5 Fun, And Cheap, Things To Do When Camping With Young Kids
You’re excited about fresh air, starry skies, and s’mores—but then reality hits: “What the heck do I do to keep my kids entertained?” Don’t worry. You don’t need anything special or expensive. Here are five simple ideas that won’t bust the bank. And they are guaranteed to make your next family camping adventure a hit.
1. Go On A Nature Scavenger Hunt
Kids love exploring. One of the best ways to get them exploring, is a scavenger hunt. You can have them look for pine cones, colorful leaves, or feathers. You could even have them find trash like bottle caps. This is a great way to let your kids roam safely while discovering the outdoors and becoming more environmentally conscious. To make things easier, before your trip, make a simple checklist of things to find—pinecones, smooth rocks, leaves, feathers, or flowers. Give each child a small bag to collect their treasures and let them wander (with your eyes nearby, of course!).
If your little ones are too young to collect items on their own, try a photo scavenger hunt instead. Go scavenging with them. They can use your phone or disposable camera to snap pictures of their finds. To make things even more fun, you can give them a prize for completing the list. Kid’s love stickers which you can pass out during the next time around the campfire.
2. Tell Stories and Sing Songs Around the Campfire
Nothing says “camping” like sitting by a fire under a starry sky. This is the perfect time to tell stories or sing songs. Bring a couple of storybooks—or make up your own tales. The funnier or sillier, the better. Kids love hearing themselves (and family members) in the story, so don’t be afraid to throw them in as the heroes.
Add a few songs or rhymes to the mix—“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or a goofy campfire chant works great. And don’t worry if your marshmallows aren’t golden brown; the memories come from laughter, not snacks.
3. Take Mini Hikes or Nature Walks
Short hikes are perfect for little legs and a great way to burn off energy. Look for kid-friendly trails that are flat and safe. Bring a small backpack with water, a snack, maybe even a pair of binoculars, and turn the walk into a little adventure.
Make it fun: count birds, spot colorful flowers, or see who can find the oddest-shaped rock. You could even let the kids choose a “treasure” item to take home. Not only does this activity keep them moving, but it also gives them a tiny sense of discovery—without spending a dime.
4. Arts and Crafts with Nature
Combine creativity and outdoor fun by letting your kids make crafts from things they find around the campsite. Leaves, sticks, rocks, and pinecones all work beautifully. Bring along some minimal supplies—markers, string, or a dab of glue—and let them go wild.
Some simple projects: leaf prints, painted rocks, stick puppets, or even a mini nature collage. For slightly older kids, you can create a small nature journal to draw or write about what they saw that day. It’s a calm, creative activity that also doubles as a keepsake from your trip.
5. Play Games and Create Challenges
Kids have endless energy, so why not put it to good use? Bring a frisbee, ball, or jump rope, or just make up games using what’s around you. Classics like “Follow the Leader,” “Nature Obstacle Course,” or a little “Camp Bingo” with natural items are surprisingly fun.
For a bit of friendly competition, see who can spot the most animals, build the tallest stick tower, or find the funniest-shaped leaf. These games don’t cost anything and can easily be adapted for all ages. Plus, they guarantee a lot of laughter—and maybe a few muddy shoes!
Above all else, have fun!
Camping should be all about fun. Simple activities are often the best and cheapest. Things like scavenger hunts, campfire stories, mini hikes, arts and crafts, and outdoor games. These activities will keep your kids happy and create memories they, and you, will cherish forever.