Fun Games to Play with Kids While Camping
Camping is one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to spend quality time with your family. There's something magical about waking up to the fresh, crisp air, cooking meals over a fire, and exploring the great outdoors together. But sometimes, keeping the kids entertained can be a challenge, especially if you're in a remote area without the usual distractions like screens or theme parks. That's why I love planning some fun and engaging games to play with the kids during our camping trips. These games not only keep the kids active and entertained but also help them connect with nature and bond as a family.
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
One of my absolute favorite games to play with kids while camping is a nature scavenger hunt. It's easy to organize and doesn’t require a lot of supplies—just a little creativity and the natural surroundings. The game can be as simple or as challenging as you like, and it's an excellent way for kids to explore their environment. I usually create a list of things they need to find, such as a pinecone, a specific type of flower, a smooth rock, or a feather. As the kids search for these items, they learn about the different plants, animals, and natural features around them. Plus, it's a fantastic way to get them moving and out of the tent!
We usually make the hunt a little competitive, seeing who can find the most items on the list, but sometimes I let them team up to work together. It's a great icebreaker activity if you have multiple families or kids of different ages in your group.
2. Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is an old classic, and it’s even better in the open space of a campsite! This game requires a bit more space, so a campground with plenty of room is ideal. You’ll need two teams, and each team has a flag (or any object that represents their flag) that they need to protect while trying to steal the other team's flag. The thrill of running across the campsite and trying to outsmart your opponents while staying within the boundaries of the playing field is always a hit with kids. Capture the Flag is not only fun but helps kids develop teamwork, strategy, and leadership skills.
To make it more interesting, you can add obstacles like trees or tents for hiding, or introduce challenges like requiring players to freeze in place if they get tagged. It’s a game that can be easily adapted to suit all ages.
3. Campfire Storytelling Challenge
After a long day of outdoor activities, it’s time to wind down around the campfire. While roasting marshmallows, why not challenge the kids to a storytelling game? I love creating a fun, interactive experience where everyone adds a sentence or two to a growing story. One person starts with a line like, "Once upon a time, there was a brave little squirrel who wanted to become a hero." Then, each person in the group adds to the tale in turn. The story can go in all sorts of wild directions, and the laughter that follows makes for some truly memorable moments.
Another variation is to use props from nature like sticks, rocks, or leaves, and incorporate them into the story. This game is not only fun but also sparks creativity and imagination in the kids. It’s an ideal way to settle down before heading off to sleep.
4. Hide and Seek in the Dark
As the sun sets, why not take traditional hide and seek to the next level with a nighttime version? Hide and Seek in the dark is an exciting twist on the old favorite and will thrill your kids as they test their bravery in the nighttime wilderness. You can use a flashlight or lantern for the seeker to help find hidden players, but the challenge is to find a great hiding spot where the seeker can’t see you! Just make sure the area is safe and that everyone knows the boundaries of the game.
One of the best things about playing this game is that it encourages kids to develop their senses and awareness of their environment, while having an absolute blast doing it. Just make sure to supervise them closely, especially if they’re younger, to ensure everyone stays safe!
5. Nature Art and Craft Games
For a quieter activity, I love setting up a nature art station for the kids. This can be as simple as collecting items like leaves, flowers, rocks, and sticks, and then using them to create their own works of art. You can provide some simple tools like glue, string, or markers to help them craft unique nature-inspired creations. It’s a wonderful way to help kids tap into their creative side while also fostering an appreciation for the natural materials around them.
Nature art can also be used as a way to explore science concepts with older kids. For instance, you could explain how different plants or rocks form, and then challenge them to create something that represents what they’ve learned. It’s a relaxing activity that keeps the kids engaged without needing any electricity or screens, and it’s something that they can be proud of when they’re finished!
6. Obstacle Course Challenge
If you have a little more space at your campsite, an obstacle course is a fantastic way to burn off energy and have fun together. You can use natural materials like logs, rocks, and trees to create an exciting and challenging course. Have the kids race against each other or time them to see who can complete the course the fastest. You can even create different difficulty levels depending on the age of the kids involved.
Obstacle courses are not only fun, but they also promote physical activity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Plus, the sense of achievement when the kids finish the course is priceless!
7. Water Balloon Toss
If you’re camping during warm weather, a water balloon toss is always a hit! It's a simple game where you toss water balloons back and forth, with each successful catch allowing the players to take a step further apart. As the distance increases, the challenge becomes greater. It's a fun and refreshing way to cool down during a hot summer day at the campsite.
While you can’t always predict how many water balloons you’ll be able to fill and throw, the giggles and laughter from kids trying not to pop the balloons make it well worth the effort. Just make sure to pick up all the pieces afterward to leave no trace behind in nature!
8. Shadow Stories
For a more peaceful and imaginative experience, I recommend a game called Shadow Stories. Using a flashlight, shine light against a tent or a wall and let the kids create shapes or animal shadows with their hands or with objects from nature. You can then make up stories based on the shapes they create. For example, a shadow shaped like a tree might lead to a story about a forest adventure, while a shadow resembling a bird could start a tale about a soaring journey through the skies.
This game encourages kids to use their imagination and fosters creative thinking, all while being in a relaxed, calming environment at the campsite.
9. Campground Bingo
If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to pack and can be played anywhere, Campground Bingo is the way to go! Create bingo cards with items or animals that can be found in the campsite. For example, a squirrel, a campfire, a bird, or a specific type of flower. As the kids spot these items throughout the day, they can mark them off on their bingo card. The first one to fill their card wins!
This game helps kids stay engaged with their surroundings and also provides a fun activity that can be played during downtime at the campsite. It’s also great for all ages, as you can customize the difficulty of the items on the card based on the age of the participants.
