Fun and Heartwarming Stories That Celebrate Nature, Adventure, and Togetherness
There’s something magical about sleeping under the stars, roasting marshmallows, and exploring the outdoors. Camping-themed books invite kids to experience the joy of the wild—whether they’re heading into the woods or just imagining a tent in the backyard.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite camping books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included outdoor activity ideas and reflection questions to help kids connect with the spirit of camping. Let me know which story inspires your next adventure!
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Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Camping?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Camping
- 11 Camping Books For Children
- What Camping Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Camping?
Camping books connect kids with nature and inspire a sense of wonder and exploration.
They encourage outdoor play, teamwork, and appreciation for the natural world. These stories often highlight themes of bravery, problem-solving, and enjoying the simple things—like a crackling fire or the sound of crickets at night.
Reading about camping helps children build confidence, creativity, and a love for life beyond the screen.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Camping
Books about camping are a wonderful way to introduce kids to nature, environmental care, and life skills.
Characters in these stories may pitch tents, get lost on a hike, or learn to build a campfire—while discovering teamwork, patience, and resilience along the way. Some books gently address fears of the dark or unfamiliar animals, while others focus on family bonding and fun.
Camping books help kids grow adventurous spirits and calm minds.
How to Use Books about Camping with Children
Here are some fun and creative ways to bring camping stories to life:
- 🏕️ Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: What would you pack for your camping trip? or What was your favorite part of the adventure? In class, use Turn and Talk to plan an imaginary campout.
- 🌲 Engage in Camping-Themed Activities: Set up a pretend campsite with blankets and flashlights, make DIY binoculars, tell silly stories around a pretend “campfire,” or make s’mores-inspired treats.
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: During science or SEL lessons, connect back to camping stories. Say: Remember how the character stayed calm and used a map? That’s a great example of problem-solving!
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Suggest a family backyard campout or an unplugged evening with books and stargazing. Families can read aloud by flashlight or share their favorite camping memories together.
11 Camping Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 Brave Little Camper by Carmen Crowe
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Follow a little camper trailer on a big nighttime journey full of bravery and friendship.
Activity Suggestion: Make your own paper camper and decorate it with adventure stickers.
Discussion Questions:
- What made the camper brave?
- How did the camper help others?
- Where would you want to camp with your friends?
#2 Hello, World! Let’s Go Camping by Jill McDonald
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This nonfiction board book introduces toddlers to camping sights, sounds, and gear.
Activity Suggestion: Create a “Let’s Go Camping” checklist using pictures or drawings.
Discussion Questions:
- What items do we need for camping?
- What animals might we see on a hike?
- How can we stay safe in nature?
#3 Llama Llama Loves Camping by Anna Dewdney
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Llama Llama experiences camping for the first time—without electronics—and learns to love the outdoors.
Activity Suggestion: Plan a “screen-free nature time” in your backyard or living room.
Discussion Questions:
- What was hard for Llama Llama at first?
- What did he learn to enjoy?
- What would you do on a camping trip?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 Bluey: Camping by Penguin Young Readers Licenses
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Bluey meets a new friend while camping and learns about change, growth, and saying goodbye.
Activity Suggestion: Draw a postcard from a camping trip to a new friend.
Discussion Questions:
- What made Bluey’s camping trip special?
- Why was it hard to leave?
- Have you ever made a new friend on a trip?
#5 Make More S’mores by Cathy Ballou Mealey
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Roasty the raccoon tries to sneak extra marshmallows in this sweet and silly tale about sharing.
Activity Suggestion: Make indoor s’mores using a microwave and write a “S’mores Recipe Card.”
Discussion Questions:
- What did Roasty learn about sharing?
- Why do people love s’mores?
- What’s your favorite camping snack?
#6 Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt
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Scaredy Squirrel prefers to watch camping on TV, until a real trip pushes him out of his comfort zone.
Activity Suggestion: Write or draw something that once scared you—but turned out to be fun!
Discussion Questions:
- What was Scaredy Squirrel afraid of?
- How did he face his fears?
- What would you say to help him feel better?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 When We Go Camping by Margriet Ruurs
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A poetic picture book that celebrates the sounds, sights, and surprises of nature and camp life.
Activity Suggestion: Collect or draw 5 things you would find on a nature walk.
Discussion Questions:
- What did the family do while camping?
- What was your favorite nature moment?
- What’s something you want to try outdoors?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann
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Ernestine goes camping for the first time and learns to enjoy it even when it’s a little tricky.
Activity Suggestion: Pack a pretend backpack with camping “essentials.”
Discussion Questions:
- What was new for Ernestine?
- How did she solve problems during her trip?
- What new things have you tried?
#9 A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
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An adventurous rhyming tale of Mr. Magee and his dog Dee as their camper ends up in a wild ride.
Activity Suggestion: Design your own camper with drawings, cutouts, or boxes.
Discussion Questions:
- What happened on Mr. Magee’s trip?
- How did he and Dee stay calm?
- What was the funniest part?
#10 The Scariest Campfire Story You’ve Ever Heard by Ron Keres
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This humorous story gently introduces kids to spooky stories without real scares.
Activity Suggestion: Create your own silly campfire tale using sound effects.
Discussion Questions:
- What made the story funny instead of scary?
- What kind of campfire stories do you like?
- How can we make spooky things feel silly?
#11 S Is for S’mores by Helen Foster James
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An ABC book of all things camping, from A for adventure to S for s’mores and beyond.
Activity Suggestion: Make your own camping alphabet book with favorite camping words.
Discussion Questions:
- What was your favorite letter page?
- What new words did you learn?
- Can you name something camping-related for each letter?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Camping Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Camping books for kids blend adventure, learning, and togetherness—no backpack required. Whether you’re planning a real outdoor trip or building a blanket fort in the living room, these stories help kids slow down, connect, and explore with joy.
Which camping book will spark your next outdoor imagination? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorite stories, tents, or trail snacks!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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