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33 Creative Camping Theme Ideas for Elementary Classrooms

camping theme ideas

March 30, 2022 //  by Seda Unlucay

This collection of STEM-based activities, entertaining games, inventive lessons, and camping-themed decor ideas are sure to bring the magic of camp into the classroom.

Constructing glowing lanterns, towering teepees and crackling campfires are a wonderful way to celebrate the wonders of the natural world while developing core numeracy, literacy, and science skills.

1. Create a Campsite Roleplay Center

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This colorful resource is sure to inspire camping role play ideas for a primary center or a classwide activity. The accompanying camping gear props will add a more realistic feel to students' pretend camping adventures.

Learn more: Twinkl

2. Take a Virtual Camping Trip

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On this exciting virtual trip, students will learn about bears and owls, write a silly campfire story, and brainstorm which camping items they will need to bring along.

Learn more: Outschool

3. Create a Camping Themed Bulletin Board

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This creative bulletin board recycles napkins found around the home and transforms them into mini tents to feature students' pictures.

Learn more: Teacher Created

4. Have a Camping Party

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There's nothing better than watching happy campers enjoying camping-themed snacks, games, and activities together. This comprehensive resource offers all sorts of creative ideas for throwing an unforgettable party, including a camping party favors kit.

Learn more: The Barefoot Teacher

5. Developing Reading Fluency with an Emergent Reader Book 

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Using simple dialogue and repetitive text, this first-person story takes students on an exciting overnight camping trip. Camping-themed books are a great way to reinforce key sight words while practicing reading comprehension skills.

Learn more: Reading A-Z

6. Play a Printable Camp Board Game

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Students can cut out their own die, game pieces, and start collecting camping necessities. The happy camper with the most gear at the end of the game wins!

Learn more: Education.com

7. Make a Fake Campfire 

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Your students are sure to have a great time sitting, singing, and telling stories around this pretend campfire. Adding some camping chairs is an easy way to get them into the spirit of a real summer camp.

Learn more: Pre K Pages

8. Make a Camp Sign 

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This simple stencil-based design and natural wood combo is meant to be used for real camping trips but can also make a great addition to your classroom camping theme. Why not take the opportunity to teach students about the importance of using signage to mark land boundaries, drinking water, trailheads, and other camping amenities?

Learn more: Hip Camp

9. Make a Paper Log Cabin

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Using a few classroom supplies and strips of construction paper, students can get crafty in designing their own miniature log cabins. This is a great way to build fine motor skills while discussing how log cabins are built in layers.

Learn more: Kinder Art

10. Add a Camping Themed Display to Your Classroom Door

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Use some weathered wood paper,  bright cut-out letters, and camping-themed accents to create a display that is sure to turn every student into a happy camper!

Learn more: Ms. Crafty Nyla

11. Read and Discuss a Camping Book

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When We Go Camping is a beautifully illustrated book that takes students on a fun adventure to discover various camp activities such as chopping wood for the fire, catching fish, spotting wild animals, and swimming in the lake. It's an easy way to create an outdoor learning adventure from the comfort of the classroom.

12. Decorate Your Class with Camping Themed Cutouts

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This set of free and cute animal cutouts can be printed, cut, and displayed to create a fun and cheerful atmosphere for classroom learning.

Learn more: Teach Starter

13. Make a Handprint Campfire Craft

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This creative craft brings the warmth of a campfire indoors. A free printable template for the logs is included, making it super easy to create an adorable keepsake your students will love.

Learn more: Simple Everyday Mom

14. Create a Reading Nook with a Teepee Tent 

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Why not create a cozy reading nook in your classroom with this easy-to-assemble teepee tent? Students will love curling up with a good book while nestled comfortably inside.

Learn more: Import Test Site

15. Sing Some Classic Camp Songs

This collection of classic camp songs is led by a group of enthusiastic camp counselors. Students can sing and dance along or enjoy the music in the background during camping-themed activities.

Learn more: Mountain Camp Woodside

16. Write a Scary Campfire Story

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It's difficult for students to write scary stories without a plan. Luckily, this detailed lesson provides graphic organizers for establishing a setting, characters, and a suspenseful problem. Reading a few scary stories at the start of the lesson is another great way to get their creative juices flowing.

Learn more: Keep 'em Thinking

17.  Practice Skip Counting with Smores

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This free camp-themed printable is a fun way to practice skip counting, number tracing, and basic numeracy skills.

Learn more: Kindergarten Worksheets and Games

18. Take a Virtual Tour of National Parks

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Students won't need hiking shoes, sunblock, or a camera for this virtual tour of America's majestic national parks. This kid-friendly video makes for a great opportunity to discuss human settlement, land development, and endangered wildlife.

Learn more: Brain Pop

19. Make Camper Hats 

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Using easy-to-find classroom materials, this whimsical crown features real marshmallows on skewers. It makes a great addition to an adventure party or any camping theme decor bundle.

Learn more: San Diego Family

20. Make a Simple Classroom Tree  

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This cardboard and tissue paper tree brings the great outdoors into the classroom and creates a warm and inviting ambiance for your little campers.

Learn more: Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

21. Complete a Fill-in-the-Blanks Story

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This camping-themed story is an easy way to practice parts of speech and improve reading comprehension skills. Students will love completing silly sentences to bring this outrageous story to life.

Learn more: Education.com

22. Try a Camping Word Search

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This difficult word search is sure to keep your campers engaged while developing their word recognition skills. It's ideal for upper elementary students but also makes a great challenge for primary learners.

Learn more: Tree Valley Academy

23. Play a Game of Camping Bingo

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Featuring colorful pictures of outdoor nature items, this free printable makes a great addition to a camping-themed party or a fun brain break during the day.

Learn more: Homemade Heather

24. Try a Camping Crossword Puzzle

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This camping-themed crossword puzzle features a colorful forest scene and is a great way to review camping equipment vocabulary while practicing spelling and printing skills.

Learn more: Dreams Time

25. Make a Camping Lantern Craft

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Turn off the lights and bring the magic of a glowing lantern into the classroom with this easy and eye-catching craft. Made from tissue paper decoupage, these pretty lanterns can also add a warm and calming ambiance to the classroom.

Learn more: The Crazy Outdoor Mama

26. Make Marshmallow Constellations 

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This fun STEM activity is a creative way to learn about the night sky, star constellations, and space.

Learn more: STEAMsational

27. Build a Solar Oven 

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This ingenious STEM activity requires students to use their construction and design skills while learning about solar energy. It can be used to bake, boil and steam or just make some tasty smores without a fire.

Learn more: Mosswood Connections

28. Go on a Geocaching Adventure

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Using a handheld GPS device or smartphone, students will love finding treasures in all shapes and sizes. Some are camouflaged and others are off the beaten path, giving students a chance to explore the outdoors while discovering new trails and hidden gems.

Learn more: Parenting Chaos

29. Build a Smores Tower

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This food and design-themed tower challenge can be as easy or difficult as you like. Students can start by trying to hold four pieces of chocolate off the table and progress to adding more as they develop their construction skills.

Learn more: No Time for Flashcards

30. Measure the Height of a Tree

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Measure the height of a tree using some simple math tricks. This is an easy way to teach self-reliance and resourcefulness while practicing measurement skills.

Learn more: Science Sparks

31. Practice Addition With Rocks

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Manipulatives are a great way to enhance mathematical understanding. Why not create your own with rocks found in nature? This is a fantastic hands-on lesson for developing numeracy and counting skills.

Learn more: Creative Family Fun

32. Paint with Berries

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This hands-on art project is an engaging way for students to learn about nature and develop their scientific observation skills, all while creating their own art materials.

Learn more: Thriving STEM

33. Explore Symmetry in Nature

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Challenge your students to see how many examples of rotational and reflective symmetry they can find in the natural world. From pine cones to oak leaves to sunflowers, symmetry is everywhere. A simple extension activity can be to draw the objects they discover and identify their lines of symmetry.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy

Related posts:

Mastering Adverbs: 20 Engaging Activities To Boost Your Students' Language Skills
23 Inspiring Activities For Teaching Perseverance
20 Superb Self-Disclosure Activities 

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