11 Family Camping Activities That Cost Less Than a Plane Ticket

Between soaring airfare, hotel fees, and the cost of eating out (again), traditional summer vacations have gotten…a little out of hand. That’s why more families are choosing the great outdoors as their travel destination of choice—and not just for the scenery. Camping is one of the most affordable ways to get away and spend real quality time with the people you love.

But beyond the budget-friendly lodging, camping also unlocks a treasure trove of free and low-cost activities, no pricey reservations or tickets required. It’s a big reason why Pop-Up Escapes are the biggest travel trend today.

Here are some easy wins for family fun, priced in comparison to some common travel expenses you won’t miss.

READ NEXT: How to Book a Last-Minute Getaway Under $300

For the Same Cost as an Airport Lunch for Four ($80)…

You could: Have a full-blown lakeside picnic and kayak afternoon. 🚣🏽‍♂️

• Grab groceries and picnic supplies from a nearby farmstand or market ($25–30)
• Rent a couple of kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards for an hour ($30)
• Cap it off with ice cream cones or cold brew from a local shop ($10–15)

💡 Pro Tip: Bring a Bluetooth speaker and make a family picnic playlist. Don’t forget beach towels and bug spray!

For the Same Cost as a Round of Movie Tickets ($70)…

You could: Host a starlit campsite movie night. ✨

• Pack a projector (or borrow one) and hang a white sheet between trees or across your car
• Pop your own popcorn over the fire ($5)
• Grab a bag of candy and make it a double feature (free!)
• Or let the campground do the work—many offer outdoor movie nights as part of their summer event lineup

💡 Pro Tip: Bring lawn chairs, warm blankets, and hot cocoa. You set the start time and get ready to laugh together.

For the Same Cost as a Bottle of Sunscreen at a Resort Gift Shop ($25)…

You could: Go on a nature scavenger hunt and make your own leaf art. 🍁

• Make a list of things to spot on your hike: wildflowers, pinecones, animal tracks, birds
• Let kids collect small treasures and sketch what they see
• Bring crayons and paper to do rubbings of leaves and bark

💡 Pro Tip: Turn it into a photo challenge! Let kids use a phone or camera to document their finds and create a scrapbook later. Also, make sure to still bring your own sunscreen!

READ NEXT: Family Camping Checklist: Camping Made Easy

For the Same Cost as a Hotel Breakfast Buffet for Four ($75+)…

You could: Cook a campfire breakfast feast and go on a sunrise hike. 🏔️ 

• Pancakes on the griddle, scrambled eggs, fruit, and cowboy coffee ($25)
• Watch the sunrise from a nearby scenic overlook or lakefront trail
• Let everyone vote on their favorite breakfast item and make it a new tradition

💡 Pro Tip: Prep pancake batter in a squeeze bottle ahead of time to save cleanup and make fun shapes.

READ NEXT: 20 Easy Camping Recipes for Your Next Trip Outdoors

For the Same Cost as One Souvenir Hoodie ($50)…

You could: Create your own DIY nature journals. 📓

• Grab small notebooks or sketchpads for each kid ($5–10)
• Spend time drawing plants, writing poems, tracking animal sightings, or pasting in mementos
• Let each person decorate their journal with stickers, stamps, or drawings

💡 Pro Tip: Use this journal as a memory book for all future camping trips. It’s a great wind-down activity at night.

For the Same Cost as an Uber to the Hotel ($35)…

You could: Explore a nearby small town and get a taste of local life. 🥐

• Share a fresh bakery treat or milkshake at a local diner ($10)
• Browse handmade goods or antique stores (free to explore!)
• Visit a quirky roadside attraction or small-town museum (many <$10 or donation-based)

💡 Pro Tip: Ask a local for their favorite hidden gems. You might discover the best pie you’ve ever had.

For the Same Cost as a Theme Park Locker Rental and Bottled Water ($40)…

And not to mention the theme park tickets…

You could: Host a game night with board games, cards, and more. 🎲

• Bring a deck of cards, Uno, or a couple of travel-friendly board games
• Add s’mores and snacks to fuel the fun
• Create your own tournament and let the winner skip dish duty
• Still make a splash at the waterparks included at many campgrounds!

💡 Pro Tip: Keep a surprise game or two hidden for a rainy day. Some campgrounds even have game libraries to borrow from.

For the Same Cost as a Room Service Meal for Four ($80)…

You could: Teach the kids how to build and cook over a campfire. 🔥

• Pass down your fire-building knowledge (safely!) and make a meal together
• Try foil packet dinners, fire-roasted hot dogs, or grilled cheese over a grate ($15-20)
• Don’t forget dessert—classic s’mores, banana boats, or cinnamon rolls on a stick ($10)

💡 Pro Tip: Let kids take turns being the “fire chef.” They’ll be proud of their campfire culinary skills.

For the Same Cost as a Family Pass to a Museum ($100+)…

You could: Spend a morning fishing together. 🎣

• Buy a daily fishing license if required ($10–15)
• Use basic rods, bobbers, and worms—nothing fancy needed
• Teach kids how to cast, reel in, and (maybe) catch dinner

💡 Pro Tip: Even if you don’t catch anything, the quiet conversation and connection make it time well spent. Donuts for the early wake-up are highly encouraged.

For the Same Cost as a Half-Day Guided Tour ($120+ for four)…

You could: Go waterfall chasing or trail exploring on your own. 🥾

• Research scenic trails nearby with waterfalls, swimming holes, or epic views
• Pack a lunch and lots of water for a day of exploring ($20-30)
• Go geocaching with the kids, or let them be in charge of the map or GPS on your adventure

💡 Pro Tip: Many campgrounds offer guided hikes or free trail maps. Take advantage of their resources.

For the Same Cost as One Ticket to a Broadway Matinee ($100+)…

You could: Spend an unforgettable night searching among the stars.

• Check out campgrounds near dark sky parks or designated dark sky areas for some of the best stargazing conditions in the world
• Have everyone search for constellations and planets, and make a game of it
• Rent or buy star maps, telescopes ($250, but reusable for years on end), tablets, or beginner astronomy books from the campground store (or bring them with you) to help you identify constellations, planets, and meteor showers

💡 Pro Tip: Time your trip around a meteor shower (like the Perseids in August), and you might spot dozens of shooting stars in one evening. Even a simple blanket and your own two eyes can turn into hours of wonder and conversation. Don’t forget a thermos of hot cocoa or cider for peak cozy vibes.

READ NEXT: The Camper’s Guide to Dark Sky Camping and Astrotourism

Big Fun Doesn’t Have to Mean Big Spending

Camping gives you and your family the freedom to roam without draining your wallet. From trails and s’mores to swimming holes and silly games, the memories come easy, and the price stays low. Whether you’re camping out under the stars or road-tripping from site to site, you’ll find plenty of ways to keep your family entertained (and off screens) without racking up charges.

Looking for even more affordable trip inspiration?

Learn more about Pop-Up Escapes, the summer travel trend that’s all about short, flexible, budget-friendly getaways.

Image Credit: Adobe Stock users New Africa, Halfpoint, Sanaz, Suzi Media, kamonrat, Halfpoint, Robert Keneschke, MNStudio, Seventyfour, Arthur Cauty