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!
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.
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
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).
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!
- Go on a nature walk.
- Cook over the campfire.
- Watch for animals.
- Make s’mores.
- Tell stories by the fire.
- Play cards or board games.
- Make leaf prints and rock pets.
- Play flashlight tag.
- Sing campfire songs.
- Make shadow puppets
- Catch fireflies or other bugs.
- Look at the stars.
Camping Boredom Busters
If you are looking for more fun ideas you can also try these camping “boredom busters” for kids:
- Go on a scavenger hunt.
- Read a book.
- Play glow in the dark tic tac toe.
- Go swimming.
- Play catch.
- Make nature sketches.
- Decorate your own sit-upons.
- Bike ride.
- Find a walking stick and go on a hike.
- Go fishing.
- Make ice cream in a bag.
- Rent a canoe.
- Make a friendship bracelets.
- Play I Spy.
- Make stone sculptures.
- Skip stones.
- Tie dye a shirt.
- Cloud watch.
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.
Almost Unschoolers says
Being a “non-camper” myself, the cabin looks terrific 🙂
Megan Sheakoski says
Oh yes!!! Definitely made it easier! 🙂
Melissa P. says
My favorite activities as a kid were definitely campfire stories while star gazing.
Megan Sheakoski says
Yes! The simple ones are always the best!
Rebecca says
What a great list! I am going to bring a copy of it when we go ‘cabin camping” in August! Thanks!
Megan Sheakoski says
Yay! Have so much fun!!!
Angel T. says
As a mom of 3 kids ages 13, 11 and 8 it is so hard to please them all simultaneously! But there are so many ideas to try that I believe will bring us all some joy. Thank you for your share!
RANDI COOK says
My daughter and I enjoy collecting rocks and shells. Bet they had a nice assortment of them!
Megan Sheakoski says
Tons! It’s such a great activity!
Cindy Ray says
So many creative Ideals Im going to have to use some on my familys next camping trip 🙂
Megan Sheakoski says
Thanks Cindy!
Wes Sydenstricker says
Great ideas! Wildlife bingo is always a winner with our kids. It can be played all weekend.
Megan Sheakoski says
That is a fun idea!!!
Rachel says
My kids would love this! We can even do a bunch of these fun things at home 😀
Megan Sheakoski says
So true! We are big fans of camping in the play room too! 🙂
Amber Mejia says
It is so important to unplug and get your kids into the real world!
Megan Sheakoski says
YES!!!!
Heather Mckenzie Carter says
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)
Megan Sheakoski says
Heather! I LOVE that idea!!!! I’m totally doing it next time!
Hilarye Fuller says
Thanks for all the fun camping ideas! That KOA campground looks like so much fun too!
Megan Sheakoski says
Thanks Hilarye!!!!!
Lacey says
We read the Just so Stories every time we camp. Family tradition
Shannon Kemp says
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
Megan Sheakoski says
So true Shannon! The stars are amazing at a campground!!!! I love KOA’s activities and accommondations too!
Jill Carroll says
I have never KOA’ed but I’d LOVE to try!!
Megan Sheakoski says
You should check one out! They makes camping sooooooo easy and fun!!!!
Precia B says
I love the glow in the dark tic tac toe the best!! Such a great idea!!
Megan Sheakoski says
Thank you Precia!
Stephanie T says
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!
Megan Sheakoski says
So FUN!!!!!
Justine Burgess says
Looks awesome!
Michelle elizondo says
My kids would love to participate in this!
Lori K. says
Camping with air conditioning??? I’m there! Such great ammenities!
Megan Sheakoski says
YES! It is awesome for anyone (like me!) who isn’t into roughing it!
Leigh Anne Borders says
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!
Megan Sheakoski says
Yay! You are going to have a great time! Just don’t forget the bug spray!
Dawn Monroe says
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.
Megan Sheakoski says
I totally agree! all the fun of camping and a good night’s sleep!
DanielleD says
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!
Megan Sheakoski says
Thanks DanielleD! I’m glad you like them! And the location was amazing–I highly recommend it if you love the beach!
Cassandra Eastman says
How fun! My 2 and 5 year old would really enjoy painting rocks they found camping. Thanks for the ideas!!
Megan Sheakoski says
Yes! And if you don’t want to pack paint just throw in some sharpies!
Cristina says
We love exploring new hiking trails and seeing wildlife. It helps my kids appreciate nature.
Holly E says
Lots of great activity ideas for kids!
Jim Lipscomb says
My daughter enjoys building fairy houses out of natural found materials.
Megan Sheakoski says
Such a fun idea!
Brittney merck says
These are some great ideas! Hope to do some of these activities with our littles on our next camping trip!
Dandi D says
These are some really great ideas! I would love to go camping with my family!
Sarah says
Camping isn’t camping without s’mores! Thanks for the great list of activities.
Tina Bredbury says
camping with kids is the only way to camp, it makes the experience better!
Jill McHale says
My daughter is crazy about nature. She would love sleeping in a cabin and making s’mores 🙂
Leila - Mud Mud Marvellous Mud says
Fab ideas! Be sure to keep everyone busy 🙂
Megan Sheakoski says
Thanks Leila!!!
Lisa @ The Wellness Wife says
Fun ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Scarlet says
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!
Megan Sheakoski says
That is a great idea!!! Kids love maps! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Bella says
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!
Megan Sheakoski says
So true!