Be sure to add these camping science activities for preschoolers to your next preschool camping theme! There are so many interesting and engaging ideas for your little scientists.
The camping-themed activities can be used in the classroom, at home, or even while out camping. Kids will feel like they are on an adventure as they soak up some important science concepts.
Below, you’ll find science activities related to animals, tents, pinecones, s’mores, and even more camping-related topics.
Related: Messy Science Experiments
To read more about each specific activity, click on the linked text. That will take you to the individual posts, where you’ll find more images and more details about the activities.
Materials for Camping Science Experiments
Here are some of the supplies used for the camping science activities for preschoolers (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Glass bowls
- Printer
- Toothpicks
- Aluminum foil
- Thermometer
- Paper roll
- Markers
- Silicone muffin liners
- Plastic bins
Related: Camping Theme Printables
You can, of course, add materials you already have on-hand if that’s better for you! Even better, get the kids involved in locating some of the items you’ll need. That’s a fun goal for nature walks!
Camping Science Activities for Preschoolers
Now let’s jump into the science-y camping fun!
Try a camping STEAM challenge that will definitely capture your children’s imaginations.
Help the kids with a DIY solar oven! This might be the coolest way ever to learn about harnessing the power of the sun! The bonus of a delicious snack (or rainbow crayons) doesn’t hurt either.
Teach the children about ice fishing to introduce them to the scientific method with a game-like experiment. They’ll learn all about how adding a little salt to ice affects its freezing point amid all the fun.
Set up some marshmallow science experiments for the children. Marshmallows immediately become healthy when used for science experiments, right?
Inspire your little astronomers to want to head outside every night with a moon journal printable. They’ll get to observe and record the phases of the moon for a whole month!
Kids are naturally fascinated by dirt, so this dirt science experiment needs to be added to your camping science activities for preschoolers. The kids will engage in a lot of learning as they become filthy, so it will make the resulting clean-up worth it!
An animal tracking activity appeals to kids’ love of animals! They can even play at making their own tracks along the way.
Let the kids have a blast observing and recording the changes that occur with pinecones in different temperatures with this pinecone science experiment.
Sink and float water play is an excellent way for kids to cool off as they conduct experiments on any and all nature materials they can find.
Any excuse to eat s’mores is a good one, so why not let the kids try out these solar s’mores?
Super Simple Camping Science Activities for Preschoolers
I love all of the ideas shared above, what about you? If you’re looking for some camping-themed science ideas that are even simpler, I’ve got you covered!
Start off by taking a five senses walk outside. You and the kids can pretend to be a group of scientists on a camping trip. Walk them through exploring with all of their senses. Don’t forget to bring a snack to enjoy while talking about the sense of taste. You could even do this as part of your recess or playground time.
Setup a nature walk with the children. You can let the kids bring clipboards and crayons or pencils along to record what they find. Or consider bringing a camera along to record what everyone sees on the walk. You can even set up a simple nature scavenger hunt if you’d like.
Work together to gather some natural items to add to your science center. Talk to the children about different things they might find when camping in the woods. If you have a safe wooded area nearby, go out with the kids to find some of those items (like pinecones, for instance).
Go on a bug hunt! Bring magnifying glasses or a camera. This is another time you can pretend to be camping scientists. If the kids love bugs, be sure to check out insect science activities for preschoolers for more ideas.
Create a life-size tent STEM challenge outside (or inside if you can’t get outside)! Use sheets or tarps for the tent material. Let the children use chairs, playground equipment, large sticks, or PVC pipes to build the “bones” of the tent. Just imagine all of the tent possibilities!
More Camping Ideas for Preschool
If the camping science activities for preschoolers were a hit with your kids, I bet they’ll enjoy these ideas too:
- S’mores on a Stick
- Lego Camping Lantern
- Camping Crafts for Preschoolers
- How to Make a Rock
- Camping Activities for Preschoolers
Be sure to save these ideas for your next camping plans! Pop over to my Camping Theme Pinterest board for even more ideas.
Done-For-You Preschool Resources
Let Preschool Teacher 101 make your teaching life easier with fully-developed, done-for-you preschool resources. That way you spend more time teaching and living your life, and less time planning!
Our camping lesson plans come with weekly plans, detailed daily lesson plans, book suggestions, whole group activities, small group lessons, center ideas, and related printables. Click on the image below to get your own:
Here are a few more products to make your teaching life a whole lot easier! Click on the images to check out each product:
And be sure to check out The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101. You can grab a sample lesson plan there and learn more about our membership for preschool teachers.
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