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Best Camping Books for Kids of 2024

Last Updated: February 11, 2023
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There’s truly nothing better than introducing your children to the great outdoors. But, when you can’t get away from home for the weekend, a great camping book for kids is the next best bet.

With so many different kids camping books to choose from, though, it can be hard to decide on just one that’s right for you. So, to help you out, here are 16 of our favorite children’s camping books to spice up your bedtime routine.

1. Don’t Feed The Bear - Kathleen Doherty

Don’t Feed The Bear - Kathleen Doherty on white background
Don’t Feed The Bear - Kathleen Doherty
Bear loves his snacks, but what trouble will he get into next?
Hungry Bear and a park ranger go head to head in a hysterical tale of what happens when unsuspecting campers feed the wildlife.
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Yum, yum, yum - chocolate chip cookies, mac and cheese, and even meatball stew are just some of the many things that Bear likes to eat at his local campground. But, when Bear spends too much time wandering around the campground in search of food, a park ranger takes it upon herself to get fellow campers to stop feeding this boisterous ursine so many sweet treats.

Of course, these efforts don’t make hungry Bear happy. So, the duo end up embroiled in a hysterical battle to see whether Bear can eat his campground sweets after all or if he’ll have to find his food in the forest like everyone else.
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2. Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping - Mélanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping - Mélanie Watt on white background
Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping - Mélanie Watt
One nervous squirrel’s attempt to see the world
When someone as afraid as Scaredy Squirrel attempts to experience the world beyond his tree, he gets into endless shenanigans that are sure to make you laugh.
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Scaredy Squirrel isn’t exactly the bravest of woodland creatures, but he decides to pack up all his most important supplies and venture out into a nearby campground to see the natural world. After preparing and planning for every conceivable danger, Scaredy squirrel sets off just beyond the safety of his home tree for an epic - but safe - adventure of watching movies about camping from the comfort of a television set.

However, his plans to watch the outdoors on TV falter quickly when he realizes that there are no outlets to be found in the great outdoors. In an attempt to find an outlet to power his television, Scaredy Squirrel ends up dealing with countless obstacles, proving to himself that he is brave enough to enjoy the world beyond his tree, after all.
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3. Flat Stanley Goes Camping - Jeff Brown

Flat Stanley Goes Camping - Jeff Brown on white background
Flat Stanley Goes Camping - Jeff Brown
Everyone’s favorite flat adventurer heads outside
Flat Stanley’s travels continue into the outdoors with this next installment in Jeff Brown’s famous children's book series.
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Flat Stanley is back for more adventures in this installment of his globetrotting saga. In Flat Stanley Goes Camping, we tag along as Stanley and the entire Lambchop family head out on a camping trip in the woods.

Things get a little frightening, though, when Stanley and his brother, encounter a skunk and run off to try to avoid its stinky spray. They soon find themselves teetering on the very edge of a large cliff, left to figure their own way out of yet another sticky situation.
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4. Goodnight, Campsite - Loretta Sponsler

Goodnight, Campsite - Loretta Sponsler on white background
Goodnight, Campsite - Loretta Sponsler
An outdoorsy take on the classic children’s book
Perfect for young readers that are itching to get outdoors, this book introduces kids to the wide world of camping fun.
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Goodnight, Campsite is a modern-day spin-off of the classic Goodnight, Moon that takes us on a journey of the wide and wonderful world of campgrounds. The book starts out with a daytime exploration of a beautiful nature park and then shows us how the natural world becomes a dynamic and vibrant place when the sun sets.

Perfect for preschool-aged kids that love animals, plants, and outdoor scenery, Goodnight, Campsite is a great way to improve early literacy skills and get excited about camping, all at the same time.
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5. A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee - Chris Van Dusen

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee - Chris Van Dusen on white background
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee - Chris Van Dusen
A great mix of humor and challenge for young readers to enjoy
For a quick chuckle before bed, follow Mr. Magee and his sidekick Dee on their latest attempt to go on an adventure in the outdoors.
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Mr. Magee and his trusty dog Dee are back at it in their second book. The duo are enjoying a relaxing camping trip when a marshmallow-loving bear stumbles into camp and spices things up a bit.

Charming and humorous, A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee follows this adventurous pair as they barrel down a river, tumble down a mountain, and find themselves on the very slippery edge of a waterfall. Along the way, they have to learn how to overcome obstacles and get them out of this precarious situation so they can get back to sitting around a crackling fire in camp.
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6. Oliver & Hope’s Adventure Under The Stars - Meg Cadts

Oliver & Hope’s Adventure Under The Stars - Meg Cadts on white background
Oliver & Hope’s Adventure Under The Stars - Meg Cadts
The much-awaited sequel to a fan-favorite children’s book
Explore new worlds and exciting adventures during Oliver and Hope’s latest attempt to enjoy the great outdoors on their first-ever camping trip.
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The adorable sequel to Oliver & Hope’s Amusing Adventure, the second installment in this beloved series follows along as Oliver the bear and Hope the butterfly set off on their first camping trip. Along the way, the duo meet up with fire-breathing dragons, a traveling circus, and all sorts of new creatures that they’ve never encountered before.

They also discover the stunning beauty of the outdoors and learn to face some of their fears as they have some fun under the stars. This book is the perfect introduction to the wonderful natural world for children ages 3-8 that are starting to read and broaden their horizons.
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7. Curious George Goes Camping - Margaret Rey

Curious George Goes Camping - Margaret Rey on white background
Curious George Goes Camping - Margaret Rey
Our favorite inquisitive monkey’s latest adventures
Curious George’s curiosity gets the better of him sometimes, especially when he heads out and gets into a bit of trouble on his outdoor escapades.
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Curious George is back for more adventures with this fun read. In Curious George Goes Camping, our favorite inquisitive primate heads out on a weekend camping adventure but quickly gets himself into trouble.

Although he means well, George ends up upsetting some of his fellow campers and runs away deep into the forest. This fun book tells the tale of this mischievous monkey’s outdoor escapades and all the outrageous situations he gets into along the way.
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8. S Is For S’mores - Helen Foster James

S Is For S’mores - Helen Foster James on white background
S Is For S’mores - Helen Foster James
The perfect learn-to-read guide for outdoorsy children
Why should “s” be for soccer when it can be for “s’mores’? This A-Z guide puts a fun camping-related spin on language learning.
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Written especially with your young camper in mind, S Is For S’mores is a great introduction to the wonderful world of camping and outdoor adventure for little children. This A to Z book is a great way to help young kids learn more about the natural world through fun facts and stunning pictures that are perfect for campers of all experience levels.
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9. Llama Llama Loves Camping - Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Loves Camping - Anna Dewdney on white background
Llama Llama Loves Camping - Anna Dewdney
One nervous llama’s first trip into the outdoors
Netflix star Llama Llama takes a step back from the big screen for another book-based adventure, but this time he’s heading on a camping trip.
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Llama Llama is a fan favorite, thanks to his recent Netflix debut, but this book takes our beloved furry friend back into print and on an epic adventure to spend a night outside. But, Llama Llama has never spent a night outside before and he’s quite scared to be so far away from home.

In Llama Llama Loves Camping, our adored group of young farm animals heads out on their first camping trip. Along the way, they quickly learn that things that seem scary at first can actually be fantastically fun, and a perfect way to challenge ourselves to try something new.
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10. National Parks of the USA - Kate Siber

National Parks of the USA - Kate Siber on white background
National Parks of the USA - Kate Siber
An illustrated guide to the gems of the US National Parks
The perfect illustrated introduction into the wonderful world of nature and wilderness that awaits in the US National Parks.
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National Parks of the USA is the perfect way to take your child on a road-trip adventure of some of the most beautiful places in the country from the comfort of your home. This stunningly illustrated book is chock full of maps and fun facts to get any young national parks lover excited about the wide world of adventure that’s just waiting for them to explore.

It’s a great and engaging read for any budding naturalist who wants to learn more about any of the plants, animals, and geologic features that make the US National Parks such special places to visit.
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11. A Campfire Tail - Sarah Glenn Marsh

A Campfire Tail - Sarah Glenn Marsh on white background
A Campfire Tail - Sarah Glenn Marsh
A story of friendship and discovery for outdoor enthusiasts
Dragon’s first camping trip doesn’t exactly go as planned, but with the help of some friends, things turn out better than he ever could’ve expected.
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When Dragon heads off to Camp Wildwood for his very first camping adventure, he’s excited for all the fun and games that are sure to come. Unfortunately, Dragon just doesn’t fit in with his fellow campers and it seems like every single move he makes ends poorly for everyone around him.

Just when his buddy is about to give up on him, though, something magical happens and everyone learns the meaning of friendship and acceptance, even when things aren’t going well. A Campfire Tail is a beautifully illustrated and humorous story for school-aged outdoor lovers everywhere.
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12. Fred and Ted Go Camping - Peter Eastman

Fred and Ted Go Camping - Peter Eastman on white background
Fred and Ted Go Camping - Peter Eastman
Two beloved pups head outside in a toddler-friendly adventurous tale
Fred and Ted don’t exactly see eye to eye on everything, which makes their latest outdoor adventures a great source of amusement for young readers.
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P.D. Eastman’s beloved canines, Fred and Ted, are back for more fun in this adventurous children's book. In Fred and Ted Go Camping, we follow along as the duo’s different approaches to nearly every situation result in humorous consequences.

Charming, adorable, and toddler-friendly, this book offers a comical look at life in the great outdoors. It features fun illustrations and simple words to help young outdoor lovers learn to read all while getting excited for their next camping trip.
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13. Maisy Goes Camping - Lucy Cousins

Maisy Goes Camping - Lucy Cousins on white background
Maisy Goes Camping - Lucy Cousins
The classic children’s character heads outside
Maisy Mouse’s attempt at camping proves to be a bit harder than she imagined. Luckily for us, it’s a hysterical story for all to enjoy.
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Maisy Mouse is everyone’s favorite 1990s British animated children’s show and Maisy Goes Camping is the best way to re-live some of the episode’s most hysterical antics with a new generation of kids. In this quick read, Maisy heads out on a country camping trip with a whole group of friends in tow.

Unfortunately, the group quickly learns that camping isn’t as easy as it might seem. Whether it’s getting camp set up or just fitting the entire group inside the tent at night, Maisy’s camping adventure is a hilarious book for the youngest of outdoor enthusiasts.
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14. Do Princesses Make Happy Campers? - Carmela LaVigna Coyle

Do Princesses Make Happy Campers? - Carmela LaVigna Coyle on white background
Do Princesses Make Happy Campers? - Carmela LaVigna Coyle
An inspirational read for young campers everywhere
Our favorite princess proves once again that you can be whoever you want to be while still getting out and enjoying all the world has to offer.
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Do Princesses Make Happy Campers? is the latest installment in Carmela LaVigna Coyle’s series of inspirational books that help young children realize that they can do anything they set their mind to - even if it seems difficult or scary at first.

In this lighthearted book, our favorite princess heads out on a fun trip outside where she learns to hike, bike, camp, and fish in the rain and sunshine with her family in tow. When combined with Do Princesses and Super Heroes Hit the Trails?, you’ll have plenty of nighttime reading to get your little one excited about your next camping expedition.
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15. Olivia Goes Camping - Alex Harvey

Olivia Goes Camping - Alex Harvey on white background
Olivia Goes Camping - Alex Harvey
An adorable story of friendship in the outdoors
When Olivia brings her best friend Francine along for her first camping trip, no one is sure what to expect in this heartwarming and adventurous tale.
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Olivia’s family goes on regular camping trips, but this time, she’s bringing her best friend Francine along. But, it’s Francine’s first time sleeping under the starry sky and she’s not quite sure that bugs, mud, and tents are really her thing.

This short, but sweet, little book is the perfect companion to the Olivia television episode about this adorable duo’s backcountry adventures. It’s a heartwarming story about friendship, overcoming fears, and getting in touch with our inner nature in the great outdoors.
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16. Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping - Peggy Parish

Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping - Peggy Parish on white background
Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping - Peggy Parish
A children’s book classic is back, but this time it’s outdoors
Amelia Bedelia takes things too literally sometimes, which leads to some truly hysterical moments on her first camping trip with Mr. Rogers.
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Amelia Bedelia is known to take things a bit too literally, so it’s no surprise that she ends up experiencing a few mishaps during her first camping trip. When Amelia heads outside for the first time on a camping adventure with Mr. Rogers, she doesn’t quite realize that “pitching a tent” doesn’t mean throwing it into the bushes.

Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping is a cute and ingenious way to get kids excited about camping that’s perfect for toddlers and new readers that are starting to put together simple sentences. This fun book is entertaining for parents and children, alike, and is a sure-fire way to have a few laughs before bedtime.
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Get Your Kids Excited About The Great Outdoors

These 16 children’s books are some of our most beloved camping-themed stories and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do. If you found your child’s new favorite bedtime story from this list, feel free to let us know in the comments and share this article with your friends! Happy trails!

Gaby Pilson is a professional outdoor educator and climbing instructor with over ten years of experience delivering outdoor experiences. She holds multiple outdoor safety and education certifications and specializes in guiding expeditions to the polar regions. Gaby also works as a Wilderness Medicine Instructor and Climbing Wall Instructor Course Provider.
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