If your family loves the great outdoors and you are looking some great camping gifts for your kids, then look no further. From the obvious to the unique, we have researched far and wide to put together this list of some of the best camping gift ideas for kids that we could find.
Camping Gift Ideas for Kids – Camping Gear
Backpack
All kids will delight in having their own camping backpack. Its a great idea for parents too, as the kids can fill it with their own toys and entertainment items to keep in the car for them for long drives, delve into while they wait for the campsite to be set up, or pack and take out on a day trip with the family.
Sleeping Bag
A super light-weight but warm sleeping bag is a great camping gift idea for kids who love to camp. Depending on their age and interests, there are a range of fun and themed bags you can buy for them.
Swag
For slightly older kids who love to have their own independence when camping, getting them their own swag is a great gift idea.
Lantern
Sure, they can get a torch, but kids love to carry around and old-fashioned style lantern when they are camping. Of course, opt for batteries instead of a flame though! Laterns are also a lot easier to set up beside their bed at night.
Toiletry Set
One thing kids will use every day when camping (at least, you hope!) is a toiletry set. Buying them their own toiletry bag (preferably one that is waterproof and unfolds to hang on the back of a shower door), complete with mini shampoo / conditioner and body wash, will make them excited to get clean at the end of a big day outdoors.
Camping Chair
Their very own camping chair is an awesome gift. There are many super cute toddler options out there, or you could opt for a fancy one that reclines and comes with its own drink holder too!
A Spork
Show me a camper who doesn’t love a spork! For those who aren’t in the know, these cleverly designed camping utensils are a combination fork, spoon and knife. You can even get them personalised!
Hammock
There are many different-sized (and shaped) hammocks that are a perfect camping accessory for kids. Strung between two trees, it will become the favoured resting spot for anyone who has one.
Oodie
For those colder camping nights, an Oodie (or onesie) has become the must-have campsite attire. Pretty much what your child will live in once they have one, there are a million styles now to choose from too.
Raincoat
We all hope that only blue skies will be visible when a camping trip is looming however, more often than not, a shower will fall while you’re away. As parents, we dread this, but kids actually love a good downfall and will be the first ones out there in their raincoat splashing in puddles.
Thongs
Yep, you will definitely need some thongs if you are going to be camping. Super easy and quick to get on and off, they will become the go-to footwear for the kids when you are camping – especially when heading for a shower.
Aqua Shoes
If you are camping near rock pools or creeks, a pair of aqua shoes will come in super handy for protecting little feet from getting some sharp cuts.
Gumboots
The perfect accessory for any child who plans to jump in a lot of outdoor puddles, or even if the area you are camping in is quite muddy. A pair of sparkling gumboots are super practical, but will have them looking the part too!
Hiking Boots
For kids that love to go hiking, a pair of special hiking boots is most practical and perfect gift you can get them.
Crocs
Yes, I went there. Love them or hate them, Crocs are actually a very sensible footwear idea for kids who go camping a lot. They are weatherproof, hardy, and (for some at least) are a fashion statement.
Camping Gift Ideas for Kids – Exploration Tools
Water Bottle
Not just any old water bottle though – a special camping one. Some camp drink bottles also come with a hook that you can attach to their backpack or a chair.
Head Lamp
Yep, kids love a good head lamp. Perfect for when they want to keep their hands free to carry other things, head lamps are a great addition or alternative to a night-time torch.
Walkie Talkies
They may only be standing 1 metre away from each other (hidden behind a tree), but all kids young and old LOVE walkie talkies. Although most have access to phones now, give a child a walkie talkie and that smart device is long forgotten.
Metal Detector
For the treasure-hunters amongst us, a metal detector is quite the novelty when it comes to unique camping gift ideas for kids. Not just for finding the odd gold treasure chest, it is fun to see what other metal objects are buried within the sand they play on.
GoPro
For the action-packed camping teen, a GoPro is a sure-fire winner of a gift. They will love recording their pursuits in the water and on the land and showing off their daredevils skills to anyone who cares to watch the footage back later.
Drone
There are a million different types of drones out there that are not super expensive and can easily be navigated by children. Older kids may also like the fancier type, with cameras able to record their campsite and surrounds from far above.
Underwater Camera
An underwater camera for kids is a wonderful gift for those days at the beach or swimming in the creeks; helping them to capture what they discover below the water’s surface, as well as on top!
Insect Collection Kits
Kids are curious creatures, and an insect collection box is the perfect way for them to study any little campground finds in more detail. A simple container with a magnifying glass included, they are a great way for kids to safely observe insects they may find before releasing them back to the wild.
Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunt Cards
A great gift that encourages nature exploration and discovery, outdoor scavenger hunt card games get little ones racing to find a list of nature items in their own backyard.
Fossicking Tray
Kids will love unearthing a range of hidden treasures as they fossick in creeks and the ocean to collect on their tray.
Binoculars
What better way to encourage curiosity and exploration in nature for kids than with the gift of binoculars! Helping them to spot things they may not have been able to see otherwise, kids love to see what creatures they can spot in greater detail with a pair of these.
Bird ID Book
With over 850 bird species in Australia (45% of which are not found anywhere else in the world), a bird ID book is a great way to help kids identify and get excited about their local feathered friends.
Torch
A simple outdoor explorer tool to help them spot those nocturnal animals!
Telescope
If you are camping out in the middle of nowhere, chances are the sky at night will be lit up with a million stars. A small portable telescope will help your child see them even clearer.
Weather Predictor
Weather prediction kits come in a range of different styles. Simple to use and usually something that can sit on their bedside table, kids love waking up and getting an idea of the day’s weather – without even looking outside!
Compass
Perfect for kids and teens who like to get out and about in the great outdoors.
Camping Gift Ideas for Kids – Outdoor Play
Kite
An old-fashioned toy that will just never get old. On any windy day, find an open space or head to the beach and watch as hours pass flying a kite together.
Frisbee
A frisbee is an easy and cheap gift that will keep the whole family entertained for hours while camping.
Totem Tennis / Soccer
This is a simple gift that just requires a quick stab in the ground before you have a game that can be played without sending balls flying across into other people’s tents. The best part is at the end of your trip you can simply lift it out of the ground, take it home, and set it up again in your own backyard.
Bike / Scooter
A must-have for any child who plans to join the local campground crew on their daily ritual of circling the tent site and waving to their parents each time they pass. With so many amazing bike paths to explore at camping hotspots around Australia, this is a wonderful gift.
Pool Inflatable
Most camp sites have pools, but even the ones that don’t are usually close to a creek or beach. They’re perfect for lazing on and enjoying a few restful hours in the water.
Junior Kayak
For any families that love their water sports and enjoy camping near rivers, lakes, creeks or oceans, a junior kayak for the kids will not go unused!
Beach Cricket Set
Combine their love of cricket with an ocean view. A beach cricket set will be something the whole family can enjoy together.
Body Board
A great gift for kids who love the ocean is a body board. Helping them gain confidence with the waves as they enjoy time at the beach with family makes this a win-win gift idea for nature-loving kids.
Beach Bucket and Spade
What kid doesn’t love building sandcastles on the beach and collect shells? A traditional bucket and spade beach kit is the perfect gift for a child who loves all things nature play.
Kids’ Snorkel Set
Set your kids up to discover all the wonderful sea life that lives just below the surface with a snorkel and flippers set!
Kids’ Fishing Rod
If your kid loves getting out in nature and camping, then chances are they may love to go fishing too. BCF sell some awesome kids fishing reels to get them started.
Camping Gift Ideas for Kids – Boredom Busters
Card Games
Card games are a necessity for families who camp often. Kids may pretend they would rather be out on their bike or exploring the bush, but when things quieten down at the end of the day or late at night after dinner, card games are an absolute blessing.
Travel Board Games
As with gard games, camping is the perfect opportunity to bring the family back to some old school family entertainment. You can even get a range of travel-sized board games (which kids love simply because all the pieces and characters are miniature).
Sketch Book
A wonderful gift idea for any little budding artist, being out in nature offers some pretty great inspiration.
Bluetooth Speaker
Something that a lot of camping families forget about and then later regret, a bluetooth speaker will allow you to escape or enjoy some background tunes while you camp.
Wireless Earphones
They will love you for this (and you will love yourself too!) as kids will be able to listen to music and maybe watch a movie during some down time without alerting the entire neighbouring campsite at the same time.
Nature Journal
Nature journals are a great way to encourage children to document and write about their experiences in nature.
Nature-themed Memory Card Games
Get kids memorising their favourite animals or plants and matching them up with their pair in these simple, but much-loved, card games.
Books About Nature and Camping
Whether it is a picture book or an encyclopedia of nature facts and camping skills, all kids love books!
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