Creative Alternatives to Screens During Camping Trips

Camping trips are often billed as the unplugged getaway, but once the sun sets and there's nothing left to explore in the dark, a phone or tablet can quietly reappear around the campfire. A small, waterproof pouch of coloring pages and a headlamp can fill that after-dinner lull just as well, without breaking the trip's unplugged spirit.

Why Consider a Screen-Free Alternative

A camping trip is usually already screen-light by design, which is part of the appeal. Having a creative backup for the quiet evening hours helps that intention hold up once the novelty of the campsite itself has worn off for the night.

Coloring as a Simple Swap

Coloring by lantern or headlamp light fits the campsite mood well, and campsite-themed pages — tents, stars, campfires — tie the activity directly to the trip itself, making it feel like part of the adventure rather than a distraction from it.

Other Creative Options to Mix In

• Pack a compact travel tin of crayons and a few coloring pages in a waterproof bag, since campsites are rarely fully dry.
• Use it as a backup plan for a rainy day at the campsite, when outdoor activities aren't an option.
• Let coloring double as a wind-down activity after dinner, before everyone heads into the tent for the night.

Tips for Making the Swap Stick

• Store supplies in a sealed pouch to protect them from dew, rain, or a spilled water bottle.
• Bring a headlamp or lantern specifically for evening coloring sessions once it gets dark.
• For more rainy-day backup ideas, see creative alternatives to screens during rainy afternoons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the pages get damp or dirty at the campsite?

A sealed waterproof pouch handles most of that risk, and a slightly worn page is a normal part of camping gear, not a real setback.

Do camping trips really need a screen-free backup plan?

Not strictly, but many families like keeping the trip's unplugged feel going into the evening, and a coloring kit is a low-effort way to do that.

Is coloring by headlamp actually workable?

Yes, with a bit of extra light — a headlamp or small lantern provides enough to see colors clearly for a short evening session.

Conclusion

A waterproof coloring kit and a headlamp keep a camping trip's evening hours creative and unplugged, right through to the last night by the fire. For more ideas, see why coloring beats scrolling on camping trips.