As a child my parents would take my brother and I camping in our pop-up camper almost every summer. I remember the smell of the fire, the warmth of my kitty cat sleeping bag, and the taste of marshmallows. As a family we would go swimming, play cards, and go to the movies. These are some of my fondest memories growing up and something that I want to share with my own children.
Our Camping I Spy game printable is the perfect way to practice important motor and cognitive skills- all while having a blast with friends and family! These colorful I spy visual discrimination activities will have you wishing you could stare up at the stars and just enjoy the great outdoors.
Recommended Grade Level/Uses:
I Spy “Flip” Supplies:
- Paper
- Scissors or Paper Cutter
- Laminating Supplies
Learning About Memory Skills:
I SPY PRintable GAME
ASKING STUDENTS TO USE COGNITIVE (THINKING) SKILLS CAN HELP BUILD THEIR WORKING MEMORY. STUDENTS CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE:
- Where is that picture located?
- What characteristics of the object will help me find it?
- I remember seeing that picture before, how can I find it again?
It’s important for kids of all ages to practice using their memory and problem-solving skills in order to recognize visual details, enhance vocabulary, and follow multiple step directions.
This easy I Spy printable can be used with an individual child, a pair of children, or a small group.
A few examples of the camping I spy images included in this printable are: fish, tents, mountains, bears, campfire, hikers, stars, and log cabins.
This fun game can fit into any part of your child’s day-
- While lunch is being prepared
- Fun indoor activity during a rainy day
- After a classroom activity or assignment was finished
- On road trips
- As a boredom buster when the whining begins
- Occupational therapy games
In addition to exercising a child’s working memory, here are more concepts to explore using the I Spy board game:
- What colors are in that object?
- What shapes make up the object?
- What letter does that object start with?
What Social Skills Can Preschoolers Learn?
Practicing social skills with the game i spy
HAVING STUDENTS WORK TOGETHER TO PLAY THE FLIP MEMORY GAME CAN UTILIZE SOCIAL SKILLS LIKE:
- Turn-taking and patience
- Positive communication
- Resilience after a loss
- Cooperation
Why Is It Important For Kids To Practice Memory Skills?
Besides the fact that kids love playing I Spy games, there are so many other reasons you should work on problem-solving and visual scanning activities with your child.
Develop a Child’s Focus
In order for children to be successful in finding matches, they must practice focusing on where objects are and concentrating on how to find them again.
Improving Short Term Memory
Processing data quickly is a product of short term memory. Practicing using your short term memory can also help strengthen long term memory and the ability to recall information at a later time.
Develop Visual Recognition
Children are using visuals and characteristics to quickly find a specific object. They will have to recognize colors, shapes and other distinctive features to locate the picture. This can be accomplished with fun games for kids.
Cognitive Sorting
A child’s brain needs to be able to sort the information of the objects they are seeing in order to narrow down where the specific object is. If the child flips a card with a bear on it, they must quickly sort which pictures are the color brown.
Tools you’ll need
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“My multi-aged group loved this even more than I thought they would! “
My kiddos love this! I use it for early finishers or in the morning while they are staggering in during breakfast. They are very engaged and enjoy playing!
How To Use These Camping Game Printables
How to Use the Activity
- Choose your option below to get the printable pack.
- Print, cut out, and laminate the activity for durability.
Using the “Flip” I Spy Game
Choose how many players will be participating in the game. Make sure to explain how the game is played and possibly model how to play it for them. This treasure hunt is great for younger kids and older kids.
Once the posters are laminated, there are many learning activities you can use them for, including using dry erase markers.
How Do I Play the Camping Activity Board Game?
Playing this I Spy Board game is simple.
- Choose your I Spy game board.
- Divide the cards evenly among the players.
- Place the cards face down on the table.
- All players flip their top cards at the same time.
- Race to find the picture on your card first.
- Whoever finds their picture first wins a token.
- Play continues until the playing cards have all been used.
- The player that has the most tokens at the end of the game is the winner.
Our Favorite I Spy Books for Kids:
We can’t live without these!
Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this superhero activity for kids, take it a step further with these engaging resources:
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I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles
Sorting Cards
Use the image cards to practice sorting visual information like colors, shapes, and living vs. nonliving
Challenging Words
Create word cards to challenge students with identifying the image with the corresponding word.
Creative Storytelling
Give your child the image cards from the I Spy Camping game and have them create a story using the pictures. This could be a great game for speech therapy sessions.
I Spy Game
Use the I Spy pages to play the classic game I Spy. Start the game with “I Spy with my little eye…” and engage the children with verbal cues to find the matching picture.
Extend the I Spy Activity
Use the I Spy activity for kids with books about camping or outdoors to locate the I Spy pictures.
Get I Spy Free Printables
In addition to our I Spy “Flip” Game series, we have 20+ I Spy Free Printables on Life Over C.s Get I Spy Worksheets, posters and games here.
Focus Skills
For I Spy “Flip” Board Game:
Camping I Spy “Flip” Board Game
10 Game Boards
40 Playing Cards
Non-stop FUN!
