It’s summertime, and for many people around the country, that means camping season! Whether you go on a camp out as a family or send the kids off to summer camp, you’ll love this easy handprint campfire craft.
It brings the nostalgia of outdoor adventure inside, plus it makes a cute keepsake! We’ve included a free printable template for the logs, too, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Make this easy kids’ craft at home, the library, daycare, or wherever! It’s so much fun! And be sure to try out more of our easy camping activities for kids.
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Campfire Craft
This camping-themed DIY can be used in the classroom to create an outdoor adventure. It’s the perfect seasonal activity for a rainy day filled with marshmallows and s’mores!
Parents and teachers can practice important learning skills and encourage creative expression while having fun building these handprint mementos.
Supplies
- Colored cardstock or construction paper
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Campfire log template (click the “click here to get your freebies” image at the end of the post)
Directions
Start by downloading the shark template and printing it out. Once you have the template printed, gather the materials needed for this fun activity. Get those scissors ready, and let’s help the kids bring this campfire to life!
First, encourage your child to create the logs by gluing the circular ends of the logs to the curved ends.
Next, arrange the logs just like you’d see in a cozy campfire setting! We recommend the traditional look with the middle log straight down and the other logs at an angle outward. Once you get the logs in a position you like, glue them together.
Now, guide your child to trace their hand onto yellow, orange, and red papers, then cut out the handprints.
Finally, arrange the handprints on top of the logs, fingers pointing up, and glue them in place. Glue the top handprint flame to the other handprints.
Be sure to check out our other handprint crafts while you’re here! Your kids will love creating more fun projects like this one!
Easy Bear Craft
Kids’ Books About Camping
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.
Kids’ Camping Crafts
Squirrel Craft – This squirrel craft for kids is the perfect activity for a camping-themed day! It’s a fun and hands-on way for kids to learn about these furry little creatures. All you need is some paper, scissors, and glue.
Related: Pete The Cat Goes Camping Worksheets
Paper Campfire Craft – This simple campfire craft is the perfect activity for a rainy day. It’s fast and easy to make, and kids will love creating it. Plus, it’s a great way to teach them about fire safety while on a nature trip.
Bear Craft – This simple bear craft is the perfect activity for kids who love exploring the outdoors! It’s easy to make and requires no screen time, making it a great way to unplug and enjoy some quality time with your little ones.
Firefly Puppet Craft – Buzz on over and have a blast making this firefly puppet craft with your kiddos! It’s such a fun way to get them excited about nature and ‘spark’ their creativity. Use it to put on a puppet show in the backyard or as a prop for storytelling about your kids’ camping adventures!
Camping Activities
If you’re looking for a fun and educational activity for your kids, try these camping do a dot printables! They’re perfect for helping kids practice letter and number recognition, fine motor skills, sight words, and more.
Try this Campfire Art Project
Plus, they’re just plain old fun to do! Simply print out the pages and give them to your kids along with some dot markers.
These camping color by sight word printables are a great way for kids to learn their sight words while having fun. Each page features a different picture, and kids can use the key to color in the shapes. This is a great way to help kids develop their fine motor skills!
If your kids are bored and looking for something to do, these camping maze printables are a great option. Mazes are a great way to encourage problem-solving, and improve fine motor skills with early childhood learners.
Plus, these printables are a lot of fun. Just print them out and let your kids get to work.
These camping coloring pages are great for younger children to take with them on their next camping trip.
Print them onto white paper and let the kids color them in with markers, crayons, colored pencils, or watercolor paints. We love laminating our coloring pages and using dry-erase markers so they can be used over and over again!
Pete The Cat Goes Camping Craft
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
Handprint Campfire Craft
Materials
- Colored cardstock or construction paper
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Campfire log template
Instructions
- Download the campfire template, print, and cut out the pages.
- Create the logs by gluing the circular ends of the logs to the curved ends of the logs.
- Next, arrange the logs in the way you’d like. We did the traditional look with the middle log straight down and the other logs at an angle outward.
- Once you get the logs in a position you like, glue them together.
- Trace your child’s hand onto each of the yellow, orange and red papers one time. Cut the handprints out.
- Arrange the handprints on top of the logs, with the fingers pointing up. Glue the handprints to the logs and the top handprint flame to the other handprints.
Free Campfire Log 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.
Karine
Monday 2nd of June 2025
I love it
Kamille - Community Support Assistant
Monday 2nd of June 2025
Aw, that means a lot—thanks so much!
Brittany
Wednesday 28th of May 2025
Hey! where is the download button?
Kamille - Community Support Assistant
Friday 30th of May 2025
Hi! 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 ◡̈
yanilee carmona
Thursday 31st of October 2024
I would like to print this template please.
thank you
Sam
Thursday 31st of October 2024
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 Once you've been confirmed as an email subscriber (by clicking the link in the first email), you simply enter your email in any of the forms and it'll automatically redirect you to the download page.
Linda
Monday 12th of August 2024
I am a member and it doesn't automatically take me to the download page. It makes me wait to get the link in my email.
Sam
Monday 12th of August 2024
Oh how strange! Was it only for this craft or for all of the ones you've tried?
Jess
Tuesday 16th of July 2024
Freebie
Sam
Tuesday 16th of July 2024
Since you’re a subscriber, you just need to click the “Click Here To Get Your Freebie” image at the end of the post and then enter your email in the form. After that, it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈