Skip to Content

Camping Crafts to Rock Your Next Campout!

These camping crafts are perfect for kids of all ages – and even adults! Use these ideas for the best campout both indoors and out.

Skills Required: None. All of these ideas are perfect for beginners, as well as children of any age. I believe adults will have just as good of a time making these as the kids will.

Camping craft ideas

Something that a lot of people don’t know about me: I have an undergraduate degree in Forestry. If you’re thinking that’s basically a degree in camping with some math thrown in there, you’d be pretty close.

I’m sure you can guess that I love camping – I love the outdoors – there isn’t much I won’t try or do when it comes to being outside. I’m like the Lorax. I love trees (I don’t necessarily speak for them though).

I think my love of all things outdoors started when I was young, and I used to play outside in the woods near our house on a daily basis. I feel like that is where I developed independence and imagination. I spent a lot of time playing by myself.

My family never really camped, but when I got old enough to drive, I started camping on my own and with my friends. I love being in the wilderness, whether it be via car or backpacking. Enough about me though . . .

Let’s talk camping crafts! I assembled this list because fall is my favorite time to camp, and I’m thinking there’s a lot of you that feel the same way. Of course, any time is great time to make one of these ideas . . . summer camp works just as well.

Scroll down to get my favorite ideas, and then I’d love to hear which ones you try in the comments. Plus any fun stories about your love of the outdoors!

1
DIY fireflies
Katie Sterneugle
DIY Fireflies
If you don't have fireflies in your area then you are missing the magic of late summer! Learn how to make your own here.
Get the Tutorial
2
toilet paper tube binocular craft for kids
Amy Anderson
Make Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars for Summer Fun!
These cardboard tube binoculars are a great rainy day craft for kids. They can use them to go bird watching, as a camp craft, or as a nature craft!
Get the Tutorial
3
www.simplesimonandco.com
Summer Camp Chairs
You'll need to use a sewing machine for this project, but this is a great way to make a camp chair for kids using PVC pipe! Guess what – the chairs fold up, too.
Get the Tutorial
4
leaf rubbing collages
mamapapabubba.com
Leaf Rubbing Collages
You can do these rubbings with leaves of all shapes and sizes! Collect leaves on your camping trip and then try this when you get back home.
Get the Tutorial
5
bandb-2018-Camp-Lantern-2.jpg
barleyandbirch.com
Flameless Camp Lantern
Grab an old peanut butter jar and a plastic bowl to making this camping lantern – with no flame! Use a bottle of Mod Podge and tissue paper to decorate.
Get the Tutorial
6
Steve Carrell
DIY Travel Spice Kit
Turn a pill organizer into a travel spice kit for camping. So smart! Get the free printable labels here – and learn how to do it. You can make this camping spice kit in just a matter of minutes, and for cheap!
Get the Tutorial
7
godseye0-640x960-1.jpg
honestlywtf.com
DIY God’s Eyes
I think we all remember making God's eyes at summer camp! However, if you missing out on this camping craft treasure, grab some dowels and yarn. These are easy to make and the results are fun and colorful!
Get the Tutorial
8
Camping-Themed-Story-Stones
www.playdoughtoplato.com
Camping Themed Story Stones
We love painting rocks around here – that's why these camping story stones are our favorite! Grab magazine scraps, markers, and your Mod Podge to make them.
Get the Tutorial
9
buggyandbuddy.com
Glowing Campfire Craft
Kids love making and playing with this glowing campfire craft! It’s super easy to make and perfect for summer, fire safety week, summer camp, or for imaginative play.
Get the Tutorial
10
bandage lightning bugs
Allison McDonald
Bandage Lightning Bugs
You'll need three bandages each to make these cool lightning bugs! Celebrate all the fireflies you saw on your camping trip with this cool craft.
Get the Tutorial
11
popsicle stick tents
gluedtomycraftsblog.com
Popsicle Stick Tent
This popsicle stick tent craft idea is PERFECT for summer boredom busters and family camping adventures! It's simple for all ages and will be a cinch for you to pull together within minutes!
Get the Tutorial
12
Easy nature bracelet
mustardseeds.typepad.com
Nature Bracelet Tutorial
Gather nature treasures at the campsite and turn them into one of the coolest bracelets ever! You'll need simple supplies to make it.
Get the Tutorial
13
thecrazyoutdoormama.com
Glowing Camping Lantern
I love that this camping lantern was made from a water bottle! You can add a flameless tea light to make it glow – either way, it's pretty dang cute.
Get the Tutorial
14
How-to-Make-Pretend-Smores-for-Play.jpg
www.pre-kpages.com
Pretend Smores Craft
One of the best parts of sitting around the campfire is roasting marshmallows – who doesn't love warm fluff combined with chocolate and graham? Recreate the memories with these cute faux (easy to make!) s'mores.
Get the Tutorial
15
DIY rock dominoes
thehousethatlarsbuilt.com
Color Rock Dominoes
Rocks are easy to find around any campsite – that's what makes this camping craft so awesome! All you'll need is some bright paint colors and a paintbrush.
Get the Tutorial
16
pine cone owls
craftsbyamanda.com
Pinecone Owls
These adorable little pinecone owls are a fun fall nature craft that kids will love. Great for an end-of-summer camping craft or your fall table!
Get the Tutorial
17
popsicle-stick-tent-HERO.jpg
glamperlife.com
Popsicle Stick Tent Craft
It's SO easy to make the cutest tents in existence with popsicle sticks and paper! Kids will love this idea and it will keep them busy all afternoon.
Get the Tutorial
18
www.craftcreatecook.com
No Sew Doll Sleeping Bag
Dolls like to go on camping trips too! Just pick out your fleece fabrics, grab some scissors and a ruler, and get comfy on your floor for 30 minutes or so. Your doll with have the cutest sleeping bag before long
Get the Tutorial
19
firstdayofhome.com
Pretend Campfire Set
Learn how to sew the coolest campfire – that way when your children are dreaming of a camping trip, you're ready. It might not allow to make real s'mores, but it's still really cute.
Get the Tutorial
20
plastic bottle garland
www.aroundtheworldl.com
String Lantern Lights
These are the perfect way to decorate a campsite – with homemade lanterns on a string made of old plastic bottles! So fun and easy to make with Mod Podge, tissue paper, and recycling.
Get the Tutorial
21
rock painting ideas
Painted Rocks
Learn how to paint rocks with this simple tutorial. You probably have all of the supplies needed on hand already!
Get the Tutorial
22
thecrazyoutdoormama.com
Camp Necklaces
Celebrate your next family camp trip or summer camp with friends and make these pretty (and EASY!) camping necklaces! Such a fun memory.
Get the Tutorial
23
diy sit upon
theresjustonemommy.com
Colorful Duct Tape Sit Upon
Don't want to put your rump on wet or uncomfortable ground? Make this Duck Tape sit upon the easy – and inexpensive way. Kids can easily make their own.
Get the Tutorial
24
bandana tote
www.projectwhim.com
No Sew Tote from a Bandana
Since this is no sew, you can make it sitting at a campsite! Then you can collect nature goodies or other memories from your trips.
Get the Tutorial
25
popsicle-stick-smores-kid-craft-2-768x1152
gluedtomycraftsblog.com
Popsicle Stick S’mores
This s'mores craft with popsicle sticks is extra perfect for either summer or fall camping season. Everyone loves s’mores so – without a doubt – they're going to love this easy DIY pretend piece idea as well!
Get the Tutorial

If you enjoyed these camping craft ideas, try these other fun ideas for kids:

Jeannie Wallace

Monday 21st of September 2020

These are some seriously cool projects. I'm a city girl married to a country boy, so I'm not full of camping savvy. Thanks to you tho, the next four weekends are gonna make me a star in the eyes of my children. I'll have to eventually fess up to my source, but I want them to be impressed, that I at least looked up how to cool camp. Thank you so much for sharing these awesome things to do while camping. Yuppie the star to me.

Amy

Tuesday 29th of September 2020

My pleasure Jeannie! I'm so excited you're going to try them!