It’s the season to set up camp! Primarily in the spring and summer, more families love outdoor camping trips, including mine! To prepare for our trips, there are a handful of camping cartoon episodes we love to watch.
We live about 17 minutes from our local state forest, and it’s always a new adventure to explore. From seeing salamanders climb on the bathroom buildings to flying a kite in the local fields, there is always something to see and do when my children and I visit the park. We usually go camping in a lean-to, which is a cabin that only has a gas heater for the colder months and a broom to sweep out the facility before we leave. I bring air beds and sleeping bags for us to lie on, hot dogs and burgers to eat for dinner, and s’mores supplies for dessert. It’s always a great time!
Will you be taking your kid on their first camping experience this summer? You can prepare them by watching some of these awesome camping cartoon episodes with them. Each story has unique characters, settings, and plot development that make them interesting and alluring to watch.
Even if your kids have already gone camping before, they can still have fun building up the anticipation of the next trip by watching one of these episodes from popular cartoons, from both newer shows and some classic options.
Backyard Camping (Season 1, Episode 20) From Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Daniel Tiger is super excited about his first backyard camping experience ever with O the Owl. However, O feels scared and hesitant about backyard camping in Daniel Tiger’s backyard. The friends explore their surroundings by identifying different backyard animals and even see Mom Tiger’s shadow.
What Kids Learn From “Backyard Camping”: New experiences are sometimes scary, especially when camping in a new environment. Receiving encouragement and guidance from friends and a trusted adult can help you have more fun after overcoming the initial worry about how the new experience will turn out. It’s an excellent camping cartoon with great lessons to be learned.
Nature Scaredy Cat (Season 1, Episode 38) From Nature Cat
Nature Cat and the gang are taking a journey through Mighty Mountain to reach the top through a two-day trip. They camp for the night at Camp Out Ridge. Everyone else is feeling great about the experience, but Nature Cat is frightened because he has never camped away from his home before.
What Kids Learn From “Nature Scaredy Cat”: It’s okay to let your frustrations and fears out in the open. Rather than bottling up what scares you, discussing fears with a trusted individual can help you get through them. Everyone has one weakness or another and seeking help with them makes new endeavors that much easier.
Scared Silly (Episode 1 of 6) From The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald
“Scared Silly” had to be one of my favorite camping cartoons as a kid. It was one of the direct-to-VHS cartoons that McDonald’s handed out with meals between October 1998 and January 2003.
I remember watching this VHS tape on repeat with my brother when we were in elementary school. “It’s time to set-set-set-set up camp!” the titular song goes. I first showed my eldest two children this cartoon a couple of years ago when we went “camping” in our apartment living room. It’s about Ronald McDonald and the gang going on a camping trip and stumbling upon a haunted house. The friend group explores the spooky mansion, and everyone slowly gets lost during the experience. Ronald eventually realizes it’s a small boy trying to scare everyone who enters the house and not a real ghost.
What Kids Learn From “Scared Silly”: Working together to set up camp is essential, ensuring everyone has access to necessary resources while camping in peace. Children also learn that it’s okay to be scared when exploring the unknown. Ghosts and monsters aren’t real. Based on the image above you may be hestitant but give this camping cartoon a try, it’s oddly satisfying.
Camping (Season 4, Episode 3) From The Cat in the Hat
Fish has a family reunion to attend. To get there on time, Fish, Cat, Sally, and Nick must embark on a camping trip during their journey. Getting through Fickle Fern Forest and Mt. Weewobble is just the start of their challenges. Finally, the crew travels down Tickle Drop River with a raft to arrive at Fish’s reunion on time.
What Kids Learn From “Camping”: It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey. While it’s important to focus on arriving at a destination, don’t forget to have fun along the way. Even if there are many challenges along the way, take them as learning experiences that build character and patience.
Kitty Fairy’s Sleepover (Season 2, Episode 3) From Gabby’s Dollhouse
Kitty Fairy is hosting a sleepover in her backyard garden, resembling a camping experience. Gabby, Pandy, and Pillow Cat are excited about the sleepover. Despite the joy of her first sleepover, Pillow Cat is also a little anxious about what could go wrong. Gabby takes leadership with the rest of the gang in helping Pillow Cat feel comfortable with her first sleepover experience. They pick special PJs to wear and their favorite snacks to eat. The friends agree on a themed bedtime story before snuggling up for the night. Pillow Cat eventually feels calmer about the sleepover experience.
What Kids Learn From “Kitty Fairy’s Sleepover”: Helping friends is the best thing you can do, especially when they feel anxious or nervous about doing something new. Asking the nervous friend about what they like to do will eventually help them come to terms with being okay about the new experience. While my daughter has never slept over at a friend’s house before, she stays at her father’s house every two weeks and at her step-grandmother’s house at least once every few months.
Camping Trip (Season 2, Episode 8) From The Proud Family
Oscar and Felix invest in a camper and plan a family camping trip. Their children bring their friends along for added fun. However, the fun turns into challenges when the camper washes away during a storm and the gang is left in the wilderness. While the two men of the family go to get help from the outside world, their wives, children, and children’s friends must utilize their resources to survive in the wild.
What Kids Learn From “Camping Trip”: Unexpected occurrences can happen during camping trips, including a torrential storm. While parents should try to plan accordingly and avoid camping on weekends when there is a risk of rainstorms, anything can still happen. Be prepared by having flashlights and portable pantry snacks and foods. Extra sleeping bags help if you need to sleep under the stars for any reason. While unexpected occurrences can be scary, having a survivalist and resourceful mindset can help you get through. The Proud Family is a great show in general and its camping cartoon episode is worth a watch!
Camping (Season 1, Episode 43) From Bluey
Bluey fans won’t forget this iconic episode, where we see the titular character as an older young woman for the first time in a flash-forward scene at the end of the story. Bluey meets a French-Canadian Labrador Retriever named Jean Luc. Despite speaking different languages, they pretend to catch a wild pig (Bandit) so they can survive in the wilderness. When Jean Luc has to pack up and leave for home, Bluey is saddened she won’t be able to see her friend again. Chilli gently reminds her that some people aren’t meant to stay in life forever, but you never know if you will cross paths with them again.
What Kids Learn From “Camping”: You never know who you will meet during camping adventures. Especially if you camp at the same place often, you could cross paths again with new friends you have made during prior adventures. Have an open mind and don’t be afraid to interact (safely) with those around you while you go camping. You can even take this camping cartoon offline by purchasing the book version. It also made our list of the 20 Best Bluey Episodes And The Lessons They Teach Children!
Three Bears Go Camping (Season 3, Episode 17) From Super Why!
In this Super Why! spinoff of “The Three Bears” fairytale, the titular characters go on a family camping trip. They have trouble deciding which way to go to get to the campsite. The Super Why gang helps find the Three Bears to guide them to their campsite through various reading and picture comprehension exercises that your child can learn from.
What Kids Learn From “Three Bears Go Camping”: Kids will learn different words related to the camping experience, including “pond”, “campsite”, and others. A real-life lesson would be learning to build a sense of direction to navigate a local campground and the tasks that need to be done during this excursion. I have been camping at our local state forest since I was a child, so I know where the amenities and fun activities are near the lean-tos and shelters. I am teaching my eldest daughter how we get to the playground, bathrooms, and nature center from our usual camping area.
Camping (Season 1, Episode 35) From Peppa Pig
Peppa and her family go on a fun camping trip. They have fun by the campfire while eating their tomato soup dinner. The family also listens to the different sounds of nature around them. The family discovers their tent isn’t big enough to house all of them for the night. Daddy Pig makes the sacrifice and sleeps outside while Mummy Pig and the children sleep in the tent. It starts raining and Daddy Pig eventually has to go to sleep in the car.
What Kids Learn From “Camping”: Don’t forget extra supplies and gear for your camping experience. Always having extra food and sleeping arrangements for everyone ensures they are well-fed and comfortable during the adventure. I have an air bed that I sleep in, and my two eldest children have sleeping bags with multiple blankets layered underneath them. My youngest sleeps in a travel playpen.
School Camp (Season 2, Episode 45) From Peppa Pig
“School Camp” is another camping cartoon in the Peppa Pig series. Madame Gazelle takes Peppa and the rest of the playgroup on a fun camping trip. They sing songs around the campfire, including the show’s famous Bing Bong Song. Despite having one buddy to sleep with in their tents, the children express fear of sleeping alone without an adult. The children eventually gather into Madame Gazelle’s tent to all sleep together for the night.
What Kids Learn From “School Camp”: It’s challenging for children to sleep in a new environment. However, having a stuffed animal and/or sleeping close to a trusted family member can help ease these fears. When my children and I camp, we are all in the same cabin, but we sleep in separate areas. They have gotten used to this setup because we have practiced independent sleeping at home.
Welcome To Camp Clue (Season 5, Episode 3) From Blue’s Clues & You
Josh and Blue help meet Lavender, who wants to earn a bird badge during her nature exploration efforts. Josh has to play Blue’s Clues to figure out how they can help Lavender earn this badge. The autistic koala faces challenges along the way, such as getting frustrated during one of the games in the episode. However, Josh and Blue cheer up Lavender so that she can come back to continue playing.
What Kids Learn From “Welcome to Camp Clue”: Building knowledge about the outdoors requires determination and dedication. Researching in books and online websites can help build new knowledge while implementing it in real life by exploring the great outdoors. Parents, you can find brochures at your campsite about local wildlife so you can point them out to your children if you see them. Of course, be extra cautious if bears, coyotes, or wolves are nearby. While my children and I have never seen these animals up close, we live near a wooded area in South Jersey where we can sometimes hear coyotes howling from a distance. Bluey’s Clues & You combines one of the best camping cartoon episodes with live-action, making it a nearly unique pick on the list, alongside the next entry.
Camp Clue Hits The Trail (Season 5, Episode 4) From Blue’s Clues & You
Josh needs to hike to Sparkle Falls to earn a hiking badge. Blue starts a game of Blue’s Clues so Josh can discover where Sparkle Falls is located. They have to explore a local mountain and collect clues during their journey so they can find Sparkle Falls’ location. This episode takes place alongside “Welcome to Camp Clue” because Lavender is still earning her Bird Badge.
What Kids Learn From “Camp Clue Hits the Trail”: Stay vigilant as you navigate trails to your intended destination while camping. You never know what you can find and learn on the way. While I usually drive the kids to the playground from our campsite while at the state forest, I prefer to have us do more walking when we need to use the bathroom or visit the nature center for their activity of the week. Walking helps campers to take in all their surroundings and learn new things about their world.
The Camping Episode (Season 3, Episode 57b) From SpongeBob SquarePants
“Campfire song song!” has to have gotten stuck in every Millennial’s head during their childhood. The even more fun bit is sharing this episode with today’s children. SpongeBob and Patrick go on an outdoor camping trip outside their homes. Squidward doesn’t want to do it at first, but then he joins them to show that he, too, can survive on a camping trip. The group (Squidward just angrily bobs his body back and forth with Patrick’s help) sings the “Campfire Song Song”. Eventually, they encounter a sea bear, which leads Squidward to believe they are myths. SpongeBob and Patrick stay in the anti-sea bear circle while the sea bear chases Squidward. Squidward eventually goes into the circle and is relieved when the sea bear retreats back into the wild.
What Kids Learn From “The Camping Episode”: Staying open-minded to new experiences and concepts so you can discover the unknown. Again, it’s best to be prepared for a camping trip, including what you need when a wild animal is present. Hence, take shelter in your camping quarters or vehicle. Have non-perishable food on hand and ways to use the bathroom wherever you are until the animal threat retreats into the forest. Always ask an adult to know whether it’s safe to go outside again after an animal retreat. With over 300 episodes aired so far, of course there was going to be at least one camping cartoon episode from SpongeBob SquarePants that made our list.
Lumpus’s Last Stand (Season 5, Episode 8b) From Camp Lazlo
The Rewind on YouTube states that one of the best Camp Lazlo episodes is “Lumpus Last Stand” where the bean who inspired Camp Kidney wants to close down the summer camp. Raj, the elephant, reads what is written on the back of Lazlo’s kerchief aloud after the gang’s journey to find the bean. He has a change of heart and changes his mind about closing down the summer camp. However, we never see any more adventures after this episode because it’s the series finale.
What Kids Learn From “Lumpus Last Stand”: Make the most of your camping memories. You never know what could happen that changes the location of your camping experience. Our local state forest will close the lean-tos and shelters to remodel their nearby bathrooms from July 2025 to December 2025. The kids and I have already gone on a few camping adventures to embrace those memories because we won’t be able to go back until it gets warmer next year.
Arthur Goes To Camp (Season 1, Episode 7A) From Arthur
Arthur’s parents sent him to summer camp. He is not very excited about the upcoming adventure ahead. Arthur endures poison ivy and subpar camp meals. His scavenger hunt record isn’t the best. However, Arthur has a change of heart and helps his fellow campers to achieve a scavenger hunt against a rival camp.
What Kids Learn From “Arthur Goes To Camp”: Whether you are attending summer camp or going on a family camping trip, keep an open mind. You never know what fun experiences you could have. Sometimes, my eldest daughter gets bored and wants to go on her tablet at the campsite. I only keep her tablet in our SUV for when we need to go to the store down the street for more ice. However, my rule is that there’s no electronics at the campsite so she can soak up all of the experiences in nature.
Camping It Up (Season 2, Episode 11b) From Clifford The Big Red Dog
Emily Elizabeth, her family, and many of her friends are on a camping trip. Clifford and his canine friends join, too. Jetta is more focused on electronic activities rather than soaking up the sights and sounds near the campsite. At one point, Jetta scares away the butterflies Emily Elizabeth was trying to observe up close. At the end of the night, Jetta comes out of her tent after watching a video to look at the sky with her friends. Jetta loves seeing a shooting star in the sky.
What Kids Learn From “Camping It Up”: Camping is the best time to disconnect from devices and watch the world around you. I saw two shooting stars during a recent camping trip while sitting outside after the kids went to bed. Clifford is always a pleasure to watch and this camping cartoon episode is no exception!
Sid’s Backyard Campout (Season 2, Episode 14) From Sid the Science Kid
Sid and Gerald set up camp in his backyard with Sid’s dad. They explore their surroundings in the backyard and learn about the importance of carrying in only what you can carry out while camping. The kids help Sid’s dad set up the tents by picking a shaded spot to stay cool for the rest of the day. Gerald is afraid of the dark, but Sid’s mom assures him that she will leave the kitchen light on and that the moon and stars can serve as a nightlight.
What Kids Learn From “Sid’s Backyard Campout”: Just like other backyard camping cartoons, kids can learn that there is so much to explore in the outdoors near their home. Overcoming fears and learning new things are the hallmarks of the camping experience for children. My eldest daughter is afraid of the dark, so we have a special unicorn lantern that I bring with us to help her fall asleep in the cabin
Mickey’s Camp Out (Season 2, Episode 14) From Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Mickey and the gang are excited for their campout. As they complete various tasks to get ready for camping, they earn badges. Donald Duck would much rather camp by himself than with his friends. Unfortunately, the other tents get ruined because Goofy’s speedboat crashes into the camper and tangles up all of them, except for Donald’s. Donald becomes willing to share his tent with his friends to continue the fun.
What Kids Learn From “Mickey’s Camp Out”: Camping is best done as a unit. Trying to set up camp alone can be a time-consuming and lonely experience. Sharing tasks with family and friends makes all the difference during a camping trip. I delegate small tasks to my children while camping like collecting small twigs to act as a firestarter. This is one of the best camping cartoon episodes for Disney fans with young kids, so check it out if you’re a “Disney family.”
Season of Caprice (Season 1, Episode 18) From As Told By Ginger
Ginger, Dodie, and Macy embark on their yearly trip to Camp Caprice, a summer camp exclusively for girls. Courtney joins the summer camp for the first time because she wants to prove to the crew that she can be a survivalist. Courtney’s friend, Miranda, says she is too pampered, hence why Courtney decides to go on this camping trip.
What Kids Learn From “Season of Caprice”: Survivalist skills are great to learn. Camping helps people live simply while enjoying the wonders nature has to offer them. When I go camping, I feel so much more at peace when I disconnect from electronic devices to teach my kids about the world around them.
Heat Lightning (Season 3, Episode 9) From As Told By Ginger
Ginger and her two closest friends take their annual trip to Camp Caprice. This is the first camping trip that Ginger has taken since she became Darren’s girlfriend. She starts having rekindled feelings for her old crush, Sasha, who also attends the camp. Ginger is distracted from these emotions and finds herself torn between Sasha and Darren. During this personal debacle, she’s also leading a group of young girls as a group camp leader.
What Kids Learn From “Heat Lightning”: Focus on the world around you. Leave personal issues at the entryway of the campground and breathe in the fresh air. Focusing on the present will cleanse you of your worries.
Are you ready for a camping experience of a lifetime? We hope you and your little ones enjoy these camping cartoon episodes as you prepare for your summer outdoor adventures. I know my kids and I have watched and loved them because of our passion for exploring the great outdoors.
