20 Free Camping Vacation Bible School Activities For Kids

Summer church activities feel even more exciting with these free camping vacation bible school activities designed for preschool through early elementary kids. Parents, teachers, caregivers, and homeschoolers can use these ideas for VBS lessons, daycare activities, classroom themes, or quiet afternoons at home.

This collection includes puppets, handprint keepsakes, coloring pages, name activities, and printable paper creations, all made with simple supplies and low prep. Many of the activities also help build fine motor skills and creativity. You can also browse our Bible crafts for kids for even more faith-based ideas.

Collage of camping-themed Vacation Bible School activities, including paper campfires, foxes, raccoons, fireflies, moose, bears, and s’mores, with large text reading ‘20 Free Camp Theme Activities for Vacation Bible School Week.

A completed craft of two smiling s’mores on blue bases with craft supplies nearby

Paper Smores

Kids use the printable template, scissors, and glue to build a cheerful paper treat that feels right at home in a camping theme. The simple cut-and-paste format makes it easy for preschoolers and kindergartners to join in without getting overwhelmed.

It's a fun pick for summer units because the finished project looks playful and gives little hands plenty of fine motor practice.

Bear Handprint

Colored cardstock or construction paper, a glue stick, scissors, a marker, and the printable template come together to turn a traced handprint into a sweet woodland keepsake. Kids attach the head, muzzle, and other details after cutting the pieces, so the finished project feels personal from the start.

The handprint base makes it extra special for families who like saving art that shows how small their child's hands were at the time.

Campfire Name

Red, orange, yellow, brown, and white paper pieces are cut from the printable pages and glued together to help kids build a bright scene while practicing name recognition.

The flames and log letters give the project a nice mix of literacy and art time without making it feel too much like schoolwork. It's especially good for summer classroom themes because it blends fine motor practice with a display-worthy result.

Two completed camping night crafts for kids featuring colorful paper tents, trees, moon, and starry skies. Fun and easy preschool and kindergarten activity using free printable camping template.

Paper Camping Tent

Use colored cardstock, scissors, and glue to assemble the tent, flap, moon, grass, and trees into a cozy outdoor scene. Kids get to layer the paper pieces to create something that looks more complete than a flat cutout, which adds to the fun.

It's an easy way to bring camping excitement indoors before a trip or during a summer theme at home or school.

Camping Coloring Pages

All you need is a printer and crayons, markers, or colored pencils to turn the pages into a quiet activity for home, school, or daycare. Coloring gives kids a relaxed way to explore outdoor-themed images while still working on pencil grip and hand strength.

It's a nice option for slower moments when you want something simple that still feels seasonal and engaging.

two side by side examples of smore name craft for kids

Smores Name

Kids cut out the printable pieces and add the letters of their names to create a paper project that blends art time with early literacy practice. The format is simple enough for younger learners, but the name element gives it a more personal feel.

It's a smart choice for camping themes because children get something cute to make and a little extra letter practice.

Firefly Puppet

Turn a paper bag into the base, then cut the printable pieces from white, brown, and yellow paper and glue them into place. The glowing belly and movable puppet shape make it more interactive than a standard paper activity, so kids can keep playing after the glue dries.

It's especially fun for summer because it fits right in with camping stories, backyard play, and nighttime nature themes.

Handprint Campfire

Kids use a traced handprint to create the flame, then cut and glue the printable log pieces underneath to complete the scene with paper, scissors, and glue. That mix of footprint-style art and simple assembly gives kids something that feels both artsy and keepsake-worthy.

It's a great fit for summer units because the finished piece looks bright, familiar, and easy to display.

Toilet Paper Roll Bear

A cardboard tube is paired with the printable template so kids can turn a common household item into a sturdy little character. The rounded shape gives the finished project a fun 3D look, which makes it feel more playful than a flat paper version.

It's a good project for classroom or home use when you want something simple, budget-friendly, and easy to reuse for pretend play.

Moose Handprint

Use colored cardstock or construction paper, scissors, glue, a pencil, a black marker, and the printable template to turn a traced handprint into the main part of the project. Kids add the antlers, face, and other details after cutting everything out, which keeps the process hands-on without being too tricky.

The handprint base makes it extra memorable and gives families a finished piece that feels worth saving.

Paper Campfire

Printable pieces, paper, scissors, and glue come together to make a bright, layered scene that suits camping themes really well. The flame shapes and stacked parts keep kids interested while still staying manageable for little ones.

It's a nice middle-ground project when you want something more exciting than coloring but not as detailed as a bigger mixed-media activity.

Fox Paper Bag

A paper bag serves as the base, and kids add the cutout pieces to turn it into a character they can hold and play with afterward. That puppet-style setup makes the activity feel more lively because the finished piece can move right into storytelling or pretend play.

It fits camping and woodland themes nicely when you want something easy to prep that still feels interactive.

Squirrel Puppet

Kids cut and glue the paper pieces to create a movable character that works well for stories, songs, or simple imaginative play. The puppet format adds an extra layer of fun because children can keep using it long after art time ends.

It's a strong choice for camping or forest themes when you want a project that blends making and play.

Raccoon Handprint

A traced handprint forms the base, and the added paper details help turn it into a keepsake-style project that feels personal right away. Kids usually enjoy the handprint project because their own shape becomes part of the final design, which makes the finished piece more fun to show off.

It's a good fit for outdoor and woodland themes when you want something simple that still feels special enough to save.

Camping Dot To Dot Printables

Kids use a pencil or crayon to connect the dots and reveal the picture, then color it in for a little extra fun. The activity feels calm and low-prep, but it still supports number order, hand control, and attention to detail.

It's a nice option for summer learning when you want something screen-free that can fill a quiet part of the day.

Firefly Name

Printable pieces and letter work come together so kids can build a paper project while practicing the letters in their name. That personal touch makes the finished piece feel more meaningful than a standard cut-and-paste activity.

It works especially well for summer themes because it blends early literacy with a playful nighttime theme.

Four owl-themed printable activity sheets for kids are shown: one for identifying the letter “O,” one for dotting quantities based on numbers, one for dot-coloring an owl illustration, and one for fine motor practice with dotted paths. Each worksheet is partially completed with green, brown, or orange dot markers.

Owl Do A Dot Activity Pages

Printed pages and dot markers are the main supplies here, which keep setup quick and cleanup simple. The repeated dabbing motion is satisfying for little kids and helps build control without requiring much cutting or gluing.

It's a helpful choice for quiet table time when you want an easy, hands-on activity.

Handprint Firefly

Trace your child's handprint to create the main part of the design, then add paper details to complete the glowing little character. Children usually love seeing their own hand shape transformed into something recognizable, which gives the project extra charm.

It's a sweet summer keepsake for families who want a seasonal art that also captures a moment in time.

Moose Headband

Kids cut out the printable headband pieces, attach the strips, and then wear the finished project for pretend play or themed lessons. The wearable format makes it more exciting than a standard paper project because children can move right from making to acting like their new character.

It's a fun classroom option when you want something easy to display, photograph, and enjoy right away.

Fox Color By Numbers

Children follow the number key with crayons or markers to gradually reveal the picture while practicing color recognition and number matching. The structure keeps things simple, but there's still enough of a surprise element to make finishing the page feel rewarding.

It's a great low-mess option for quiet time, early finishers, or easy summer learning at home.

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

70+ Fun Summer Crafts For Kids
120+ Easy Handprint Crafts for Preschool & Elementary Kids
33 Fun Camping Activities For Kids

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

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