifts for more fun ideas!

Fun Camping Activities For Toddlers

When planning camping activities for toddlers, simplicity and fun should be your guiding principles. 

The beauty of nature offers endless sources of amusement, so you won’t need elaborate toys or games. 

In saying that, a few favourite toys from home are always a good idea for quiet time activities while you’re preparing meals or chilling out in the tent. You might also like to check out some of the ideas here for keeping kids entertained while camping.

1. Nature Walk

A nature walk is a perfect activity for toddlers. It’s much less physical than a full hike and it allows them to explore their surroundings at their own pace.

Make it interactive by pointing out different animals you see. Make it sensory by having them touch textures, such as the bark on a tree or smooth rocks.

Encourage them to safely touch, smell, and listen to the world around them.

2. Read A Book Around The Campfire

Reading a book around the campfire is a cozy, calming activity perfect for winding down after a day of adventure.

Choose a book related to camping or nature to keep up with the theme.

This activity also promotes language development and a love for reading from an early age.

Alternatively, make it extra fun by reading by flashlight in your tent before bed, snuggled up in sleeping bags. Even older kids will find this exciting.

3. Make A Fort

Building a fort out of blankets, tarps, and pillows can provide hours of fun.

This activity encourages creativity and problem-solving. Plus, it gives your toddler their own special camping spot for daytime play.

You can use a table to set your fort up underneath or hang a tarp from nearby trees. So fun for kids of all ages!

4. Camping Scavenger Hunt

Create a simple nature scavenger hunt with pictures of things to find around the campsite, like a leaf, a rock, a bird, etc.

This activity is not only fun but also promotes observation skills and knowledge about nature.

Use images and graphics rather than words for younger kids who cannot yet read. Or include both as a way of adding some early letter and word exposure.

You can get our free nature or camping scavenger hunt printable bundle to print before you go.

5. Sing Campfire Songs

Singing songs around the campfire is a classic camping activity.

Choose fun, interactive songs with actions that your toddler can join in on.

This activity helps develop memory and rhythm and gets them involved. Especially if you sing your toddler’s favourite songs and they can join in with the words and actions straight away.

6. Outdoor Camping Games

There are plenty of outdoor camping games that are perfect for kids of all ages… younger kids included!

7. Water Play

Water play is not only incredibly fun but also aids in your toddler’s sensory and motor development.

If you’re camping near a body of water, let your toddler explore under close supervision.

Or if you aren’t near any water, fill up a small tub of water for them to splash and play in.

They can add items from nature such as rocks, leaves and sticks to see what floats or sinks. Or let them throw little toys such as toy cars or play figurines into the bucket.

Even if it is just a small bucket, make sure you supervise water play constantly!

8. Nature Sensory Play

Set up a nature sensory bin with items found around the campsite, like pine cones, leaves, and rocks.

This activity encourages exploration and can keep your toddler engaged for a long time.

They will especially enjoy the experience of collecting a few items to add to their sensory tub on a nature walk together.

9. Play Ball

A soft, lightweight ball can provide endless entertainment when you’re looking for easy outdoor activities for your camping experience.

Your toddler can kick or throw the ball around, improving their gross motor skills and coordination.

Plus, it’s a great activity for the whole family to join in!

You can bring a bouncy ball, a soccer ball or even a tennis ball for various ball games to play together.

10. Bring Sand Toys

If your camping spot is near a beach or sandpit, bring some simple sand toys for your toddler to play with.

They can create their own mini-cities, dig holes and make lots of mess!

Even if you’re nowhere near sand, but have some soft dirt or mud to play in, small kids will love this! Just make sure you’ve got plenty of spare clothes if you’re letting them get grubby (or a campsite with showers). This can get really messy!

But hey, that’s what camping is all about – getting dirty and having fun!

11. Set Up A Treasure Hunt

Hide small items around your campsite for your toddler to find, like a special treat or little toys. You can even draw up a simple map with pictures to help them along.

This activity promotes problem-solving skills and adds an element of excitement to the camping trip!

There are endless possibilities for fun camping activities for toddlers and young kids.

12. Make A Stick Maze

Collect some sticks and create a simple stick maze on the ground for your toddler to navigate through.

This is such an easy activity, particularly if you have a bit of open space to lead them on a fun obstacle course-style maze walk.

Plus, it’s a great way to use natural materials found in the camping area without doing anything to damage the natural environment, since you’re using sticks already on the ground.

This can be a good idea to do with sticks you’ve collected for your campfire before you use them.

13. Go On A Night Walk

Take your toddler on a short walk around the campsite after dark.

Bring flashlights or headlamps to light the way and point out different nocturnal animals you might see with the help of the light.

This activity is a great way to learn about nocturnal creatures and face fears of the dark in a fun and safe way.

Just make sure you stay on designated paths and have an adult supervise at all times.

14. Make Smores

No camping trip is complete without making smores over a campfire!

Let your toddler help gather the ingredients and assemble their own smores to roast.

This activity encourages independence, fine motor skills, and of course, indulging in a delicious treat together as a family.

You can also try alternative versions like using strawberries instead of marshmallows or using graham crackers and chocolate spread instead of traditional ingredients.

The possibilities are endless!

15. Have A Picnic

Pack a simple picnic lunch or snack and find a nice spot to enjoy it together as a family.

This can be a great break from the hustle and bustle of camping activities and gives your toddler a chance to sit and relax for a bit.

Plus, it’s an easy way to enjoy the beautiful nature around you while bonding as a family.

You can also make it more interactive by having your toddler pick out their favourite snacks or help prepare some simple sandwiches.

16. Study Bugs & Plants

Use a magnifying glass to take a closer look at bugs and plants you find along your nature walk.

This can spark your toddler’s curiosity and teach them about different species and their habitats.

This can be especially fun on a rainy day when you put on raincoats and see what different creatures come out when everything is damp.

17. Rock Painting

Collect some smooth rocks and paint them with non-toxic paints.

Paint pens are a good option to avoid the mess of spilling paint tubs over your picnic table too.

Your toddler can create their own souvenir from the trip.

18. Go On A Hike

Choose a short, easy trail and go on a family hike.

Let your toddler set the pace and take breaks to explore interesting spots.

If you’re planning on doing some larger hikes with the whole family, you may want to consider getting a toddler hiking carrier so they don’t hold you up or run out of steam when the rest of you are just getting started.

Hiking is not only great exercise but also a wonderful way to appreciate nature.

19. Blow Bubbles

Blowing bubbles is a simple, mesmerizing activity that can entertain toddlers for a long time.

Bring a couple of bubble wands for a simple option or bring a battery-operated bubble machine for automated bubble fun.

20. Play In Puddles

If you’ve had bad weather during your camping trip, pull on the rain boots and go find a buddle to jump in.

It doesn’t really matter how old you are – jumping in puddles is always fun! Even bigger kids will find this a fun activity for camping.

21. Play Board Games & Card Games

Bring a few toddler-suitable board games and card games to play together as a family. This is another good option for rainy days when your toddler is going a little stir-crazy in the tent.

Simple card games such as memory are a good choice for young kids. And there are plenty of board games suited to toddlers and kids.

22. Create Nature Art

Collect leaves, flowers, and twigs and use them to create nature art.

Your toddler can make a collage, a nature crown, or even a fairy garden.

Only use natural items you find on the ground though as we don’t want to damage the natural environment. This teaches your toddler to appreciate nature too.

23. Visit A Local Playground

It’s a great idea to stay at a camping ground with family facilities if you’re camping with younger children, and one with a playground is always a great option.

But if you’re not lucky enough to have one at the campsite, take a little day trip to a nearby town or area where there is a playground to let your toddler blow off some steam.

24. Float Leaves On Water

Collect some leaves and twigs with your toddler and see what kinds of leaf boats you can make to float on water.

This is an ideal activity if you’re camping by a lake, creek or stream, but even a bucket of water will work for such simple amusement.

Careful supervision whenever you’re near water though!

25. Read Stories In A Hammock

Hammocks aren’t just for adults! Reading a story in a gently swinging hammock is a relaxing activity that can also help your toddler feel secure and comfortable in the new environment.

They might even drift off for a mid-afternoon nap while you prep the evening meal.

26. Toddler Camping Toys

Bring a few of your toddler’s favourite toys, preferably ones that are suitable for outdoor play. 

Toys can provide comfort and familiarity, making your toddler feel more at home in the campsite.

Some favourite options are things like toy cars and toy trucks that they can drive over little mounds of dirt or logs.

27. I Spy

Play a simple game of “I Spy” with things around the campsite. To make this easier for younger kids who cannot yet spell, spy by colour instead of letter – such as something that is red.

28. Play with Glow Sticks in The Tent Before Bed

Give your toddler some glow sticks to play with in the tent before bed.

It provides a gentle light that can make the tent feel magical and less intimidating for a young child.

There are actually a lot of fun things you can do with glow sticks while camping!

Put one in an empty water bottle for a tent night light.

Wear them and have a glow-in-the-dark dance party in your tent or at the campsite. This can be hilarious to see all the glow sticks dancing in the dark. Older children will love this too.

29. Do Bark and Leaf Rubbings

Show your toddler how to do bark and leaf rubbings with crayons and paper.

This fun activity results in beautiful, unique artwork and teaches your toddler about different textures in nature.

Just make sure to only use fallen leaves and bark, so as not to damage any living plants.

30. Make A Bird Feeder

Bring some birdseed and peanut butter, along with pine cones or toilet paper rolls, to make a simple bird feeder with your toddler.

Hang it up near your campsite and see what kinds of feathered friends come to visit.

This is a great opportunity to teach your toddler about birds and their natural habitats.

31. Stargazing

On clear nights, lay out a blanket and do some stargazing with your toddler.

Point out different constellations and tell stories about the stars.

You can even bring along a child-friendly telescope for an up-close look at the night sky.

32. Drawing

Bring paper and pencils or crayons and set your little campers up at the picnic table while you prepare dinner or enjoy a beverage.

This is a great quiet activity after some of the more active fun activities you’ve done for the day.

Sometimes kids need a chance to play quietly after so many big experiences and new sights on your camping adventure. This is an excellent way to give them this time.

33. Ride On Toys

If you have room, bring along a tricycle or small bike for your toddler to ride around near your campsite. Your toddler will love having their own mode of transportation around the camping site.

Conclusion: Fun Toddler Camping Activities

Camping with toddlers can be a fun, rewarding experience with a bit of planning and creativity. These fun camping activities for toddlers and young children will not only keep them entertained but also help them learn, grow, and develop a love for nature. Check out these tips for camping with toddlers if you’re planning your first family camping trip with your youngsters.