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You are here: Home / Homeschool / Free and Frugal Preschool Camping Activities

Free and Frugal Preschool Camping Activities

By Shannen Espelien 6 Comments

You don't have to pack a ton of stuff to bring a preschooler on a camping trip! Try out these easy preschool camping activities to ward off boredom when you're away from home! - www.MiddleWayMom.com

With our most recent camping trip, it begs the question, “How to keep the kids occupied and happy?” We really didn’t go on many excursions outside of our campsite, but Aamina (3.5 yrs) had a great time and actually seemed more bored when we got home! Here are some super simple preschool camping activities to keep in mind for your next camping trip!

Make s’mores

Aamina loved to help in any way she could, and since a campfire isn’t that safe, cooking was limited to s’mores for her. With a longer stick for her “marshpillow,” she could stay a safe distance and still feel like she was taking part. Add in chocolate and a shortbread cookie (surprisingly good substitute when I couldn’t find gluten free graham crackers!) and she was having a blast!

S'mores! The perfect preschooler activity while camping. See more on Free and Frugal Preschool Camping Activities! - www.MiddleWayMom.com

Nature study

Too bad we forgot to bring Aamina’s Eye Spy cards she loves so much! We spent a lot of time slowing walking around the campground, finding bugs and animals we don’t normally see at home. She was entranced with a grasshopper and the fireflies.When sitting to eat or just relax, we listened for woodpeckers, owls, loons, and turkeys. Just these simple observation activities has really made Aamina more aware of what’s around her, and she notices small details we pass over.

We weren’t by a body of water, but if your campsite is, that’s a great place to find even more wildlife to observe and explore. Can you find frogs? What’s the difference between a frog and a toad? What lives in the seashells?

I would argue that nature study is the most important activity you should do with your preschooler while camping. It’s simple taking longer to walk from one place to another, sitting down at interesting spots, and watching the world around you while asking questions. You might not know the answer to all the questions, but make sure you take the time to observe what’s around you!

Build a fire

Obviously, this activity is only done before you start the fire! A preschooler can definitely help lift up small logs and try to place them in the shape for a good campfire. I believe that too often we shoo off our kids so we can do things faster, but how will they learn to help around the house if they never have to do anything? Plus, for those of us without a wood burning fireplace, this is a rare activity that seems very exciting for a preschooler!

Kids can help build a campfire, too! Find more preschool camping activities! - www.MiddleWayMom.com

Flashlight games

Can you make a bunny with your hand? Can you point the flashlight onto something blue? What about something red? What happens when you all have your flashlights on and you are trying to view the stars at night? Why doesn’t a flashlight light things up during the day?  Beyond exploring and learning, play some fun flashlight games that will keep everyone moving and having fun!

Printing, texture transfer, and other art

Just bring some paper, colored pencils, and one small thing of paint to make some fun and easy artwork. Place the piece of paper over a tree trunk and color on the paper to make texture transfer art. How does that compare to coloring over a tree trunk (if you can find one cut and available)? Compare impressions of different leaves and other pieces of nature, except animals of course! Ha! You can use your paint to paint a leaf and stamp it on to a piece of paper, too.

If your preschooler is willing, you can even ask them to make a drawing of their campsite. I know Aamina would have no interest in doing that, but many other preschoolers are ready and willing for such a task.

What are some other activities you’ve done with your preschooler on camping trips?

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Filed Under: Homeschool, Parenting, Toddler and Preschool Tagged With: camping

Comments

  1. Jill says

    August 31, 2014 at 10:51 pm

    These are good ideas for fall camping with little ones this year,

    Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!

    Reply
  2. Jennifer Dawn says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    This all looks like so much fun! My daughter keeps begging to go camping. We may have to try some of these.

    Reply
    • Shannen Espelien says

      September 3, 2014 at 6:47 am

      It was fun, and really relaxing! I wanted to do stuff that really just flowed with the day. I hope you find it’s that way for you, also. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Family Socialization says:
    January 14, 2015 at 12:58 am

    […] are numerous socialization opportunities in families, from simple things like playing board games, camping, and holiday gatherings. One tradition my husband enjoyed as a child was when he would get […]

    Reply
  2. Family Socialization - Middle Way Mom says:
    January 29, 2015 at 11:12 am

    […] are numerous socialization opportunities in families, from simple things like playing board games, camping, and holiday gatherings. One tradition my husband enjoyed as a child was when he would get […]

    Reply
  3. 4 Ways to Simplify Your Eid says:
    June 19, 2017 at 5:01 am

    […] a few days after Eid. It’s inexpensive and the kids love it! The kids have learned some fun, easy and cheap camping activities to do while we’re camping, and we try to explore a landmark or something in the area one day […]

    Reply

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