Camping presents the most practical opportunity to be in touch with nature and escape from the regular activities in life. This is an awesome activity, however, enhancing the activities with some outdoor games will help you make the camping experience unforgettable. Regardless of whether you have family, friends or both in the camping adventure, these outdoor camping games are so much fun and all the participants will enjoy the adventure.
The Perks of Outdoor Camping Games
A brief excursion that only lasts two nights in a tent can be turned into a thrilling experience that is sure to be remembered forever by the family members. Consider the following advantages of including games when organizing your camping schedule:
Triggers Social Contact
Someone does not have to be somewhat timid when someone says “let’s play”. Games act as a great ‘ice breaker’ that encourages participants to relate with each other. This aspect is very helpful especially if the trip is with new acquaintances and friends who did not know each other prior to the camping trip.
Increases Exercise Levels
Outdoor games are very physical and healthy too. Running and jumping and moving around in a place where there is no roof not only makes contentment much higher but also improves fitness level too.
Promotes teamwork and coordination
Most outdoor activities are composed of groups that can help improve bonds among the participants. It facilitates the development of communication skills and a sense of belonging among individuals working for a common cause.
Provides A Chance For Engagement
Other forms of online games may be used for educational purposes. Some tasks require participants to acquire other skills like navigation, addressing issues, or even bushcraft.
Leads To Creation Of Memories
The happiness and enjoyment that results from playing games provides lasting impressions on the individual and those around him/her for many years.
Effective Outdoor Camping Games for Families with Kids
Here e are some outdoor games which can be useful during camping because the whole family can play regardless of the age and skills of each family member. Most of these games are appropriate for campsites, forested areas and even open air facilities.
Campfire Charades
Sit everyone around the campfire and organize a charade session. This popular entertainment is sure to have participants in stitches as they guess words or phrases only acted out. Such occasions are split into two sections where members of one team have to guess what has been depicted by a member of the opposite team.
How to do it effectively:
Get some camping-related nouns or adjectives for it.
Give them time limits for the actions as this brings in competition.
Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is one such game that has been played for ages and is most suitable for large groups. Participants can be divided into 2 teams and a field can be chosen for the activity. Each team has itsown flag which they need to guard while capturing the flag of the other team. This game encourages group work as well as planning.
Tips:
Again, respect the game boundaries to ensure it does not become chaos.
Add obstacles or places to hide for fun.
Scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great option when trying to familiarize yourself with the camping site. Prepare a checklist including certain items such as certain plants, rocks, animals etc and ask the campers to locate them. Teams compete with each other and try to locate all of the items as fast as possible.
Tips:
Adjust the scavenger hunt according to your surrounding environment.
To make it more interesting, offer some little incentives for the winning team.
Frisbee Golf
Frisbee golf is entertaining, where throwing the discs and target can turn one’s day into a jolly affair. Establish “holes” using tree trunks, benches, or even buildings. There are also turns where players aim to a target using the frisbee, the objective is to hit the target in as minimum throw attempts as possible.
Tips:
Clearly define the “holes” and the area within which the game shall be played.
It can be competitive, and so keep score and announce the winner at the end of it all when and if it all.
Outdoor Board Games Outdoor board games are also a good option for sharing some quality time at night and away from the stars outside. Games made during these Dark evenings such as Jenga, or Nintendo’s Uno, or even the more sizable compact versions of board games are filling for a camping night. The combination of games and nature brings incomparable comfort and pleasure.
Tips:
Pick up the games that can be moved and played without much hassle.
They should think about how many people will be playing the game when choosing the games.
Glow Stick Hide and Seek Glow Stick Hide and Seek offer a completely different twist on the traditional game of hide and seek but this time around you will use these glow sticks.
… And then everyone hides in their hiding spots but all of them must have a glow stick. The play turns into some magical experience in the dark due to the light sticks.
Tips:
Outline some boundaries ensure some degree of safety stalking the players seeking for hiding spots that are too extreme for safety.
Let each person have a different color of glow sticks so as to have fun.
Nature Bingo A game of Nature bingo is an interesting manner that complicates the main aim of this trek which is exploration with the aspect of a game.
Make bingo cards containing various things you can find or see while you walk including creatures or plants. As you go around, you can mark off on your card the items you find.
Tips:
Edit bingo cards to suit the specific site for camping.
Give the small rewards for the first person/team to complete bingo.
Cornhole
One such game is Cornhole- an outdoor game which is easy to play yet very competitive. In corn hole action, a board is placed in front of players and they take turns throwing bean bags on the target. The objective is that as many bags stay on the board or in the hole as possible.
Tips:
Either buy a portable cornhole set or design your own.
Have a cut-throat tournament bracket for even more fun.
Card Games
When it comes to Camping games, a pack of cards ranks among the best as there are numerous games that one can enjoy with the pack. The game can be poker, rummy, Go Fish or any other card game; cards are easy to come by and almost everyone enjoys playing them.
Tips:
Carry with you some card games embodied with different themes.
You can make a mini-tournament to make it more intense.
Tug of War
Every school going child has at one time or another engaged themselves in Tug of War. Have a strong rope long enough to accommodate all the two teams. In this activity, a line is drawn on the ground and two sides attempt to tug the opposing side over the line. This game promotes corporate spirit and competition.
Tips:
Make sure that the area intended for play is clear of any obstacles that can endanger the safety of the players.
Set an imaginary line such that no one has disputes about who is winning the game.
Bocce Ball
The game in which a player throws practice balls made of solid wood and ‘pallino’ is played on interactional surfaces. So call in all the players, mark out a small court and take turns aiming the balls towards the target called ‘pallino’. The target at this stage is also defined: to pole the ‘socalled’ ball as close to the ‘pallino’ as possible.
Tips:
The area most preferable is relatively steady.
Go for strategy and teamwork.
Mini-Olympics
A mini-Olympic tournament will be a great way to have everyone partaking in such games and undertaking different challenges. Plan for various types of activities such as sack races, three-legged race, hula hoops, disc throwing, and so on where people will be arranged into ‘teams’.
Tips:
Consider including as many events as possible.
You will have to keep score of all the teams to know who won in the end.
Relay Races
Another competitive activity is relay races. A number of obstacles races running, crawling, balancing and the like will be setup. Relay races involve a number of teams racing against each other in which one teammate runs a particular distance of the race while the other members of the team wait for their turn at the sidelines.
Tips:
Adjust the area where the race will take place according to the area where the camping activities will be carried out.
Cooperate and communicate with other teammates.
Stargazing and Storytelling
Although this is not a conventional game, it is fun to sit around the camp and enjoy looking up the night sky or telling stories to one another. Try to get everyone to talk about the camping memories or any frightening stories. This calm environment will help in bonding and making some good memories.
Tips:
A telescope or binoculars will greatly improve the stargazing experience.
A stargazing application may be useful in identifying the individual stars or planets.
Kickball
Kickball is a rather simple and playful game with happy-go-lucky teens that is easy to organize and play. Make the bases and make teams for kick ball and break to runners and kickers. The idea of this game is a blend of both soccer and baseball that so many will find enjoyable.
Tips:
Use a soft and light ball to avoid casualties.
Find a clear area for playing where there no playing hazards.
Water Balloon Toss
If it’s hot weather and there’s going to be a camping trip, then try playing a water balloon toss. Here partners take turns throwing a water balloon to each other while moving further and further from each other. The idea here is to keep the balloon for as long as possible.
Tips:
Instead of regular water balloons, use biodegradable ones. It is good for the health of the environment.
Have some extra ones in case there is a need for replay or sudden breaks.
Competition with Fishing
Whenever you are tenting next to a water body, think of organizing a fishing competition. Check who will be the one to catch the largest fish or the most fish within a certain time limit. This is a relaxing activity that combines leisure and a little bit of competition.
Tips:
Ensure that everyone has the proper licenses and fishing gears.
Issue the competition rules so that scrupulousness is observed.
Balloon Volleyball
You can improvise with a net (or even a rope) and play balloon volleyball. This version of the popular game volleyball takes a twist as the balloon lightens the game and makes it easy for all players regardless of their skills.
Tips:
A large balloon will help with the placement of the game as it limits the players.
Also, you can have teams or a tournament.
Nature Trail Game
Make a nature walk more interesting by turning it into a game with tasks that one has to complete. Such tasks may involve picking certain types of leaves or taking photographs of certain plants or listening to different birds calls and identifying them. This gives extra educational value to your adventure.
Tips:
To engage everyone, devise a list of tasks in advance.
Be specific in the way the tasks are achieved, to make it fun.
Bonfire Cook-Off
One of the best and most fun activities to do as a group is holding a bonfire cook-off, where each one of the team has to prepare a special dish of their choice from the basic campfire ingredients. Later on after the cooking has been done, the teams share the food and vote for the best dish made. It brings a test of creativity as well as a chance to eat.
Tips:
You need to allocate timing for the cooking otherwise it will be boring.
Have fun allowing everyone to be free in their dishes and charcuterie.
Conclusion on Outdoor Camping Games
One of the best ways to level up your camping experience will definitely have to be incorporating outdoor camping games. Outdoor camping games come with fun-filled moments, joy, and bonding time to your adventure. As has been articulated above, there are so many options whether it is old time favorites such as charades, or even more exciting ones like scavenger hunts and capture the flag.
Put those items at the top of your list when next you think of going hiking or camping. Ensure that there are numerous games in your camping gear that will fit all age groups. These outdoor camping games not only capture attention but also create happy and emotional memories that withstand the test of time even as the shorelines change. So round up your family and friends, pack your bags for camping and wait for the fun.