Camping films have long been favorites among kids due to their educational yet entertaining content, the delight they bring when watched, and their connection with nature and the outdoors. These movies often fall under the genre of family comedies, exploring themes of family dynamics and friendships. They foster a sense of community and serve as a gentle reminder of the value of those around us. Here’s a list of the top 20 camping films for kids.
1. Camp Nowhere (1994)
In a fresh take on a timeless tale, this story demonstrates that kids are brimming with ingenuity when it comes to innovative thoughts. It follows a band of pals who, displeased with the chosen summer camp by their parents, concoct an alternate one of their own.
Morris “Mud” Himmel dislikes the summer camp that his parents want him to go to, so he devises a strategy with his friends to persuade their parents to send them to another camp, which Morris himself has designed. They coerce their former drama teacher Dennis Van Welker to assist them in this endeavor, and they anticipate a summer filled with excitement, parental involvement, and the absence of chores.
2. The Parent Trap (1961)
One well-known and cherished movie that revolves around camping is undeniably a comedic film featuring two young ladies who encounter each other at a summer camp, only to discover they are long-lost siblings. Actress Hayley Mills portrays these twins, who choose to swap identities and journey back to their respective families.
Without realizing they’d crossed paths or experienced the change, their parents find nothing unusual upon their daughters’ return. However, once the girls initiate a scheme to reconnect, it gradually becomes clear to their parents that some event at the camp may have transpired.
3. The Parent Trap (1998)
This modern adaptation of the classic 1961 film, The Parent Trap, is a hit among kids. It’s the tale of Annie and Hallie, who, unbeknownst to each other, were born to parents who later divorced. One was raised in England by her mother, while the other grew up in the United States with her father.
At a summer camp, Lindsay Lohan portrays two girls who discover they are twins. These girls couldn’t be more different – one is wild and rebellious, while the other is refined and proper. Eager to bring their families together, they decide to swap identities and return home, believing this move will help reunite them.
4. The Great Outdoors (1988)
In this comedy, Dan Aykroyd and John Candy star as the leading characters, making it another fantastic camping-themed movie that was perfect for a fun night in front of the television back then. The story follows Chet and his wife as they recall fond memories from their honeymoon cabin and decide to spend their summer break in the woods of Wisconsin, revisiting the joyous times of their past.
Things appear great until Roman, their dull and annoying relative, plans to join them at the cabin for the weekend along with his family. It quickly becomes apparent that this will be an extended weekend filled with mishaps and amusing predicaments they’ll need to navigate.
5. The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
One popular camping movie comedy revolves around the story of Nicky and Tacy, a couple on the verge of marriage. While Nicky envisions saving up for a traditional house, Tacy yearns for a life on wheels, dreaming of a trailer instead.
Following their wedding, they hire a travel trailer for their honeymoon journey. Needless to say, things won’t go smoothly, and the newly married couple will quickly discover much about one another – including how they handle problems and unexpected mishaps – as they find themselves in countless amusing predicaments due to various misadventures along the way.
6. Heavyweights (1995)
This comedy narrates the tale of Gerry Garner, an 11-year-old boy from Long Island who is heavyset, who gets sent to Camp Hope – a camp specifically for overweight boys. It’s a picturesque location managed by a compassionate and amiable duo, Harvey and Alice Bushin. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, they are compelled to sell it, which leads to the camp falling into the hands of an eccentric individual known as Tony Perkins.
His goal is to help campers shed as much weight as possible during the filming process, with the footage being used for an advertising campaign promoting his weight loss program. However, the campers find him obnoxious and while they’re busy preparing for a crucial race, they are also devising a plan to oust him from power.
7. RV (2006)
Instead of going to Hawaii as originally planned, Bob Munro opts to lead his unconventional family on a road trip to the Colorado Rockies, due to a work assignment he must complete for his superior. Upon securing an RV and reaching their campsite, they will encounter and interact with a peculiar group of campers.
As they flee from an unusual family who unintentionally caused them various mishaps during their novice camping trip, the family will encounter multiple instances that underscore the significance of communication and force them to find solutions for their own issues.
8. Ernest Goes To Camp (1987)
Ernest, known for his endearing yet unfortunate nature, is featured in various films. In this installment, he takes on the role of a camp counselor, leading to a series of amusing mishaps. For instance, during a picnic with Nurse St. Cloud, he might encounter trouble when fire ants bite him, adding another comical incident to his repertoire.
Additionally, he may sustain injuries and require medical attention due to an attack. However, his actions in saving Kamp Kikike will make him a hero, as this camp will then be able to accommodate children all year round.
9. Camp Rock (2008)
In this music TV movie, Demi Lovato takes on the main character, a teenage girl longing for a summer spent at a rock camp. However, her attendance hinges on her taking up a job as a kitchen worker within the camp itself.
Gifted with a melodious voice, Mitchie frequently sings, whether she’s busy at work or not. One day, while unseen, she’ll be heard singing by a rising teenage pop sensation at the camp. This will require Mitchie to conquer her apprehensions and prepare herself to step into the spotlight and demonstrate her abilities. Eager to discover the origin of this captivating voice, the pop star is on a mission.
10. The Muppet Movie (1979)
Despite differing from typical camping-themed movies, this Muppet film remains one of the finest and most cherished, consistently falling into the top tier. The plot revolves around Kermit the Frog, who leads a tranquil existence in a swamp somewhere.
One day, Kermit is approached by a Hollywood agent with an opportunity to audition – a potential life-changer. Seizing the moment, Kermit embarks on a journey to Hollywood, where he meets an array of eccentric characters who eventually become his friends. Among them are Fozzie Bear, the comedian, and Miss Piggy, the beautiful one. However, along the way, he must be vigilant against a malicious figure aiming to exploit Kermit as a spokesperson for a frog legs restaurant chain.
11. SpaceCamp (1986)
1980s blockbuster featuring several prominent actors portraying a bunch of adolescents spending their summer break at a cosmic training facility, where they master the art of operating the Space Shuttle.
Within the spacecraft, there’s a diverse crew. One is a charmer, more interested in socializing than space, another is an aspiring astronaut filled with dreams of cosmic exploration, and a third is an educator yearning to escape her teaching duties for a mission. Unfortunately, they find themselves accidentally blasted off.
12. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Wes Anderson’s films are always distinctively unique, and this camping tale set on an island off the New England coast during the 1960s is no exception. It revolves around a young boy and girl who find themselves smitten and elope, embarking on an unforgettable adventure together.
12-year-old Sam, an orphan, spends his summer at a camp, while Suzy resides on an island with her family. They first encounter each other at church, develop feelings for one another, and decide to elope. As they delight in their adventures of camping, hiking, and fishing in the untamed wilderness, a large-scale search party is mobilized.
13. Meatballs (1979)
This story revolves around a riotously funny summer camp experience, where a bustling crowd of teenagers resides, including a boy named Rudy. Rudy’s mission is to discover his niche within this vibrant group. The camp’s head counselor, Tripper Harrison, is a character who delights in playing practical jokes and poking fun at his superiors from the posh kids camp nearby.
In simpler terms, he has been tasked with motivating all the campers to perform at their best for the annual Camp Olympics. His goal is also to inspire Rudy, who may not hold a high opinion of himself, to recognize his potential and contribute significantly to the team.
14. Magic Camp (2020)
In this tale, we follow Theo Moses, a young magician grappling with his father’s passing, only to discover that he’s been admitted to the Institute of Magic. At this magical camp, he joins a team of fellow students who are all set for a friendly competition against three other groups – the Top-Hat contest scheduled at year’s end.
Andy Druckerman, an accomplished ex-magician with the potential for a comeback, is in charge of this group. He’s been given the opportunity to rekindle his career if he agrees to mentor these children and guide them towards victory.
15. Indian Summer (1993)
This movie is a delightful blend of romance, comedy, and drama that centers around genuine friendship and the unforgettable moments of our lives. It tells a touching tale of seven friends from childhood who, now in their thirties, come together once more at Camp Tamakwa – a place where they spent many summers.
Although only a handful of campers attend, there’s still plenty to look back on fondly. They swap stories about their experiences, reminisce about the past, but then receive disappointing news – the camp may be shutting down.
16. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog days (2012)
The Family Comedy-Drama, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” narrates the tale of Greg Heffley, who despises high school with every fiber of his being. This film adapts from the third and fourth installments of the cherished series revolving around Greg’s life and escapades. With joy in his heart, Greg is eager to escape school and immerse himself in a summer filled with video games and socializing with friends.
Greg is bound to be taken aback when he learns about his father’s intentions. His father had arranged everything for a heartwarming father-son getaway, but Greg opted out, concocting an excuse of a job at a golf club. Predictably, this ruse blew up in his face, leading to a series of amusing predicaments instead.
17. Go! Go! Cory Carson: Summer Camp (2020)
You’re about to watch a 20-minute television segment featuring the popular kids’ cartoon Go! Go! Cory Carson. In this brief episode, our protagonist, Cory, enjoys his summer break at Camp Friendship alongside his closest buddy, Freddie.
Cory is certain they’ll both have a blast filled with pranks and escapades, but his mood soured when Freddie mentioned bringing his cousin Rosie on their trip. Gradually, he exhibited signs of growing jealousy and discontent.
18. It Takes Two (1995)
As a film aficionado, I’d say: In this hilarious romantic comedy-drama, none other than the legendary Hollywood twins, Mary-kate and Ashley Olsen, portray two seemingly identical individuals, Alyssa (the wealthy one) and Amanda (the orphaned one), who cross paths by sheer chance, oblivious to each other’s existence. It’s a tale of two lives intertwining in the most unexpected way!
They devise a captivating scheme to keep Alyssa’s father, Roger, from marrying the most detestable woman globally. This narrative bears a resemblance to the film The Parent Trap, in which two sisters orchestrated a comparable plot upon meeting accidentally.
19. Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare (2010)
When discussing camping, Scooby-Doo is a definite choice! This lovable canine and his gang make their way to Camp Little Moose – a former summer retreat of Fred’s. Their role? Working as camp counselors. However, upon their arrival, they discover that the camp is eerily deserted during the summer season.
In a new turn of events, they uncover that an ancient tale from the camp, known as the story of The Woodsman, has become reality, causing the children to flee in fear. This chilling figure was once a counselor who turned malevolent following a mischievous prank played upon him by some campers. Now, it falls upon our group to untangle the enigma surrounding The Woodsman, along with several other mysteries.
20. Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown (1977)
The heartwarming journey of Charlie Brown stands among the most cherished and revisited. As the season blooms into summer, the Peanuts crew embarks on a trip to their beloved camp, an assembly that includes Snoopy and Woodstock. They engage in the customary summer camp pastimes, and after some time, they elect to participate in a thrilling rafting competition.
The journey is on the verge of commencing, and the team must give their utmost to navigate confusing rapids, confront fierce wildlife, and ward off adversaries disguised as nature, all to reach the goal victoriously.
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2025-05-23 01:57