Camping STEM Activities: 20 Fun and Educational Outdoor Activities for Kids

Camping is a fun and educational way for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the great outdoors. Whether you’re a toy brand, training organization, activity provider, distributor, wholesaler, or importer of gifts and toys, you can use these camping STEM activities to provide children with a unique and valuable experience.

Here are 20 fun and educational camping STEM activities that you can try:

1. Build a Shelter

Challenge kids to build a shelter using only natural materials they find in the great outdoors. This activity helps children understand the science of structures and the importance of teamwork. Encourage kids to think critically about the materials they use and how they can be used to build a sturdy and safe shelter.

Products and accessories needed: rope, tent stakes, tarps, hammocks, sleeping bags

Approximate budget: $50-$150

2. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Organize a nature scavenger hunt where kids have to find and identify different plants, animals, and insects. This activity teaches children about the biodiversity of the environment and the importance of preserving it. Encourage kids to take pictures of the items they find and learn about their habitats and behaviors.

Products and accessories needed: binoculars, magnifying glasses, field guides

Approximate budget: $20-$50

3. Star Gazing

Take the kids on a star-gazing adventure and teach them about the night sky. Show them how to identify constellations and learn about the stars and planets. Encourage kids to ask questions and use their imagination to create stories about the stars and planets.

Products and accessories needed: telescopes, star maps, star charts

Approximate budget: $100-$500

4. Water Experimentation

Organize a water experimentation activity where kids can learn about the properties of water and how it behaves in different environments. Encourage kids to think critically about the different experiments they conduct and to observe and record their findings.

Products and accessories needed: plastic containers, droppers, food coloring

Approximate budget: $10-$30

5. Build a Fire

Teach kids how to safely build and maintain a fire. This activity helps children understand the science of combustion and the importance of following safety guidelines. Encourage kids to think critically about the materials they use and how they can be used to start a fire.

Products and accessories needed: fire starter, firewood, fire pit

Approximate budget: $20-$50

6. Geocaching

Organize a geocaching adventure where kids have to find hidden caches using GPS coordinates. This activity teaches children about navigation and problem-solving. Encourage kids to think critically about the clues they find and to use their teamwork skills to find the caches.

Products and accessories needed: GPS devices, geocaching containers

Approximate budget: $50-$150

7. Plant Identification

Organize a plant identification activity where kids have to find and identify different plants in the great outdoors. This activity teaches children about botany and the importance of preserving the environment. Encourage kids to think critically about the plants they find and to learn about their habitats and behaviors.

Products and accessories needed: plant field guides, magnifying glasses

Approximate budget: $20-$50

8. Bird Watching

Organize a bird-watching activity where kids have to find and identify different birds in the great outdoors. This activity teaches children

about ornithology and the importance of preserving the environment. Encourage kids to think critically about the birds they see and to learn about their habitats and behaviors.

Products and accessories needed: binoculars, bird field guides

Approximate budget: $20-$50

9. Building a Solar Oven

Challenge kids to build a solar oven using only materials they find in the great outdoors. This activity teaches children about solar energy and the science of heat transfer. Encourage kids to think critically about the materials they use and how they can be used to build a functional solar oven.

Products and accessories needed: cardboard boxes, aluminum foil, plastic wrap

Approximate budget: $10-$30

10. Compasses and Map Reading

Teach kids how to use compasses and read maps to navigate in the great outdoors. This activity teaches children about navigation and problem-solving. Encourage kids to think critically about the information they find on maps and to use their teamwork skills to navigate to their destination.

Products and accessories needed: compasses, maps, map reading guides

Approximate budget: $20-$50

11. Survival Skills

Teach kids basic survival skills such as shelter building, fire starting, and water purification. This activity teaches children about the importance of self-sufficiency and problem-solving. Encourage kids to think critically about the skills they learn and how they can be used in real-life situations.

Products and accessories needed: camping stove, water filtration system, emergency shelter

Approximate budget: $100-$500

12. Rock Climbing

Organize a rock climbing activity where kids can learn about the sport and its safety guidelines. This activity teaches children about strength, endurance, and teamwork. Encourage kids to think critically about the techniques they use and to use their problem-solving skills to climb to the top.

Products and accessories needed: rock climbing gear, harnesses, ropes

Approximate budget: $100-$500

13. Fishing

Organize a fishing activity where kids can learn about the sport and its rules and regulations. This activity teaches children about patience, problem-solving, and the importance of preserving the environment. Encourage kids to think critically about the techniques they use and to use their teamwork skills to catch fish.

Products and accessories needed: fishing gear, bait, fishing licenses

Approximate budget: $50-$150

14. Photography

Organize a photography activity where kids can learn about the art and its techniques. This activity teaches children about composition, lighting, and creativity. Encourage kids to think critically about the images they capture and to use their imagination to create unique and interesting photos.

Products and accessories needed: digital cameras, tripods, camera bags

Approximate budget: $100-$500

15. Hiking

Organize a hiking activity where kids can learn about the sport and its safety guidelines. This activity teaches children about endurance, navigation, and the importance of preserving the environment. Encourage kids to think critically about the trail they hike and to use their teamwork skills to reach their destination.

Products and accessories needed: hiking gear, water bottles, first-aid kits

Approximate budget: $50-$150

Organize a biking activity where kids can learn about the sport and its safety guidelines. This activity teaches children about balance, endurance, and teamwork. Encourage kids to think critically about the trail they bike and to use their problem-solving skills to navigate obstacles.

Products and accessories needed: bicycles, helmets, bike locks

Approximate budget: $100-$500

17. Beachcombing

Organize a beachcombing activity where kids can learn about the shoreline and its inhabitants. This activity teaches children about marine biology and the importance of preserving the environment. Encourage kids to think critically about the items they find and to use their imagination to create stories about their discoveries.

Products and accessories needed: beach buckets, beach towels, sunscreen

Approximate budget: $20-$50

18. Kayaking

Organize a kayaking activity where kids can learn about the sport and its safety guidelines. This activity teaches children about balance, endurance, and teamwork. Encourage kids to think critically about the water they kayak and to use their problem-solving skills to navigate obstacles.

Products and accessories needed: kayaks, life jackets, paddles

Approximate budget: $100-$500

19. Archery

Organize an archery activity where kids can learn about the sport and its safety guidelines. This activity teaches children about aim, precision, and teamwork. Encourage kids to think critically about their technique and to use their problem-solving skills to improve their aim.

Products and accessories needed: archery equipment, targets, arrows

Approximate budget: $100-$500

20. Orienteering

Organize an orienteering activity where kids have to navigate to a series of checkpoints using a map and compass. This activity teaches children about navigation and problem-solving. Encourage kids to think critically about the information they find on maps and to use their teamwork skills to navigate to the checkpoints.

Products and accessories needed: compasses, maps, map reading guides

Approximate budget: $20-$50

These 20 camping STEM activities provide children with a fun and educational experience that they’ll never forget. By incorporating these activities into your camping trips, you’ll provide children with a unique and valuable experience that will encourage them to learn about science and technology in the great outdoors.

So, if you’re a toy brand, training organization, activity provider, distributor, wholesaler, or importer of gifts and toys, consider incorporating these camping STEM activities into your offerings. Your customers will appreciate the unique and valuable experience that you provide, and your kids will love learning about science and technology in the great outdoors!