Whether you’re heading out to the campsite or hosting an indoor campout, get kids excited with one of these camping books for preschoolers.
Summer is a great time of year to have a campout. Add these picture books to your camping activities for preschoolers.
Camping Books for Preschoolers
Are you planning a camping trip or just dreaming of roasting marshmallows under the stars? These fun and friendly camping books are perfect for preschoolers!
They’re filled with exciting outdoor adventures, cute animal friends, and cozy campfire fun. Whether you’re snuggled up at home or out in a tent, these stories will spark your little one’s love for nature. Let’s take a peek at some of our favorite camping books for kids!
Let Us Play I Spy Camping!: A Fun Picture Guessing Game Book for Kids Ages 2-5 Year Old’s | Camping Theme
This book is like a fun hide-and-seek game with pictures. Your child can look at a busy campsite scene and find things like tents, flashlights, and marshmallows. It’s a happy way to learn new words and talk about camping stuff together.
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee: (Read Aloud Books, Series Books for Kids, Books for Early Readers) (Mr. Magee, MCGE)
They set off for a peaceful camping trip, but soon meet a very snack-hungry bear! Next thing you know, they’re sliding down hills, zooming on a river, and balancing near a waterfall. It’s an exciting, rhyming story that helps preschoolers learn about problem-solving and nature in a fun way.
A parent and child cuddle up in a cozy tent under a sky full of stars. They listen to nighttime sounds like crickets and owls while feeling safe and calm. This story is perfect for quiet moments before tucking little ones into bed.
Two good dog friends go off into the woods with their gear. They try things their own way, like pitching tents and catching fish, and each turns out a little silly and fun. It’s a gentle story that shows how buddies can do things differently and still enjoy the trip together.
A brave little bear sets off on a camping adventure all alone, with a cozy tent and a picnic basket. Along the way, bear learns about friendship and sharing when a tiny bug joins the fun. It's a happy reminder that unexpected friends can make a trip even better.
Oliver & Hopes Adventure Under the Stars: Meg Cadts: 9780989793797: Amazon.com: Books
It’s full of busy camping pictures where kids can search and spot different items. Little campers will enjoy saying the names out loud and learning as they play. It’s a cheerful way to talk about tents, campfires, and nature together.
A group of kids and families go out to the forest to camp and they count everything they see, from one tent to ten twinkling stars. The gentle rhymes help little ones learn numbers and discover nature step by step. It’s a wonderful mix of counting practice and outdoor adventure fun.
It walks through the alphabet with camping words—from “A is for Ax” to “Z is for Zebra” on the nature trail. The pages have clear pictures and fun little notes about gear, animals, and even park explorers. It’s a great way to learn letters while dreaming about campfires and trails.
Amazon.com: Biscuit Goes Camping (My First I Can Read): 9780062236937: Capucilli, Alyssa Satin, Schories, Pat: Books
A little mouse and a bear buddy wander through the woods as the sun sets, gathering cozy things like blankets and berries. They set up a snug tent and watch fireflies flicker as nighttime sounds begin. It’s a calm, comforting story that helps preschoolers feel cozy and ready for sleep under starry skies.
Families head out into the woods with backpacks, a colorful tent, and snacks in hand. Along the way, they sing silly campfire songs, explore forest paths, and spot birds and butterflies. It’s a lively story that brings the joy of outdoor play right off the pages.
A curious little fox and its friends head out into the woods to pitch a tent and make a home in the trees. They share snacks, tally up things they see, and enjoy cosy moments around a campfire as shadows grow long. It’s a heartwarming story about teamwork, sharing, and finding comfort in nature.
Maisy Goes Camping: A Maisy First Experience Book (Maisy First Experiences): Cousins, Lucy, Cousins, Lucy: 9780763643683: Amazon.com: Books
Mom and baby ducklings set out on a nature walk to find a perfect campsite. They splash in puddles, count flowers, and end their day snuggled under a leafy tent. It’s a sweet story that gently shows nature’s beauty and a family’s adventurous bond.
A little boy and his father sleep in a small tent under twinkling stars. They listen to nighttime sounds, like owls and wind, and share warm morning moments when the sun peeks up. It’s a gentle, loving story that wraps around you like a cozy blanket in the woods.
A Campfire Tail: Marsh, Sarah Glenn, Gómez, Ana: 9781454919933: Amazon.com: Books
A little family sets out into the woods with a cozy tent and picnic treats. They listen to bird songs, skip stones, and cuddle under a starry sky at bedtime. It’s a warm, loving story that brings the calm of nature to young listeners.
Look for books with simple words, fun pictures, and themes about nature, friendship, or trying new things. Stories with animals, counting, or rhyming are also a big hit. Bonus if it includes things your little one might see on a real camping trip, like tents, bugs, or campfires!
Can I read camping books even if we’re not going camping?
Absolutely! These books are a great way to explore the outdoors from your living room or classroom. They help spark imagination and can even help your child feel more confident about camping when the time comes.
How can I make reading these books more fun?
Try setting up a pretend campsite with blankets and flashlights while you read. You can even pack a “camp snack” like trail mix and sing a song after the story. It makes the whole experience more playful and memorable!
Camping books are such a fun way to bring the outdoors to your little one, whether you’re getting ready for a real adventure or just pretending at home. These stories help preschoolers learn about nature, friendship, and trying new things, all while snuggled up with a good book. So grab a flashlight, build a blanket tent, and enjoy some cozy storytime together. Happy camping and happy reading!
Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.
