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As a kid, the exhilarating part of camping is the freedom to run around and just be a kid. Making up interesting camping games is what kids do best.
Camping is a time for unstructured play. Playing pretend. Using your imagination and the occasional supplies you can find laying around (or scavenge from your campsite).
You will rarely hear your kids say that they are bored while you are camping. But it might happen.
It could be that they are hot and tired. Crankiness sometimes lead to whining about being bored.
Even though what they are really saying is that they don’t have the energy to play pretend or use their imagination right now. They need some help with an activity.
They have climbed all the trees. Ridden their bikes for miles (even though it was really just a bunch of laps around the campground). And dug up enough dirt to make their own mud huts.
Now they want some structured play time and they want you to help.
Use this list of games as boredom busters. Some are just suggestions to throw out and let the kids take it from there. Others are games you might have to facilitate or prep a little for them. {MAKE A CHECKLIST OF ACTIVITIES AS AN OPT-IN}
I’ve also included some games that will keep them busy on those rainy days when they are stuck under a tarp, in a tent, or the camper.
No-Prep Games
These are games that you can just mention (or print them out and add them to a jar so they can pull one out to play randomly). They are classic games that are meant to be played outside.
You may have to help by setting the boundaries of where they can run, what object is base, or some other modification. After that…you can just let them play!
Outside Games
- Hide and Seek
- Hopscotch
- Duck, Duck, Goose
- Catch
- Cartoon Tag
- What’s the Time, Mr Wolf?
- Jump Rope
- Kickball
- Hula Hooping
- Monkey in the Middle (Keep Away)
- Knucklebones (Jack Stones)
- Marbles
- Four Square
- Red Rover
- Capture the Flag
- Freeze Tag
Rainy Day Games
These are similar to the outside games that they should be able to do on their own.
They may need you to brush up on a few of these old fashioned indoor camping games. Show the kids the rules or how to play the game and then let them give it a try.
- War (with cards)
- Solitaire (with cards)
- Go Fish
- Checkers
- Chess
- Old Maid
- Crazy 8’s
- Jacks (the little metal pieces and bouncy ball)
- Tic-Tac-Toe (a tic-tac-toe set you can take anywhere, no paper needed)
- Pick up Sticks
- Cat’s Cradle (with a string or shoelace)
- Farkle (or 5,000) with Dice
- Yahtzee
- Uno
- Skip-Bo
Download this printable list so you have a quick reminder when they come to you asking for something to do.
Take-Along Games
This list of camping games is great for the kids or for a family game night. Prep the games by gathering supplies, printing checklists, and grabbing the badminton (anyone else say it “badmitten”?) set before you leave for your camping getaway.
Glow in the dark ring toss is a great game for those hot summer evenings when you can't sleep. And you are okay with the kids being up a little later. Wear them out!
Easy to make. And the kids will have fun playing with the loops the next day (when all the glow is gone).
Easy Glow-In-The-Dark Bubbles | The Perfect Night Game Activity
Sticking with the glow in the dark theme, these glow in the dark bubbles are awesome!
This would be a fun activity while camping or even in the back yard. Invite the neighborhood kids over and let the kids play with bubbles.
Playing tag is a classic outside game. And it is great as a camping game if you have enough players. This one is the nighttime version.
How do you know you have been tagged? Someone shined a light on you. Have fun playing tag in the dark.
(another fun option would be hide and seek in the dark or regular dark tag)
Tossing games are usually very popular when you are spending time outside. This game is a perfect camping game.
Set up teams. Get the whole family involved. They will request this one most of the time!
This is an old fashioned classic. Spitting out the watermelon seeds is just something you do when you eat watermelon. And it almost always turns into a contest.
The fun with this one is you can turn it into a measurement lesson if you want (throw a little math and learning into the fun).
This cornhole game is super easy to make. And it is portable so it isn't taking up that much more space when you are packing for camp.
Playing cornhole is a great outdoor activity. And kids will love this one as a camping game. Almost as much as the ladder toss. Maybe more!
This one might be a pain in the rear to pack. But all the fun that you have playing it might make it worth it.
If you are going camping for more than a few days or going with a group of friends, this should be in your gear.
Another great time to play this one is when you have a backyard bbq. Dig out the Jenga, make teams, and let the laughter fall.
Just like dice can be a fun indoor game when it is cold and rainy, they can also be a great outdoor game.
Make them a little larger (or buy a set online) and then play all of your favorite dice outside.
Yahtzee, 5,000, Farkle. Take your favorite dice game and supersize it and use it as a camping game.
This frisbee golf hack is fantastic. And when you aren't playing the game you can use the baskets and the tomato cages for something else around camp.
Bonus: you have frisbees to play as a game on their own too.
Tic-Tac-Toe is a classic "anytime anywhere" game. Usually, you need a piece of paper and a writing utensil.
If you are really desperate for entertainment a stick to write in the dirt works.
This version uses a few objects from nature. And is just as satisfying. Grab a few rocks, pinecones, and sticks. Find a flat surface. And it is game on!
There are different versions of marshmallow shooters. This version can be made quickly and easily with help from the kids.
Change the colors to fit a holiday theme, birthday celebration, or just grab supplies that you have laying around. All that matters is the fun that will happen once they are made!
This one is going to be popular.
Use a Nerf Gun and Nerf darts to shoot the rolls down. If you want to make it more natural (and less likely to liter) you could just have them gather rocks.
Another variation would be to use slingshots. These could be used out in the woods for even more fun. After a quick safety meeting on what you should and shouldn't shoot (you CANNOT shoot your sibling, windows, or your moms' butt!)
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