Fun Camping Activities for Kids

Kids have a short attention span, one moment they’re running around the campsite and the next moment they’re setting fire to your tent. You definitely need some great camping activities for kids that keep them busy having fun, but also keep them from climbing trees and doing superhero landings. No, Tommy, you are not Spider-Man!

I love camping and I enjoy camping with my family including little cousins, nephews, and nieces. Thankfully, we always pack some great camping activities for kids so not only they can have fun, but I can also join in and beat them at their games (just kidding, or am I…?). Not every kid is going to love every activity, even though you may want them to love the expensive activity you bought. So in my experience, I highly recommend packing in some books and art supplies to keep them occupied if they are not into doing something physical.

I’ve picked several camping activities for kids that are for different age groups and price points. As kids grow, their interests change dramatically, so having a list that caters to a lot of different age groups is going to be beneficial. I also tried different genres of activities from physical to board games, like I said, not every kid is going to love every activity, and it always pays to have a couple of tricks up your sleeves.

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Table of Contents

Fun camping activities for kids – Buyer’s Guide

There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind when purchasing camping toys and products for your kids. It’s nothing serious, just something to look out for so your kids can have a good time without you worrying about them playing. Of course, kids being kids, you’re not going to hand a toddler small toys and a chessboard for them is not going to be on the table, figuratively and literally.

Age-appropriate activities

Kids have surprisingly short attention spans, the littler they are, the harder it will be for you to keep them engaged. However, sometimes you can find an activity that is captivating enough to keep them entertained for hours. A mountain bike is not going to be great for a toddler and likewise, a soft plushy toy is not going to entertain an eight-year-old (although it could entertain you, so it’s a sound investment). I recommend going with your instincts here because you know your kid best and their tastes. However, also keep an eye out on “suitable for this age” disclaimers on the product pages. I’ll mention them in the list as well, so you can get the best activity possible for your child.

Space

Space is another factor that is crucial when you’re getting a camping activity for kids. You cannot have the activity take up a lot of space and have to drop essential stuff for it. As fun as they might be, a camping activity for kids is not going to keep you warm at night, so make sure you pack your camping bags first. This also depends on what kind of vehicle you are taking to the camp, if you’re driving a sedan you’ll have a different amount of space, and if you’re driving an SUV, you’ll have much more space to go around. In short, make sure the camping activity you choose can fit your space budget. In the case of a bicycle, you may need to install additional equipment on the car for a safe carriage.

Camping location

Where you are going matters a lot, especially when it comes to activities for kids. You’re not going to take a paddleboard to a forest or a mountain bicycle to the beach. Knowing a bit about the terrain where you are going helps in getting the perfect activity that is going to be entertaining and fun for the kids. Of course, if you’re planning multiple camping trips to different locations, I have you covered on the list as well, because as a camping fanatic I go to all the places including deserts, the night skies there are phenomenal and so is playing with glow sticks.

The entertainment factor

There is no point in packing a whole activity set with you when your kids are not even going to play with it. The entertainment factor is something you should consider before purchasing a camping activity. If your kids are not going to love it, it is going to simply take up valuable space in your vehicle. Some activities can be enjoyed inside the car as well, so you should look for a toy that’ll make the long drives bearable. No guarantees of removing “are we there yet” questions though, they are still going to be asked. Activities that are multi-use are particularly useful – such as board game sets that contain multiple games (see below).

No screens

I have purposefully selected camping activities that involve no screens at all. Sometimes, you don’t have easy access to an electrical outlet, so taking an iPad or a tablet with you is only going to slow you down. Plus, if you are in nature, I believe you should enjoy nature and yes, I do sound like a Boomer, but, in my opinion, they are right about this. Of course, it’s entirely up to you whether you take devices with you when you go camping – remember the main aim here is for the kids to have fun (and therefore you to have fun as well).

Fun Camping Activities for Kids


Kidz Xplore Outdoor Explorer Set

Kidz Xplore Outdoor Explorer Set as the name suggests is an outdoor set that contains multiple tools and equipment for your kid to use during their adventures. The kit comes with 20 pieces that include a binocular, compass, magnifying glass, and even a whistle. The Outdoor Explorer set is geared toward birdwatching and insect observation. It also comes with a bug leaflet that gives essential information in a kid-friendly way. There is also a backpack to carry the whole kit, so it won’t take a lot of space.

What I really like about the Kidz Xplore Outdoor Explorer Set is the inclusion of a compass, you can use this to teach kids how to read physical maps. The compass is also sturdily made, so it is going to withstand eventual drops. The kit also comes with a big magnifying glass that the kids can use to observe insects in their natural habitat. There are kits to safely capture the insects and observe them and at the end release them without any damage. Overall, the Kidz Xplore Outdoor Explorer Set is an educational and fun exploring kit for the kids to use.

Kidz Xplore Outdoor Explorer Set

We say…

A great activity to sneak in some education without the kids even noticing.

pros
  • Has 20 different pieces
  • The compass is sturdy and strong
  • Comes with a carrying backpack
  • The binocular has 4X optical zoom
cons

The butterfly net could have been a bit bigger


Selieve Walkie Talkies

This is one product for kids I highly recommend you get, even if you’re getting some other stuff. This is simply because it is a great way to stay in contact with your kids while exploring. Not all kids have smartphones or there could be bad reception if you are camping in a remote area, so having Selieve Walkie Talkies is not only fun but also a safety net. One great thing about the Selieve Walkie Talkies is that they come in a pack of 3, so you’ll have plenty of walkie-talkies to hand out. I recommend that you keep one for yourself and give others to the kids, so you can call them back when you need them.

The Selieve Walkie Talkies also comes with a 3 km range, which is pretty significant, especially when you don’t want kids to go far from the camp alone. You’ll need 3 AAA batteries for each of them so make sure you stock up before you go, the batteries will last a good amount of time, and depending on how much you use, they might last the whole trip. There are 22 channels on the walkie-talkies and they come in various colors that are sure to entice kids from age 3 upwards. I also like how light they are coming at just 90 g per walkie-talkie, this makes them exceptionally easy to carry for a kid.

Selieve Walkie Talkies

We say…

Great for peace of mind while the kids explore.

pros
  • 22 channels are available
  • 3 km range is great to have
  • Small LCD screen to display information
  • Dedicated buttons for all functions
cons
  • Needs standard AAA batteries

Attikee 840pcs Glow Sticks

Okay, I admit, this is just not for kids because who doesn’t like glow sticks? The Attikee 840pcs Glow Sticks takes it to the extreme with 840 pieces, that’s right, this package contains an astounding 840 pieces of glowing sticks and other bits and pieces to make fun things out of glow sticks. It has 400 individual glowing sticks that are 8 inches long and around 3/8 inch in diameter. The sticks come in 7 different colors including yellow, blue, green, purple, pink, orange, and red. There are also 400 single bracelet connectors.

That’s not all, the Attikee 840pcs Glow Sticks also comes with 10 glowing glasses, 10 rainbow balls or flower connectors, and 20 triple bracelets. That is a lot of bang for your bucks. You don’t have to take them all with you on one single trip, the glow sticks only activate when you bend and shake them, so you can keep them in storage until you need them. The glow sticks also remain lit for around 5 hours, 3-4 of those are at peak brightness. The kids will have a great time playing with these glow sticks and making different shapes out of them, a perfect activity when you have a campfire going. Spooky stories, marshmallows, a warm fire, and cool-looking glow sticks make a great combo.

Attikee 840pcs Glow Sticks

We say…

A great night-time activity to entertain the kids (and the adults).

pros
  • Literally hundreds of pieces
  • Remains lit up for a long while
  • Different shapes and connectors
  • Easy to pack and carry with you
cons

Some sticks are not bright enough


Board Game Set – 15 Games in 1

Need an easy way to carry board games to the campsite and don’t want to haul 15 different ones? This is a very precise situation, but yes, they do have a solution for that. The Board Game Set – 15 Games in 1, as the name suggests, brings 15 different board games in one package, so no matter what kind of game your kids want to play, there is always going to be something that fancies their tastes.

The games include chess, checkers, Chinese checkers, Parcheesi, Tic-tac-toe, Solitaire, Snakes and Ladders, Mancala, Passout, Playing cards, Backgammon, Go fish, Old maid and Dominos. I understand that some games can be played on the same board or use the same components, but still, you’re getting at least half of the 15 games that are completely unique. I also like the wooden game center that is sturdily made and can be carried with ease. Everything is self-contained, so you don’t have to worry about packing the games individually, which is a great space-saver for your trip.

Board Game Set 15 Games in 1

We say…

The ultimate in space-saving and versatility.

pros
  • A lot of different games to play
  • Heavy duty wooden game center
  • The portability is superb
  • The chess pieces are of good quality
cons

The cards could have been a bit better


Bean Bag Toss Game (Corn Hole) and Dart Board Set

The Bean Bag Toss Game (Corn Hole) and Dart Board set is the perfect camping activity for kids aged 3 to 5. It’ includes a safe dartboard (no real darts) that can be placed anywhere around the camp, and you don’t have to worry about the darts hurting the kids. It is a simple and easy to set up activity that also has corn hole and tic-tac-toe. So you’ll be getting 3 different activities for the kids to enjoy in one simple and easy-to-carry package. No matter where you are camping, the Bean Bag Toss Game and Dart Board set can be set up easily, even inside if you’re playing tic-tac-toe or darts.

What I really like about the Bean Bag Toss Game and Dart Board set is the high-quality materials they used. There is waterproof nylon and nonslip fabric, so you can place it on the beach or directly on the ground without the worry of it getting damaged. It also comes with a high elastic flat wire, this makes it easy to fold and unfold. Overall, it is a great activity for the kids to enjoy inside or outside.

Bean Bag Toss Game Corn Hole and Dart Board

We say…

Multiple games in one for kids who like to test their throwing abilities.

pros
  • High-quality materials are used
  • The darts and the balls are kid-friendly
  • Easy to pack and carry around
  • Can be hung on the wall
cons
  • Quality of beanbags could be improved

Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course

f you haven’t seen Ninja Warrior, then I highly recommend that you watch it with your kids. It is a reality program that has participants try to complete an obstacle course, it is fun and can inspire physical activity in the kids. So now that we have cleared it up, the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course offers an obstacle course that you can set up easily at a camp. All you need are two sturdy trees, and you are set. The Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course offers multiple different workout activities that can help the kids strengthen their core and become healthier. The best part? It is sturdy enough to be used by adults as well, so you can join in.

The basic set comes with 10 different accessories that include a climbing net, a climbing ladder, freestyle rings, and even a 360 spinning wheel. Setting it up is easy too, just have two trees that are 20 to 45 feet apart and secure the line. If you’re worried about the trees getting damaged, the kit also comes with 2 tree protectors. If you want to take the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course camping, they also have an easy carry bag that won’t take up a lot of space.

Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course

We say…

You won’t see the kids for the whole trip once this one is set up.

pros
  • Made with sturdy materials
  • The wooden components are well-crafted
  • Comes with 13 connectors
  • Has an easy-to-follow guide
cons
  • The line sags a bit when under weight

Freein Kids SUP

The Freein Kids Sup is the perfect camping activity at the beach or near a slow river. The Freein Kids Sup is an inflatable stand-up paddleboard that comes with everything you’ll need to pack it, inflate it, and have fun on it. It is designed for kids and teenagers who are below 4.59 feet in height. If you are camping near a lake or flat water, the Freein Kids Sup is going to provide hours of fun activity to your child. Keep in mind, the board capacity is 176 LBS.

The Freein Kids Sup is made with military-grade materials that comprise off their exclusively owned military-grade laminate PVC and professional leave drop stitch. The material can easily hold 20 psi, so the board becomes quite rigid when fully inflated. I also appreciate the nonslip soft EVA deck in the detachable fan. There is also a preinstalled D ring that can be used for anchor or ankle straps. The package also contains a repair kit, a hand pump, and a pump adapter that can be used with an electrical pump.

Feein Kids SUP

We say…

An easy way to introduce the kids to water activities.

pros
  • The deck is coated in nonslip material
  • You can easily detach the fan
  • The hand pump is a good addition
  • Has a built-in carry handle
cons
  • You’ll need to buy the ankle strap separately

Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike

No camping trip to the mountains is complete without a mountain bike. I always take mine with me wherever I go because it is not only convenient to ride the bike around but also superbly fun. So it makes sense that you’d want to get a good quality mountain bike for your young teenager as well. The Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike is designed for kids above 13 years of age and also who are 5 feet and above.

The Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike comes with 21 speeds to aid in uphill climbs and is very comfortable to ride. The premium padded ATB settle has stitches on the sides and seems to be made to withstand years of usage. You can easily adjust the seat height as well. I really love the lean airport hand brakes that not only feel good but also provide near-instant stopping power. The handlebars are raised, so you don’t have to bend down while riding the bike, this provides your hands and shoulders from getting strained. Overall, the Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike provides a great experience and is generally a smooth ride thanks to its durable steel frame, suspension fork, and comfortable seat. There is one downside though, you’ll need to have 2 bikes if you have multiple kids because they are not going to take turns (maybe they will, I don’t know your kids).

Huffy-Hardtail-Mountain-Bike

We say…

Great for hitting the trails (and getting around the campsite).

pros
  • Durable steel frame
  • Superb quality suspension
  • Wider and sturdy tires
  • The handlebar position is very comfortable
cons
  • The assembly instructions need improvements

Parting words

These were some of the best camping activities you can get for your kids to enjoy during your trips. The best thing is that all of them can be used in your day-to-day lives as well, so you’re not sitting on products that can only be used in certain situations. The mountain bike, for example, can be used for the daily commute or run errands, its size makes it easy for you to ride as well so if you fancy a workout, it’s a good solution. Speaking of workouts, the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course is great if you are trying to raise little athletes, they will have exceptional core strength after working out on it for a couple of months.

Of course, there are plenty of great camping activities that don’t require any purchases. From reading books to simply playing hide and seek among the trees, plenty of physical activities are readily available. However, some kids are going to get bored, for those times, having a handy camping activity that can be neatly tucked inside your car is a great choice. Having multiple of these activities will ensure that you’ll have a smooth and entertaining trip without any boring parts. If the kids are having fun, you’ll have more fun too.

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