Here are some camping themed party ideas for boys and girls. If you’re planning camping birthday party games such as camping bingo, scavenger hunts, or backyard glamping, you’ll find plenty of ideas here for food, activities, decorations, and favors to make the day memorable.
I love creating new birthday party themes, and with a June birthday approaching I chose a camping themed party. It’s a fun, budget-friendly option that works well for boys and girls and can be adapted to a backyard afternoon, a mock sleepover, or a glamping night under the stars. Below are easy food ideas, activities, and decorating tips to help you plan.
Camping Themed Birthday Party
A camping themed birthday is versatile and affordable. You can keep it simple with a few tents and sleeping bags in the backyard or go all out with teepees, string lights, and DIY camp-style decor. Kids love the novelty of “camping” at home, and parents appreciate how easy many of these concepts are to set up.
Options include: a daytime backyard celebration, a mock sleepover that ends before bedtime, or a full glamping experience with cozy bedding and themed treats. Games, printable activities, and homemade snacks make the event feel special without needing professional help.
Set up tents or teepees, lay out sleeping bags and pillows, and create a faux campfire spot for storytelling and games. If you prefer not to sleep over, run the evening activities and have guests picked up before bedtime. Many of the needed decorations and props can be found in garages or made quickly with inexpensive supplies.
Send themed invitations that set the tone and give guests a hint of the fun to come.
Camping Party Food Ideas
Food is a big part of the fun. Many camping-themed treats can be prepared ahead of time or assembled during the party so kids feel involved.
- S’mores in the oven – an easy, safe way to serve s’mores without an open flame.
- S’mores in a jar – layered jars are portable and eliminate the need for a campfire.
- Garlic Parmesan pigs in a blanket – simple and kid-friendly for a meal or snack.
- Mason jar dirt pudding – a playful dessert that kids enjoy discovering.
- S’mores poke cake – an easy, crowd-pleasing cake option with campfire flavors.
- Trail mix – quick to prepare in bulk and customizable with favorite mix-ins.
- Campfire cupcakes – set up as a decorating activity so kids can create their own mini “campfires.”
- Cake toppers and themed servingware – an easy way to make a simple cake look themed and festive.
These ideas can be mixed and matched depending on how hands-on you want guests to be. A dessert table with a variety of s’mores treats is a fun focal point for the party.
Camping Themed Party Games
Games bring the theme to life. Whether you’re hosting a mock sleepover or a full sleepover, set up tents and plan a mix of free and low-cost activities.
Popular activities include:
- Camping scavenger hunt — create a list of nature items or themed clues for kids to find, either individually or in teams.
- Making mud dough or brown slime — tactile activities like these are great for sensory play and keep kids entertained.
- Printable camping charades — a classic, low-prep game that many kids haven’t tried before.
- Nature I SPY or scavenger hunts — printable lists make the activity easy to run and reuse.
- Glow ring toss onto an inflatable campfire prop — a simple, visually fun game for evening play.
Camping Bingo Game
Camping bingo is an easy, quiet activity that works well indoors or outdoors. Create bingo cards with camp-themed images or words, and offer small prizes for winners. Variations like rainbow bingo or nature bingo keep things fresh and inclusive for different age groups.
Other game ideas include classic playground games adapted for a camping vibe and longer outdoor activities if you’re hosting a summer night event.
Decorations
Decorations can be budget-friendly and creative. Try paper pennants with woodland designs, DIY tin lanterns, camp signs, and simple camp-style tableware.
- DIY teepees or purchased teepee tents — perfect for a cozy photo area or nap spot that can later become a reading nook.
- Tent-shaped pinata — use scavenger-hunt-found sticks to add to the adventure when it’s time to break it open.
- Tin lanterns or battery-operated lanterns — safe lighting that adds atmosphere for evening play.
- Camp signs and simple wooden props — easy to create and reuse for future parties.
- Themed favor boxes — small take-home packages with a camping touch make a nice send-off.
- Disposable plates and napkins in nature-inspired patterns — convenient and keeps cleanup simple.
Many of these ideas work just as well indoors, especially when weather or space is limited. For summer events, add outdoor activities like a nature hike, water games, or a backyard bonfire (where allowed and supervised).
Indoor Camping Birthday Party Ideas
Indoor camping can be just as fun and less dependent on weather. Create a faux campfire circle, set up tents or blanket forts, and plan hands-on activities you’d normally do outdoors.
- Build a s’mores dessert table with different takes on the classic: cupcakes, jars, and poke cakes to sample.
- Teach a simple camp cooking trick, like baking a muffin or cooking an egg in a paper bag over a controlled heat source with careful adult supervision — a fun demonstration that feels like a camping skill.
Indoor events are ideal when you want to control timing, seating, and food prep while still delivering the excitement of a camping adventure.
