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The word ‘summer camp’ brings so many memories of outdoor adventure. Where you spend time making new friends, learning a few skills, enjoying nature, and making lifelong memories, these classic kids camping movies will transport us to one of the happiest places.
Camping movies can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. So, relive your best camp memories by watching these classics from the comfort of the home. Bring out thes’moresiA treat made of toasted marshmallow and chocolate bar bits sandwiched in between two graham crackers , camp food, and binge-watch these movies to have great family fun!
Key Pointers
- Camping movies such as Camp Cool Kids, Camp, or Heavyweights are an amazing way to recall your camping memories.
- Moonrise Kingdom and Meatballs are the types that tickle your funny bone, while A Week Away and Camp Rock take you on a musical journey of camping.
- Scroll down to find Magic Camp, The Baby-Sitter’s Club, and many more fun camping movies for kids.
18 Camp Movies For Kids
1. Camp Cool Kids
Image: IMDb
A 2017 camp movie, Camp Cool Kids, is about confronting fears and bullies. Zach and his little brother Spence are grieving for their recently deceased dad and struggling with the new neighborhood. That’s when their grandfather decides to send them to a camp. Both brothers are polar opposites and get placed in the opposing teams at the camp games. Now, Zach has to overcome his fears, stand up to his bullies and help new friends survive.
Point to considerWatch now on: Amazon
2. Space Camp
Image: IMDb
Not a classic ‘forest and wood’ camping movie, but it is super enjoyable. Welcome to the space camp! The film is about an astronaut who runs a space camp for teenagers. A group of kids attends a summer camp, and one night during an engine test, they accidentally launch themselves into an orbit. They have to figure out a way and come back to Earth.
Watch now on: Amazon
3. Heavyweights
Image: IMDb
Camping is usually fun, but it can be a nightmare if it turns out to be a ‘fat camp.’ The movie is about an overweight Gerald “Gerry” Garner who is sent to Camp Hope in hopes of losing weight. Unfortunately, a fun ‘weight loss’ camp doesn’t last long when the owners declare bankruptcy and sell it to Tony, a crazy fitness instructor. He makes the place a living hell for all of them. But hell breaks loose, and Tony is in for a rude shock to see what happens next.
Watch now on: Amazon
4. Camp Nowhere
Image: IMDb
Usually, kids love a good ol’ summer camp, but Morris “Mud” Himmel hates it. He has to go to a computer camp every summer but detests it. So, Mud and his friends devise a plan to have fun. First, they blackmail their former teacher, Dennis Van Welker, to pose as a counselor of a fake camp. Then, they tell him to rent a campground and let the kids have zero rules. But the plot thickens when their parents want to come for a visit.
Watch now on: Amazon
5. It Takes Two
Image: IMDb
This movie might be a classic, but for some other reason. It heroes ’secret twin switch’ and changed the lives of people they love! Two identical twins meet each other for the first time in a camp. And each girl is concerned for their respective caretakers. And so they pull off an epic switch and play a matchmaker!
Watch now on: Amazon
6. The Parent Trap
Image: IMDb
Well, there are two versions of this movie. The original Parent Trap was released in 1961, starring Haylee Mills and Maureen O’ Hara. But in 1998, Disney remade and released this new version. The movie stars Lindsay Lohan and features a pair of identical twins who were separated at birth. They finally run into each other at a summer camp. They decide to switch roles and work towards reuniting their parents.
TriviaWatch now on: Disney+
7. Moonrise Kingdom
Image: IMDb
A coming-of-age comedy-drama, Moonrise Kingdom is a movie about two young lovers. Set in 1963, two 12-year-old kids meet at a summer camp and fall in love with each other. They make a pact to run away together as they feel isolated and shunned by their respective guardians and friends. That leads to a group of people searching for them on an isolated beach to bring them back home.
Watch now on: Amazon
8. Meatballs
Image: IMDb
This classic comedy is a beautiful ode to summer camp. Featuring Bill Murray (his early film role), Meatball, in its own quirky way, shows why camping is important. Bill Murray enacts the role of Tripper, who is the head counselor of Camp Northstar. The big-brother-type counselor befriends Rudy, a loner camper. Rudy has trouble fitting in the camp, and Tripper wants campers to have the best summertime. Tripper slowly inspires the campers to defeat the rival camp in a competition while Rudy helps and plays a matchmaker for Tripper.
Watch now on: Amazon
9. A Week Away: A Musical
Image: IMDb
Usually, you don’t come across a camp movie for kids that’s musical. The film starts with Will, who is running away from the police and lands at the juvenile hall. He is given a choice to either go to juvenile detentioniA prison in which young people can be detained or a Christian summer camp. Will chooses to attend the camp and starts his journey. Over there, he learns about faith and kindness with some help from music and friends.
Watch now on: Netflix
10. Camp Rock
Image: IMDb
Camp Rock is a Disney musical camp movie. Starring Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, Meaghan Martin, Daniel Fathers, Maria Canals-Barrera, and Alyson Stoner, the movie is about Mitchie, who dreams of becoming a musician. She decides to attend Camp Rock (summer camp for aspiring musicians) and discovers new friends, romance, and of course, her voice.
Quick factWatch now on: Amazon
11. Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Image: IMDb
In this sequel to ‘Camp Rock,’ the previous campers are back for another summer. However, a rival camp suddenly appears and grabs everyone’s attention, threatening the very existence of Camp Rock. So yeah, the kids will be watching teenagers Demi, Joe, Daniel, Alyson, Meaghan, and Maria.
Watch now on: Amazon
12. Addams Family Values
Image: IMDb
Who doesn’t like the Addams Family? It’s a beloved show, and while the characters are a bit gothiciRelate characterized by mystery, terror, and violence , they represent the misfits of society. This movie is a Gothic comedy with some macabre elementsiSomething unusual and terrible because it is associated with death or violence but is ultimately still a comedy. Wednesday and Pugsley are sent to a summer camp. Sure, it’s a traditional summer camp setting, but once Addams comes into the picture, everything changes.
Watch now on: Amazon
13. Magic Camp
Image: IMDb
The name sounds magical, right? Perfect for kids and middle graders, this movie is about a kid who rediscovers his love for magic with the help of his other misfit friends.
Watch now on: Disney+
14. The Baby-Sitters Club
Image: IMDb
Based on a novel, the movie centers around one summer in a girls’ life. Kristy, the president of the ‘Baby-Sitters Club,’ decides to start a day camp for her clients. All the other members are happy about it and vow to keep an eye on the kids. They devise a smart plan to make some money and have fun, but what ensues is quite different.
Watch now on: Amazon
15. Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown
Image: IMDb
This animated cartoon is famous for a reason. It features Charles, Lucy, Snoopy, and Linus, who are off to a summer camp. They aim to participate in various summer activities, but Charles must overcome his lack of confidence and stand up to the gang of bullies to win a battle.
Watch now on: Amazon
16. Indian Summer
Image: IMDb
Source: IMDb
Would you go back to your summer camp if you had a chance now? Well, this movie is about that. The owner and director of Camp Tamakwa invites 30 odd former campers to announce his retirement. The former campers belong to the camp’s golden years. Seven friends who attended the 1972 summer camp decided to participate in the reunion. But once they arrive, some unresolved feelings come to the surface.
Watch now on: Amazon
17. Camp
Image: IMDb
This movie is a must for kids who love music, drama, and theater. At Camp Ovation, children of all ages spend their summer expressing themselves through various mediums. While the movie talks about insecurity and romance, what we love is that it also highlights certain problems teenagers face – sexual identity, parental pressure, self-respect, and passion.
Watch now on: Amazon
18. Friday The 13th
Friday The 13th is a horror franchise with 12 films. The original film was released in 1978 and directed and produced by Sean S. Cunningham. The movie has gone on to become a cornerstone of the horror genre. The original movie follows the tale of a group of camp counselors at Camp Crystal Lake who fall prey to an unseen assailant, setting the stage for a series of sequels. Jason Voorhees, the iconic antagonist, dons a hockey mask and wields his signature machete in a string of films that include notable entries like Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) and Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984). The franchise also had crossovers, notably in Freddy vs. Jason (2003). Despite criticism for its formulaic approach, Friday the 13th has left an indelible mark in the history of horror cinema, contributing to the cultural legacy of iconic horror villains.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can camping movies help children learn about nature and the outdoors?
Camping movies may spark a child’s interest in activities like hiking and stargazing that will take them closer to nature’s beauty and wonder. They may also learn about survival skills from movies that depict characters who need to survive in the wilderness. The movies may also help children understand the importance of conserving nature. You can also introduce them to campfire storytelling and camp songs for kids through such movies.
2. How can camping movies teach children essential life skills?
Children may observe in camping movies the importance of teamwork in tasks such as backpacking, building a shelter, making a bonfire, or gathering food using techniques like fishing. They may learn to solve problems such as losing their way in the wilderness or facing a food and water shortage. They may learn how to live without being supported by modern amenities and technology.
3. How can parents ensure that the camping movies they choose are appropriate for their children?
To ensure camping movies are okay for their children, parents can check how the movie is rated, read what others say about it, and think about what it’s about and who it’s made for. They can also watch a preview or see the movie themselves first to ensure it’s right for their kids and matches their beliefs.
Trav S.D., a writer and performer, shares from his childhood experience the importance of his parents selecting age-appropriate movies. He says, “Movies hit you on an emotional level. Nothing is more powerful than emotion. My parents also kept a fairly eagle eye on our viewing habits, meaning they exerted on influence on even the things they weren’t endorsing, i.e., they permitted them… My viewing diet was strictly films that were rated G or, occasionally (and this was pushing it), PG (i).”
4. How can camping movies help encourage kids to explore new places and try new things?
Camping movies can make kids want to go to new places and do new things by introducing them to outdoor fun adventures, how beautiful nature is, and characters who face challenges. This makes them curious, adventurous, and eager to explore.
5. Is the movie ‘Family Camp’ appropriate for kids?
The movie ‘Family Camp’ is a funny comedy by The Skit Guys. It’s meant to make everyone in the family, from kids to grandparents, laugh and feel good. However, you can review the movie’s preview or other reviews to know if the movie is a fit for your child.
6. What are some tips for a family movie night?
For the perfect family movie night, start by creating a cozy, inviting space. Lay out sleeping bags, blankets, and plenty of pillows to make everyone comfortable. Enhance the fun by preparing campfire-inspired snacks like s’mores, popcorn, and hot chocolate, adding a bit of adventure to the evening. Afterward, take time to discuss the movie’s themes, characters, and any lessons learned. These conversations help deepen the family bond and spark insightful, meaningful discussions.
7. What are some classic camping movies for family bonding?
Classic camping movies like The Parent Trap, Troop Beverly Hills, Little Darlings, and Moonrise Kingdom offer relatable stories that can encourage conversations between parents and children, making them excellent choices for family bonding. These films depict the fun, challenges, and growth that come with outdoor adventures, showcasing themes like teamwork, friendship, and family relationships. Their heartwarming moments and humorous escapades make them perfect for watching together and creating shared memories.
Infographic: Camping Movies For Children
Going camping with family and kids is a fun way to spend quality time and connect with nature. If you are planning to take your child out for a camping trip, you may want them to know about it before. And what better way to understand than watching camping movies? So, we bring you the following infographic with some wonderful choices. If they like the movies, they would want to experience the fun for real. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Most Recommended Camping Movies For Kids To Watch
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Experience the magic of summer camp, adventure, friendship, and laughter with these incredible Summer Camp movies that wil surely leave you feeling nostalgic.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. The most impactful movie experiences of my early childhood;https://travsd.wordpress.com/2017/07/13/15-impactful-movie-experiences-of-my-early-childhood/
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