Family Wanderings:
~Out and About Time

Kids find magic in ordinary places, and they're eager to unravel life's mysteries. When a place encourages exploration, discovery and imagination, it taps into kids' innate sense of wonder.

Play is a particularly powerful way to unleash kids' wonderment, which is infectious. Enabling parents and caregivers to see the world through kids' eyes can activate their own sense of wonder.

Infusing wonderment into an family outing takes a little planning and a little magic. We're all dreaming of an epic summer vacation right now. At the same time, you and your family may be feeling like it's an impossible time to get away. But don't despair—if you can't hit the open road for your annual beach getaway or car camping trip, the next best option is to simply open your back door.

That's right—turning your backyard into your own personal campsite is a fun and pretty easy way to experience the great outdoors without packing the car and the bags and (perhaps the best perk of all) no one will ask, "Are we there yet?" (Another bonus: indoor bathrooms. Are you sold yet?) Create a backyard camp by pitching a tent, setting up the best camping chairs around a fire or one of these best camping stoves, and cook up some delicious campfire recipes (s'mores are a must-have sweet treat while telling spooky stories!). And if bugs are a problem in your backyard, don't forget the best bug zappers that really work!

These 25 backyard camping ideas will make your summer staycation a fun family memory—and maybe even a tradition—for years to come.

1) Pitch a Backyard Tent

You can go two ways here: Grab your best camping tent from the garage and pop it open, or get crafty and create a teepee for the kids.

2) Build a Backyard Firepit

Camping—even in the backyard—calls for a fire (you can't have s'mores without it, right?). To keep it contained safely, a sturdy flagstone firepit will keep the family warm and on a sugar high all night long.

3) Elevate Your S'mores Recipe

Next-level the regular s'mores trio of ingredients—graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate square—with these exciting combinations. We'll have one of each! Try these campfire dessert treats for a change of pace.

Get the recipe.

4) Have a Scavenger Hunt

For a fun camping activity, take the kids on a backyard scavenger hunt. Write the names of insects, flowers, and trees on paper bags, and let them make a run for it. Collect each specimen in the bags.

5) Drink Hot Chocolate in Vintage Thermoses

Add a sense of history to the campfire with a vintage thermos filled to the brim with delicious hot cocoa.

Get the recipe.

6) Play a Backyard Game

Sure, you could bring board games and cards outside, but if you're in your backyard anyway, why not break out some fun lawn games? All ages will enjoy a game of corn hole, washer toss, badminton, Frisbee, giant Jenga, croquet, and more.

7) Put a Spin on Campfire Hot Dogs

Ketchup and mustard are classic, but if you have adventurous campers in your crew, add some creative toppings to those buns.

Get the recipe.

8) Hang String Lights in the Backyard

Simple string lights add a magical touch to backyard camping. Hang strands of lights from four poles—mapping out your campsite—or hang them inside your backyard tent. Check out backyard string light ideas for fun ways to light up your space all year long.

HUGE List of FREE (Or Nearly FREE) Summer Activities 

Stave off the boredom by filling your calendar with cheap and free summer activities for kids.

This HUGE list of inexpensive and free summer activities for kids has something to offer everyone including indoor entertainment, learning opportunities, and outdoor adventures. Yep, no matter what the day is like, you’ll be able to find something exciting (and possibly educational) to keep the kiddos engaged (and out of your hair)! 😉

I’ve scoured the Internet, and here are the funnest, most awesome frugal and free summer activities for kids out there!

Let’s all go to the movies…

Movies are great low-cost or sometimes even free summer activities for kids. Plus, they offer mom a fantastic opportunity to kick back and relax for 2 hours! Here are some summer movie viewing options:

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse: Okay, while this isn’t technically a free summer activity for kids, it’s darn close. The kiddos can enjoy 10 movies for only $5 which works out to just $0.50 per movie! The 2018 summer lineup hasn’t been announced yet… but keep checking back.

Classic Cinemas: Check out the Wednesday Morning Movie Series happening June 6th through August 8th. You and the fam can see G and PG rated films for just $1.

Regal’s Summer Movie Express: This summer movie program is on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. meaning if you can’t make one show you have a second chance. Admission is $1, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Will Rogers Institute.

Tip: Looking for a totally free summer activity for kids? Turn your home into a movie theater complete with nutritious and delicious coconut oil popcorn.

Get Up and Go!

Help the kiddos work off some of that energy with these active free summer activities for kids!

AMF Bowling: Bowling at AMF locations is a frugal summer activity for kids that’ll allow you to beat the heat! Register your kids for the Summer Games program at AMF where they can bowl up to 3 games every day for one low price. AMF offers passes for kids AND Mom and Dad (if you want to get in on the fun). Kid’s passes are just $31.95 each and include shoe rental. The Summer Games program runs May 21st through September 3rd.

Kids Bowl Free: Find a participating “Kids Bowl Free” location and each of your kiddos can snag 2 free rounds of bowling each day. Please note that taxes and shoe rental fees apply and vary by location.

Kids Skate Free: Looking for free summer activities for kids that are guaranteed to wear them out? Look no further! Kids can skate for free this summer at participating “Kids Skate Free” rinks. Find a location near you now and sign your kids up to snag their FREE skating passes. Note: Fees (including skate rental fees) and age limitations vary based on location.

Tip: Need more outdoor free summer activities for kids? Here are 25 Awesome Outdoor Party Games for Kids of All Ages. Gardening can also be a fun free summer activity for kids. If you’ve got a green thumb and want to pass it along to your little one, check out the best plants for kids and get started now.

Be a book worm.

While it’s great to get outdoors and be active during the summer months, be sure to give your child’s brain a workout as well. Reading is the perfect free summer activity for kids.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program: Free summer activities for kids can be fun and educational. (No, really.) Just take a look at this offer from Barnes and Nobles…. When kids in grades 1 through 6 read 8 books and answer questions (using the Summer Reading Journal) they can snag a free book! This program runs May 15th through September 3rd.

Scholastic Summer Challenge: The 2018 reading challenge kicks off May 7th. With the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge kids log reading time to earn rewards and unlock activities.

Sylvan Learning Book Adventure: This free summer activity for kids is great because it ensures they’re actually reading and absorbing the information. How it works is kids (K through 8th grade) select Sylvan approved books, read them (offline), and then take quizzes. Good “grades” on these quizzes can earn them cool prizes. Start this activity now as the book adventure is ending in June of 2018!

Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program: This free summer activity for kids is open to kids 14 and under (or 8th grade and under). During June and July, kids accumulate reading minutes (keeping track of their time using this reading log). Once they reach 300 minutes, they can turn their log in at participating Half Price Books® locations to earn Bookworm Bucks.

Pottery Barn Kids Book Club: Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., join Pottery Barn for FREE story time! In addition, kids will receive a special FREE gift after attending five sessions.

Tip: Looking for even more reading oriented free summer activities for kids? Don’t miss these:

• FREE membership in the LEGO Club – For kids 4-12, this also includes a subscription to Lego Club Magazine!

• FREE eBooks for kids on Amazon.

A job well done….

Okay, so chores aren’t the most fun free summer activities for kids, but maybe a reward will make them a little more appealing!

Chuck E. Cheese Rewards Calendars: Reward your kids for great behavior, daily chores, reading, and more with the Chuck E. Cheese Rewards Calendars. Download and print the calendar of your choice and once your child has completed all the tasks on the calendar, bring it to Chuck E. Cheese to be rewarded with 10 FREE tokens.

Another fun way to keep encouraging the kids to do their daily chores is with this free printable chore chart. Motivate your kids to help out around the house by offering rewards like a gold star, a sweet treat, an outing to the park, or access to other free summer activities for kids they would enjoy.

Shop till you drop!

Uh-oh! Dealing with a sudden summer shower (or downpour) and need an indoor free summer activity for kids? Here is an indoor shopping option for those not so sunny summer days.

IKEA: This is a free summer activity for kids AND mom! Head to Ikea where the kiddos can test out all the toys in the children’s department or hang out in the FREE supervised playroom while you shop. Note, contact your local Ikea to find out about any restrictions.

Have some DIY and high tech fun.

These hands on free summer activities for kids are so fun your little one won’t even realize he or she is learning valuable skills like coding, crafting, and cooking! 🙂

Home Depot: If you want a DIY free summer activity for kids, head to Home Depot. They offer a variety of completely free workshops for do-it-yourselfers of all ages and experience levels.

Lowe’s: Bring the kids to a Lowe’s Build and Grow workshop where they’ll get to tackle all sorts of DIY projects. These workshops are free and take place on Saturday’s at 10 a.m.

Michael’s: Have a future DIY diva on your hands? Don’t want your own house to be covered in paint and glitter? If so, be sure to take advantage of Michael’s nearly free summer activities for kids! Sign your kiddos up for the Michael’s Kids Club where, for only $2 (which includes all necessary supplies), they can take part in a variety of craft projects.

Apple Camp: Sign your tech savvy kids up for a FREE Apple Camp at a participating Apple Store. At Apple Camp, kids ages 8-12 will have the opportunity to spend 90 minutes for 3 days exploring tech.

Apple also offers a variety of other free summer activities that can help the whole family hone their tech skills. For example, find a photo walk near you to learn to take amazing photos with your iPhone. There’s also Apple’s Kids Hour where kids can spend an hour learning computer programming, illustration, and filmmaking with Apple tools. Check your local Apple store for additional details.

Microsoft YouthSpark: Microsoft offers a variety of educational free summer activities for kids of all ages, both online and in person. One of my favorites is the FREE YouthSpark Summer Camp which offers computer science and coding courses for kids as young as 6 and all the way up to 18.

Lakeshore Learning Crafts: Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids as young as 3 can participate in free craft classes. Find a location near you… classes are in progress now! Bonus: You don’t need a reservation so this is a great last minute or spur-of-the-moment free summer activity for kids!

American Girl In-Store Events: Have an American Girl store nearby? Head on over so your kiddo can participate in fun in-store events including crafts, movies, lessons on manners, tea parties, and much more.

Bass Pro Shops Family Summer Camp: Bass Pro Shop offers free summer activities for kids and the whole family! Dates and times for 2018 haven’t been announced yet so keep checking back. Past activities have included crafts, a casting pond, campfire s’mores, and the opportunity to earn merit badges.

Whole Foods Kids Cooking Classes: Do you have a little Iron Chef in your family? If so, then check out the Whole Foods Kids Cooking Classes for kids 5-12 years old. Prices vary depending on the class but the most expensive I saw was $20. Pre-registration is required for all cooking classes, so head over here to see what classes are coming up or contact your local store.

Tip: Cooking is a fun and free summer activity for kids that you can do together at home. Want to give it a try? Find kid friendly recipes by following Freebie Finding Mom’s Cooking With Kids Pinterest board.

Let’s go exploring!

Exploring parks, trails, and other outdoor locations are great low-cost or free summer activities for kids. Here are just a few fantastic options!

FREE National Park Days: Take the kids and head outside to explore America’s national parks for free on National Park Days. Go here to learn when you can snag FREE admission and plan your next trip.

Use Trail Link to Discover Local Trails: Don’t live near a national park? No worries, the great outdoors are all around you, and exploring them makes for fun and free summer activities for kids! Try using Trail Link to find local trails where you can go hiking, biking, and more.

Go Geocaching: If your kids love a good treasure hunt (and who doesn’t?) then try Geocaching.com. All you need is a GPS enabled device such as your smart phone and you can play a real-world treasure hunting outdoor game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using their smart phones and then share their experiences online.

Tip: Don’t have a GPS or can’t find a geocaching adventures near you? Create your own treasure hunt for the kids to enjoy.

Make a friend.

Summer is a great time to reconnect with old friends or make new friends. Bonus: socializing doesn’t cost an arm and a leg which means social activities are great low-cost or free summer activities for kids.

Write to a Pen Pal: If you Google “find a pen pal” you’ll find many sites where you can locate pen pals from all over the world to correspond with. Not only is this free summer activity for kids fun but it can also help them practice penmanship, spelling, and vocabulary as well as learn about different cultures.

Give back.

Looking for an inspiring free summer activity for kids? How about volunteering. Help your little one locate and sign up for a volunteer project they’re passionate about! VolunteerMatch.org is a great way to find volunteer opportunities for you and your kids.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation: If your kids want to have a lemonade stand, encourage them to donate the proceeds to a charity such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation which helps children with cancer.

While volunteering is great, if you’re trying to teach your kids the value of a dollar and about the benefits of making and saving money, another free summer activity for kids is a job. Here are 15 ways for kids to make money!

Explore the arts.

This summer, take your kids to community events, museums, or other local art exhibits. These low-cost or free summer activities for kids can help stretch their creative minds while school is out for the summer.

Target Community Events: Target partners with local museums to offer you and your kids FREE or nearly free entry to attractions in your community.

Bank Of America Museums On Us: Bank of America and Merrill Lynch is giving members access to over 200 free summer activities for kids! Yep, their credit and debit card holders can score FREE admission to over 200 museums the first full weekend of every month.

Printable mazes, printable travel games for kids, and free printable word searches: These free summer activities for kids are great for keeping the kiddos entertained with minimal interaction with you. In other words, they’re great for that summer road trip you’re thinking of taking!

Coloring: This activity is beneficial to kids and adults alike. Seriously, coloring has been shown to promote relaxation so perhaps you and the little ones should sit down and give it a try. Here are some fun and free coloring page options:

• Color Crayola Disney Coloring Pages

• Disney Cars Maze Coloring Page

• Disney Cars Race Coloring Page

• Disney Cars Mosaic

• Disney Fairies Tinkerbell Coloring Pages

• Disney Princess Belle Coloring Page

• Disney Toy Story Woody and Buzz Coloring Page

• Disney Mickey Mouse and Friends Coloring Page

Indoor activities for toddlers: These free summer activities for toddlers are great when you’re trapped inside and need to ward off cabin fever fast!

REI Adventure Journal: Find a whole slew of fun activities in this printable journal for kids including games, quizzes, and “bloopers.”

Online: The Internet offers a plethora of free summer activities for kids. Be sure to check out:

• FunBrain.com – Play games, read books and comics, and more!

• Nickelodeon website – Play games, watch FREE online videos, get kid craft ideas, find kid-friendly recipes, and more!

• PBS Kids – Visit PBS Kids for FREE educational videos, games, and activities.

• Disney Video – Kids can watch their favorite Disney shows here.

• Kids National Geographic – Kids can watch videos, play games, and learn lots of cool stuff about animals and more.

Apps: Smartphones and tablets offer even more fun, high-tech free summer activities for kids. You can download FREE Android apps for kids on Amazon, head over here to check them out. For iPhone and iPad users, be sure to head to the iTunes store to download free apps.

How to Rock Your Next Family Road Trip

Family road trips are classic childhood and family experiences that provide memories to last a lifetime!

Our large family has traveled thousands and thousands of miles, in a car, across the United States over the last 11 years, sometimes for a major cross-country move, and other times to visit family, or to attend conferences, or to go on fun family vacations.

Through our many long family road trips, we have learned a lot about what works well to keep us safe, happy, healthy, and entertained. We’ve also figured out ways to make it more affordable too.

Be sure to pin this page, or bookmark it, as I continue to add more content to it over the coming months and years! We truly hope you’ll have great family road trips with your family, no matter how big or small that family is.

Things to Do During a Road Trip

With babies, toddlers, grade-schoolers, and teens trapped in a car for long hours, it’s good to have things to do so cries of “I’m bored” don’t have to grace your ears, or at least not too often on your trip.

And let’s face it. Adults get bored too and need distractions and things to help them stay mentally alert while driving and sitting for long hours too.

That’s why I put together an awesome list of the Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips.

We’ve listened to several of these and love listening to audiobooks in the car on a normal basis too. Of course, you can listen to whatever you want, but my list should appeal to a wide audience of listeners.

Even kids as young as 2 or 3 can start to enjoy listening to audiobooks.

That said, toddlers are often the wild cards when it comes to family road trips, and can protest against audiobooks and just being in the car generally.

That’s why it can be super helpful to check out my list of Toddler Road Trip Games and Activities.

One of our favorite games to play, and a great way to work on those letter skills, is the Car Alphabet Game. If they are still a little too young for that, “I Spy” is good too, or just singing a lot of songs together.

100 Super Fun Camping Games and Activities for Kids or the Whole Family!

This epic list of kids camping games and activities will keep them happy and fully entertained while at the campsite. Banish boredom with free printables, scavenger hunts, crafts, songs, nature play and more!

Family camping trips are a great way to create memories with your children. Camping gives you the opportunity to spend time enjoying the great outdoors without the busy distractions that can so easily sneak into day-to-day life. 

And while there is a lot of planning that needs to be done to cover the logistics of a family camping trip, it is also important to think ahead about some fun, kid-friendly games and activities that your kids can enjoy while at the campsite.  

You certainly do not need to fill your whole camping trip with meticulously planned activities, but having some ideas in your back pocket will go a long way to making your adventure at the campgrounds a success. 

To help with that, we have rounded up some of the very best camping games and activities for kids – although most can be enjoyed by the whole family.

From easy printable activities, fun nature crafts, family games, and simple nature play, we guarantee you’ll find plenty here to keep your kids entertained.

Fun games at the campsite don’t need to take up a lot of space in your backpack. All of these camping games and activities are as easy to put together as grabbing them off the printer!

(1)  Got any budding actors or artists in your group? This Camping Charades and Pictionary game is a fun, camping-themed spin on these two classic group games (via Play Party Plan).

(2) BINGO is a classic that even your younger children can enjoy. Just grab some small rocks or sticks to use as markers, and this free printable camping themed BINGO game, and you’ll be all set! (via Gluesticks & Gumdrops)

(3)  This origami Camping fortune teller/cootie catcher takes us back! Who doesn’t remember making these in middle school?! Your kids will love all the different, silly scenarios they will come up with playing with this one. (via The Crazy Outdoor Mama) 

(4)  Take some time to really observe your surroundings and document your trip with this printable nature journal from the Printables Fairy.

(5)  For a memory journal that is more specific to your camping trip, we love this printable Camping Journal for Kids from Passports and Adventures!

(6)  This Roll a S’more Game is fun for all kids, even toddlers. You just need the game sheets and a dice and you’ll be on your way to building your s’more. (via The Crazy Outdoor Mama)

(7)  Is there anything more relaxing than being able to slow down and watch the clouds pass by? This printable cloud inspector viewfinder is a fun way to not only watch the clouds, but to learn more about the different types of clouds, too. (via the Techy Teacher)

(8)  We can’t forget s’mores! You’ll want to be sure to grab these fill-in-the blank silly story templates for extra laughs. They are fun for the whole family! (via Classy Clutter)

(9)  These printable nature collage critters are perfect for jump starting your kids’ imagination as they search for things in nature to complete the critter’s picture. (via Tommy John)

(10) While you’re intentionally searching for the beauty in nature, take a minute to see how many different colors you can find around your campsite with this Nature Color Wheel. (via Mother Natured)

CAMPING SCAVENGER HUNTS

Is it even a camping trip with kids without a fun scavenger hunt (or three)?! Here are some of the BEST scavenger hunts your kids can complete on your next camping trip. 

(1)  This Paper Bag Scavenger Hunt can be printed right onto a paper bag, which makes it perfect for collecting all of nature’s treasures. (via Clean and Scentsible)

(2)  Engage all five senses with this 5 Senses Nature Scavenger Hunt. (via Childhood 101)

(3 & 4)  How about an “Experience Scavenger Hunt”? You can grab this, plus more Unique Camping Scavenger Hunts from The Crazy Outdoor Mama.

(5)  If you’ve got an iSpy fan, this fun iSpy Outdoor Scavenger Hunt will be a huge hit! (via Growing up Gabel)

(6)  Everyone is sure to love this Adventure Scavenger Hunt, full of things to find in and around your campsite. (via Mot Dot)

(7)  And if your little ones like creepy crawly things, they will LOVE this Bug Scavenger Hunt! (via Messy Little Monster)

NIGHTTIME CAMPING GAMES & ACTIVITIES

The light switch may not be quite as accessible in the great outdoors, but that doesn’t mean that the fun has to stop when the sun goes down! These play-in-the-dark games and activities will be nighttime fun for kids of all ages!

(1)  You just need glow sticks and water bottles to create your own nighttime bowling alley to play Glow in the Dark Bowling. (via Crafts by Amanda)

(2)  Keep the glow sticks handy to play another fun nighttime game: Glow Stick Ring Toss. (via The Krazy Coupon Lady)

(3)  These 10 Outdoor Flashlight Games for Kids only need a flashlight to create lasting night time memories on your next family camping trip. Just don’t forget the extra batteries! (via The Tiptoe Fairy)

(4)  Take advantage of your time with the dark night sky to have a constellation hunt in the stars. See how many of these constellations you can find with these beautiful free printable cards via Super Busy Mum.  

(5)  Print out 2 or more of these Morse Code sheets from Discovery World, and then use a flashlight to “send” a message through the woods (or on the other side of your tent!).

Whether you enjoy silly stories, or spooky ones around the fire, this collection of campfire stories is a perfect before-bed activity. (via Ultimate Camp Resource)

(6)  If you’ve got a dice on hand, this printable Campfire Storytime Activity is another fun way to create your very own stories! (via Tommy John)

Nighttime Telephone: sitting around the campfire is the perfect time to play a game of Telephone. Have one person start by whispering a message to the person on their right. They will then pass on what they think they heard to the person on their right, and so on. Once it goes all the way around, the last person will repeat the sentence out loud. The person who started it, then says what they really said. It’s usually very different, and quite funny! 

Finally, get everyone involved in story time around the campfire by telling a Round-Robin Story where each person takes turns adding onto the story. Decide on the rules before you start – you can be more structured and instruct everyone to say just one sentence, or allow them to add as much (or little!) as they want. Keep taking turns until the story is complete, or decide on a certain amount of turns so people know when to wrap it up!

DOWN & DIRTY CAMPING ACTIVITIES

You can’t expect to go camping without getting your hands dirty. But let’s be real, what kids don’t enjoy the green light to get extra messy? We’ve rounded up some of the very best messy ideas for your little ones to get down in the mud making memories during your camping trip.

(1)  Grab a bowl and some water and let them get started making their own Sensory Soup. Use these printable nature soup recipe cards, or let them create their own delicacies! (via The Crazy Outdoor Mama)

(2)  For a spin on the classic mud pies, why not roll up your sleeves and give these Mud Meatballs a try? (via Teaching Ideas)

(3)  But what is dinner without dessert? Everyone will love creating these Mud Cupcakes! (via Sharin’ with Sharron)

(4)  And if it’s hot outside, there are always these Mud Ice Cream Cones. Be sure to take a look around the campsite for some creative toppings! (via Mother Natured)

(5)  Of course mud kitchen ideas aren’t the only things to do in the mud while you’re camping – freestyle with your own Muddy Sculptures. (via Casa Maria’s Creative Learning Zone)

(6)  Get to building with these Mini Mud Bricks (via Play Teach Repeat)

(7)  Or just add water and let your inner artist shine with Mud Paint. (via Play Based Parenting)

(8)  While you’re busy getting your hands dirty, take some time to dig in (literally) and take a closer look at the mud. Grab a blanket and a magnifying glass and find out What Lives in Dirt. (via Go Science Kids)

(9)  Take turns throwing mud, laughing, and bringing out everyone’s inner child with Muddy Target Practice  (via Hands on as We Grow)

Or grab some cups for scooping and measuring with Mud Math (via Confidence Meets Parenting)

At the end of the day though, almost nothing beats a good old jump in muddy puddles! 

CAMPING SONGS & GAMES

Is it even a camping trip without some good old campfire songs and games? To make it easy for you, we’ve compiled a list of fun, silly, and classic camping songs and games that your kids will love, and will have your whole family singing and playing along.

(1)  We’ll start things off with this great list of Family Camp Songs, sung to the tune of some of your favorite children’s songs – complete with printable lyric sheets to keep everyone on the same page. (via the Crazy Outdoor Mama)

Take a trip back to your own summer camp days and share these classic Easy Camp Songs with your kids this year. (via Fatherly)

Once everyone’s vocal chords are nice and warmed up, you’ll want to play Name That Tune. Hum a popular song or nursery rhyme and see if anyone can guess. Whoever answers correctly, wins a point. Most points at the end of the game wins an extra s’more! 

While everyone is sitting around the fire, why not play Camping Trip? This game starts with the first person saying, “I’m going on a camping trip and I’m bringing…”, and then they’ll name something that starts with the letter “A”. The next person must repeat what the previous person is bringing, plus add on the next letter, in this case, “B”. For example, “I’m going on a camping trip and I’m bringing an Alligator”, the next person would say “I’m going on a camping trip and I’m bringing an Alligator and a Balloon”. You not only have to remember the list of items (in the right order!), but also what letter is next. If you mess up, you’re out. The last person wins.

(2)  Here are 12 fun and simple Family Camping Games that are great for kids of all ages. (via Play Party Plan)

(3)  Test your directional sense (or luck) with Finding North – a simple game to start off your family hike. (via Go Science Kids)

(4)  Think you have an accurate aim? Grab some frisbees and try your hand at this Frisbee Tic Tac Toss game (via Backyard Games). 

(5)  For a simpler version, pick up some sticks and stones and play this nature version of Camping Tic Tac Toe (via Pinterest Summer).

(6)  You can easily adapt this Bean Bag Toss game using paper plates and pine cones or small rocks for a fun camp game. (via Chic and Jo)

Or grab a bucket and some pine cones or rocks and play Bucket Toss. See how many you can land in the bucket! 

(7)  That said, if you’ve got your heart set on bean bag toss, grab a tarp and create your own tossing challenge with this oversized Tarp Game (via The Red Headed Hostess). 

(8)  You can take game night to your campsite with a DIY Yahtzee Game (via the Pinning Mama). Or, if you don’t have time to DIY, you can buy your own outdoor jumbo Yahtzee game here.  

(9)  Got a competitive crew? With a few simple and easy to pack supplies, these Family Friendly Minute to Win It Games might just be the perfect thing for your group! (via The Chaos and The Clutter)

(10) We already know that nature is full of treasures and this Pillbox Scavenger Hunt is a fun way for kids to find and collect some of their very own (via The Crafty Blog Stalker). 

(11) Pack a few paint swatches and see what colorful things you can find around your campsite to match with this Paint Swatch Scavenger Hunt. (via Skip to My Lou)

Depending on the ages of your little ones, you can create an Obstacle Course for the family to complete. Do it as a group, or challenge one another to see who can complete it the quickest!

Or why not play embrace the animals that might be found around your campsite and play the Animal Game: one person thinks of an animal and everyone else takes turns asking yes or no questions. For example, “does it have four legs?”, “can it climb a tree?”, etc. The person who guesses the animal correctly gets a point and can choose the animal for the next round.

Take turns being Park Rangers and animals in this camp themed twist on freeze tag. If the park ranger calls one of your animal’s characteristics, you’ll have to run and make it across the playing area without being tagged by the park ranger and turned into a tree. The last camper (or animal) is the winner! (via Ultimate Camp Resource)

And if you like running around, Red Light, Green Light is always a big hit. (via Childhood 101)

Or you could try What Time is it Mr. Wolf, a fun game where players take turns taking steps towards a designated person (the Wolf) until the Wolf calls “dinnertime”.  Then the race is on to make it back safely without getting eaten (tagged) by the wolf! (via Childhood 101)

If your little ones enjoy collecting a good pile of leaves, they will love this Find That Tree game which will put their matching and observation skills to the test. (via Confidence Meets Parenting)

If you really want to get back to the basics, grab a kid-safe bucket and let the kids play a game of “Kick the Can” (via Coffee Cups and Crayons)

Grab a long stick and put your flexibility to the test with Hiking Stick Limbo.  

If you have any extra trash bags lying around, see how fast you can go by playing Trash Bag Races. It’s like a potato sack race, just with trash bags! Of course, you could also use your sleeping bags, but they will get dirty!

Who doesn’t love a game of hide-and-seek? Manhunt is a similar game that takes hide-and-seek and reverses it! (via Instructables)

Make a camping trip hike more exciting by playing the Nature Walk Game from Pink Fortitude – simply write down as many things you see from A to Z.

And we can’t forget some good ol’ classic card games! We have an amazing list of 20 Easy Card Games for Kids that are perfect for siblings, cousins and the whole family to play together. Games appropriate for those as young as 3-years old, to tweens and teens too. You can’t miss this round-up!

CAMPING CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES

With a little forethought and some simple supplies from home, these fun camping crafts for kids will not only foster creativity, but will create a special camp souvenir to take home.

(1)  Hopefully the rain will hold off during your trip, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the relaxing sound of the rain with you. These rain sticks will be great to make on site, or even ahead of time to take with you! (via Happy Hooligans) Bonus – they’ll make fun music for your campfire songs!

(2)  You just need a few permanent markers and scissors to decorate your campsite with these water bottle wind spirals (via Diana Rambles). 

(3)  Or keep the supplies minimal and search for treasures in nature and make a nature wind catcher (via Inspiration Laboratories). 

(4)  If a family hike is on the agenda, why not take colorful yarn and have everyone make their own DIY yarn wrapped walking sticks to take along. (via Imaginative Homeschool)

(5)  If you pack some colorful paint, take some time to create smaller versions of your walking sticks with these DIY Painted Sticks. (via To Swoon For)

(6)  Be sure to collect any mementos you find on your nature walk and have fun adding them to a journey stick to help remember your adventure (via Growing Family).

(7)  You can also use jumbo chalk and water to create these chalk nature paintings. (via Meri Cherry) 

(8)  We love these easy twig string art ornaments that you can use over the holidays or keep as memory of your camping trip. (via Pink Stripey Socks)

And while you’re busy collecting sticks, why not try your hand at building your very own fort?  

(9)  Back at the campsite, have fun playing dress up and make believe with a little help from Mother Nature. Grab a paper plate and make a beautiful Nature Mask (via Rhythms of Play)…

(10) or if you can find extra large leaves, these Leaf Masks are super cute for photos! (via Babbyccino Kids)

(11) Of course no dress up outfit is complete without the accessories. All you need is tape and nature, and you’ll have a gorgeous nature bracelet on your arm (via Kid World Citizen).  

(12) Top it off with a flower crown and you’ll be campground royalty! (via Nurture Store). For more Nature Crown ideas, this list has something for everyone (via Mother Natured).  

(13) If there is anything in abundance in the woods, it’s likely fallen leaves. Grab a few of our favorites, and some sheets of paper, for a good old fashioned leaf rubbing collage (via Mama Papa Bubba).

(14) Search out the prettiest leaves you can find and create a beautiful leaf garland with this leaf threading activity that is perfect for getting a little bit of fine motor practice for little hands, too! (via Kids Craft Room)

(15) Take any leftover leaves and other nature gems and create a rainbow nature art collage (via No Time for Flashcards)…

(16) or have fun crafting them into letters to make nature name prints (via Little Family Fun).

(17) If you’ve got evergreen trees around your campsite and some twigs, see what kind of art you can create with your own natural paint brushes. (via Learn Create Love)

(18) Create an invitation to play with nature by gathering some nature supplies, paper, and a glue stick or two and “invite” your children to create. They will love it, and you will enjoy getting to see what they come up with! (via Mother Natured)

(19) If you’ve got paper bags and a hole puncher, these paper bag lanterns are a perfect way to decorate the campsite. The kids will LOVE getting to see them come to life when the sun goes down! (via Family Days Tried and Tested)

(20) If you get a nice sunny day and a bring along some Sun Art Paper, you can create these DIY sun prints while exploring a little bit of nature’s chemistry (via The Light Garden). For more sun print ideas, be sure to check out these Botanical Prints (via Inner Child Fun). 

 This DIY Bubble Station (via La Las Home Daycare) is perfect to get your kids smiling during your camping trip.  

(21) And while you’re at it, cut off the end of a few empty water bottles and let everyone have their very own Water Bottle Bubbles! Have some fun seeing who can make the biggest bubbles! (via Projects for Preschoolers)

(22) Use stones to create outlines of one another and fill them with whatever decorations you can find near your site – a perfect photo opp for a fun family shoot. (via Lustik)

(23) If you’ve got some string with you and you’re up for a challenge, this Woodland TripWire Course will be fun for the whole family. (via Family Days Tried and Tested)

No matter where your creativity takes you, make sure to have a camera nearby. You’ll want to take lots of pictures of your adventures. You don’t have to take our word for it, but we hear that a silly family photo shoot is a perfect way to remember your trip!

CAMPING NATURE PLAY IDEAS

It’s true what they say: nature really does make the best playground – especially when camping. Keep playtime simple and encourage creativity with these fun nature play ideas.  

(1)  Make music around the campfire with these fun tips for Making Music with Nature (via Red Ted Art)

(2)  Bring a few small matchbox cars and Draw a Roadmap on some larger rocks for your little ones to play with. (via Family Days Tried and Tested)

(3)  For a bit of a challenge, see how many branches and sticks you can collect and Build a Stick Maze. For an extra challenge, see just how fast you can complete it! (via Mother Natured)

(4)  If mazes aren’t your thing – or if your kids are a bit younger, a Pinecone Trail is another fun activity that everyone will enjoy. (via Preschool Toolkit)

(5)  Once you finish the pinecone trail, collect all those pinecones for a fun game of Pinecone Bowling! (via Red Ted Art) 

(6)  Test out your engineering skills and learn what sinks and what floats by making a Nature Boat. (via Thimble and Twig)

(7 & 8) Get creative with the best art supplies nature has to offer and make your very own Loose Parts Nature Art (via Red Ted Art) or Land Art (via Rediscovered Families).  

(9)  While you’re at, you’ll want to give these Nature Portraits a try, too! (via Adventure in a Box)

(10) This Stone Stacking Activity is sure to test your focus and balancing skills. (via Rhythms of Play)

(11) And this Sand Sensory Bin is the perfect quiet activity to wind down after a full day of fun at the campground. (via Mother Natured)

(12) To add some whimsy to your family campsite, why not build these Nature Fairy Houses? Get the whole family involved, and you can build your very own fairy neighborhood! (via Red Ted Art)

Just like snowflakes, we know that you would be hard pressed to find two leaves that are TRULY identical, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try. This leaf matching activity is a fun way to identify leaves and find a match for each one. (via School Time Snippets)

Hopefully this list has given you lots of great ideas for some fun camping games and activities that your kids will love. No matter which ones you decide to do, we’re sure it’s going to be a blast!