Preschool Camping Theme

Below you can find tons of fun and engaging camping activities.

Click on a button below to view a section-use the yellow arrow to return to the top!

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Planning your Camping Theme

Club Members can download all of our camping activities and this related Theme Planning Guide for free!
​Not a member? Learn More Here

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Download our Free  Camping Preschool Sample Lesson Plan

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Camping Under a Night Sky

Explore glow in the dark paint with an invitation to create a night sky using glow in the dark paint. See the details on my blog post Glow in the Dark Paint Art Exploration. 

Try this craft!

Firefly Craft

Create a magical sensory experience for your preschoolers with this Glow in Dark Firefly Craft Tutorial. Watch their faces light up as they create their very own glowing fireflies that can be used for storytelling and pretend play! 
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​Paint a Campfire

• Materials: Paper plates or cardstock, yellow and red washable tempera paint or fingerpaint, paintbrushes, gluesticks, brown construction paper for logs
• Preparation: Set up the paints and paper at a small table (optional: cover the paper with newsprint to handle messes). Have smocks nearby for children to put on. 
• Procedure: Lead this activity with a book that talks about campfires such as When We Go Camping by Margriet Ruurs. Next, ask children if they have ever experienced a campfire. Allow time for children to share their experiences. Be sure to ask open-ended questions about their experience such as "What did you like about the campfire?" Next, Invite children to create a campfire on their paper. Provide the colors red and yellow separately so they can experience mixing the colors. Children may choose to glue on brown construction paper for logs or simply have their entire paper filled with fire. 
  
• **Teacher Tip: If you set this up as a fingerprint invitation; have some blank white cardstock on hand, when children are done invite them to make a handprint onto the paper before they go wash, you can stick it in their portfolio, give to parents as a keepsake, or save for a teacher or child created gift for parents. 

​Campfire Songs

Set up around a pretend campfire in the learning environment and sing fun songs. 
Be prepared with a list of songs that children can choose from and invite children to share new songs or even create fun new tunes. 

Rock Sculptures

Part of camping fun is exploring all the new and interesting objects that can be found in nature. 
Make rock sculptures; take photographs of the creations to share with family/friends, to display on the wall and add to portfolios for 3d art representation. 

​Create Trail Mix

Set up an invitation to create trail mix for snack one day. Place items into separate bowls with a small measuring cup in each. Children will put a small scoop of each item in their bag. 
Consider adding fun thematic  ingredients such as Logs (pretzels), goldfish, teddy grahams, and nuts.
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​Camping Collage

Part of camping fun is exploring all the new and interesting objects that can be found in nature.  Invite preschoolers to arrange rocks and other objects into a design of their choice; take photographs of the creations to share with family/friends, to display on the wall and add to portfolios for 3d art representation. 
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Campground Dramatic Play*

Set up an Indoor camping space, or campground using our Campground Dramatic Play pack. Add a tent, Camp Chairs, Pretend Trees, Sleeping Bags , Trees, Backpacks,  Camping Pots and Pretend Foam Marshmallows. Buy Now

Buy this Dramatic Play Pack

Add a blue tarp, sheet, or blanket to your space to make an instant "Lake".

Adventurous Learning

Adventurous Learning

Erica's Educare Learning Center

Erica's Educare Learning Center

Erica's Educare Learning Center

Make Your Own Campfire

Make your own campfire out of tissue paper, cellophane, and lights from added effect. Create your own logs by wrapping wood grain contact paper (found at most dollar tree stores) around cardboard tubes. 
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Erica's Educare Learning Center

Erica's Educare Learning Center

​Pretend Fishing

Engage preschoolers in a fun and educational Pretend Fishing activity. Enhance fine motor skills, promote letter recognition, and stimulate imaginative play. Children will love the hands-on experience of "fishing" for letters or pretend fish using magnetic rods, fishing poles, and canoes. View Member Instructions

​Create a Canoe

Collect some long boxes and invite preschoolers to decorate and pretend to use as a canoe. 
Once complete use in a dramatic play invitation to pretend to fish or boat down a river.  
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Camping Themed Charades

Have children act out different things they would  do while camping and have the rest of the class guess what they are.  Some examples include: Getting inside a sleeping bag, roasting marshmallows, and using a flashlight.
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Camping Small World Play

Use scraps of fabric, tape and popsicle sticks to build tents. Add woodland animals, pretend trees, and natural elements such as pine cones, stones and small twigs to the building space. Use some dark fabric to create a night time back drop. Small flashlights make a fun addition as well. You can also add a variety of small world camping sets to your space.
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Build a Campfire

Create the ultimate immersive experience for little ones with this DIY Pretend Campfire made from blocks! Ideal for engaging preschoolers in imaginative play and teaching them about nature and camping. Perfect addition to any classroom or playroom.
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Hiking Cairns

Have children use different rocks to make hiking cairns. You can talk about how hiking is an activity you can do while camping and that hikers make cairns along the trail to help them get back. 
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Build with Marshmallows

Give children marshmallows and toothpicks or spaghetti noodles and have them create different structures. View Member Instructions

​Camping Word Wall Cards*

Word wall cards can be used in many different ways to support language and literacy for preschoolers. 
Add these to the writing center, use with gross motor games, hide around the room for children to discover and more! This set of cards is included in our  Camping Preschool Activities pack. 

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*Camping Literacy Cards

Add some Camping inspiration to your writing center with these literacy cards ​included in our Camping Preschool Activities pack. ​
In addition to tracing, children can use them to create fun camping stories! Place all the cards face down. Start a story about camping "One day I went camping..." then have children draw a card and add to the story using the card as inspiration. 

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Lantern Letter Matching Mat*

Invite your preschooler to practice letter recognition skills using this activity found inside our preschool camping activity pack. Flip a lowercase letter lantern card, then find the matching uppercase letter on the mat. This activity can be used as a file folder game, dry erase (laminate or use dry erase pouch), with a sensory bin, or as a simple table activity.

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I am going camping song

Set Up: Show your students a back pack, explain there are a lot of things you can bring with you on a camping trip! This is a great way to introduce and reinforce new camping vocabulary words.
Sing this song to the tune of ""Clementine""

I'm going Camping, I'm going camping
I'm going Camping by the lake.
I will bring along my flashlight
that is something I should take.

Variations:
sleeping bag, tent, backpack

Stick and Stone Letters

Use twigs and stones to create letters. For added fun, practice spelling your name.

Hello Hot Dog Pre-K Book Companion

This story time companion activity is a great addition to a camping theme! 
This set compliments the book Hello Hot Dog​ by Ms. Lily Murray and includes guided discussion questions for before, during, and after reading as well as vocabulary words, a book review for preschoolers, and a fun craft!  You can get this Hello Hot Dog Story Time Companion pack in my shop. 

Available in our Shop!

When We Go Camping Pre-K Book Companion

This Pre-K Printables Club member exclusive includes vocabulary & discussion questions, a book review and printable extension activity that compliment the book When We Go Camping by Margriet Ruurs

Members log in and visit the shop listing to download for free.

Pre-K Printables Club Members: Log in and download for free in the shop!

Hello Hot Dog
by Ms. Lily Murray
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee 
by Chris Van Dusen
Curious George Goes Camping 
by Margaret Rey, H.A. Rey
Moonlight Animals 
by Elizabeth Golding
*When We Go Camping 
by Margriet Ruurs
S is for S'mores: A Camping Alphabet
by Helen Foster James
Summer Days and Summer Nights
by Wong Herbert Yee
Froggy Goes to Camp
by Jonathon London
Pete the Cat Goes Camping
by James Dean
Fred and Ted Go Camping
by Peter Eastman

Marshmallow Roasting counting mats 1-10 

What could be more fun to count than marshmallows?? 
Pair these counting mats ​included in our Camping Preschool Activities pack. with white pompoms, or cotton balls, the included printable marshmallow counters, or even real marshmallows for some counting fun. 

Included in our Camping Preschool Activity Pack

Camping Adding and Sorting

Challenge children to each find 5-10 objects around your pretend campsite. Add all the objects to one big container. Start sorting through the items. For each item encourage a class discussion of what the object could be used for at the campsite. Allow time for children to brainstorm ideas. Next, start sorting the items. You can sort by type, color, texture, or usefulness Challenge the children to think of ways they would like to sort the objects. 

​Camping Shape Matching​

Invite your preschooler to play this fun matching game! 
Match-up campfires to the same shape tent to work on shape recognition skills. 
This activity is ​​included in our Camping Preschool Activities pack. ​

Included in our Camping Preschool Activity Pack

Play Card Games

Playing cards while camping is something I always enjoyed as a child.
Card games are a great way to teach children all kinds of different skills! Pull out a deck of cards and teach preschoolers old favorites. Check out this blog post, Card Games for Early Learners for new and fun ways to teach preschoolers through card games.

Find out More on our Blog

Measuring Your Fish

Set up a pretend pond with different sizes of fish (could be images or toys). Once they catch the fish, they can use unifix cubes to measure the fish and record how long it is. View Member Instructions

Tent Backpack Size Ordering *

Preschoolers are learning to place objects in order by size. Invite your preschooler to put these tents and backpacks in order by size. Buy Now

Included in our Camping Preschool Activity Pack

Leaf Rubbing

This Leaf Rubbing Activity is a fun and educational way for preschoolers to explore nature. By using leaves and crayons, children can create beautiful artwork while learning about the different parts of a leaf. This activity promotes fine motor skills, creativity, and an appreciation for nature. View Member Instructions

Nature Collections

Encourage children to explore the outdoor area around your pretend campsite. What kind of collections can they make from items found in nature? How many different types of materials can they find?  **Teacher Tip: Make the campsite a toy free zone. Encourage children to find ways to entertain themselves using the materials provided for the campsite along with items found in nature. 
Bring collections children have made at the campsite into the classroom for further observation. Pine cones and interesting rocks bring a lot of opportunities for discovery in the classroom. 

S'mores Solar Oven

It just wouldn't be camping without s'mores!
Add some science exploration to your snack by making a solar oven to cook the s'mores in. 
​Find all the steps you need on my Solar Oven Tutorial.

Try this!

​Nature Walk

Go for a nature walk, bring along magnifying glasses and paper bags. Children can investigate different plants and natural objects they find. They can bring bag items that have fallen to the ground for further investigation and for your classroom nature collection. 
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​Pine Needle Discovery Bottles

Make your own Pine Tree Discovery Bottles with your preschoolers!

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Nocturnal Animals

This is a great week for teaching about the Animals that come out at night.
This  free Nocturnal & Diurnal Storytime activity is a fun sorting game for children to explore after reading a good book about animals. ​

Available in our Shop!

Create a Camping Scene

Challenge those fine motor skills with this fun Create a Camping Scene activity included in our When We Go Camping Pre-K Book Companion (Member Exclusive)

Pre-K Printables Club Members: Get this in the shop!

Knot Tying

Take 2 ropes of differing sizes and knot them together in the . Have your student practice making knots (using the 4 ends). For an added fine motor workout have then practice untying them. 
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Act Out ​Going on a Bear Hunt

Going on a Bear Hunt is a great opportunity to get to move using their whole body. 
Set up an elaborate invitation to swish through the grass and climb pretend mountains or use imagination. Be sure to encourage children to create the sounds as they go through the motions to work on oral language development. View Member Instructions

Play Dough Mats

This camping playdough mat printable preschool activity is perfect for imaginative play! Let your little ones explore the great outdoors as they create their own camping scene using playdough. From building a campfire to setting up a tent, this hands-on activity will keep them engaged and entertained for hours. Download and print now! Buy Now

Available in our Shop!

Camping Obstacle Course

Transform your preschool into an exciting camping adventure with an Obstacle Course! Encourage gross motor skills and imaginative play as your little ones navigate through tunnels, balance on logs, and conquer obstacles. Perfect for engaging young minds and fostering a love for the great outdoors! View Member Instructions

Trace & Color Campfire*

Trace & Color Pages  are an easy way to incorporate fine motor into your Camping theme. Pair with crayons for added finger strength development. 

Available in our Shop!

​Make Dough Nature Prints

Children will love creating Play Dough Nature Prints by pressing natural items into play dough. This activity promotes fine motor skills, creativity, and sensory exploration. For a fun twist, try making clay snakes to engage little fingers and spark imaginative play in a different way.

Camping Scavenger Hunt*

Set your little campers up with a seek and find activity!
Search the campsite or the included scene for the items on the checklist. 
​This exploration is included in my Summer Seek & Find Activities pack. 

Set up a scavenger hunt! Provide clipboards along with a list of objects for children to find 
Tip: To promote literacy, use both words and photos for the items to be found on your scavenger hunt. Encourage pre-writing skills by having students mark off the check box next to each object. 

Available in our shop!

Camping yoga

Practice camping themed yoga poses such as: mountain pose, downward dog (tent pose)
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Camping Around the World

Explore camping around the world. Do some research on what people in other places do when they go camping. Are their differences? Share your findings with your group during circle time.
You can lead this discussion by asking students what they do when they go camping. There are lots of common activities, however many families do things just a little different. View Member Instructions

Nature Sensory Bottles

The Nature Sensory Bottles activity is a fun and engaging way for preschool students to explore and learn about nature. By collecting and placing items found in nature into sensory bottles, children are able to observe and interact with the items as they float or sink in water. This activity encourages cognitive and sensory development, as well as promoting emotional development by providing a tool for calming down.
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Contribution

Preschoolers are learning how they can contribute to the communities they are engaged in. This may include at home, the classroom community, and when they are in public spaces. 
While camping it's important that everyone pitches in since there is so much to do!
Talk with children about how they can contribute when camping, and how they contribute to their community everyday. 

Tent Assembly- Teamwork

The Preschool Tent Assembly Activity encourages teamwork and problem-solving skills as children work together to set up a tent. They are given a variety of materials to choose from and are encouraged to experiment and try different ideas. The open-ended nature of the activity allows for creativity and exploration. Afterward, children have the opportunity to reflect and share their experiences. 
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Nature Tic-Tac-Toe

Play tic-tac-toe using sticks as the frame and pinecones and rocks as the playing pieces. 

Roll a S’more game

This is a fun game to play independently or with someone else!
Roll the playing cube, identify the shape and add ingredients to the s'mores on the mat!
This game is ​included in the PKPF Camping Preschool Activities pack. 

Available in our Shop!

Campsite Safety

In this campsite safety discussion activity, preschoolers will learn about fire safety and how to prevent forest fires. Children will engage in an interactive learning experience that emphasizes the importance of responsible behavior in nature. This activity aims to teach preschoolers valuable skills while keeping them engaged and excited about the topic.
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Backyard Camping Family Connections

Extend the learning to home! Send home a note about the camping activities you have done in class. Make suggestions for home activities that align with the theme such as backyard camping, making a fort, read a book outside in the evening under the stars
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Educator Resources: Classroom Management and Parent Engagement

Camping Theme Sign-in Activity

Add some thematic fun and name recognition practice to your learning environment with  my themed sign-in activities

Get our set of Attendance Activities in our Shop!

Parent Involvement

Get parents involved in your preschool's camping-themed activities! Encourage donation of trail mix items, assist with campsite setup, lend camping gear, and enjoy a s'mores social with a twist. This engaging activity fosters community interaction, creativity, and sensory exploration in young learners.

​Camping Activities from Pre-K Printable Fun

Camping Preschool Activity Pack

$7.00

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Campground Dramatic Play Pack

$5.00

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Summer Sensory Bin Scavenger Hunt

$4.00

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Positive Student Notes

$3.00

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