These indoor camping ideas are tons of fun for kids when you can’t get outdoors for a traditional camping trip adventure.
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You don’t have to go far – or even go outdoors – to plan a fun family camping adventure. Make camping at home fun with indoor camping ideas kids will love. Set up a campsite in your living room, plan a few of the best activities to do while camping, and have fun at home.
Whether your kids are a bit young for traditional camping or you’re looking for an easy indoor activity this summer, your whole family can have fun.
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Tents and sleeping bags
If you have a tent that can safely be set up indoors, go ahead and set it up. Even if you can’t use a tent, roll out the sleeping bags or an air mattress and sleep on the floor. Have the kids set up a makeshift tent from blankets and furniture for reading, snacks, or just playtime.
Turn off the lights
Part of the joy of camping for kids is getting to use flashlights after dark. Turn off the lights and set up lanterns or use flashlights. You could even string up some fairy lights around the room to pretend they’re stars.
DIY lanterns
You could even make your own lanterns, like this recycled DIY lantern from Barley and Birch that uses an electric tea light.
Pretend campfire
Build a pretend campfire, like this one from Merriment Design, and set up camping chairs to sit around it. You could even make the supplies for pretend play s’mores.
Virtual adventure
Have a virtual adventure in your living room by watching a movie or documentary. Choose a camping-theme movie (like Camp Nowhere or The Parent Trap) or choose a documentary about the natural world (Like the Disneynature series).
Simple games
For some screen-free fun, bring out a deck of cards, dominoes, or another game your family loves. Bicycle Cards has a long list of rules for games that can be played with a regular deck. Younger kids can learn classics like Go Fish or Old Maid and older ones will enjoy Trash or Spoons.
Camping charades
Just because you’re not out in the wilderness doesn’t mean you can pretend you are! Play a game of camping charades, like this version from The Crazy Outdoor Mama, that has prompts like “act like a bear.”
DIY binoculars
Save toilet roll tubes ahead of time and make this cute pair of paper binoculars from Surviving a Teachers Salary. Your kids can use them to explore indoors, watch birds out the windows, or play a game of I Spy.
Camping yoga
Get your kids moving and stretching with a few fun camping yoga poses. Pink Oatmeal has ideas for kid-friendly poses that are based on traditional ones.
Indoor fishing
With a little prep, you can enjoy many of your favorite camping activities indoors. Mama Papa Bubba has a cute idea for indoor fishing that you can make with household items.
Camping photo craft
This camping photo craft idea at Simply Learning Kids is too cute. Snap a few photos of your kids, then use a template to make a camping scene.
Toothpick challenge
If you stocked up on marshmallows to make s’mores, use a bag for this creative toothpick challenge, via Play Teach Repeat.
If you had to cancel a family camping trip that was planned, camping indoors at home might be a good alternative. Whether it’s your backup plan or the only plan, your family is sure to have fun with these ideas.
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