Camping Science Activities for Preschoolers

Before you head out for your next campout, check out this list of camping science activities for preschoolers. Fun for all ages!

There is so much to explore around the campsite. There are new trees, rocks, bugs, and bodies of water to explore.

Don’t worry. Not all learning has to take place in a classroom setting. And, it doesn’t have to include worksheets or printables.

Preschoolers tend to learn best when “doing”. Worksheets and printables are great for reinforcing concepts, but if you can teach with hands-on activities kids will grasp the concepts so much quicker.

Camping Science Activities for Preschoolers

The activities featured below are perfect for kids of all ages. But, I’ve featured activities that I think will spark your preschoolers interest in lots of different science topics.

LOOK DOWN.

Start by looking down. Lift up rocks and find bugs, beetles, and worms to explore.

Gather leaves. Try to find as many types as possible. Have kids compare the leaves – size, color, and shape.

Collect rocks. Search for new or interesting rocks. Can your preschooler find rocks that are unique shapes – hearts, etc?

LOOK UP.

Find uniquely shaped clouds in the sky. Talk about the height of the trees around your campsite or on your nature hike.

Does your child see any animals in the branches overhead? Birds, squirrels, or owls?

Look for stars in the night sky. Many of us live in the city or suburbs and may be surprised by the number of stars you can see in the sky when you’re away from the city lights.

LOOK AROUND.

What new sights and sounds can your preschooler find? Are you near a waterfall, pond, or creek your kids can explore?

What new animals can your child see and/or hear? Racoons, squirrels, or owls?

How about new plants and flowers? Can your child find mushrooms or unique wildflowers? Explore different types of tree bark.

PRESCHOOL BOOKS ABOUT CAMPING

Expand your little camper’s imagination even further with our collection of camping picture books. These captivating tales, filled with vivid illustrations and adventurous stories, are the perfect companions to our camping crafts.

They’ll transport your kids right into the heart of the wilderness, igniting their love for nature, adventure, and storytelling. Let’s dive into these enchanting pages and discover the joy of camping through the magic of words and pictures!

Good Night Campsite – Get your little camper ready for your next camping trip. Your toddler will explore their favorite campsite and all the fun outdoor activities that come with it, like hiking and swimming. They’ll even find chipmunks, frogs, and fireflies! Roasted marshmallows by the campfire included!

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!

More Camping Fun for Preschoolers

This fun interactive game of Camp Charades will keep your camping trip fun. With 17 pages (8 cards per page) of exciting charade cards, your campfire moments just got more fun.