The Best Camping Toys to Entertain Kids When Camping
Camping can be a fun activity for the entire family, but it’s difficult to plan family activities for every minute of the day. There will be times where your kids will have nothing to do and, as a result, express their boredom as a problem that you are expected to find a solution to.
It may be tempting to give your kids tablets or your phone to play their favorite game, but letting them use technology takes away from the camping experience. Luckily, there are a series of camping toys available for the times on your camping trip when you’re unable to entertain your kids. There are toys that are suitable for all ages, and they can be used either by one child or by having several kids work together.
Here are some of the best camping toys to keep your kids entertained throughout your entire camping trip.
Kid’s Camping Set with Tent 24pcs
Suitable for: Kids age 2 to 10
Pros:
- Large assortment of toys
- Includes a tent for your kid to play in while you set up the real thing
- Real binoculars that actually magnify
Cons:
- Lantern needs batteries, which are not included
- The box does not have all of the toys on it, but they’re all included as in the photo
- The flask is fake, as you can’t actually put water in it
Why not give your kids a version of camping gear that is only for them? This set has everything that your kids will need for a camping trip. Equipped with a play tent and 24 “camping tools,” this kid’s toy set features shovels, magnifying glasses, a canteen, nets, and a digital watch to keep time. It even comes with a hat to protect your kid on a sunny day. Your kids will be able to participate in certain camping activities with you by mimicking tasks with their own toy camping gear and may even develop a deeper interest in camping.
Kid’s Walkie Talkies
Suitable for: Kids age 4 to 12
Pros:
- Great quality with clear sound
- Built-in flashlight
- Pack of three
- Has a large range
Cons:
- There are several buttons that may be confusing for a young child
If you’re going camping with more than one kid, then you might assume that they could at least entertain each other. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and they may still let you know that they are bored. Walkie talkies are a great toy to keep several kids busy and in communication. These walkie talkies come in three and have an easy push-to-talk operation. The quality of these kid’s walkie talkies is what is most impressive; they present clear sound and suppress background noise. They even have a built-in flashlight. You can also keep one of the walkie talkies for yourself to join in on the fun and keep track of the kids.
gofindit – Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunt Card Game
Suitable for: Ages 3 to 13
Pros:
- Easy to pack, small enough to fit into a pocket
- Fun for the entire family
- Can be played both indoors and outdoors
Cons:
- Kids may get bored of this set after a few plays
Scavenger hunts are a great camping activity that can promote leadership, teamwork, and good attention to detail. This scavenger hunt card game is suitable for all ages, and you can make this a family activity. These cards are great for young learners for language development and image recognition. Each card contains one word and requires the player to find the object that matches that word. To make it more interesting for older kids, you can impose time limits for them to find all of the objects. Your kids don’t have to be camping to play-they can do this scavenger hunt both indoors and outdoors.
Coleman Kid’s LED Adventure Mini Lantern
Suitable for: Young children age 2-6
Pros:
- Lightweight and small enough for a toddler
- 16-hour battery life
- Available in four different colors
- Water-resistant design
Cons:
- The light is quite bright-be sure that your kids are aware
Although not explicitly a toy, this Coleman Mini Lantern is definitely capable of brightening your child’s day. This toy lantern is not only a cute design but it also actually emits light so your child can play their favorite games after the sun goes down or be your little helper by shining a light while you finish a task. It has an impressive 16-hour battery life, and the batteries are easy to change. This toy lantern is a great personal camping toy for your little one.
Binoculars for Kids
Suitable for: Kids age 4-8
Pros:
- 8x magnification
- Includes magnifying glass and compass
- The bright green color is easy to spot
- Has a central focusing wheel
Cons:
- The magnifying glass and compass are quite small-older children may be unimpressed
Kids are curious, and their curiosity is at its peak on a camping trip. If you find that your kid is interested in the scenery or in birdwatching, consider getting them their own pair of binoculars. These binoculars for kids are great for getting a closer look at the mountains, or for spotting animals from a distance. They’re great to bring on a hike or a trip to the lake, and they can be stored easily in the included cloth bag when they are not hanging around their neck like a true explorer. Plus, they come with a compass so your children know in which direction they’re looking, as well as a magnifying glass so your kids can get a closer look at insects or leaves.
The point of camping is to have your family get closer to nature, so limiting your kids’ use of technology during camping trips is completely understandable. However, for the times in between family activities, your kids can continue to enjoy and discover nature through the use of certain toys. And if you’re bringing along your dog, we have a bunch of ideas for indestructible dog toys so you can play frisbee with your pup. With a little bit of guidance from you, your kids will be able to independently participate in nature and grow a deeper appreciation for camping.
About the Author
Alissa is a resilience coach, cartoonist, and advocate for ‘connection, not perfection’. She’s dedicated to helping others find a sense of safety and belonging inside themselves so they can heal, connect, and build authentic, joyful lives.