Summertime provides the family with a perfect opportunity to explore the great outdoors with a camping trip. However, before you set-off on your adventure, it would be wise to plan some camping activities to keep the children entertained throughout the experience. Check out these fifteen camping activities your child will love.

1. 
   

   Make Delicious S’mores

Nothing tastes sweeter than a scrumptious s’more around a campfire. Tell scary ghost stories that your children will love as you melt together marshmallows and chocolate onto a cracker or another s’more recipe. You can guarantee the taste of the treat will linger on their tongue all evening long, providing the perfect end to a fantastic day of camping.

2. 
   

   An Animal Checklist

If you are camping in a state or national park, we recommend finding out about the animals who live there in advance. You can then create a fun checklist for your children, so they can tick an animal off their list as soon as they spot one. You can guarantee they will love looking for squirrels, deer and ducks.

3. 
   

   Cook Over a Campfire

Allow your children to help you create delicious camp cooking recipes for all the family over a campfire. It’s a great way to get your children involved in the camping experience, while teaching them how to cook, which are skills they can use later in life.

4. 
   

   Flashlight Tag

There are a million and one ways to entertain your little ones on a camping trip. For a game that will have them laughing out loud, play flashlight tag as a family. The goal is for a player to shine a light on another family member’s clothing, who will have to dodge out of the way to avoid the light shining on them. However, ensure you play in an uncluttered space that’s away from the campfire!

5. 
   

   Sing Songs Around a Campfire

There’s no better time to enjoy a family sing-a-long than when you’re sitting around the campfire. It’s the perfect time to let your vocal talents shine or to get a little silly, using different voices and singing different songs. You could even make a campfire song up as a family that you can sing on every trip.

6. 
   

   Create Shadow Puppets

Capture your child’s imagination by making fun shadow puppets when the sun goes down. You can create images of animals and characters using your hands or by using cardboard images. They’ll love it so much they will probably try to create their own, so it’s a great way to encourage your little one’s creativity.

7. 
   

   Play Board Games

While many campers will pray for the sunshine, it does not always come out as hoped. Ensure the children will have fun whatever the weather by taking along some board games. From Pop Up Pirate to Monopoly, there is a game to suit the whole family. It will stop your children from feeling bored so that they will embrace the experience from start to finish.

8. 
   

   Teach Your Child the Constellations

Encourage your children to fall in love with astronomy by teaching them about constellations during a camping trip. If possible, point out constellations such as Ursa Major or Ursa Minor, plus more. You could even develop their interest by giving them a children’s astronomy book before your camping trip or by telling them facts about the solar system, star formation or the milky way.

9. 
   

   An Explorer Journal

Buy your little one a journal that allows them to write about the many different sights, sounds and smells around a campsite. They can use the journal to write a diary or stories, or they can even draw pictures of animals, bugs or their favorite memories from the vacation.

10. 
    

    Charades

A game of charades can provide plenty of family fun before bedtime. The whole camp will be laughing their layers off as you try to figure out a word. It’s a great way for your children to unleash their creativity and enjoy some fun away from a smartphone or tablet.

11. 
    

    Glow in the Dark Ring Toss

One inexpensive game that’s ideal for an evening around the campfire is the glow in the dark ring toss game. All you need is a small pole and some glow in the dark bracelets to get started. Each member of the family should pick one glow stick color and whoever lands the most rings around the pole wins the game.

12. 
    

    A Scavenger Hunt

Give your children a bag to enjoy a scavenger hunt around the campsite. Ensure you follow them as they run around to find different objects to put in a bag. You could even place items you want them to find in different locations to make the game more memorable for your little one. Once the game is over, empty their bag to see what treasures they have found and tick objects off your scavenger hunt list.

13. 
    

    Play Catch

Every child likes to play catch, even when they’re enjoying camping. If your son or daughter becomes a little restless, it’s a great way to entertain them and tire them out at the same time.  Add an element of danger to the game by playing with a water balloon, if the weather is good enough of course. They will be laughing about the game all day long and will sleep peacefully in their sleeping bags throughout the night.

14. 
    

    Go on a Hike

Most campsites are located near different hiking trails for different skill levels. Opt for a family-friendly trail that will allow your children to explore nature without having to walk too far. You could even ask them to find a good walking stick along the way.

15. 
    

    Rent a Canoe

Take your children on a trip across a lake in a canoe. They’ll love nothing more than absorbing their surroundings, staring into the lake or attempting to row the canoe across the water. Don’t be scared to show your son or daughter how to hold a canoe paddle and allow them to put the paddle in the water.  It’s a great family activity your children will remember long after the camping trip is over.