15 Exciting Kid’s Camping Books To Read This Summer

The lazy days of summer are the perfect time for camping, and this collection of kid’s camping books is the ideal way to prepare for your own adventure and enjoy this summer pastime from the comfort of your home. Today we are going to look at 15 exciting books about camping so your family can take on a new adventure without ever leaving home. 

Camping is a favorite summer activity for families who are looking to escape the daily grind and reconnect with nature. Whether that means heading to a campground or escpaing off in the woods, sleep in a tent or in an RV, it doesn’t matter – camping is about getting outside and enjoying a few days disconnected from life and hopefully, reconnecting with your family.

Our family often camps two or three times each summer and the kids especially enjoy our annual traditions around it. Some trips are to campgrounds, but our favorite trips are a bit more secluded. Either way, our kids love the adventure of exploring the great outdoors, building fires and working on survival skills, and bonding with family and friends. 

Summer Camping Fun

Camping is a great summer activity for all families. A bit dirty, perhaps, there’s something wonderful about loading up your family and heading off for a camping trip.

Many children enjoy working on camping skills and learning how to do things like pitch a tent, build a fire, and hike trails. And while kids may want to stay at the campground or in an RV all summer long, many families simply cannot make that work. 

However, kids’ camping books can help. Whether you are preparing your kids for their first camping trip, working on a camping unit study for homeschool, or simply trying to find some fun new bedtime books, kids camping books are a great source of family fun and learning opportunities. 

Learning From Camping Books

As a homeschool family, we are always looking to learn from books, and kids camping books are no exception. They foster a sense of wonder and curiosity, help with reading skills, and can even teach essential camping lessons. Building a love for the outdoors and recreation, camping books can can play a pivotal role in shaping the education of our children. 

Even if you are not a camping family, I highly encourage you to add camping and outdoor survival books to your family’s homeschool! Camping books for kids and teens come in various formats from activity guides and manuals to fiction stories that are set in the wilderness. Not only do these books help teach essential camping skills, but they can help inspire a love for the outdoors, nature, wildlife, and the environment. 

When selecting books for your home, you know your children best. Use the author or publisher’s recommendations, but never hesitate to look deeper into a book, preread it, or opt to pass on a title that you are unsure of. Consider whether the book is age-appropriate, if the child can handle the content, and if the book with keep your child’s attention. 

And don’t forget to include a range of topics, not just camping but camping-related and survival topics including campfire cooking, wildlife identification, campsite setup, water & fire safety, outdoor navigation, and first aid. 

If you really want to deep dive into books about camping and outdoor survival, be sure to connect with local outdoor organizations including Scouting and Junior Park Ranger programs. 

Use my Amazon shop to easily shop this whole list in one place!

Best Books About Camping for Kids

Now, let’s dive into our list of the best books about camping for kids! With only 15 titles to choose from, please know this is by no means an exclusive list. Just a place to start with some fun camping books and children’s books about camping that will help you with your summer reading. 

1. Flat Stanley Goes Camping

Flat Stanley is a paper-thin boy who helps young children learn all about the work and in this book, he’s heading outside for some camping fun!

2. Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping

One of the best camping books for kids is about non-other than Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping! This indoor-loving squirrel is looking for a camping adventure without the dirt, bugs, and mess we typically experience when sleeping outdoors. Can he do it? Find out with your kids in this amusing camping book for kids. 

3. Let Us Play I Spy Camping!

This entertaining & educational camping-themed picture book for kids is a great title for younger children. It’s a fantastic way to use picture books to introduce your children to camping and camping-related items and terms while also working on word recognition, following directions, and fine motor skills. I Spy Camping is definitely a fun book for introducing your younger kids to the fun andexcitement of camping. 

4. Maisy Goes Camping

A fun choice for introducing young kids to the joys of summer camping is Maisy Goes Camping. It’s an adorable and engaging book that’s lots of fun for younger readers. Follow Maisy and her friends as they head out on a camping trip filled with fun camping activities. Filled with vibrant images this title will quickly become your one of your child’s favorite camping books. 

5. The Kids Campfire Book: Official Book of Campfire Fun (Family Fun)

Let the outdoor adventure begin with The Kids Campfire Book, a must-have title for families looking to create camping memories to last a lifetime. Filled with great ideas for campfire stories, activities, songs, games, and even stargazing this is sure to become one of your family’s favorite camping books. Simple to read and easy to understand, this camping book for kids is perfect for helping your family find oodles of things to do while camping. 

6. Wilderness Survival Guide for Kids

The Wilderness Survival Guide for Kids is a must-have for young adventurers looking to acquire essential outdoor skills! Packed with a wealth of knowledge on essential skills including how to build a fire, first aid, building shelters, foraging for food, locating water, and more, this book is ideal for teaching your kids how to survive in the outdoors. 

Don’t let the “for kids” in the title fool you, this Wilderness Survival guide is perfect for any beginner looking to learn how to survive in the wilderness. 

7. S Is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet

A fun & delightful title, S is for S’mores is a camping-themed alphabet book that would be a great addition to any children’s library. Filled with educational content and engaging watercolor illustrations, S is for S’mores is a unique twist on both camping books as well as alphabet books. 

8. Curious George Goes Camping

Curious George always seems to find himself in peculiar situations, and that rings true in Curious George Goes Camping. Fall in love with this curious little monkey and his silly adventures alongside your children. Roast marshmallows by the campfire with George and his friends, set up a tent, unroll the sleeping bags, and settle in for a sweet story. 

9. The Seeking Tree

With its though-provoking message, The Seeking Tree is a delightful book to add to your home library. A must-have for young adventurers, this story teaches a valuable lesson, encouraging explorers to appreciate and recognize the importance of trees and plants and instilling a love of nature into your children. 

10. Pete the Cat Goes Camping

A fantastic book for young readers, Pete the Cat Goes Camping is perfect for introducing your little ones to kids camping books. This lighthearted and entertaining camping storybook is a surefire way to keep young readers engaged and eager to turn the page and find out just what Pete the Cat is up to. Part of the I Can Read Level 1 series, this book is perfect for early readers who are working on learning to read. 

11. Good Night Campsite (Good Night Our World)

Good Night Campsite is a great way to spark your child’s interest in camping and outdoor adventures! This charming book does a great job introducing your children to the world of camping by covering a wide range of camping-related tasks from setting up the campsite to roasting marshmallows. Filled with fun & colorful illustrations, this is a great book to pique your child’s interest. 

12. Camping Book for Little Kids: This Book Is A Campsite!

Make camping fun & exciting for younger kids when you add this interactive camping book for kids to your selection. Visually appealing illustrations help add a layer of fun, and the creative pages encourage kids to learn more about camping and the world of outdoor adventures. 

13. The Tent Mouse and The RV Mouse

In The Ten Mouse and the RV Mouse, we meet two cousins, Thomas and Harvey, who explore their different styles of camping. A delightfully crafted story, this charming tale is accompanied by beautiful illustrations showcasing the wonders of camping. 

14. Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids

Take your little campers on an adventure with Exploring Nature Activity Books for Kids! While you may not consider this title to be one of the perfect camping books, perhaps you will give it a chance, especially if you want your children to enjoy some of the beauty of nature! Packed with creative projects that are sure to capture your little camper’s attention, this activity book is a must-have if you are spending some time outside with kids. 

15. A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee is a delightful children’s camping book filled with humor and adventure! Your young camper will be instantly engaged with this catchy children’s rhyming book and beautifully illustrated story as Mr. Magee and his dog Dee set off for a camping trip that should be simple, but quickly turns into an adventure filled with new experiences. Be sure to read this classic title before your next camping trip!

Camping-Themed Books For Kids

I know that in our family, our own camping trips have been some of the best experiences over the years! 

Before you head out on your next family camping trip, be sure to give your kids some camping experience right from your living room with these fantastic camping books for kids! Your little camper will have so much fun learning how to camp whether you start with a beginner book or find something more advanced. 

Are You Looking For More Kid’s Books?

Be sure to check out our other articles all about children’s books.

• The 20 Best Rhyming Books for Kindergarten & Preschool
• 21 Captivating Children’s Chapter Books
• Reading List for Elementary Kids