Camping Crafts for Preschoolers
Camping is a great way to get kids outdoors and exploring nature. And what better way to get them excited about camping than with some fun camping crafts for preschoolers?
These easy preschool crafts are perfect for getting little ones involved in the camping experience.
From making their own binoculars to decorating their own campfire marshmallows, these camping crafts are sure to be a hit with your little campers!
Check out the list below, and let me know which one of these crafts is your favorite. Then, be sure to check out the rest of our camping activities for kids!
Crafts to Do While Camping
Camping is a great opportunity to get crafty with your kids. Here are some easy camping crafts that your preschoolers will love:
-Use twigs and leaves to make a campfire picture. Glue the twigs and leaves onto a piece of construction paper to create a picture of a campfire. You can also add other camping items like tents and trees.
-Make “smores” paintings. Paint one side of a piece of paper brown, then let your child add marshmallows and chocolate chips. When the paint dries, it will look like a delicious smore!
-Fingerprint fireflies. Paint your child’s fingers with glow-in-the-dark paint, then press them onto black construction paper. Add antennae with regular paint or markers, and you’ve got some cute camping critters.
For more ideas, check out the crafts I’ve shared below. These were designed by some of my favorite preschool crafters with little ones in mind.
Camping Crafts for Preschoolers
Camping is a great opportunity to get crafty with your kids.
Here are some easy camping crafts that your preschoolers will love:
This popsicle stick tent craft is absolutely the perfect camping craft for little ones.
You could even add a picture in the center of the tent for a fun summer keepsake craft.
You can make a pretend campfire with your little ones.
They can pretend to roast marshmallows and sing campfire songs.
Camping themed story stones are perfect for story telling, and they double as a inspiring way to get kids writing.
As you're gathering wood for your campfire, have kids gather smooth stones.
Adults can place those stones in the fire coals to heat, and kids can decorate them with crayons (which will melt for a fun effect).
No campout is complete without catching lightning bugs.
Get kids excited about that with this adorable lightning bug craft made with bandaids.
Kids will love decorating walking sticks with paint, feathers, and beads.
Then, they can use them when you go hiking on your next camping trip.
Kids can help assemble this camping-themed tic tac toe game, and then play it over and over again during your campouts.
With a free template for the logs, this handprint campfire craft is a breeze for preschoolers to make this summer.
While you set up the campsite, have your little ones gather twigs and stones.
Then, use those bits and pieces to make a nature tic tac toe game.
You can't be out in nature and NOT find bugs.
Before you head out to the campgrounds, have your little ones decorate an old round container to use as a bug hotel.
More Camping Activities for Preschoolers
If you’re looking for even more camping-themed activities to round out your preschool camping theme, you’re in the right place!
Teach Camping-Related Vocabulary Words
Create a list of camping-related words that preschoolers are likely to encounter while camping. Some examples include tent, sleeping bag, campfire, s’mores, hiking, and more.
Use picture books or flashcards to introduce each word. Make sure you use plenty of examples and encourage children to repeat the words back to you.
To reinforce the new vocabulary, play games like charades (where one child acts out a camping-related word while others try to guess what it is) or memory (where children take turns picking up two cards with camping-related words and trying to match them).
Camping Books for Preschoolers
Fill your book basket with a great collection of camping books for preschool. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore.
If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them through my Amazon affiliate links by clicking the images below.
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee – Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when along comes a lumbering, marshmallow-loving bear and the excitement begins.
Curious George Goes Camping – George tries to be helpful, but he of course just ends up upsetting a nearby camper. As he’s hiding in the woods, he meets a forest creature who catapults the mischievous monkey into a chain of even more outrageous events!
Llama Llama Loves Camping – Llama Llama goes camping for the very first time and learns a valuable lesson: what seems scary can actually be super-duper FUN!
Camping crafts are a fun and interactive way to engage preschoolers during camping trips.
Not only do they provide an opportunity for children to get creative and use their imagination, but they also serve as a great way to reinforce important camping concepts such as respecting nature and campfire safety.
With so many different camping craft ideas available, there’s sure to be something that will appeal to every child.
So the next time you plan a camping trip with preschoolers, make sure to pack some crafting supplies and get ready for a fun-filled adventure in the great outdoors!