Kids can pitch a tent using creativity and build a cozy camping scene with this fun and easy camping tent craft. Children will design a nighttime landscape complete with a glowing moon and sparkling stars above a paper tent in the great outdoors. This hands-on activity brings a sense of adventure to arts and crafts time!
Kids will love dreaming up their campsite and choosing just the right touches to make it special. Once the tents are crafted and the stars are shining above it, be sure to explore even more camping activities for kids to keep the excitement going.
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Tent Craft Idea
This tent is a hands-on way to build excitement for summer fun while sharpening skills like cutting and gluing. It’s a great activity when counting down to an upcoming camping trip or wrapping up a unit about outdoor adventures.
Let kids personalize their camping scene by choosing their tent’s color, then choose how to create a starry sky by either using white or silver gel pens to draw stars or flick paint with a brush to make a splatter of stardust.
To make things extra simple, grab our free template to guide you through each step. It’s a breeze to print and use, making setup easy whether you’re in the classroom or creating at home. Read on below for our instructions to guide you through each step.
Supplies
- Colored cardstock or construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- White Pen
- Camping Tent Template (click the “click here to get your freebies” image at the end of the post)
Directions
Start by downloading and printing the template. Once the template is printed, gather the materials for this fun activity. Get those scissors ready, and let’s help the kids bring this tent to life!
Take the grass piece and glue it at the bottom edge of the blue paper. This creates the grassy ground where everything will sit.
Grab the big, dark green tree. Add glue on the back and stick it to the right side, above the green hill.
Next, grab the smaller light green tree and glue it to the left side of the background, right beside the larger tree. Now it’s really starting to look like a real campsite!
Take the tent piece and glue it between the trees, just above the hill.
Grab the triangle tent flap and glue the straight side on top of the tent. Angle it slightly to the side to make it look like the tent is open.
Time to add the moon! Take the moon piece and glue it to the top left corner of the sky to light up the scene.
Use your white marker or gel pen to dot little stars all around the sky.
They can draw simple dots or tiny sparkles—whatever feels right! Encourage your child to get creative, because no two night skies are ever the same.
Wasn’t that such a fun camping scene to create? Kids will love making their own little tent under the stars. It’s a great way to boost creativity and fine motor skills, too! While you’re here, be sure to check out some of our other favorite summer crafts for kids to keep the creativity going all season long!
Camping Books For Kids
Do you want to create a whole camping-themed unit to go with these crafts? If so, keep reading. We’ve got lots of great ideas to get you started!
Books are a great way to get even further into a theme! On top of that, reading to kids helps them develop a stronger vocabulary and helps them learn to focus. It’s a win-win situation!
Below are some of the top camping themed books for kids.
The Little Book of Camping- Teach young kids all about what goes into camping with this cute and simple book!
Pete the Cat Goes Camping- This book is great for little readers who love the misadventures of Pete the Cat. Read it before going camping to get the kids excited for their trip!
A Campfire Tail- This sweet book is a great way to talk to kids about empathy and friendship. Kids love the fun illustrations and storyline.
Camping Themed Crafts
Paper Campfire Craft – Add a little flicker of fun with this paper campfire! Kids will love layering the “flames” and building their stone base. It’s a fun stand alone project or a glowing addition to any camping scene they’re creating.
Bear Handprint Craft – Let little hands turn into big bear paws with this adorable handprint bear! Use our free template to create a cuddly forest friend that’s just right for any camping theme. It’s a beary fun way to blend creativity with a wild outdoor adventure.
Squirrel Puppet Craft – Kids can go a little nutty with this playful squirrel puppet! Grab a brown paper bag and our free template so they can bring their bushy tailed buddy to life. It’s a fun way to scamper into storytelling, nature themes, or a cozy woodland adventure!
Pete The Cat Goes Camping Craft – Bring Pete the Cat along for the adventure with this fun camping story! Pete’s ready to explore the great outdoors with his hiking boots laced up and his walking stick in hand. It’s a groovy way to connect with the story and spark excitement for reading and camping fun combined!
Free Camping Printables
Let imaginations run wild with these free printable camping coloring pages! Included in these five sheets are illustrations with cheerful campers to cuddly woodland critters.
While kids have fun choosing colors and adding personal touches, they’re also building pencil grasp, hand strength, and creativity.
These coloring sheets are a great way to add a bit of fun to any camping themed day!
When kids are wishing they were out roasting marshmallows or exploring the woods, bring the adventure indoors with these fun camping dot to dot printables!
These engaging worksheets are great for kindergarten and early elementary kids who are learning numbers 1–30 or simply love connecting the dots.
The three designs of a bear, camper, and a flashlight will help kids practice fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Once the picture appears, they can add color to complete their mini masterpiece.
Keep the excitement going long after the marshmallows are gone with these fun printable campfire games! Whether you’re at a campsite or just pretending in the living room, these low-prep activities are a breeze to pack and play.
Kids can enjoy a camping word search, act out silly charades, or munch and giggle with Don’t Eat Pete – all with a fun camping twist!
These games are great for preschoolers through early elementary, and will add extra fun to any family outing.
Send kids on an adventure with this exciting camping scavenger hunt! Whether you’re in the backyard or out in the woods, little explorers will love searching for fun items like lanterns, backpacks, and critters. This hunt boosts creativity, sharpens observation skills, and turns any day into a camping quest full of discovery!
Share With Us
Did you make this activity with your kids or students? We’d love to feature them on our social media!
For a chance to have your child’s project featured, simply snap a picture of the completed project and post it to our Facebook page, email it to us directly by clicking here, or use #simpleeverydaymom on your social media!
More Camping Ideas For Kids
Camping Tent Craft
Materials
- Colored cardstock or construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- White Paint Pen
- Camping Tent Template
Instructions
- Download the template, print it, and cut out the pieces you need.
- Begin by gluing the hill to the bottom of the background paper.
- Next, glue the first tree on the right side, above the hill.
- Then, glue the second tree on the left side beside the first tree.
- Glue the tent in the middle, just above the hill and between the trees.
- Next, glue the tent flap on top of the tent, angling it slightly to the side.
- Glue the moon in the upper left corner of the background.
- Finish by drawing stars across the sky to complete your nighttime camping scene.
Free Camping Tent Craft Template
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.
mary
Sunday 6th of July 2025
Easy Camping tent Craft I would like this free printable template
Sam
Thursday 10th of July 2025
Of course! All you need to do is click the “Click Here To Get Your Freebie” image at the end of the post and then enter your email in the form and the link will be sent to you. Or if you’re already a subscriber, when you enter your email in the form, it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Kerri
Thursday 3rd of July 2025
Good morning, I wasn't able to get the free tent craft template. Thanks
Sam
Saturday 5th of July 2025
Hi! I checked my email system and it doesn't look like you entered your email in the form at the end of the post. Can you try that? Thanks!