Coffee Cups and Crayons

Simple play ideas, learning activities, kids crafts and party ideas, plus acts of kindness for kids!

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Kindness
  • Busy Bags
  • Science Experiments
  • Free Printables
  • SCIENCE CAMP
  • Shop
    • Cart

July 7, 2014

The Best Camping Activities for Kids

1942 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Going camping with kids is a classic childhood activity.  We had taken my older two camping, but my younger daughter had never been so it has been on our family to do list for a while.

When KOA asked if we wanted to try out one of their Kampgrounds this summer we jumped at the chance.  It was a ton of fun discovering “What is behind the yellow sign” and we came up with a list of must-do camping activities for kids!

The BEST Camping Activities for Kids! #campkoa

We stayed at the Naples/Marco Island KOA campground in FL which is considered a KOA Holiday campground.  They say Holiday campgrounds make great base camps for discovering a new area and I would have to agree—it was the perfect spot to experience all of the fun of camping while also exploring the beaches of Marco Island.

Camping with kids is so much fun at a KOA Campground! #campkoa

Things to Do at Naples/Marco Island KOA Campground

We booked our stay without knowing a lot about the area and loved that we didn’t have to spend a ton of time researching activities.  At the Naples/Marco Island KOA you can swim in the large pool, go in the hot tub, go fishing, walk on the nature paths, rent a canoe, play on the Fishing Shack themed playground and rent bicycles without having to leave the campground.  There are even manatees in Henderson Creek that campers have seen while canoeing and kayaking!

In addition to the activities on site the owners also highly recommended checking out the local beaches and explained that the area is known for their shelling and white sand beaches. Yay!

There are also airboat tours of the Everglades nearby that we hope to check out on our next visit.

Camping in a cabin with kids is a great way to experience all the fun of camping! #campkoa

Camping in a Cabin with Kids

There were so many fun activities to do at the campground, but getting to sleep in the cabin and cook over the campfire was by far my kids’ favorite!

We stayed in a Deluxe Cabin that has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom with a shower, air conditioning and even a flat screen TV.  There is also a small kitchen area, free wifi, a large screened-in porch, a gas grill and huge fire pit stocked with firewood.  It is a non-camper’s dream!

For those that are more into “roughing it” than we are, they also have tent sites, RV sites and one room camping cabins (without a bathroom).

The BEST Camping Activities for Kids to Do!

Best Camping Activities for Kids

With so many things to do at a KOA campground and even more in the surrounding towns there aren’t a lot of activities you have to plan for your kids, but there are some we think you just must do.

These are the best camping activities for kids that make a family camping trip complete!

  1. Go on a nature walk.
  2. Cook over the campfire.
  3. Watch for animals.
  4. Make s’mores.
  5. Tell stories by the fire.
  6. Play cards or board games.
  7. Make leaf prints and rock pets.
  8. Play flashlight tag.
  9. Sing campfire songs.
  10. Make shadow puppets
  11. Catch fireflies or other bugs.
  12. Look at the stars.

Boredom Buster Activities for Camping with Kids!

Camping Boredom Busters

If you are looking for more fun ideas you can also try these camping “boredom busters” for kids:

  1. Go on a scavenger hunt.
  2. Read a book.
  3. Play glow in the dark tic tac toe.
  4. Go swimming.
  5. Play catch.
  6. Make nature sketches.
  7. Decorate your own sit-upons.
  8. Bike ride.
  9. Find a walking stick and go on a hike.
  10. Go fishing.
  11. Make ice cream in a bag.
  12. Rent a canoe.
  13. Make a friendship bracelets.
  14. Play I Spy.
  15. Make stone sculptures.
  16. Skip stones.
  17. Tie dye a shirt.
  18. Cloud watch.

Camping at the beach with KOA! #campkoa
One of the things we enjoyed most about our family camping trip was the chance to just hang out and be together.  We took advantage of our screened in porch and spent time outside drawing, reading and watching the animals and bugs all around us.  If you follow me on Instagram you know that we met up with a family of racoons and got to see a live sand dollar on the beach.

Keeping the activities simple and fun is a great way for everyone to enjoy a vacation! (It also helped to have a well-stocked campground with people who are there with tips and supplies—they even have coffee in the general store!)

To read other families’ camping experiences visit the KOA Family Camping round up page on Trekaroo!

Disclosure: I have received a complimentary stay at KOA via Kampgrounds of America, but all opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post for Mom It Forward.

About Megan Sheakoski

Megan is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog full of simple fun and learning. She believes that kids’ activities don’t have to be complicated to be fun and that learning is better with play.

Dancing Raisins Science Experiment
Kindergarten Active Math Games

Comments

  1. Almost Unschoolers says

    July 7, 2014 at 8:30 pm

    Being a “non-camper” myself, the cabin looks terrific 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 9, 2014 at 9:24 am

      Oh yes!!! Definitely made it easier! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Melissa P. says

    July 8, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    My favorite activities as a kid were definitely campfire stories while star gazing.

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 8, 2014 at 6:07 pm

      Yes! The simple ones are always the best!

      Reply
  3. Rebecca says

    July 8, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    What a great list! I am going to bring a copy of it when we go ‘cabin camping” in August! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 8, 2014 at 6:08 pm

      Yay! Have so much fun!!!

      Reply
  4. RANDI COOK says

    July 8, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    My daughter and I enjoy collecting rocks and shells. Bet they had a nice assortment of them!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 9, 2014 at 11:46 am

      Tons! It’s such a great activity!

      Reply
  5. Cindy Ray says

    July 9, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    So many creative Ideals Im going to have to use some on my familys next camping trip 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 9, 2014 at 3:34 pm

      Thanks Cindy!

      Reply
  6. Wes Sydenstricker says

    July 10, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    Great ideas! Wildlife bingo is always a winner with our kids. It can be played all weekend.

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 10, 2014 at 4:10 pm

      That is a fun idea!!!

      Reply
  7. Rachel says

    July 10, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    My kids would love this! We can even do a bunch of these fun things at home 😀

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 11, 2014 at 10:27 am

      So true! We are big fans of camping in the play room too! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Amber Mejia says

    July 11, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    It is so important to unplug and get your kids into the real world!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 12, 2014 at 9:46 am

      YES!!!!

      Reply
  9. Heather Mckenzie Carter says

    July 11, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    Great boredom buster ideas! Our kids love the water, so we try and fish/canoe/kayak as much as possible. A great “game” to do is make up Campground Bingo, (things they must find on the trip) and whoever wins gets to pick a “premium” experience to do on the final day of the stay (renting certain equipment etc)

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 12, 2014 at 9:46 am

      Heather! I LOVE that idea!!!! I’m totally doing it next time!

      Reply
  10. Hilarye Fuller says

    July 12, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Thanks for all the fun camping ideas! That KOA campground looks like so much fun too!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 13, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks Hilarye!!!!!

      Reply
  11. Lacey says

    July 14, 2014 at 12:04 am

    We read the Just so Stories every time we camp. Family tradition

    Reply
  12. Shannon Kemp says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:20 am

    We live star gazing! You can see so many more stars while camping! Pet rocks are a good idea too! I love KOA has so many things to do

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 14, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      So true Shannon! The stars are amazing at a campground!!!! I love KOA’s activities and accommondations too!

      Reply
  13. Jill Carroll says

    July 14, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    I have never KOA’ed but I’d LOVE to try!!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 14, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      You should check one out! They makes camping sooooooo easy and fun!!!!

      Reply
  14. Precia B says

    July 14, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    I love the glow in the dark tic tac toe the best!! Such a great idea!!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 14, 2014 at 9:34 pm

      Thank you Precia!

      Reply
  15. Stephanie T says

    July 14, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    One of our favorites is to pack a small bag of googly eyes and some glue- we make all kinds of “creatures” using rocks, leaves, pine cones, sea shells, bark, you name it!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 14, 2014 at 9:32 pm

      So FUN!!!!!

      Reply
  16. Justine Burgess says

    July 15, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Looks awesome!

    Reply
  17. Michelle elizondo says

    July 15, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    My kids would love to participate in this!

    Reply
  18. Lori K. says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:20 am

    Camping with air conditioning??? I’m there! Such great ammenities!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 16, 2014 at 10:35 am

      YES! It is awesome for anyone (like me!) who isn’t into roughing it!

      Reply
  19. Leigh Anne Borders says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:00 am

    We are planning our first ever camping trip as a family and this list of activities is perfect! One thing I do not want to hear is I am bored so having your games ready and available will help!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 16, 2014 at 10:34 am

      Yay! You are going to have a great time! Just don’t forget the bug spray!

      Reply
  20. Dawn Monroe says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:50 am

    I passed on a love of camping to my kids and now to my grandkids. Everyone says its cheating but staying in a cabin is 99% better then tent camping. The cabins come with linen,furnished kitchen and bathroom and shower. Its stress free and if you add up everything you dont have to bring or buy a cabin is propably cheaper.

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 16, 2014 at 7:06 pm

      I totally agree! all the fun of camping and a good night’s sleep!

      Reply
  21. DanielleD says

    July 18, 2014 at 9:12 am

    These are such great ideas for activities for the kids & I will be printing all of them to remember for our next trip or even jsut summer days at home! This looks like a fun KOA location, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 18, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      Thanks DanielleD! I’m glad you like them! And the location was amazing–I highly recommend it if you love the beach!

      Reply
  22. Cassandra Eastman says

    July 18, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    How fun! My 2 and 5 year old would really enjoy painting rocks they found camping. Thanks for the ideas!!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 18, 2014 at 8:19 pm

      Yes! And if you don’t want to pack paint just throw in some sharpies!

      Reply
  23. Cristina says

    July 20, 2014 at 10:03 am

    We love exploring new hiking trails and seeing wildlife. It helps my kids appreciate nature.

    Reply
  24. Holly E says

    July 20, 2014 at 11:26 am

    Lots of great activity ideas for kids!

    Reply
  25. Jim Lipscomb says

    July 21, 2014 at 3:28 am

    My daughter enjoys building fairy houses out of natural found materials.

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      July 21, 2014 at 11:15 pm

      Such a fun idea!

      Reply
  26. Brittney merck says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:09 pm

    These are some great ideas! Hope to do some of these activities with our littles on our next camping trip!

    Reply
  27. Dandi D says

    July 23, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    These are some really great ideas! I would love to go camping with my family!

    Reply
  28. Sarah says

    July 24, 2014 at 11:14 am

    Camping isn’t camping without s’mores! Thanks for the great list of activities.

    Reply
  29. Tina Bredbury says

    July 26, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    camping with kids is the only way to camp, it makes the experience better!

    Reply
  30. Jill McHale says

    July 27, 2014 at 12:32 am

    My daughter is crazy about nature. She would love sleeping in a cabin and making s’mores 🙂

    Reply
  31. Leila - Mud Mud Marvellous Mud says

    August 10, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    Fab ideas! Be sure to keep everyone busy 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      August 11, 2014 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks Leila!!!

      Reply
  32. Lisa @ The Wellness Wife says

    September 30, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    Fun ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  33. Scarlet says

    May 27, 2019 at 5:54 pm

    I love Flash Light Tag! Another fun activity is to map make when on a small island. All you need is a piece of paper, a pencil, and some cool trails. Your kids can also write down animals that they see while making their maps!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      May 29, 2019 at 2:24 pm

      That is a great idea!!! Kids love maps! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

      Reply
  34. Bella says

    August 7, 2019 at 3:14 am

    The best part of our family camping is to lie down on the ground and gaze the stars. That’s really peaceful and wonderful!
    Thanks for your list. We will try something new and get our kids more entertained!

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      August 8, 2019 at 2:35 pm

      So true!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AWESOME IDEAS MADE EASY!

So you can have fun and still have time to finish your coffee!

Join over 10,000 parents who use our newsletter to connect with their kids through fun activities even when they're short on time.

Megan from Coffee Cups and Crayons

Looking for Something?

  • About
  • Copyright and Terms of Use
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosures
  • My Account

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

1942 shares