Are you a fan of camping activities for preschoolers and kindergarten kids? If so, you’ll love this collection of camping art projects!
You can integrate the camping art ideas into your camping lesson plans, as well as your summer camp activities. Of course, you can really use them any time of the year! Below, you’ll find art projects focused on tents, lightning bugs, nature, and more.
The camping-themed art delves into multiple art techniques, too! Plus, you can easily make adjustments to the art activities based on the ages and needs of your students.
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Related: Art Projects for Kids
I don’t know if it’s the sounds, sights, independence, or connecting with nature. But there’s something so special about going camping. And since we can’t always take an entire class of preschoolers on a camping trip, these art projects are a good way to give the kids a little taste of that experience.
Why Include Art in Your Camping Theme?
I, personally, think art should be included in all of our preschool themes. It’s a great way for kids to practice several important skills, have their sensory needs met, and have fun. Not to mention, it’s great for self-expression.
However, when it comes to a camping theme in particular, there’s a really easy way to make art fun. And that’s by including some natural materials in your projects. For instance, you can use rocks, sticks, or tree bark to paint. Alternatively, you can also paint ON rocks, sticks, and tree bark. And those are just a few ideas. The opportunities really are endless.
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Another reason I love doing camping art projects is because it’s a great way to foster a love and appreciation of the outdoors. And it’s always so interesting to see the ways in which the beauty and serenity of nature inspires our littlest artists.
Materials for the Camping Art
There are so many different avenues to take if you’re looking for camping-themed art. Essentially, it’s any art related to forests, trees, tents, s’mores, or campfires! So, it’s no surprise that many of the supplies for this type of art are harvested from nature.
With that said, there are a few specific supplies that will come in handy for those spur-of-the-moment camping art projects. Here are some ideas (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Tempera paint
- Watercolor paint
- Watercolor paper
- Construction paper
- Oil pastels
- Paintbrushes
- Liquid glue
- Marshmallows
- Acorns
- Sticks
- Rocks
- Tree bark
I’ve just listed a few supplies I’ve used for various camping art projects. Your list of materials will change based on the activity you choose. Remember to click on each link below for detailed directions and lists of supplies.
Camping Art Projects
Below are some of my favorite art activities related to camping. Be sure to click on the links for more details about each project.
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Children experiment with a variety of art supplies, like oil pastels and watercolor paints, as they design, draw, and paint their campfire watercolor painting projects!
This edible marshmallow art project allows students to learn about color theory by mixing and designing with cake decorating gels. Consider roasting the marshmallows once the designs are complete. Then the kids can investigate how the heat affects the marshmallows and their designs.
If you’re looking for a fun, camping-themed process art idea, consider painting with marshmallows! Just save a few marshmallows for the kids to munch on after immersing themselves in the process of creating.
Students use their critical thinking skills as they work together to plan and create this marshmallow painting collaborative art project.
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Students put their design skills to use as they engage in some creative sensory play with the DIY cardboard tent craft. Once the paint dries, let the kids engage in camping pretend play!
Let the kids use their hands and fingers to create this firefly-surrounded campfire handprint craft! It even comes with a handy template.
Have the children use a familiar item in a novel way with the super-simple foil painted campfire craft.
Students focus on line formation (a very important early writing skill!) and print making as they create a magical mark making forest!
Recycle cardboard tubes and use them to create the shapes in this big bug art invitation. Then let the kids practice line formation to add extra details and some personality to the cute bugs.
Camping Art Using Natural Materials
Instead of simply drawing inspiration from the great outdoors, each of the camping art projects in this section incorporate natural elements into the art.
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Calling all rock-loving kids! Save a few washing machines by having the kids bring in their pockets’ full of rocks for a rock painting activity!
Repurpose marbles or smooth pebbles as an art utensil in this rolling rock painting process art project, perfect for a camping theme.
Combine art and sensory play with a nature painting using tree bark. The wood grain on the under side of the tree bark is sure to inspire unique patterns and designs.
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Add a touch of whimsy to the classroom with a painted branch. In this collaborative art project, students will work together to make a masterpiece all while building a stronger sense of community in the classroom.
I love planning artist-inspired art projects. After teaching the kids all about Henry Rousseau’s jungle fantasy artistic style, let the kids create their own nature-inspired process art.
Take a nature walk with students to gather acorns and capules (little acorn hats). Then head back to the class to stamp, roll, and swipe paint-covered acorns across the canvas in this acorn painting process art idea.
Have fun creating nature art with kids! Take the kids out and let them gather natural materials, like leaves, acorns, twigs, tree bark, and flowers before heading to a picnic table to create a multi-media collage.
Which camping art projects are you excited to try with your class? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
More Camping-Themed Ideas for Kids
Art is one of my, personal, favorite things to do with kids. And each of these camping art projects is sure to be tons of fun! But there are so many other ways to build on a preschool camping theme, too. Here are some non-art, camping activities for the kids:
- S’mores on a Stick camping snack
- Nature Explorer Kits
- Camping Science Activities for Preschoolers
- Indoor Camping Activities
- I Spy Camping Free Printable
- Practical Life Camping Activities
- Campfire Calendar Numbers
- Camping Books for Little Learners
- Camping Playdough Mats
There are many hands-on and engaging activities to choose from. And all with a camping theme! I’d be willing to bet that you can fill two weeks worth of camping lesson plans with these activities alone.
Camping Lesson Plans
Let my sister site, Preschool Teacher 101, help with your planning! Our mission is to save preschool and kindergarten teachers time by providing them with meaningful lesson plans and teaching resources.
Explore reading, math, science, art, and sensory activities with our comprehensive Camping Lesson Plans. Click on the image below to learn more about this product:
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The fun doesn’t have to end there! Take a look at some of our other product offerings that go hand-in-hand with a camping theme by clicking on the images below:
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You can also find us on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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