While I believe there’s much to be learned from books, I definitely don’t think kids should spent all their time inside with their heads down. There’s so much to be learned by getting out and experiencing the great outdoors — and you can always take your books with you!
These books celebrate camping, hiking, and spending time in nature. They’re the perfect reads to prepare for a fun outdoor excursion! Before you head outside and experience nature, enjoy a great book that will enhance your experience.
7 Children’s Books about Enjoying the Great Outdoors
Book links are Amazon referral links.
Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer — This is a sentimental favorite of mine, because my dad was always the one who took me fishing, hiking, and camping as a kid. Little Critter enjoys a special time camping with his dad, and does all kinds of fun things. However, the best part is getting to spend time with the father he loves.
A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dussen — Mr. Magee and his dog Dee are enjoying a peaceful camping trip — that is, until they discover they’re on the edge of a waterfall, about to go over! This silly story is fun for both parents and children alike. My second grader and kindergartner still love it when I read this one aloud.
Curious George Goes Camping by Margaret and H.A. Rey — I am sure you can guess what happens when Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat go camping: chaos! However, George’s series of crazy adventures all work out OK in the end. Preschool and young elementary children will love reading this silly story.
S is for S’mores by Helen Foster James — This book teaches so much more than the alphabet! It’s a beautiful chronicle of a family camping trip that is packed full of information about enjoying the outdoors. I recommend focusing on just the alphabet portion with younger kids, and exploring the informational sections with elementary-aged kids.
Fred and Ted Go Camping by Peter Eastman — This fun Beginner Book is a silly look and camping and also an introduction to opposites. My kindergarten beginning reader can get through most of this book with just a little help, and he loves reading this one with me. It’s also a great read-aloud for preschool-aged children.
A Boy, a Dog, a Frog, and a Friend by Mercer and Marianna Meyer — This beautiful book has no words, but it definitely tells a story. The illustrations are gorgeous, and I’ve found that both very young children and older children enjoy watching the story take shape. For older kids, this is a great book to build a creative writing lesson around; I’ve challenged my boys to make up their own words for silent stories like these!
When We Go Camping by Margriet Ruurs — What is there to do on a camping trip? This book shows all the fun that can be had when you go camping. I love this book because it really makes you feel like you are going on a camping trip, no matter where you read it. I might love this one as much as my kids do!
