After a long, fun, and tiring day of camping, it’s important for children to have a way to relax and prepare for a good night’s sleep. And the best way to start getting kids to wind down? Reading a book.

According to a 2022 study published in Psicologia, reading promotes better sleep and also plays a key role in developing empathy in children. As they immerse themselves in different narratives, children learn to build emotional connections with characters and situations, a process that can enhance their understanding of others. 

This empathy, when nurtured through stories, can be further cultivated in the natural settings of camping, where children learn to appreciate the environment and their fellow campers. To jumpstart your child’s reading journey, we list useful tips and five of our favorite children’s reads. 

 

Encouraging your child to read

Getting kids excited about reading can sometimes be a challenge, especially after a day filled with outdoor activities. That is why our previous article on How To Get Kids Engaged In Reading emphasized the need to let children choose their own books. To get kids reading, parents should allow them to explore different genres and themes and be open to their preferences, whether they lean towards fantasy, adventure, or even humor.

Another great approach is to get creative with the reading medium. While traditional print books are always a good choice, ebooks can be particularly appealing for kids who are already familiar with using tablets or smartphones. 

The selection of children’s ebooks at Everand range from trendy titles to Newbery Medal Winners, so your child will have no problem selecting their new favorite. Moreover, the online platform also offers features like adjustable font sizes and background colors to enhance readability, as well as a dark mode for night reading, all of which make it a kid-friendly option for winding down at the end of a busy camp day.

5 children’s books

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

This classic story is perfect for younger children who need a calming tale before bedtime. Follow the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor’s garden and gets into trouble. Its message about curiosity and consequences provides a subtle lesson wrapped in an engaging story.

 

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

The lovable and literal-minded maid Amelia Bedelia is a favorite among children for her hilarious misinterpretations and mishaps, as well as Lynn Sweat’s vibrant illustrations, which brought the adventures to life. Amelia Bedelia’s creative ways of interpreting instructions show kids how to think outside the box while simultaneously teaching children the importance of accepting and celebrating people’s differences.

 

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

In this charming story set along the riverbank, Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger navigate friendship, adventure, and the comforts of home. This book is ideal for children who love animals, with its whimsical illustrations and characters allowing kids to imagine easy parallels between each character, themselves, and their fellow camp buddies.

 

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

For older children who enjoy mystery and fantasy, The Graveyard Book offers an imaginative tale that balances spooky elements with heartwarming themes. This modern classic follows Nobody “Bod” Owens, a boy raised in a graveyard by ghosts, and is an excellent choice for winding down after a campfire ghost story session.

 

The Little Grey Men by Denys Watkins-Pitchford

This Carnegie medal-winning book transports readers to the British countryside, where the last remaining gnomes embark on a journey through nature, hunting, and fishing like the animals around them. By Ash, Oak and Thorn author Melissa Harrison explains how the story inspired her as a child to later write her own middle-grade nature novel. It paints a wonderful, detailed picture of the natural world, making it a perfect read to connect children with nature even after they’ve left the campfire.

So, gather around the campfire, pick a book from this list, and let your child’s imagination continue to explore even after the sun has set. For more tips on building the confidence of happy campers, see our other write-ups on Happy Camper Live.