Search
Close this search box.

Share what kind of mom you are!

Get to know other mom types!

Indoor Camping Ideas for Kids

Ever promised your family a backyard camping adventure without checking the weather forecast first? Thunder and lightning can ruin your outdoor plans, but just because it’s raining doesn’t mean the fun of camping gets washed away. Grab the pillows, jammies, and sleeping bags and enjoy the great indoors for an easy summer camp out—we mean, camp in! Here are 3 tips to make your night memorable.

1. Set up your campsite.

Just because you’re not outside doesn’t mean you can’t make it feel like a grand getaway. Grab some large blankets or sheets. Drape them over chairs to create a “tent”. Shove all your sleeping bags (if you have them) under the tent. Gather flashlights and a good adventure book to get your imagination going. Enjoy it! This is dirt-free camping. Carpet is way more comfortable than laying on tree roots, right?

2. Let the games begin!

After you’ve set up your tent, try out a few of these fun camping games:

  • Noah’s Ark

This memory game is popular with younger kids. Everyone sits in a circle and takes turns listing animals in Noah’s Ark in alphabetical order. The first person says, “I’m going on Noah’s Ark and I’m bringing two apes.” The next person says what the first person brought and adds something else to it, such as, “I’m going on Noah’s Ark and I’m bringing two apes and two birds.” The game continues around the circle with everyone reciting the list in order and adding their own animals. If you make a mistake, you’re out of the game, and you must move out of the circle. The last person in the circle wins.

  • Murder in the Dark

This interactive game is popular with older kids. Place scraps of paper for the number of people playing in a bowl. One scrap has a black dot, one scrap has a star, and the other scraps of paper are blank. Everyone draws a scrap of paper and keeps it to themselves. The murderer is the one who draws the black dot and the detective is the one who draws the star. Those campers with the blank scraps of paper are the potential victims. The murderer must wink at the other campers to “kill” them without the detective noticing; however, once they receive the wink, they may die so all can see—without revealing the murderer. The game ends when the detective catches the murderer or the murderer kills everyone except the detective.

  • Flashlight Story Hour

Turn off the lights and tell interactive bedtime stories. Maybe one will even feature a ghost or two! Gage how scary you want these stories to be based on the age of your little ones. Don’t want to risk nightmares? Use a flashlight to make different shadow puppets on the wall instead.

3. Make s’mores.

Yes! It’s possible to do indoors without the roaring campfire. To make the S’mores, you can either roast the marshmallows over your gas stovetop or cook them in the microwave (but be careful that you don’t overheat, they will explode!).

  1. Place 1 square graham cracker on a paper towel.
  2. Top with chocolate and a marshmallow.
  3. Microwave on high for 15 seconds or until the marshmallow puffs.
  4. Remove from the microwave and cover with another square graham cracker.

When the weather clears up, you can always move the camping fun outdoors again. Make sure to keep the adventures going with some great outside fun!

What is your favorite part about camping?

ASK YOUR CHILD...

Why do you think camping makes such fun memories? What do you think would be your favorite thing about camping?

Get daily motherhood

ideas, insight, &inspiration

to your inbox!

Search