Bring the outdoors indoors with camping-themed activities that will pair perfectly with a reading of WILD ABOUT CAMPING.
ANIMAL FOOTPRINT GUESSING GAME
Can you match the animal with its footprint? I’ve played this matching game in person using large print out images of animal tracks, and virtually on Zoom, and it’s been heaps of fun every time. To make the game a bit easier, make it multiple choice, like this version here, or have kids work in groups to brainstorm possible animals. Focus on animals that live in your part of the world, or shake things up with animals from all corners of the globe. However you play, kids will have a chance to learn about some of our wild neighbours on planet Earth.
CAMPFIRE SING ALONG
What’s a camping trip without a sing-along? Traditional campfire songs include Row, Row, Row Your Boat or I Love the Mountains (which is also available as a beautiful picture book). Why not try singing in a round, where one group of kids starts singing, with other groups joining in at staggered intervals? This Youtube channel has a playlist full of great campfire songs, and songs for singing in the round.
PAPER CAMPFIRE
Speaking of singing around the campfire – why not make a safe campfire that fits nicely in your library, classroom, living room or wherever else you might be camping indoors?
In their post for National Camping Month, Celebrate Picture Books walks you through making your own adorable paper and cardboard campfire, perfect for sharing spooky stories or singing silly songs around.
LEGO CAMPSITE BUILDING
If you’ve got a bin of LEGO sitting around like we do at my library, why not challenge kids to build their own camping scenes? Kids can create their own tents, campfires, trees, even woodland critters, using own LEGO pieces and their imaginations!
S’MORES
And of course, if your space allows food to be served, cap off your program with some delicious, heat-free “s’mores” treats using marshmallows, graham crackers (or crumbs) and either pieces of chocolate or chocolate syrup! Messy, sweet, sugary goodness – though you might want to leave this activity for the end of the program, lest you end up with a mess of chocolatey fingerprints, and sugar-fueled kiddos!
Looking for even more great camping storytime or circle time ideas? Check out these great blog posts!
Storytime Katie – Camping!
Storybook Stephanie – Camping
Library Joy – Camping Storytime
Literary Hoots – Flannel Friday: Camping
ACL Bayviews– Camping Storytime
No Time For Flash Cards – S’mores STEM Challenge
Do you love camping in the great outdoors? Or do you prefer staying in the great inside?