Camping is a great way for families to spend time together and create memories that will last a lifetime. But what do you do when the kids get bored? Don't fear, we have compiled a list of the best camping games for kids!
These outdoor play activities are sure to keep your little ones entertained for hours on end. So pack up the tent and get ready for some fun.
1.) Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great way to keep kids entertained and engaged. It can be as simple as hiding a few objects around the house or yard, or it can be a more complex game with clues and riddles. Either way, scavenger hunts are a great way to get kids moving and thinking. And best of all, they can be customized to any age group or interest.
How To Play:
- Decide on the items you will be hiding.
- If you are making a more complex game, write out clues or riddles for each item.
- Hide the items around your campsite.
- Let the kids loose to find the hidden treasures!
What You Need:
-A list of items for the kids to find. This can be anything from common objects like rocks and leaves to more specific things like a certain type of flower or a particular animal track.
-A way to divide the kids into teams. This can be done simply by counting off or by dividing them up based on age or ability level.
-A timer. This will help keep the fun camping game moving and prevent it from dragging on too long.
- Prizes for the winning team. These can be small toys, candy, or even just bragging rights.
2.) Duck-duck-goose
This classic childhood game is a great way to get kids up and moving. It can be played with many people, making it perfect for large groups.
How To Play:
- One child starts in the middle of the circle and is designated as the “goose”.
- The rest of the children sit in a circle around the goose.
- The goose then walks around the outside of the circle, tapping each child on the head and saying “duck.”
- When the goose taps a child on the head and says “goose,” that child must chase the goose around the circle.
- If the Goose is caught, he or she becomes the next goose. If not, the child who was tapped remains the goose for the next round.
What You Need:
-A group of kids. The more, the merrier!
-A large open space. This game requires a lot of running, so ensure you have enough room to accommodate everyone.
-A way to keep track of who is “it”. This can be done by simply keeping count or by using a marker or piece of candy to designate the goose.
-Plenty of energy! This game can be quite rowdy, so be prepared for some excitement.
3.) Water Bucket Relay
This game is perfect for hot summer days. It will keep kids cool and entertained while they work up a sweat.
How To Play:
- Divide the kids into teams of two.
- Each team must fill a bucket with water from a nearby source (lake, river, etc).
- Once the bucket is full, the team must carry it back to the starting line and empty it into a larger container.
- The first team to fill the container wins!
What You Need:
-A large container to serve as the “ finish line”. This can be anything from a bucket to a garbage can.
-Water buckets or containers for each team. These can be anything from buckets to plastic cups.
-A water source. This can be a lake, river, hose, or even just a tap.
-A way to keep track of time. This will help ensure that the game is fair and that no team has an unfair advantage.
-Prizes for the winning team! These can be small toys, candy, or even just bragging rights.
4.) Simon Says
Simon Says is a memory and listening game for kids of all ages. It can be played with a large group or just a few people. This game is great for kids because it helps them improve their listening skills and memory. It’s also a lot of fun!
How To Play:
- One person is Simon, and the others are the players. Simon gives a command to the players, such as “Simon says touch your nose.”
- The players must do what Simon says but only if he/she includes the phrase “Simon says.” If Simon doesn’t say “Simon says” before giving a command, the players shouldn’t do anything.
- The goal is for Simon to trick the players into doing something without saying “Simon says” first.
- If a player does something without Simon saying “Simon says,” then that player is out of the game.
- The game is over when there is only one player left.
What You Need:
- A large group of people
5.) Glowing Ring Toss
This game is perfect for nighttime campouts. It’s a great way to get kids involved in activities after the sun goes down.
How To Play:
- Divide the kids into teams of two.
- Each team must choose one child to be the “tosser” and one child to be the “catcher”.
- The tosser must throw the ring over the catcher’s head and around their waist.
- If the ring is successfully caught, then the team gets a point.
- The first team to reach 20 points wins!
What You Need:
- A set of glow-in-the-dark rings. These can be purchased online or at most department stores.
- A way to keep track of points. This can be done by simply keeping count or by using a marker or piece of candy to designate the goose.
- Plenty of energy! This game can be quite rowdy, so be prepared for some excitement.
6.) Nature Bingo
This is a great game to help kids learn about the different animals and plants they might see on their camping trips!
How To Play:
- Before your trip, print out a nature bingo sheet for each child. You can find these online or make your own.
- Once you're on your camping, help the kids fill in their bingo sheets by calling out different animals and plants that they might see.
- If they see one of the items on their sheet, they can put a mark next to it.
- The first person to get five items in a row ( horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins the game!
What You Need:
- Nature bingo sheets (you can find these online or make your own)
- Pen or pencil for each child
7.) Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe is a classic game that can be played with any number of people. It’s a great way to pass the time, and it’s also very easy to learn.
How To Play:
- The game is played on a three-by-three grid.
- Two players take turns placing their marks on the grid. The first player can choose to be either X or O.
- The goal is to get three of your marks in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally).
- If all nine spaces on the grid are filled, and no one has won, then the game is a tie.
What You Need:
- A three-by-three grid. This can be drawn on a piece of paper or even just scratched in the dirt.
- Two players!
8.) I Spy
Is a great game for kids of all ages. It helps improve observation skills and can be played anywhere.
How To Play:
- One player starts by saying “I spy with my little eye something…” and then finishes the sentence with a description of an object that can be found within sight.
- The other players must then try to guess what object the first player is describing.
- The first person to correctly guess the object gets to be the next “spy”.
What You Need:
- A group of people and a good imagination!
- Optional: something to write with and paper if you want to keep track of the guesses.
9.) Glow in the Dark Bowling
This is a super easy game to set up, and you can do it with items you probably already have around the house! Glow-in-the-dark bowling is a great way for kids to burn off energy, especially on rainy or cold days when they can't go outside to play. It's also a great way to promote hand-eye coordination and motor skills. And, of course, it's just plain fun!
How To Play:
- Set up the ten plastic bottles in a triangle shape, like traditional bowling pins.
- Use the black permanent marker to draw a face on each bottle.
- If you're playing in a dark room, you can put a glow stick or flashlight inside each bottle to make them "glow."
- To bowl, have the child stand at one end of the room and roll the ball toward the pins.
- Keep score like traditional bowling, with a strike being worth ten points and a spare being worth five points.
- The child with the highest score at the end of ten frames is the winner!
What You Need:
- You will need:
- Ten plastic cups
- A black-light (or flashlight)
- Glow sticks or neon paint
- A bowling ball
10.) Water Gun Races
Water gun races are a great way for kids to stay cool while they burn off some extra energy. Not only are they a lot of fun, but they can also help kids to develop important motor skills. In addition, water gun races can help kids to develop strategic thinking skills. It offers a unique opportunity for kids to have fun while they also exercise their bodies and minds.
How To Play:
- Punch a hole in two cups and thread the string through the hole.
- Tie each one off between two trees, poles, or something similar.
- Fill up the water guns and “race” to push the cups along their strings from one end to the other.
What You Need:
- Plastic cups
- String
- Water guns (one per player)
11.) Park Ranger
This is a great game for kids who love animals and the outdoors, making it an ideal choice for families looking to engage in outdoor games. It's also a great way to teach kids about safety in the wilderness. Additionally, playing park ranger can help kids to build important life skills such as problem-solving and resourcefulness. And it is a great way for them to learn about teamwork and cooperation.
How To Play:
- The Park Ranger is chosen at random. The start player is in the middle of the grass. Players stand in a line (shoulder-to-shoulder) facing the Park Ranger, all of them choosing an animal.
- After the Park Ranger says a specific animal trait, the players whose animals have that quality must run quickly across the lawn without getting caught or going outside of the playing area.
- The game's goal is for the Park Ranger to tag as many people as possible. If a player is tagged, they become a tree. - Trees are immobile after being tagged but can still sway their arms and attempt to tag other players as they run past. - If a Tree tags you, you also become a tree. The last player standing who has not been turned into a tree wins and gets to be the Park Ranger for future rounds.
What You Need:
- A large open space
- At least four people to play
12.) Baseball With Water Balloons
This is a great game for kids who love baseball. Playing with water balloons can be a fun and safe way for kids to play. Water balloons provide an opportunity for kids to use their imaginations and be creative. They can also help promote physical activity and provide a healthy outlet for energy.
How To Play:
- Fill up water balloons and place them in a bucket.
- Set up plastic cups or cones in the shape of a diamond.
- Each player gets three throws to try to hit a water balloon.
- If they hit a balloon, they get to take a base.
- The first player to make it all the way around the diamond wins!
What You Need:
- Water balloons
- A bucket
- Plastic cups or cones
- Plastic bat
13.) Tag
This is a great game for kids who love to run and play. There are many benefits to playing tag. For one, it helps them to burn off energy and stay active. It also encourages them to think quickly and develop strategies for avoiding being tagged. But perhaps most importantly, playing tag helps kids to socialize and develop friendships. In a fast-paced game of tag, kids learn how to cooperate and work together in order to achieve a common goal. As they laugh and play together, they also learn how to communicate.
How To Play:
- One player is chosen to be "It."
- The other players line up at one end of the playing area.
- "It" stands in the middle of the playing area.
- "It" calls out the name of one of the players.
- The player who is called must then run to the other side of the playing area without getting caught by "It."
- If the player gets caught, they become "It."
- The game is over when all of the players have been caught.
What You Need:
- A large open space
- At least four people to play
14.) Sack Race
This is a great game for kids who love to run and play. Sack races are a fun way for kids to stay active and burn off energy. They can also help promote physical coordination and balance. Additionally, sack races can be a great team-building exercise as they require cooperation and communication.
How To Play:
- Divide players into teams of two.
- Each team lines up at the starting line.
- The first player in each team puts their legs through the sack and stands up.
- When the race begins, the players must hop to the finish line without falling over.
- The first team to cross the finish line wins!
What You Need:
- Sacks
- A large open space
- At least 10 people to play
15.) Fire Tender
If you need a camping game for kids that doesn't make too much noise, try this: each player must take sticks away from the fire tender without getting caught. If you have a large group, add a twist by making the kids who are pointed at sit out for the rest of that round.
How To Play:
- One child sits blindfolded with lots of sticks around him.
- The rest of the children, one or two at a time, attempt to creep up and steal a stick from him and return safely.
- If the blindfolded child hears a noise, he points in that direction.
- It is good to split the rest of the group into two teams and one from each group goes up at a time.
- When all the sticks are gone, you can count them up from each team or not, depending on whether or not they respond to competition.
What You Need:
- Sticks
- Blindfolds
Final Thoughts
A camping trip is a fantastic way to disconnect your kids from screens and immerse the entire family in nature’s beauty. These fun camping games for kids offer a perfect balance between engaging their minds and letting them enjoy the great outdoors.
With options like scavenger hunts, nature bingo, and flashlight tag, there’s no shortage of entertainment to keep them active and happy. You can also incorporate classics like capture the flag, cup stacking, or even get creative with storytelling around the campfire.
The variety of games ensures that everyone, from toddlers to adults, can join in the fun. So, pack up the gear, gather your family, and embrace the joy of outdoor play. With these 15 family camping games for kids and adults, your next adventure is bound to be unforgettable.
Looking for even more ways to keep your outdoor spaces fun and engaging? Explore Park N Play Design for creative playground equipment and solutions that bring excitement and adventure to every community!
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