We love going on camping trips with our kids. To set up their own tent and sleep in the open is the ultimate outdoor adventure for children of all ages.
We have camped with them all over the US from the Florida Keys to Texas Hill Country and from California to the Gulf Coast.
Camping is a great way to introduce kids to nature and wildlife while taking a break from routine and the predictability of modern comforts.
Also Read:
Best Travel Gifts for Kids
50 Best Gifts for Someone Going to Disney
Camping trips with kids makes lasting memories for your family.
Camping with kids is challenging but can be a fun and rewarding experience. As long as you are prepared, the trip will go smoothly!
Here are some awesome camping gifts for kids that will make them look forward to the adventure and make camping with kids enjoyable for everyone.
Dotted Globe contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full Disclosure here. Thank you!
Essential Camping Gifts for kids
From camping gear essentials like tents and sleeping bags to survival tools like magnetic compass, flashlight, and whistles, we have included the best essential camping gifts for kids to use on their camping trips.
These cool camping gifts for kids are budget-friendly and durable. They make an excellent addition to your kids camping gear.
Camping Tent
Having their own tent is one of the best camping gifts for kids.
There are plenty of kid-friendly tents on the market that will keep your little ones safe and entertained while still giving them a sense of independence.
Make sure that the kids camping tent is big enough for them to sleep in comfortably without rolling on top of each other.
A pop up kids camping tent is ideally best for kids since they often do not have the patience to set it up from scratch.
When it comes to tents, we love Coleman tents for their durability and reliability in case of rain or storms.
The Coleman Kids Wonder Lake tent is a great option for children going tent camping.
Other great options are the Wakeman 2 person tent with rainfly or the PlayWorld Galaxy Dome Tent.
Sleeping Bag
Our kids love using their sleeping bags outdoors as well as on their own bed at home for a camping themed family night.
That’s why we always recommend a cozy sleeping bag as a camping gift for kids.
Here’s what you need to know about buying a sleeping bag for your kid.
When looking for a sleeping bag, consider getting something super comfy, insulated, and roomy.
The bags come in various sizes so make sure it’s the right size for your child.
A good rule of thumb is 3 years old and under get a baby or toddler size, 4-6 year olds should use a youth size, 7-9 year olds should use an adult small sized sleep sack, 10+ years old should get an adult large sized sleep sack.
Add in a thick camping pad to make their sleep more comfy.
Camping Chair
Kids will love having their own small camping chair that they can open and set up adjacent to their tent.
Kids camping chairs come in fun designs and vibrant colors. They are an awesome camping gift idea for the little ones.
Our son has a shark camping chair while our daughter loves her unicorn camping chair.
Our favorite camping chairs for kids:
Dinosaur Camping Chair for Kids
Water Bottle
It’s important to keep young kids hydrated during camping trips.
Let them each have their own water bottle to take on outdoor adventures.
We recommend getting something that is insulated and leak-resistant.
YETI Rambler Jr. 12 oz Kids Bottle is our favorite. It is the perfect size for children and can hold up to 12 fluid ounces of liquid.
Made from durable stainless steel, this kids’ bottle features a leak-proof cap for on-the-go use and an easy grip handle that makes it easier for little hands to carry.
Contigo Autoseal Trekker Kids Water Bottle is another great choice.
It has features specifically designed to keep up with children’s needs, such as an ergonomic design that makes it easy to grip, spill-resistant, and prevents leaks.
CamelBak Eddy+ Kids BPA-Free Water Bottle is a kids-sized version of the award-winning CamelBak that’s perfect for smaller hands.
The durable, BPA-free design is spill resistant and easy to clean. The flip straw makes it easier to drink from on the go.
Pocket Knife Multitool
When it comes to outdoor survival, nothing can beat a great multitool or pocket knife.
While this may not be good for younger kids, it makes a great gift idea for teens and young adults going on their first wilderness adventure trip.
When they have a pocket knife, your adventurous kid or teen can take on many tasks that are usually reserved for adults.
One of the best features of these knives is how they are designed for safety, with their small blades and easy-to-grip handles.
Plus, most come with additional features like bottle openers or screwdrivers, making them even more useful!
You can go for a simple stainless steel folding pocket knife or a complex 14 in 1 pocket knife and multi tool, depending on the age and maturity of your child.
Mosquito Repellants for Kids
Camping in nature is no fun if you are being bitten by a swarm of mosquitoes.
Protect yourself and the campsite from mosquitoes by using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, carrying mosquito lanterns, or bands.
One of the best ways to protect your kids is by making sure they use an EPA registered mosquito repellant or sticker or patch or wrist band.
Sunhat and Sunglasses
It’s summertime and the weather is heating up!
Gift your child a sun hat and some sunglasses to protect them from the harmful UV rays that result from direct sunlight exposure.
Waterproof Hiking Sandals
We all know that kids are messy and love to jump in puddles on hikes.
If your child isn’t wearing waterproof hiking sandals, they’re going to have wet feet and potentially very dirty shoes!
The best thing you can do is invest in some quality hiking sandals for your kids.
We love buying Keen Kids Hiking Sandals for our kids. They are durable and sturdy for any type of adventure.
Camping Clothes
Gift a set of outdoorsy gear of camping apparel to your kids.
Make sure the clothes are UV rays repellent, moisture wicking, and quick drying to ensure they are comfortable outside.
Camping Lantern
A camping lantern for kids is the perfect way to keep your little ones entertained while you enjoy a relaxing evening.
Kids will love their own camping lanterns because they can have their own light source and help set up camp at night.
The Coleman Kids LED Adventure Lantern is an excellent choice because it’s compact and easy to travel with.
It also has a handy strap that makes it simple enough for kids to carry around.
Cooler
Camping coolers for kids are a great way to keep your child’s food and drinks fresh while you’re exploring the great outdoors.
One of our favorites is the Yeti Cooler day trip lunch box. Kids can use it from daycare or school to camping and on field trips.
These make a perfect gift for any child who loves spending time outdoors!
Hiking Backpack
A hiking backpack is a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast. Kids are no exception to this rule!
A good hiking backpack for kids will be sturdy enough to carry all the necessities needed for an adventure: snacks, water bottles, first aid kit – you name it!
We love the Camelback Mini Kids Hydration Backpack.
These packs are made from lightweight materials which makes them easy to carry around all day long.
They also come with many different features such as a mesh back panel, a whistle, and pockets so they can keep their snacks close by!
Fanny Pack
Kids fanny packs are great gifts for outdoorsy kids.
They come with pockets for all the necessities – water bottle, snacks, and even toys!
They’re lightweight so they won’t weigh the little ones down on your long day out.
Children love them because they make it easy to keep track of all their belongings and reach them easily.
Fun Outdoor Camping Gift Ideas for Kids
These fun camping gifts may not be necessary for a camping trip, but they will definitely up the fun quotient for kids who are not keen on camping.
Binoculars, walkie talkies, and many other outdoorsy items are a great idea when looking for gifts for kids.
We have also included several general outdoor gear gifts for kids which they can also use for other activities such as hiking, picnics, etc.
Many of these items also make fun camping gifts for the whole family, even those that don’t go camping often.
Walkie-talkies
Walkie Talkies are great for kids to communicate with their friends and family while being outdoors.
The walkie talkies can be used by children of all ages, which makes them perfect camping gift for toddlers to teens.
They’re also very affordable and come in fun colors
Gifting kids walkie-talkies will not only help them, but it will also help parents.
Monitoring the kids with a walkie talkie is easier even if they run around the campsite.
Check out these 2 person Walkie talkie system or the 3 person walkie talkie with flashlight, which is perfect for hiking and camping outdoors.
Hammock
To go camping in style, give a hammock to your kids!
Kids love instant camping hammock – it elevates the whole camping experience!
This portable bed provides the most comfortable experience possible, while also providing comfort from bugs and animals on the ground.
We love the Wise Owl Outfitters Kids Hammock. It is lightweight and compact and perfect for little kids.
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Game
Outdoor camping scavenger hunt card games for families are a great way to get kids’ brains moving and learn about the natural world.
The Go Find It Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunt Card Game for Families is an exciting way to engage children in the great outdoors.
It’s a fun way to learn about nature. The educational game can be easily played by anyone, anywhere.
The card game comes with 36 cards, each one containing a different outdoor nature-related word or phrase.
Players take turns drawing from the deck to read aloud the words on their card and then completing the task listed on it.
Camping Games
You can find several camping game ideas for kids including STEM activities, playing cards, frisbees, and more.
We love playing a game of frisbee next to our campsite while waiting for the sun to set.
Such games keep even older kids challenged and engaged.
You can also buy camping books for kids.
Camping Journal
Camping Journals make perfect camping gifts.
Do your kids love camping? Would they like to share and record their camping experiences?
With a camping journal, kids can write thoughts and memories or draw bugs and things they saw while exploring the wilderness!
Binoculars
Binoculars make an excellent camping gift for kids.
Kids will love exploring and discovering new things – they’ll have hours of fun using the binoculars!
Kids can use it to spot birds, wildlife, faraway mountains, and even road signs!
We recommend the Dreamingbox Compact Shockproof Binoculars for Kids.
The binoculars come with a kid-friendly carrying case so they don’t get lost or damaged on the go.
Action Camera
Your outdoorsy kid or teen will love having their own action camera to record and capture memories from their nature trip or camping activities.
The best action camera for kids is the AKASO EK7000, it’s a great starter camera.
The AKASO EK7000 is affordable and has an easy to use interface that will make any kid feel confident in their video making abilities.
With 1080p HD recording capability and one-touch buttons, this camera can’t be beat!
Read our post on the Best Action Cameras for Kids here.
Cooling Towels
Cooling towels are lightweight and easy to carry around with you throughout your day.
They can be worn as a headband or draped over your neck like a scarf.
These are great because they cool down a person’s skin when it is hot outside and contains no harmful chemicals.
If your kids hate being in the heat, then they will love these cooling towels.
Fishing Rods
If you are going camping by a river or stream or the sea, then consider gifting fishing rods to your kids.
Fishing is a great sport to do with your kids as it can be fun and educational.
There are a few things to consider when looking for the best fishing pole for kids.
You want it to be durable, lightweight, and easy to use.
The best fishing rods for kids also have features like an ergonomic grip and non-slip cork handle so kids can hold onto them easily while reeling back in their catch.
We love the Play22 Fishing Pole For Kids.
This set includes everything from tackle box to bait bucket and even has a kid-sized fish finder so they can locate the big ones too!
With these essentials, anyone can enjoy their time on the water with their little one on the next camping trip.
Geocaching Kit
Geocaching is a fun outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages.
There are many geocache kits available to help make it easier for kids to find caches.
Kids’ geocache kits come with easy instructions on how to hide the cache, which makes it perfect for young explorers because they can do most of the work themselves!
Kids’ geocache kits also include logbooks so that your child can keep track of their finds and write them down.
Outdoor Explorer Set
Explore the world with your kids!
Start by visiting national parks, mountain ranges and other natural wonders or use the sets in your own backyard.
The outdoor exploration set is a magical outdoor gift for children as they can explore, learn, and find wonder in the real world.
In these sets, you will find magnifying glass, flashlight, compass hiking backpack, a whistle, and more fun things.
Some of the sets also include butterfly nets and bug catching kits complete with tweezers, scoopers, and bug identification book.
If your kids love the outdoors including bugs, leaves, flowers, and rocks then they will be amazed by the possibilities of the set.
The explorer set is one of those outdoor gifts for kids that will keep them busy for hours.
Our favorite outdoor exploration sets:
Small Discoverer Outdoor Exploration Set
Adventure Kids – Outdoor Explorer Kit
Kids Explorer Kit & Bug Catcher Kit
Bug Catching Kit – Nature Exploration Kit
Outdoor Explorer Set 27 pc – Nature Exploration Kit
Toy Camping Gifts for Kids Camping Adventure
If your kids love camping or you are trying to get them excited about camping, then consider these toy camping gifts for kids.
Many of these will not hold up well in the rugged outdoors but are perfect for an afternoon of camping fun in the backyard or local park.
Also Read: Best Travel Toys for Toddlers
Toy Camping Sets with Pop Up Tent and Pretend Food
Kids love to play pretend.
The pretend play camping toy sets can be used year round and are great for when they can’t go outside.
These sets come with a tent, sleeping bag, campfire, camping food, as well as other accessories like camping lanterns.
The sets are an excellent way to teach children about camping safety in the outdoors as well as teaching them important camping life skills like cooking over a fire or putting up a tent from scratch.
Kids will have hours of fun while building their imagination and cognitive skills through imaginative storytelling.
The little camp chef will be able to make s’mores, cook hot dogs over the fire pit, or roast marshmallows on the campfire all while playing “camping.”
Our favorite pretend camping sets:
MITCIEN Kids Camping Tent with Campfire
Mitcien Kids Camping Tent Gear Set Pop Up Play Tent with Pretend BBQ
Meland Kids Camping Set with Tent 24pcs
KAQINU 33 PCS Kids Camping Set
FUN LITTLE TOYS Kids Play Tent, 18 Pieces
Any of this set makes a great camping gift for kids.
Learning Resources New Sprouts Camp Out!, Imaginative Play
Learning Resources New Sprouts Camp Out!, Imaginative Play set comes with a duffel bag, campfire and food.
The set has 11 pieces and is perfect for small kids who tend to lose or can get overwhelmed by larger multi piece sets.
Fisher Price S more Fun Campfire 18 Piece Pretend Camping Play Set with Real Wood
The Fisher Price Campfire set is made of wood, has excellent craftsmanship and is fun for all kids.
The set is cute and fun – kids can do everything from roasting marshmallows to chopping wood with an axe for the campfire.
Nature Bound BBQ Grill Cookout Camp Stove
The Nature Bound BBQ Grill Cookout Camp Stove Set has pretend food as well as utensils including coffee cups, plates, pan, and utensils.
The set includes realistic food such as bread, tomatoes, corn on the cob, and chicken!
The grill actually sizzles and glows red due to the fun light and sound effects. Every kid will love having this grill set to cook alongside the elders.
LEGO City Holiday Camper Van
The LEGO City Holiday Camper Van is a fun gift for a kid who loves camping and Legos!
The camper van has detailed insides and furnishing and kids will love building it up and playing with the set.
The mom, dad, and baby minifigures are perfect for camping adventures.
This also makes a great addition for those who already have a lot of Lego City sets.
Toy Fishing Rods
Worried that your little ones might just break their first fishing pole?
No need to worry, because they will not be able to break these toy fishing rods!
The rods are made from high-quality materials and built for rough use for kids.
If you have a young outdoor lover, any of the above makes a perfect gift for an RV camper, tent camping trip, or even indoor camping enthusiast.
We hope you liked our gift guide to the best camping gifts for kids.