Camping birthday party ideas & invitations
A campfire, s'mores and starry skies: a camping party is an outdoor adventure in your own backyard, or living room.
A backyard camp-out is a big adventure close to home. Pitch a tent, light a fire pit (or a pretend one), toast marshmallows and tell silly stories under the stars. It works as an evening party or a full overnight with pancakes in the morning.
If there's real fire, set clear rules before it's lit: an adult in charge, a safe circle to sit around and water or an extinguisher nearby. No yard? Bring the tents inside and use a flashlight campfire.
Why kids love a camping party
- Flashlights and tents make an ordinary backyard magical
- S'mores are an activity, dessert and memory in one
- Star spotting is a calm way to wind down
- Easy to bring indoors with a living-room tent
- Great for an overnight with breakfast before pickup
- Best for ages
- 5-14
- Good for
- Five to seven year olds love an evening camp-out with pickup; older kids are often ready for a full overnight.
The Camping Under the Stars invitation
This is the real Camping Under the Stars invite from BirthdayPartyPal, animated just like your guests see it: original art and characters, your kid's name and the party details, and a big RSVP button. Every family gets their own link.
A campfire, s'mores, starry skies and a cozy crew of woodland friends.
Invitation wording ideas
Pack your sleeping bag! Leo is turning 10. Join us for a backyard camp-out with s'mores, stories and stars. Pickup at 9:00 the next morning.
Gather round the campfire! Celebrate Nora's 7th birthday with flashlight games, s'mores and star spotting. 5:00 to 8:30.
Decorations
Camp check-in
A wooden sign and a basket of flashlights with name tags on them.
Tent village
Pop-up tents in the yard, or a blanket tent indoors with sleeping bags.
Lantern path
Battery lanterns or jars with LED lights along the way to the campfire.
Campfire circle
Logs or cushions around a fire pit, or a pretend fire of paper flames and orange lights.
Starry sky
Glow-in-the-dark stars on the inside of the tent or ceiling.
Food ideas
Cookout
Hot dogs and veggie skewers on the grill, cooked by the grown-ups.
S'mores station
Roasting sticks, marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. An adult watches every roast.
Trail mix bar
Nuts (if allowed), raisins, pretzels, cereal and chocolate chips to scoop into bags.
Campfire cupcakes
Pretzel stick logs with orange and yellow frosting flames.
Pancake breakfast
For overnight parties: pancakes and fruit before pickup.
Games and activities
Flashlight scavenger hunt
Hide reflective stickers or glow sticks around the yard. Find them by flashlight.
Campfire stories
Silly, not scary. Pass a stick; whoever holds it adds to the story.
Star spotting
Lie on blankets and find shapes in the stars, or invent new constellations.
Nature bingo
Cards with a pine cone, a leaf, a rock and more. First to fill a row wins.
Flashlight puppets
Shine a flashlight on a sheet and make animals with your hands.
Party favors
- A mini flashlight
- A trail mix bag
- A compass
- Glow-in-the-dark stars
A party plan to start from
The plan that comes with this theme in BirthdayPartyPal. Use it as is or make it yours.
- Camp check-inGrab a flashlight and a name tag
- CookoutHot dogs and veggie skewers
- S'moresToasty marshmallows
- Birthday cakeCandles, singing and a starry wish
- Campfire storiesSilly stories and star spotting
- BreakfastPancakes before pickup
What guests bring
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Pajamas
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- A flashlight
- A warm sweatshirt
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep a camping party fire safe?
Keep one adult in charge of the fire the whole time, mark a circle kids stay behind, use long roasting sticks and keep water or an extinguisher next to the pit.
Can I do a camping party without a yard?
Yes. Set up a tent or blanket fort indoors, use a lantern or string lights for a campfire and make s'mores in the oven or microwave.
What should guests bring to a camping party?
A sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas, a toothbrush, a flashlight and a warm sweatshirt. The nights get cool even in summer.