Camping is an exciting topic for young children, as it satisfies their strong urge to constantly discover new things. The indoor environment of a house or preschool may seem limited, but teachers and parents can come up with ideas to introduce children to camping. Because of its versatility, camping can be the core of a number of compelling educational activities for young kids.
Camping Gear Find
The checklist of items for a camping excursion is long, hence, it wouldn't be too difficult for children to assume which items are needed. Bring a number of those items and scatter them across the room. Items can include tall boots, a compass, string, a lantern, a flashlight and any other item that can be blended with the room's decoration. After children find them, the teacher must explain the use of each item on a camping site through collaborative role-play activities.
Camping Worksheets
Create camping-themed worksheets or find them online. The worksheets can include a game or coloring the designs of camping equipment such as tents and canoes. After a coloring activity, children can learn how to use scissors and cut out their picture.
Pretend Play
If you have an open yard area, set up a small camping tent and assign tasks to kids, as if you were in a real camping trip. Children can undertake various simple duties such as gathering small branches for an imaginative fire, or using stones to create the fireplace. In addition, kids can use a compass to learn direction.
Marshmallows and Stories
A popular image of a camping trip is children sitting around the fire at night, roasting marshmallows and narrating stories. You can re-create this atmosphere by closing all the windows and lights of the room. Use flashlights for minimal illumination. Bring marshmallows and pretend to roast them by piercing them with chopsticks. Create a circle around the light and start telling stories about camp life, the dangers it may have (bugs, weather), but also the pleasant experiences it can offer.
Camping Crafts
Preschoolers can use construction paper to make some easy camping-themed crafts, such as a small canoe. Fold a piece of brown construction paper in half, to form a long rectangle. Make another fold about half an inch from the fold line on both sides to create a "W" shape. With the folds on the bottom of the canoe, draw a canoe shape at the two sides of the rectangle and cut it out. Punch some holes on each end, weave through them using string and push the floor flat.
