The Best Campground Books For Kids
Are you gearing up for your next camping trip or simply want to help spark your child’s interest in being outside? Luckily, there are tons of captivating campground books that will keep them engaged.
My two favorite campground books for kids, Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping and Don’t Feed the Bear, are two excellent introductions to camping while teaching your child valuable life lessons. They make great additions to any child’s library!
1. Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping
Amelia Bedelia is one of America’s beloved housekeepers. She takes everything said to her literally, often leading to hilarious outcomes.
When the Rogers family ventures outdoors for a camping trip, their maid is an ideal companion. She has plenty of tasks to keep her occupied while they explore nature’s splendors; such as catching fish, pitching tents, rowing boats and learning how to pack sleeping bags properly.
Pitching a tent isn’t quite the same as tossing it into the bushes, and catching fish with your hands bare is much harder than you might think. Amelia Bedelia once again has her work cut out for her in this latest adventure from the beloved alphabet book series.
Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping is an engaging book to read aloud to children. It’s funny and clever at the same time, sure to spark their imaginations and make them want to go camping on their own! As an I Can Read Level 2 book, Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping is perfect for early readers who aren’t quite ready for full-on chapter books yet. Plus, its rhyming text helps teach vocabulary while the illustrations are stunning!
2. Don’t Feed the Bear
A park ranger reminds campers not to feed the bear, yet the large brown bear enjoys leaving treats behind for his favorite visitors. When he spots the ranger installing a sign that reads “Don’t Feed the Bear,” he is less than pleased and posts his own sign instead: “Don’t Feed The Ranger.”
As their signs compete for attention, the park ranger and bear engage in a playful battle of words that will have kids laughing for hours!
This book is an excellent tool to teach kids about the harmony that exists between humans and animals. It also encourages them to keep trash out of their backpacks and prevent throwing it in their tents.
Though it may seem like a silly story, Don’t Feed the Bear is an effective way to teach your child about the danger of feeding wild animals. Studies have shown that feeding black bears can actually make them more aggressive and dangerous as they learn to associate people with food and may come close to you in order to obtain it.
This book is perfect for kids as it’s a quick read that teaches proper camping behavior. Written in an accessible rhyming pattern, it’s simple for them to follow along with the storyline.
3. Little Critter Goes Camping
In this beloved Mercer Mayer book, Little Critter goes camping with his dad. From canoeing to fishing, this heartwarming tale will have your children eagerly anticipating their own family camping trips.
This wordless book is an ideal read-aloud option for reluctant readers or kids who prefer visual stories. It encourages kids to use their imagination while teaching them spatial relationships and the value of letting go and letting their inner child shine through.
This story’s words are inspiring and motivating, encouraging kids to be brave, try new things, and believe they can achieve anything. It makes an excellent read-aloud for any day of the year – guaranteed to get kids excited to go outside!
Explorers of the Wild is an engaging adventure story about a boy and bear who begin as rivals but eventually meet up. Through their shared experiences, they become best friends, providing kids with valuable lessons about companionship and trusting other creatures in nature. This book makes an excellent teaching tool to encourage kids to embrace their inner animal-spirits!
This book is one of our top picks to teach kids the value of staying close to nature and being open to new experiences. It’s especially beneficial for kids who struggle with anxiety or fear in different environments, as it encourages them to be brave and keep an open mind.
4. Camping Catastrophe
Camping Catastrophe, by Abby Klein, is an engaging book that will educate kids on the top campgrounds in America. It also boasts stunning illustrations to go along with its storyline.
The best part of this activity is that it encourages kids to think about their own outdoor adventures while teaching them about nature’s wonders. Furthermore, it instills respect and honesty within their relationships.
This humorous children’s book is perfect for young readers who are just learning how to cope with change. Its short chapter-by-chapter quizzes provide extra support and understanding for struggling readers who might experience difficulty understanding longer reading passages in real life.
Additionally, camping teaches kids that what may appear to be a small victory is actually the beginning of an incredible journey. The best camping books will equip children with tools for dealing with their fears while teaching them to appreciate nature’s beauty and wonder.
Active Weekender editors and contributors have identified several books as the top camping books for kids, such as:
5. Camping with Mr. Magee and Dee
Camping trips provide children with a wonderful opportunity to explore nature. They can roast marshmallows over the campfire and watch the sun set over a waterfall – but things could get interesting when an hungry bear shows up!
In this rhyming story, Mr. Magee and his dog Dee set off on a camping trip with the intention of enjoying nature – until a bear attempts to steal their marshmallows!
Chris Van Dusen’s charming rhyming tale features vibrant characters in an easy-to-read format that will delight readers of all ages. A great read-aloud, it will surely appeal to young readers everywhere!
It is an ideal choice for remedial or reluctant readers, helping to reinforce reading skills and confidence. The story has some suspenseful elements combined with vibrant rhyme, making it ideal for children learning how to read.
This book is perfect for classrooms, with its straightforward text and stunning illustrations. You might even get inspired to create a camping-themed lesson plan!
This is a fun story for toddlers who are ready to explore nature. It may have some language which may be too advanced for younger kids, but older readers will enjoy every minute of their adventure!
6. The Camping Alphabet
Camping is an exhilarating and fun activity for kids to do, and the best way to get them excited about it is by reading books about it. These books can introduce them to all of the fun of camping and help them prepare for their first trip.
The Camping Alphabet takes readers on an A-Z journey to uncover all about this beloved American pastime. With stunning illustrations, this book is ideal for introducing little ones to all the excitement of camping.
This book is ideal for children just beginning to read, or parents wanting their little one to hone their reading skills. It features simple rhymes and an alphabet theme that will motivate kids to learn their ABCs.
A girl embarks on her first camping trip and she’s quite nervous. However, it quickly turns out to be more exciting than she anticipated – she meets new people, makes new friends, and even gets scared in the night!
Rhyming storybook perfect for young readers and an enjoyable bedtime read, this book also makes a great resource for teachers to teach kids the different ways they can write letters. A must-have addition to any classroom or home library!