Camping With Kids#7: Keeping Kids Entertained (Without Screens)
Nature is the ultimate playground — but sometimes kids need a little help staying engaged (especially between meals and naps). This guide gives you a list of low-prep, screen-free, age-friendly activities to keep your little campers happy, curious, and busy — no iPads required.
🌲 1. Nature Is the Toy — Let Them Use It
Kids don’t need much to be entertained outside.
In fact, the fewer plastic toys you bring, the more they’ll explore.
🌿 Try:
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Collecting acorns, leaves, or smooth rocks
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Digging in dirt with sticks
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Jumping over puddles or tree roots
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Building tiny forts from twigs and bark
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Watching ants or worms do their thing
Tip: Encourage curiosity with open-ended questions:
🗣 “What do you think lives under this rock?”
🗣 “Can we sort these leaves by size or color?”
🧭 2. Create a Campground Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are easy, interactive, and adaptable to any age.
📝 Sample Hunt List (for ages 3–8):
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Something round
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A leaf bigger than your hand
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Something that smells interesting
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A tiny bug
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A smooth rock
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Something red
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Two sticks that form a “T”
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Animal footprints or bird sounds
Let them draw, take photos, or collect non-living objects in a bucket.
🌌 3. Nighttime = Magic Time
Kids love the outdoors after dark — if they feel safe and engaged.
🌟 Activities:
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Glow stick ring toss
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Flashlight tag
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Stargazing (use an app to spot constellations)
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Campfire stories (silly, spooky, or made-up)
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Shadow puppets on the tent wall
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“Firefly catching” (observe, don’t trap)
Pro tip: Have a special “bedtime lantern” routine. Let kids wave it around before crawling into their sleeping bags.
🎨 4. Quiet Camp Activities for Downtime
Even the most energetic kid needs rest between hikes and marshmallows. Pack a few simple, quiet-time activities:
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Arts | Watercolor set, crayons, sketch pad |
| Sensory | Playdough, kinetic sand in a container |
| Reading | Nature-themed picture books |
| Puzzles | Mini jigsaw puzzles, magnetic games |
| Audio | Nature soundscapes or kid-friendly podcasts |
Make this the go-to “tent time” while it’s raining or during nap windows.
🥾 5. Adventure Games With a Purpose
Turn the campground into a mini wilderness expedition:
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Bug Safari: Give each child a magnifying glass and clipboard
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Animal Tracker: Look for prints or droppings, identify animals
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Ranger Mission: Pick up trash, return lost pinecones, “inspect” gear
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Obstacle Course: Use logs, rocks, ropes for balance games
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Color Hunt: “Find something green, then yellow, then orange…”
Let your kids lead a “nature walk” — you’ll be amazed at what they notice.
🧸 6. Packable Play Gear That’s Actually Useful
Bring 2–3 low-effort toys or gear pieces that are versatile, lightweight, and durable.
✅ Bubbles
✅ Binoculars
✅ Glow sticks
✅ Beach ball
✅ Deck of cards
✅ Travel-size board game
✅ Bucket + shovel (even without sand!)
Tip: Avoid toys with lots of parts. Nature will supply most of the entertainment.
🪵 7. Let Them Be Bored (It’s Good for Them)
It’s okay if your kid says “I’m bored.” That moment is the gateway to creativity.
Instead of fixing it, try:
🗣 “Hmm, I wonder what you could do with that stick.”
🗣 “You could rest, or you could invent something.”
Boredom in nature often leads to:
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Imaginative games
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Storytelling
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Observation and problem solving
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Deep engagement with their environment
Give it space. You’ll be surprised.
✅ Quick Activity Planner: What to Pack
| Category | Activities |
|---|---|
| Movement | Bug safari, obstacle course, scavenger hunt |
| Creativity | Drawing, storytelling, nature crafts |
| Sensory | Water play, leaf rubbings, rock stacking |
| Social | Family games, shadow puppets, team clean-up |
| Solo | Books, puzzles, tent time |
📌 Up Next:
Part 8 – Weather-Proof Camping With Kids
Rain or shine, kids still want to explore. In Part 8, we’ll cover how to camp comfortably and safely in all kinds of weather — from heat waves to downpours — and how to turn “bad weather days” into the most memorable ones.