25 of the Best Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Camping
Are you looking for gift ideas for the outdoorsy kids in your life? Here are our favorite ideas for camping gifts for kids.
Camping trips will be so much easier when your outdoorsy kids have their own camping gear. Kids are awesome campers and need the best camping gifts to feel like part of the camping crew.
Our family (including the Tiny Critter) is obsessed with all things camping, and we love traveling to new places and exploring the natural areas around us.
I still remember the first tent my mom came home with when I was in the 4th grade, and my love for camping has endured from that point on. Being a beginner camper as a kid is fun and exciting!
If you’re looking for the perfect gift ideas for kids who love to camp, read on to discover our favorite child-sized gear, accessories, games, fun camping toys and more to make this holiday season the best one ever.
Add these things to your packing list and you’ll be all set!
Send this list to anyone who needs unique camping gift ideas for kids of all age groups!
Kids Camping Gifts
Some of the best camping gifts for kids is their own camping gear! From toddlers to older kids, everyone will have so much fun with their own gear.
Check out these gear gift ideas for your next camping trip!
Camping Gear
If you’re looking for great deals, use our tips to get awesome bargains on camping gear!
Coleman Kids 50 Sleeping Bag
A warm and cozy sleeping bag is a must-have gift for kids who love camping. The Coleman Kids 50 comes in several colors and will keep your child’s toes nice and toasty even in cooler weather.
Tiny Critter is always looking forward to using his own sleeping bag on our next big camping trip.
CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Kids Hydration Backpack
The CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. is just the right size hydration pack for kids, and it’s perfect for when you’re hitting the trails as a family.
It’s also made from a breathable, lightweight fabric to keep little hikers cool, and it comes with a built-in safety whistle.
This is a great gift to get your kids excited about carrying their own water without dragging along a water bottle. It’s also large enough to hold hiking snacks.
Wise Owl Camping Hammock
Give your adventurer kid the gift of hours of comfortable outdoor relaxation with a camping hammock.
The rip-resistant fabric holds up to just about any rambunctious kiddo, and they come in quite a few fun colors to fit everyone on your Christmas list.
Some kids even enjoy napping in a hammock!
Coleman Sundome Tent
Whether you and your family are seasoned campers or just like the option of braving the backyard, you can’t go wrong with the Coleman Sundome Tent.
It’s the ideal beginner tent for kids, and it’s a breeze to set up and break down. You can’t go tent camping without the tent!
When your child grows out of this tent, check out options for selling used camping gear online!
Quik Shade Camp Chair
Every child needs a comfortable camping chair to pull up to a crackling campfire for some s’mores roasting.
I like this one because it’s incredibly sturdy and comes with a sunshade.
If you’re the parent of young kids, you know that sunscreen at a campsite doesn’t always happen! In the heat of the day it’s nice to have a little extra shade with this canopy folding chair.
Coleman Trailhead II Cot
The Coleman camping cot for kids and teens adds support and comfort where it counts, and it will last your child quite a few years.
Although many kids love the idea of sleeping on the ground in the great outdoors, the reality can be drastically different.
Pair this with a comfortable sleeping bag and kids of all ages will be pro sleepers in no time.
Solar Inflatable Lantern
You’ll immediately gain “cool parent points” when you give your child a LuminAID solar inflatable lantern.
It has nine different eye-catching color modes, folds flat to fit in a hiking backpack, and will get your child safely to the woods and back for nature’s emergencies during the night.
The LuminAID lantern is the perfect camping gift and is always on our packing list.
Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are a must-have gift for kids who like to camp because they’re both practical and allow your child to do the things kids love – run, jump, and play outdoors without stepping on painful rocks and sticks.
These water-resistant hiking boots are both functional and stylish, and they’re easy to clean (bonus!).
Camping Supplies and Accessories
No matter what kind of camping you’re doing, having a few extra accessories always makes for a better time. These cool camping gifts will add fun and flair to your camping trip, no matter if you’re into backpacking or RVs or camper vans!
Walkie Talkies
From preschoolers to teenagers, everyone loves a set of walkie talkies. Getting your family a set is a great gift idea that is not only fun but practical.
We love this set and we use them for games, as a battery operated baby monitor or for keeping track of your hikers and explorers on the trail.
GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight
If there’s one camping accessory that kids of all ages go wild for, it’s a flashlight.
There are so many entertaining things to see and do while exploring nature, and this zoomable, water-resistant flashlight makes the perfect camping-themed stocking stuffer for kids.
We own these and have 1 in every bedroom incase of a power outage, they have so many uses!
Foxelli LED Headlamp
The Foxelli Headlamp for kids is a handy gift for kids who loves camping. It’s waterproof, adjustable, and lightweight enough that your child won’t even know they’re wearing it.
Plus, this kids’ headlamp adds a whole other level to flashlight tag around the campfire! Headlamps make great camping gifts for kids of all ages.
Think Peak Binoculars
A pair of kids’ binoculars make a great gift to help them see everything up close (but at a safe distance!).
One of the best parts of camping as a family is introducing your kids to the beauty of the outdoors.
These ThinkPeak binoculars are compact for little hands, come in a range of bright colors, and are shock-resistant for those accidental drops. They’re perfect for taking a break while hiking!
Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light
Do you have little campers who love to read no matter where they are? If so, this ingenious neck reading light is the perfect gift.
The bendable arms allow your child to customize its fit, and it also has several different brightness levels to make reading in the tent easier on the eyes.
I’ve used mine for reading, knitting or doing crossword puzzles after bedtime.
This hands free light is such a great way to encourage your outdoorsy child to read while following good camping etiquette by not shining lights into other people’s eyes.
As a bonus, bring some camping books for all ages to enjoy!
Contigo Water Bottle
We can’t say enough great things about the Contigo Water Bottle, and we don’t leave home without at least one for our Tiny Critter.
The handle makes it easy to carry around, and the push-button closure keeps dirt and germs away from the spout. It’s also spill-proof, which is a huge plus!
Ferro Rod Fire Starter
If you have an older child who loves camping and the outdoors, they’ll love this fire starter. It has a simple yet sleek design, and you can find it in multiple different sizing options.
Your child can comfortably wear even the largest size around their neck so that it’s ready for use when the campfire needs to be lit because s’mores need cooking!
And unlike a lighter, you have to be very intentional to start a fire with this, so you can worry less about your teen lighting a fire accidentally.
Victorinox Swiss Army Junior
I still remember receiving my first Swiss army knife and I still own it. I thought it was the coolest contraption in the world, and so will your older child.
The knife’s case is incredibly durable, and it has all of the survival tools necessary for camping in the great outdoors (or just the backyard).
Once your teen is ready for their own pocket knife, you can’t go wrong with the classic swiss army knife, it’s one of the best camping gifts I’ve ever received. I still own and use mine.
Paracord Survival Bracelets
Here’s another great stocking stuffer idea for kids who love camping. These paracord bracelets have several valuable camping tools combined into one seriously cool wristband.
Each bracelet has a built-in compass and whistle in case of emergencies, and the paracord material makes them durable enough for even the most rugged little explorer.
It’s several pieces of camping gear all on your child’s wrist! This will make an excellent addition to your 10 essentials kit.
Kid’s Mess Kit
Meal times are some of the most exciting times when camping with kids. Add this mess kit to your list of gift ideas so your children feel like a complete part of the camping crew.
This GSI Mess kit comes with a plate, bowl, mug and silverware! It’s a perfect gift for a beginner camper.
Fun Activities and Games for Camping
We have a limited screen time goal when on a camping trip, so we need to bring some camping toys along to fill some of the down time. Check out these awesome outdoor gifts ideas!
Camping Activity Gift Ideas
Help your kids have fun at the campsite with these activities that are great for camping!
Rock Crawler RC Cars
If you’ve ever gone hiking with kids you know that some days it’s a struggle to keep them occupied. Tiny Critter loves going on explorations and hikes when we bring the rock crawler RC car.
These little cars drive over almost anything and our family loves experimenting to see what we can drive over! If you have a little adventurer, this gift should make the top of the list!
Outdoor Explorer Kit
Give your little explorer everything they’ll need to enjoy nature’s beauty with this Outdoor Explorer Kit!
It comes with all the necessary tools (like an over-sized magnifying glass) for collecting creepy, crawly specimens to examine, and thankfully also comes with a critter case as well!
Your kids will have so much fun and many outdoor adventures with this great kids camping toy.
LCD Writing Tablet
If you’re looking for a fun gift to keep kids busy during downtime around the campsite, this LCD writing tablet is a simple and entertaining solution.
I love that it lights up and doesn’t require any paper to draw on because that would be impractical for camping. This makes a great activity for rainy weather!
The tablet itself is straightforward to use, and your child can simply press the button to erase the screen and start over again. Younger kids will love drawing pictures over and over again!
Coleman Telescope
Part of the fun of camping with kids is finding things to do after dark. We have this awesome telescope and have had great times looking at the moon before tucking into bed for the night.
Campgrounds are a perfect place to teach your kids to enjoy star gazing!
Slackline Kit
Turn any campsite into an obstacle course with this complete slackline kit. It’s a great way to get kids outdoors and active, and everything fits neatly into the included carrying case for travel to your next adventure in nature.
We love slacklining, it’s a fun activity and helps with balance and strength at the same time!
This is a great outdoor gift for the whole family! Most kids get the hang of it in an afternoon, be sure to set it up in the backyard and test it out!
Rock Painting Kit
Kids are constantly picking up their favorite rocks and pebbles, and now they can use them to create works of art. This rock painting kit will keep your little campers hands’ busy for hours, and they can proudly display them around the campsite or in your garden at home.
We love painting rocks with this kit and Tiny Critter is always on the lookout for a good rock to paint.
Young children can even hide them and create their own scavenger hunt. For toddlers you can have them make different colored finger prints and then have an adult or older child add embellishments.
You can paint ladybugs, fish, frogs, turtles or whatever your imagination tells you!
Metal Detector
Camping is always more fun when you find buried treasure! A metal detector is a gift that keeps on giving. Our son loves exploring the trails and grounds to see what he can discover.
The metal detector also comes with five gold doubloons you can hide for them to find! A metal detector is a great camping gift for your next outdoor adventure!
Camping Game Gift Ideas
If you’re stuck in the tent due to rain, board games or card games are the perfect thing! Try out some of our favorites!
Beat That! – The Bonkers Battle of Wacky Challenges
Kids of all ages will love this silly game chock-full of wacky and fun challenges for everyone to enjoy.
Beat That is a great game to take along on your next camping trip for some tech-free time outside or while you’re stuck inside on a rainy afternoon. Everything you need to play is in the box!
Spot It! Camping Card Game
Challenge your outdoor-loving kid to some lightning-fast observation rounds of Spot It! We love playing this game because it’s different every time, and we can easily pack it in a backpack or camping bag.
It’s a matching game that anyone can play, the box says ages 6+, but I don’t see why 4 or even 3 year olds couldn’t play this fun camping game.
Scavenger Hunt Game for Kids
Outdoor scavenger hunts are a way for the entire family to spend time together, and this camping game for kids comes with walkie-talkies and several decks of cards you can use for both indoor and outdoor play.
Older children will love getting to become spies and learning secret handshakes, cool missions, and more. Our son loves to do the scavenger hunt and explore nature in our own backyard!
Slappy Camper
Slappy Camper is a fun, fast-paced game where each person races to pack up the camper. This is an excellent option to take with you for camping trips with the kids, and they’ll enjoy playing it year-round.
I also like it because it teaches creative problem solving and critical thinking skills (always a plus!).
There are so many useful and entertaining gifts out there for kids who love the outdoors, and many of them can be used for years to come! The best kids camping gift ideas are anything that will get your adventurer kid outside and exploring nature.
This list includes the best gifts from camping chairs, sleeping bags, water bottles to camping toys. I hope this list gave you great ideas for outdoor gear that your child will love.
Happy Camping!
I’m Molly Foss, aka Momma Critter. I’ve been camping since I was 9 years old and I always wanted to be Robin Hood and live in the forest when I grew up. I’m excited to share my love of camping with my son as he grows up. My favorite thing to do while camping is roast marshmallows over the fire.
