The Best Campfire Songs for Kids

What else can you do when gathered around a campfire with your kids other than make s’mores? Sing some camp songs, of course! Most children naturally love singing – and the sillier the song, the better. So next time you are camping, why not light that fire, grab your coziest camp blankets, and open up this list of the best campfire songs and begin making memories that will last for years and years. Here is a selection of the best campfire songs for kids broken down into three categories: songs for Toddlers and Preschoolers, songs for Elementary aged kids, and songs for teens and tweens! 

Best Campfire Songs for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Singing is a great way to keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained around a campfire. It makes a nice transition from a busy day to bedtime. Here are some good camp songs for little family members:

• “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by the Kiboomers: If you have preschoolers in your house, they are probably familiar with this one, which has also been made into a book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. The call-and-response lyrics are perfect for little ones since they don’t have to know the lyrics. Plus, you can add fun hand actions to recreate this tromp through the woods.

• “Baby Shark” by Pinkfong: While “Baby Shark” took the world by storm in 2020 thanks to Pinkfong’s YouTube video, most don’t realize it actually started as a campfire chant. Sure to please every toddler in your party, “Baby Shark” is truly contagious, with lyrics and hand gestures that are easy to learn. “Doo doo doo doo doo doo.”

• “The Bear Went Over the Mountain” by Cocomelon: Everyone with infants and toddlers knows just how infectious CoComelon is, making it one of the most-viewed YouTube channels in the world. Add a classic campfire song, and you have magic. “The Bear Went Over the Mountain” takes singers on an outdoor adventure, sure to please your little campers.

• “Shake My Sillies Out” by Raffi: If you were a kid in the 90s or had a kid in the 90s, you probably remember Raffi. His “Shake My Sillies Out” is a great song for burning some energy around the campfire before sending your toddlers and preschoolers off to bed.

Best Camping Songs for Elementary Kids

Elementary children are old enough to remember more complicated lyrics and to fully appreciate humorous songs. Plus, this age group may know a lot of songs from summer camp or school music class. Here are some campfire song for kids they might enjoy:

• “Camp Granada” by Alan Sherman: Though you might not know this 1960s song by its title, you’ve probably heard these classic lyrics at some point in your life: “Hello Muddah, hello Faddah, here I am at Camp Grenada.” This silly tale of a camping trip gone wrong is one that older children might especially enjoy.

• “The Campfire Song” by Spongebob Squarepants: Adults probably won’t be familiar with this song, but it’s one that everyone can easily learn. Then, the challenge is to see how quickly each member of your family can fly through the simple lyrics.

• “There Ain’t No Bugs on Me” by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. While Jerry Garcia’s music is typically aimed at a much older audience, this tune was specifically written for kids. It’s a fun one to sing at the campground since we can all relate to the misadventure of battling bugs outside.

• “I’m Being Swallowed by a Boa Constrictor” by Johnny Cash: Shel Silverstein plus Johnny Cash—what could be better? Poet Shel Silverstein wrote the original lyrics to this song, and Johnny Cash performed a well-known version. While elementary kids will laugh at the silly ending, those with a fear of snakes probably won’t enjoy this one! 

Good Campfire Songs for Tweens and Teens

Tweens and teens are ready for more sophisticated camp songs. Plus, they can really begin to appreciate lyrics that capture the landscape and camping experience. Here are some camp songs for tweens and teens:

• “This Land is My Land, This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie: Woody Guthrie created this celebration of America’s beautiful landscapes in 1940, and it is an iconic anthem that even teens and adults can appreciate. Younger kids can easily join in on the classic refrain: “This land is your land and this land is my land, from California to the New York island, from the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters, this land was made for you and me.”

• “Home on the Range” by Gene Autry: While camping, who hasn’t dreamt of a “home where the deer and the antelope play”? This cowboy anthem focuses on the wild American landscape and the joys of the great outdoors—what could be a better campfire song? 

• “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson: Though this isn’t a campfire classic, this iconic travel song is easy to learn and perfect for RVing families! Sing an ode to the roads that take you to all of your camping destinations.

Hopefully, these recommendations can help your family enjoy the timeless tradition of singing around a campfire. If you’re looking for a great spot to enjoy that campfire at, make sure to use Campspot’s free campground search service to book your next great camping adventure!