Fun Camping Gear: 19 Items You Need in 2025

Want to get away from your busy life, recharge, and spend time in nature? Camping helps you do just that! It can also help you sleep better when you get home by resetting your body’s natural clock. Whether you camp at a local site or hike into the wilderness, what you bring makes a big difference. Check out these fun things to bring camping that will make your time under the stars even better.

Campers playing a card game on a picnic table at sunset.

The List: 19 Fun Things to Bring Camping

1. Portable Hammock

Camper relaxing in a hammock near a tent at a forest campsite.

Want to relax in nature? Bring a portable hammock. You can hang these light hammocks between two trees to create the perfect spot for reading or napping. They give you a fun place to swing or rest while enjoying beautiful views. Hammocks also keep you away from the bugs.

2. Travel Board Games

Family playing a board game at a campsite with a scenic river in the background.

Enjoy friendly competition in the outdoors. Pack small versions of your favorite board games like chess or cards. These games make great entertainment around the campfire and help create lasting memories with friends and family.

3. LED Lanterns

Two campers sitting in front of a tent at night, one playing a musical instrument.

Light up your camp with LED lanterns or outdoor string lights. You can change their colors or make them dimmer to create the perfect mood for a cozy night outdoors. Some lanterns come with remote controls or connect to your phone.

4. Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Music helps set the mood, whether you want to relax in the afternoon or have fun by the fire at night. Bring your favorite music camping with a tough, waterproof Bluetooth speaker.

5. Telescope for Stargazing

Person stargazing with a telescope at a campsite under a clear night sky.

The night sky looks amazing when you camp far from city lights. Bring a portable telescope and a star map to explore the stars. Both kids and adults love learning about space this way. You can also use free apps like SkyView to start learning about the stars. Also learn about dark sky camping locations where nightime viewing is optimal.

6. Campfire S’mores

Ingredients for s'mores—marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers—on a wooden board with a campfire in the background.

No list of the fun things to bring camping would be complete without s’mores. These treats bring back good memories and make any campfire more fun. Did you know the Girl Scouts first wrote down the s’mores recipe in 1927?

7. Inflatable Water Toys

A man and woman joyfully paddleboarding together on a tranquil lake, surrounded by lush green hills and clear blue skies.

Camping near water? Bring inflatable toys like kayaks and paddleboards to give you a comfortable way to explore lakes and rivers near your campsite. They provide fun and exercise, help you cool off, and fold up small and light for easy carrying.

8. Outdoor Movie Projector

Make magic happen by showing movies outdoors. You can project films onto your tent or a special outdoor screen. It’s a perfect way to end the day, especially with family.

9. Portable Campfire Grill

Love cooking over fire? A portable grill lets you cook steaks, vegetables, or burger buns right over the flames. Food tastes great with that smoky outdoor flavor. Some grills even use twigs and pinecones you can find around camp and will turn fire into electricity to charge your devices.

10. Glow-in-the-Dark Gear

Make your camp magical and safer with glow-in-the-dark items. Try tent stakes, ropes, or playing cards that light up at night.

11. Books

Bringing a book or Kindle camping offers a peaceful escape into stories, ideal for unwinding by the fire or under trees. Lightweight and compact, Kindles hold thousands of books and have built-in lighting, perfect for night reading without attracting insects, enhancing relaxation and connection with nature.

While you’re in your camping hammock, check out 14 must-read books about backpacking to stir up your travel spirit.

12. Yoga Mat

Person practicing yoga in a seated position outdoors, surrounded by lush greenery

A yoga mat helps you maintain your exercise routine while camping, letting you flow through poses and stretches when you’re far from the gym. Plus, it creates a clean barrier between you and the crawling insects, making outdoor workouts more fun.

13. Portable Coffee Maker

A portable coffee maker lets you brew fresh coffee anywhere in the wilderness. You can make your favorite morning drink while watching the sunrise, share hot cups with friends around the campfire, and get that perfect caffeine boost before hitting the trails – no cords needed.

14. Cornhole

Bring cornhole to your campsite to add friendly competition to your outdoor adventures. You can challenge friends to matches during sunny afternoons, create tournament brackets for multi-day camping trips, and keep playing even after sunset by adding glow sticks and lanterns around the boards.

15. Binoculars

A senior couple in safari outfits using binoculars to observe wildlife from a lush, green vantage point under a tree canopy.

Spot amazing wildlife up close with powerful binoculars while camping. You can watch eagles soar overhead, observe deer grazing in distant meadows, and discover colorful birds hidden in the treetops – turning your campsite into a perfect wildlife viewing station without disturbing the animals.

16. Guitar

Pack a guitar to fill your campsite with music. You can lead singalongs around the fire, learn new songs during lazy afternoon breaks, and strum quietly while watching the sunset. Plus, acoustic guitars only need human power, making them perfect for off-the-grid entertainment.

17. Metal Detector

Bring a metal detector to turn your campsite into a treasure hunting adventure. You can scan old campsites for lost coins and jewelry, sweep beaches for hidden items, and explore historic areas to find interesting metal objects. Just remember to fill any holes and follow park rules.

18. Drone

See what all the fuss is about. Capture amazing views of your campsite from above with a compact drone. You can film and photograph your camping setup and wildlife from the sky, scout upcoming trails before hiking them, and record stunning videos of sunrise over the mountains. Check local rules first, as some parks may restrict drone use.

19. Walkie Talkies

Keep your camping crew connected with fun walkie talkies on your adventure. You can split up safely on different trails, share exciting wildlife sightings, and coordinate meetups while hiking. Plus, they make road trips more fun as you chat between cars on the way to your campsite.

Make Your Camping Trip Better

As you pack for your next camping trip, consider these fun and useful items to enhance your outdoor experience. Each one offers a unique benefit that will make your adventures in the great outdoors even more enjoyable and memorable. Remember, choosing the right fun things to bring camping can transform a good trip into a great one.

Group of friends sitting around a bonfire on a beach.

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Happy camping!

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