Systems and techniques for node-density aware interest packet forwarding in a dynamic ad hoc information centric network (ICN) are described herein. For example, a next interest packet to forward may be obtained at a network node. A time period to hold the next interest packet before forwarding may be calculated based on node density in the network. The node may then broadcast the next interest packet upon expiration of a timer set to the time period and started when the next interest packet was obtained.