Camping is all about making memories and enjoying the simplicity of nature, and you don’t need expensive toys to make the experience unforgettable.
Simple, engaging toys can spark the imagination and bring families closer together under the open sky.
My top ten best toys to take camping are affordable, easy to pack, and promise endless fun and learning for everyone.
1. Frisbee
Watch as a simple plastic disc brings laughter and agile leaps into your camping trip!
The frisbee isn’t just about tossing. It’s also about dancing around with the wind, improving coordination, and the joy of making that perfect catch.
It’s a family favorite that pulls everyone into the game, from toddlers to grandparents.
2. Portable Board Games
Imagine a quiet evening at the campsite turned into a strategic battleground of wits and giggles with board games.
Board games challenge young minds to think ahead and problem-solve.
All while weaving tighter family bonds over each roll of the dice or move across the board.
3. Water Toys
Splish, splash! Add a dash of cool fun with water toys that turn the shore into a splash zone of excitement.
Children learn the basics of fluid dynamics and cause and effect, all while orchestrating water wars that are sure to be the highlight of any sunny day.
4. Glow Sticks
When the sun sets, let glow sticks light up your night.
Whether you’re marking trails, playing tag in the dark, or just enjoying their eerie luminescence, these simple sticks turn every night into a glowing adventure that’s safe and visually enchanting.
It will be one of the highlights of your kids’ camping trip, I promise!
5. Kite
Send a kite soaring into the blue and watch as children learn to harness the power of the wind.
Kite flying is a blissful escape that teaches about the environment and physics, all while painting the sky with vibrant colors and shapes.
Okay, there’s a bit of a knack to it and the weather conditions have to be right. But when you get it up in the air the first time, it’s so satisfying!
6. Jump Ropes
Skip, jump, and laugh! Jump ropes are the ultimate portable gym that packs a punch of benefits from improving coordination to pumping hearts.
They’re perfect for solo challenges or group rhythms, making every jump a beat in the symphony of playful shrieks and teamwork.
Jump ropes take up hardly any space when packing, so they are a no-brainer for me.
7. Playing Cards
Shuffle up some fun with a deck of cards that fits right into your pocket.
From building mathematical skills through a quick game of blackjack to testing response times in “snap”, card games are a camper’s best friend for both education and entertainment.
They are a godsend when the weather isn’t great.
Card games are also a fun way to wind down around a campfire in the evening.
8. Ball
An absolute essential! Balls give rise to spontaneous sports, from soccer matches to a simple game of catch.
Each throw or kick boosts motor skills and invites everyone into the game. Fantastic for making new friends on a campsite, or building teamwork skills as a family.
9. Walkie-Talkies
My personal favorite camping toy! Transform any hike into a mission with walkie-talkies.
They’re imagination enhancers that turn every trail into a treasure hunt.
They keep everyone connected and engaged.
They are also fantastic for adding a twist to a game of hide and seek!
10. Star Chart
Unfold a basic star chart and unfold the universe before your eyes.
Connect the dots in the sky and uncover constellations, sparking conversations about the infinite wonders above us.
Stephanie Simmons is an Anglo-American mum of two who is passionate about all things outdoors. She loves camping, outdoor crafting, and all outdoor activities.
Steph believes in getting the kids outdoors no matter the weather!
She created Wild Bloom Families to share her passion for the outdoors with other families.
Getting in nature can transform your physical health, mental health and happiness!
