Go on a Cruelty-Free Camping Trip

Looking to have some summer fun with your little ones? Camping is not only a great way to spend time with your family but also an excellent opportunity to teach your kids to enjoy nature without hurting or bothering animals. Besides hiking, biking, swimming, and canoeing, you can also take a book about wildlife with you and observe animals from a safe and respectful distance. And don’t forget the vegan vittles: Fill your grill with hearty and humane burgers, beans, and hot dogs. For a vegan version of an ooey-gooey campfire fave, throw together these graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. Need we say s’more?

To make your “happy campers” even happier, try these fun and easy camping crafts!

Make a Camping Bucket
Simple to make, this personalized bucket is a great carry-all and the perfect place for your kids to rest their posteriors!

What You Need
An empty 5-gallon plastic bucket with lid (available at hardware or paint stores)
Permanent markers or paint markers
Paint and sponges (optional)

• Remove the tear strip from lid.
• Let your kids decorate the outside of the bucket with markers and/or paint and sponges. We suggest an “animals you might see while you’re camping” motif.
• Help kids pack the bucket full of easy-to-lug gear (e.g., rain ponchos, toys, cruelty-free sunscreen and bug repellent, etc.), but be sure to leave plenty of room for all the “treasures” that they’ll find for their camping collage (see below)!

Make a Camping Collage
Making a collage of different things found in the forest is a wonderful way to preserve foliage and fond memories.

What You Need
An assortment of leaves, twigs, etc.
Glue
A sturdy piece of cardboard

• While camping, have a scavenger hunt for things like a shiny leaf, a heart-shaped rock, a fallen pinecone, etc. Remember: Take only a few objects and leave the rest for everyone else to enjoy. And respect trees; don’t break off branches or remove bark.
• Once you’re back in the great indoors, help your kids glue these materials to a piece of cardboard.
• Hang and enjoy!