We all know summer is the perfect time to take your kids on a camping trip, but the adventure doesn’t have to stop at the campsite. Try these 18 fun camping crafts for preschoolers that they can make at home!
Your happy little camper is going to love these ideas. For even more great DIYs, check out our camping activities for kids!
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Camping Craft Ideas For Preschool
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They’re great for passing some time on a rainy day, to remember the camping trips you’ve taken, or to get the kids excited for an upcoming trip.
You’ll find loads of easy camp crafts to try, like handprint campfires, cute woodland animals, pretend-play tents, cute fireflies, and more.
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Paper Campfire Craft For Kids [Free Template]
Sitting around the campfire is a cherished memory for many and can take you right back to your childhood. A fun way to remember those days with your kids, or just enjoy an afternoon crafting session at home, is by making this cute paper campfire! Grab the template to make this fun craft super simple to put together.
Here's another adorable keepsake to make in honor of your family camping trips. This happy camper printable is ready for your child's footprints in whatever color you'd like. Then, use a marker to make the tent shape over the feet, and you're done.
These cardboard tube bears are crazy simple to make with a bit of paint, googly eyes, construction paper, and Sharpies. That's it! You can make this in just a few minutes, excluding drying time. If you're in a rush, wrap the cardboard tube in black or brown construction paper instead.Related: Brown Bear Paper Bag Puppet Craft
Have you ever spotted a fox while you've been camping? This furry little forest animal can make an appearance right now! So print the template and grab your paper, scissors, and glue to assemble this cutie right now.
When you're in the great outdoors, observing nature like a real-life explorer or survivor is a must! You'll need some handy-dandy binoculars to spot all those animals in the wilderness. These cloud-covered blue binoculars are perfect for the job.
Can you imagine the excitement on your preschooler's face on seeing this collapsible cardboard tent? The best part is they can help paint and decorate it. Of course, they'll need some help from adults with the cutting and taping, but let your kiddos take over the painting fun.
No one wants to spot a bear in the woods while camping, but you must admit this paper bear craft is pretty cute. Of course, it's an adorable project to go along with your favorite bear-themed books, too.
Speaking of fireflies, how adorable are these pine cone fireflies? You can make so many fun things out of pine cones. Be sure to gather them when you're at the campsite or while you're on a nature walk. They're perfect for making bugs, birds, and loads of other animal crafts.
Fingerprint Fireflies Around a Campfire Handprint Craft
Don't you love watching fireflies on those hot summer nights? This campfire craft is wonderful and has so many fun elements. The campfire is made with your child's handprint, while the fireflies are made with fingerprints and a bit of drawing. Who needs a lantern when you have lightning bugs?
The campfire is a way to create an adorable memento with the kids. Every time you look at those sweet little handprint flames, it'll remind you of your family camping trips and how much fun you all had together.
Let your preschooler practice fine motor control by weaving the fire's flames on this fun paper plate campfire craft. You'll need to punch the holes in the plate for your preschoolers and show them how to begin lacing, but they should be all set to complete the rest independently!
Have you ever tried paint splat crafts before? It's a fun way to teach your kids about symmetry. The paint you put on one side of the paper plate is transferred to the other when you smush the halves together. Add some brown paper strip logs, and you're done! Easy peasy.
You might be lucky and see some little squirrels scampering up a tree while you're camping. This craft is inspired by these adorable forest animals, which I bet would make any camper happy to spot! Use the printable template and watch the video tutorial if you want to know how easy it is to put one of these sweet creatures together.
Create an adorable keepsake of your latest camping trip with this fun 'gone camping' craft. Use the printable template and clipart to set your campsite scene. We love that it's set at night on black paper to make the moon and stars really pop. Kids will love seeing their pictures inside the tent!
Make your own mini camping set for small world play. This simple project is made with just patterned paper, craft sticks, and glue. It doesn't get much simpler than that!
The best part about camping is the S'mores! Now you can make your own pretend S'mores with popsicle sticks and paper. Add a magnet to the back to turn this into a cute marshmallow fridge magnet for your home or RV.
It's just not a camping trip without a meal made on the grill, is it? These DIY grill cards are so much fun! Of course, you don't have to make it for Father's Day. It's a cute craft all on its own, but you could also send one to friends or family with a message that says, "Thanks for taking me camping."
Painting with foil is a fun process art technique that preschoolers enjoy. The foil is easy for their hands to grasp, and it creates an interesting texture when dipped in paint and stamped on the page.Also try: Campfire Art Project
Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.
I love the awesome crafts and will be using some of them,
Kimberly
Friday 3rd of March 2023
I'm not able to load the template for the Gone Camping (starting you) craft. The page won't load when I click on either the picture or the Keep Reading link. Can you help?
Sam
Friday 3rd of March 2023
Hi Kimberly! I'm not exactly sure what you mean. To get any of the printables or templates, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you. Does that help?
Adeteju Dada
Sunday 16th of June 2024
Awesome, this is will be great fun. I love it
Sam
Monday 17th of June 2024
Thanks!
janice
Tuesday 3rd of October 2023
I love the awesome crafts and will be using some of them,
Kimberly
Friday 3rd of March 2023
I'm not able to load the template for the Gone Camping (starting you) craft. The page won't load when I click on either the picture or the Keep Reading link. Can you help?
Sam
Friday 3rd of March 2023
Hi Kimberly! I'm not exactly sure what you mean. To get any of the printables or templates, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you. Does that help?