20 Fun Camping Crafts and Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers

If you are prepping your little ones for a camping trip or looking for a fun camping craft for preschoolers and toddlers you’re in the right place. This list of 20 fun and easy camping crafts and activities for toddlers will teach little ones all about camping and some of the things they may see, find, and do while camping.

These camping crafts for toddlers and preschoolers are great for a camping themed unit of fun, or simply a summer or fall themed activity to do on a rainy day. You will find anything from crafts to snacks and different camping themed activities.

While many of these crafts and activities work great for toddlers and preschoolers, most can also be done with grade school-age and older children as well.

Scroll on for photos and links to some of our favorite camping crafts and activities, as well as book recommendations and camping-themed toys.

This post may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate and a member of other affiliate programs, I may earn a small compensation from qualifying purchases. All opinions and recommendations are my own.

For the majority of these crafts, you will need simple items and materials found around the house like construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, markers, and more. You may also need other miscellaneous items like paper plates, the free PDF templates which can be found in the corresponding links, and more. Feel free to pick just one craft to do or find a whole bunch of different crafts and activities and plan out a whole week of them.

1. Campfire Craft

This fork-painted campfire craft is the perfect start to our list of camping crafts for kids. It uses the free template found at littleladoo.com and gives directions on how to create this fun campfire craft using a fork and paint.

2. Bear Craft

When we think of camping in the wilderness we think of bears in the woods. That’s why this adorable bear craft is perfect for a unit on camping. Head over to simpleeverydayMom to find the free template and directions to make this construction paper bear craft.

3. Glow in the Dark Camping Lanterns

These camping lanterns are the perfect craft to use while playing camping or to make before a big camping trip. They use glow sticks and a jar to make a fun lantern that lasts as long as your glow sticks are still glowing. A super simple craft perfect for kids of all ages. Head on over to frugalcouponliving for the directions for this fun craft.

4. Squirrel Craft

This sweet squirrel craft from simplyfullofdelight includes a free printable template and is moveable for added fun. It is super simple to make and great for both younger and older children.

5. Cardboard Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

These fun binoculars from Craftsbyamanda are made from recycled materials. They make the perfect craft to use for bird watching, finding things, and pretending to view things far away while camping or during a unit on camping. They make a great addition to pretend play while learning about camping and are simple and easy to make.

6. Camping Compass Craft

This fun compass craft teaches the concept of directions while making a fun compass out of a paper plate. It is the perfect craft to make while learning about camping and how to navigate the woods and outdoors. Head on over to glamperlife.com for the full directions.

7. Popsicle Stick Tent

These adorable popsicle stick tents from Glampinglife are made using popsicle sticks and construction paper. They are simple and easy to make and are the perfect craft for pretend camping play once finished. Make them as per the directions or make them on a large scale with paint stir sticks and larger pieces of construction paper and they make the perfect camping craft.

8. Camping Bingo Free Printable

This free printable camping bingo game is the perfect way to introduce and talk about all the different aspects of camping. It uses photos of things you would find or use while camping and provides children with a fun camping game to play at home or at school. Check out confessionsofparenting.com for the free printable game. 

9. 3D S’mores Craft

This 3D S’mores craft is made using just construction paper, and glue. It uses accordion folding to create this fun S’mores craft that is perfect for pretend play. Make one or make a plate of them and “roast” S’mores over your pretend campfire craft from above. Check out the directions for this fun treat here.

10. Popsicle Stick Campfire

This adorable popsicle stick campfire is made using simple materials that you can find at dollar tree. It includes a free template and has adorable googly eyes when finished that the kids will go crazy for. Head over to creativelybeth.com for the directions and the template.

11. Camping Printable Coloring Pages

These printable camping coloring pages from craftingjeannie.com are the perfect activity to use during a unit of learning about camping, at home after reading a camping story, or to bring along for a long car ride of the way to go camping. There are many different options from campers to animals and campfires and they are free if you head over to this site.

12. Camping Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Nothing says camping like a nature-based craft using all items found while camping. This craft doubles as an activity that keeps you busy during your trip. It uses sticks, rocks, and tree stumps to make a fun tic-tac-toe game for kids. Head over to letscampsmore.com for directions and other fun camping activities and things to do.

13. Coffee Filter Campfire Craft

This adorable campfire craft is made using sticks, coffee filters, and more. It makes the most realistic campfire craft and is perfect for dramatic play once complete. The best part is that it uses real sticks, and you can talk about how you may have to find them while going camping to make the real thing (and go on a nature hunt to find one for this fun craft). Head over to Rockyourhomeschool for more directions to make this fun craft.

14. Forest Animal Crafts

These four fun forest animal crafts make the perfect crafts to make before or after a camping trip. Teach children all about the different types of animals they may see out in the woods while camping. Then head out camping and have children see if they are able to find any of them (We’ve seen deer and raccoons both while camping). Head to Mama of Minis for directions to make these fun bear, fox, deer, and raccoon crafts.

15. Paper Plate Smores Craft

This adorable paper plate S’mores craft from Craftykidsplay uses a paper plate, tissue paper, paint, and more to create a fun and super cute movable S’mores craft. Once complete, kids will love playing with their cute little s’mores craft and making it dance over the fire.

16. Camping Pretend Play Free Printables

Tons of fun and free printables that go perfectly in a dramatic play camping area. Set up a tent in the classroom or at home and print off these fun printables. Set them up around the tent, add in a S’mores area, camping chairs, and more. Kids will love using these for pretend play, and they teach tons of different skills from literacy to math and more, and allow children to learn through play. Head over to A Toddler with a Pencil for the free printable pack and ideas for how to use them.

17. Paper Camping Scene

This fun paper camping scene from In the Playroom uses construction paper and the optional free template to create a fun camping scene that is perfect for learning about going camping. This fun camping scene includes a campfire, a tent, and the woods, and makes a great example of what camping might look like. Kids will love this easy craft, and it is the perfect way to prep for going camping!

18. Camping Themed Campfire Snack

This fun camping themed campfire snack uses apples, peanut butter, rice krispies, and carrot slices to create a super cute campfire snack that is perfect for a unit of learning about camping or to make as a fun surprise before a camping trip. Head over to Thecrazyoutdoormama for more directions to make this fun camping themed snack.

19. Flameless Upcycled Lantern Craft

This fun lantern craft uses recycled materials like a peanut butter jar and bowl to create a super fun lantern craft that is safe for kids and so cute. Take this fun lantern craft along when you go camping, make it while camping for a fun craft, or make it while learning about camping for the perfect recycled summer craft. Head over to Barleyandbirch for the directions for this unique craft.

20. Camping Tic Tac Toe Printable

This fun camping tic tac toe printable from ArtsyFartsyMama makes the cutest camping themed activity for kids. Head over and print out the tic tac toe sheet and super cute marshmallow and hotdog markers for this fun game.

For most of these activities, you use materials around the house. Some need basic craft materials that you can buy at a craft store or Dollar Tree. You can also find and purchase many different camping-themed toys, games, and craft kits perfect for pretend play or camping-themed fun at home. Click on the above images to find some of our favorites that we use at our house.

How Can I Teach My Children About Camping?

To teach children about camping, you can start by brainstorming about things they may already know and things they want to know. Then, begin by reading stories about camping. Both non-fiction and fiction books work great for this.

Make a list of items that you may need while camping and find as many of these items as you can. Go on a scavenger hunt for items, play amping bingo, and/or color pages about camping.

Immerse children in nature, create a fun camping, dramatic play center using the items listed above, and then follow up with some of the crafts listed. Little ones learn best through hands-on experiences, so make it fun and engaging and try out as many as possible!