Fall is a great time for a camping trip. Here in the South, mid to late summer can be just a little too hot and humid for prolonged time outdoors, so when the first crisp and cool autumn weekend hits, we throw our old orange tent and sleeping bags into the car and go! Here is a list of some of the best books to take along on your next trek into nature with the kiddos.
The Kids Campfire Book by Jane Drake and Ann Love with pictures by Heather Collins
inside the kids campfire book
We can't wait to take this on our camp out. It is chock full of skills like how to make a kindling carrier out of a sweatshirt, how to properly handle a pocket knife, and (our favorite that we are most definitely going to try) how to make a campfire reflection oven using aluminum roasting pans. The Kids Campfire Book also has enough fun games and sing-a-longs to remind my kids that not all fun comes from a screen! ages: 5+ for the fire skills, although younger ones could definitely enjoy the games and songs sections.
Fred and Ted Go Camping by Peter Eastman
This classic duo from popular choices like Go, Dog, Go! are taking to the woods for a little rest and relaxation, but no relaxation is to be had thanks to the fact that Fred and Ted are exact opposites in every way. When Ted wants to sleep in late, Fred wants to get up early. This would be a great preschooler read to prepare little ones for what to expect from a camping trip. ages: 0-4
Fun with Nature Take-Along Guide
My nine year old loves to identify wildlife and plants when we go out to the woods. This guide has almost three hundred pages detailing different species of animals and plants, what they eat, where they live, and more. It also has several blank pages for young wild life watchers to catalog what they have seen.
a peek inside Fun with Nature Take-Along guide
My First Nature Book by Angela Wilkes
My First Nature Book is great book to have around not only for camping trips but for everyday forays into park or even just the backyard. It has projects like how to construct a terrarium, starting a seed collection, or how to press flowers. The book is illustrated with over-sized and colorful photographs that make each project clear and easy to understand. Most of the projects are best for elementary school aged kids, but I think my toddler would be able to do some of the more simple ones. ges: 3+
Night Animals by Gianna Marino
One of the best moments during camping can be encountering the creatures that call your camping spot home on a more permanent basis. Once on a camping trip, we were woken up by the sound of coyotes howling at the moon. Listening to them gave us this sensation of excitement and maybe a little fear. They were definitely far far away from our little tent, but just the idea that we were sharing the night with other creatures was such an experience. In Marino's book, Possum and Skunk and their friends are hiding because they have heard that the forest is filled with animals who only come out at night. Night animals sound scary too them! It isn't until the end of the book that they realize - they are night animals!
Hope you enjoyed this literary romp through the forest! What camping reads would you add to the list?