Looking for camping birthday party ideas with a little more than a tent and a bag of marshmallows? Think bear cupcakes, compass plates and a snack table where everyone can put together their own trail mix.
There’s plenty here for a backyard birthday or an indoor camping theme.
You can keep it simple or go all out. Pick a few favorite details, then bring them together with checked tablecloths, little lanterns or strings of lights.
Camping Party Ideas Worth Saving
pastel lanterns and a big tent
How cute are those colorful lanterns above the tent? The peach, yellow and blue decorations give this backyard setup such a sweet birthday feel.
Folding chairs circle the fire pit with a red lantern nearby.
Try the same pastel colors for your party. If you’re including a real fire, keep chairs, tents and decorations well back from it.
a marshmallow bouquet
Who needs flowers when you have marshmallows? This s’mores table has long skewers standing in a pot, with little portions of crackers, chocolate and marshmallows arranged below.
I love the individual snack trays. Keep the tall skewers at an adult-managed station if younger kids are joining in.
campfire under the stars cake
I am obsessed with this camping cake. The dark teal background, tiny stars and crescent moon are gorgeous behind all those green trees.
Then there’s the campfire on top! Save this picture for your baker if you want the orange flames, little gray stones and miniature marshmallow skewers.
a tent full of twinkle lights
If you want your tent to be part of the celebration rather than just somewhere to sleep, this one is for you. Strings of lights run down the inside, with pink and patterned pillows around the edges.
Make a similar lounge area with floor coverings and cushions you already have. Leave the entrance clear so everyone can get in and out.
nature scavenger hunt
Give your guests something to look for with a nature scavenger hunt. These illustrated sheets have little checkboxes next to outdoor finds.
The twig-shaped pencils are such a cute extra detail.
For your version, choose things guests can spot without picking them up. Make berries a look-only item rather than something to collect or taste.
compass plates and pretend fires
This may just be one of my favorite table ideas here. I love the compass plates on the green checked tablecloth.
Those red and orange pretend campfires are adorable.
Add tree-shaped napkins and a little black lantern to follow the same look. The tree-ring seat cushions are worth saving for inspiration too.
build your own trail mix
Don’t want to put together every snack bag yourself? No problem!
Set out a trail mix bar with separate bags of dried fruit, nuts, seeds and colorful sweets.
The folded brown bags and pink labels look so pretty together. For your own table, label ingredients and give each option its own scoop, especially when accommodating allergies.
red lantern centerpiece
Looking for something a little less playful for an adult birthday? This red lantern, greenery and small numbered flag make a lovely centerpiece.
I especially love the tiny lights inside the lantern. Try a battery-powered light strand for that same glow without a candle.
s’mores crate and bandana bags
The giant flame cutout is so cute behind this s’mores station. Green plates, scattered pinecones and brown bags topped with orange and teal bandanas carry the theme across the table.
Use a crate to give your snack display a little height. I’d keep the big flame backdrop even if the rest of the decorations were simple.
build your own hot dogs
Let everyone choose their toppings with a hot dog station like this one. The buns and hot dogs sit beside rows of jars, with a big sign above so the food table is easy to spot.
Keep the red, white and blue bunting for a summer birthday, or switch it to your party colors. Put little labels beside your toppings to make choosing easier.
a basket of little bears
How adorable is this basket of bears? The bright pink basket and the “Don’t feed the bears” sign make such a sweet pair.
You could turn this into a favor station by letting each guest choose a bear.
bear face cupcakes
These bear cupcakes are just too cute. The textured brown frosting, pale round ears and big noses give every little face so much character.
Ask your baker for a similar design if you want individual birthday treats instead of a large cake. I’d display them beside the bear favor basket.
a light-up sleepover tent
This is another lovely tent idea, but it has more of a sleepover setup. Bedding lines both sides, with pillows, plush toys and games down the middle.
The lights across the roof are my favorite part. For your version, secure the lights above the sleeping area rather than leaving strands along the floor.
blue camper cake
Calling all camper fans, this cake is such a fun birthday idea. I love the pale blue bottom half and the colorful letters across the top.
The little campfire and extra logs on the green base finish the scene. Ask for the birthday guest’s name in place of the lettering if you want to personalize it.
green compass cookies
The compass plates have a matching treat idea! These round cookies have green borders, pale purple centers and red-and-black pointers.
Keep this color combination or ask for icing that matches your table decorations. They’d look so cute arranged around a small lantern.
mini tent craft table
Give your party a little craft corner with colorful mini tents and pinecones. This picnic table has paper, markers, glue and scissors spread out beside the finished tent shapes.
Set out a completed example so guests have something to follow. For younger kids, you could prepare the shapes ahead of time and let them handle the decorating.
woodland birthday backdrop
If you are looking for an all-out first birthday display, then this one is for you. There’s a green, cream and rust balloon arch, a little fox on the leafy backdrop and bears beside the cake.
Read also: 20 Teddy Bear Picnic First Birthday Cake Ideas and Sweet Party Designs
I love the red spotted mushrooms. Repeat those around the dessert table if you want to bring a little more color into the woodland theme.
snack jars beside the tents
This setup brings the food and little tents into one party space. Foil-wrapped hot dogs fill the tray in front, with crackers and large lidded snack jars behind them.
The white tents and strings of lights look so pretty in the background. Try checked throws over your picnic benches to connect the seating area to the camping theme.
Read also: 20 Jungle Theme Picnic Birthday Party Ideas With Animals, Balloons and Cute Treats
candy tackle box favors
How fun are these fishing-inspired favors? Clear divided boxes hold colorful candies, with twine and red-and-white bobbers tied around the outside.
Use food-safe boxes if you’re making your own version. For little guests, I’d swap the real bobbers for large paper fishing tags.
plaid picnic table settings
Last but definitely not least, we have this cute picnic table setup. The red plaid runner and tall red lanterns bring so much color to the white table.
Brown party bags and little drink bottles sit at the place settings. Start with the runner, then add your favors and lanterns down the center to try a similar arrangement.
Read also: 20 Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas for Him With Games, Food and Backyard Fun