My absolute favorite memories from childhood are of summer camping trips that my family went on in the Pacific Northwest. At least once every summer we would load up the minivan and drive east into the mountains, heading to one of the many beautiful lakes or riverside campgrounds in the Cascade Mountain range.
Those camping trips were the best. I would spend endless hours swimming, fishing, and biking around the campgrounds. Having grown up in the city, 4 days of nonstop time outside was a real treat and I looked forward to it every year. Now, as an adult, I spend as much time camping and playing outdoors as I can.
I’m a huge advocate for families camping together. Getting children outside for quality time in nature can have a profound impact on their lives. But unfortunately, kids do not always see the value of the present moment, and inevitably even the most imaginative of kids will claim to be bored at some point on a camping trip.
So, check out this list of activities that you and your family can do to fight boredom and make lasting memories while camping. Many of these activities are drawn from my own experiences camping as a kid, and some are borrowed from friends of mine who are now camping with children of their own.
Fair Weather Camping Activities
How you spend your time while camping is entirely dependent on what the weather is doing, so I’ve organized this list accordingly.
Try out some of the following activities when the sun is shining, and the weather is hot.
- Swimming: If your campground has access to a lake or river, there’s a good chance that your kids will want to spend all day, every day swimming. Just make sure they are always supervised closely by an adult who can swim.
- Hiking: Many campgrounds have access to nearby hiking and walking trails that are perfect for a family nature walk. Do some research on plants and animals in the area so you and your kids can make a game of searching for and identifying local flora and fauna. Make sure to pack some snacks and lots of water in case someone needs a mid-hike refuel.
- Fishing: While fishing isn’t for everyone, it can be a great way to spend an afternoon bonding with the kiddos if you’re camping near a lake. Many people catch their first fish while on a camping trip and those experiences become core childhood memories. If you do plan on fishing, research what types of fishing permits and licenses you may need for the region you are traveling to.
- Biking/scootering: An absolute classic campground pastime. Have you ever been at a campground and noticed that the kids camping nearby seem to be riding countless laps around the camp’s road system? I used to be one of those kids and I can verify that for whatever reason, biking around the campground is endlessly fun. Bringing the kid’s bikes along on your camping trip will give them something to do while parents attend to things like cooking and cleaning.
- Yard games: Even if your kids typically don’t express much interest in yard games, that attitude will probably change once you are camping; everything is more fun at the campground. Pack up any yard games you have laying around or in the shed. Croquette, horseshoes, cornhole, volleyball, badminton… the list goes on. If you have it, pack it. And if it entertains the kids for a couple hours, you’ll be glad you brought it along.
Rainy Day Activities
Even the most well-planned trips can get rained on. It’s a part of enjoying the outdoors that we have to accept and just roll with. Whether you are camping in a tent, a car, or in a sweet Ecocampor RV, rain has the potential to dampen anyone’s spirits. But, with a bit of forethought, you can be the super-parent that saves the day with a slew of rainy-day camping activities.
- Crafts: Having a tote full of craft supplies on hand is the easiest and most surefire way to keep kids (and adults) entertained if your camping trip gets rained on. Make arts and crafts time camp themed by incorporating elements of the natural setting into the fun. Try having your kids search for the coolest rock they can find and have them paint a face on it to make a “rainy day rock friend” that they can take home and cherish. Or challenge them to draw whatever tree they can see from where they are sitting. Emphasize that this is a “special” arts and crafts time because you are camping.
- Put on a play: If you are experiencing an “all day” sort of storm, tell the kids that you are going to help them plan a play. Use craft supplies to make silly masks for them to wear. Create characters and write a script and storyline. Let the kids take the lead on as much of the creative process as possible. Come evening time, tell your campsite neighbors that they are welcome to come to the show if they’d like.
- Board games: This is a bit of a last resort option, but if the rain just won’t let up, crack out some of the kid’s favorite board games. Even a deck of cards will do if you don’t have room in the car for a stack of board games. Maybe take the opportunity to step away from “Go Fish” and teach the kids some of your favorite card games.
Camping Gear to Remember
Remember to pack the following items and pieces of gear to make sure everyone has a good time:
- S’mores supplies
- Firewood and a lighter
- Large pop-up canopy
- Raincoats and rubber boots
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Toilet paper
Most importantly, inspire and encourage imagination and curiosity while out camping with kids. Limit screen time so they have an immersive experience in the outdoors that they’ll want to tell their friends about.
Happy camping!
