25 FAMILY CAMPING GAMES TO PLAY ON YOUR NEXT TRIP
While camping is wonderful for relaxing over a campfire and exploring hiking trails, it is also perfect for spending quality time with friends and family. Incorporating plenty of family camping games is one of the best ways to make a fun, memorable trip. The following is some really fun games that the whole family will love, and make your outdoor adventure, a memorable trip.
I. I Spy Fun camping games for the whole family
Here’s how to play: One player starts by saying, “I spy with my little eye something that is…” and then gives a clue about the object they can see. For example, “I spy with my little eye something that is green.” The other players then take turns guessing what the object is. If someone guesses correctly, they get to be the next “spy.” If no one can guess correctly, the original spy gives another clue. All you need is your imagination and a few common objects.
2. Scavenger Hunt
This is a classic camping game that can be customized to fit any age group. Make a list of items found around the campsite, and divide it into teams. Give each team a list of items or tasks to find or complete. Set a time limit for the hunt. The first team to find all the items on the list wins!
3. Nature Bingo: Camping Games for Adults and Kids
This game is similar to regular bingo, but instead of numbers, each square on the bingo card has an image of a different item found in nature. Players mark off an item on their card whenever they spot it during a hike or nature walk. The first player to complete their bingo card wins!
4. Hiking Obstacle Course
This fun game to play when camping is perfect for kids who love being active outdoors. Set up an obstacle course using objects found around the campsite, such as tree stumps, logs, and rocks. Time each child as they complete the course, and see who can finish in the fastest time!
5. Campsite Charades
This classic party game can be easily adapted for camping fun! One player acts out a scene from a popular movie or TV show set in nature while the other players try to guess what it is. The first team to guess correctly gets to act out the next scene!
6. Animal Sounds
This game is perfect for younger kids. One player imitates the sound of an animal, and the other players have to guess which animal it is. The first player to guess correctly gets to make the next animal sound!
7. Two Truths and a Lie
One player tells three stories, two of which are true and one false. The other players then have to guess which story is the lie. The player who correctly guesses the most lies wins the game!. Easy family games to play and fun for hours in the outdoors.
8. 20 Questions: Camping games without equipment
One player thinks of an object, person, or place, and the other players take turns asking up to 20 questions to try and guess what it is. The player who guesses correctly gets to be the next “questioner.”
Some campers use questions as a means to teach kids about the outdoors, like:
- The Leave No Trace Principles
- What are the best scenic Hiking trails to aspire for?
- Tents of various sizes and uses
- Tips for survival, such as how to construct a fire
- Hiking vs. Trekking: What’s the difference?
9. Word Ladder: Outdoor games for families
One player starts by saying a word, and the next has to say a word related to it. For example, if the first player says “hiking,” the second player might say “trail.” This continues until someone can’t think of a related word, at which point they are out of the game! The last person remaining wins!
10. Hangman: Outdoor games for kids
One player thinks of a word or phrase and draws dashes on a piece of paper for each letter in the word/phrase. The other players then take turns guessing letters that might be in the word/phrase. If they guess correctly, that letter is filled in on the paper; if they guess incorrectly, they get one step closer to drawing a complete hangman! The first person to guess the word/phrase correctly wins!
11. Campfire Stories: Kid friendly camping activities
One player starts by telling a short story that includes a made-up character, object, or place. The next player then continues the story, adding their own made-up element. This continues until everyone has had a turn, at which point the first player gets to finish the story. The funniest or most creative story wins!
12. Would You Rather?
One player asks, “Would you rather hike up a mountain or swim in a lake?” The other players then have to choose which option they would rather do. The player who posed the question then gets to choose which option they would rather do! This continues until everyone has had a turn asking a question. kids have voted this one as the best outdoor games for kindergartners.
13. I’m Going to a Picnic
One player starts by saying, “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m bringing…” followed by an item that begins with the letter A. The next player then has to say, “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m bringing…” followed by an item that begins with the letter B, and so on through the alphabet. If someone forgets an item or repeats one that has already been said, they are out of the game! The last person remaining wins!
14. Simon Says
One player is chosen to be “Simon.” Simon gives commands such as “Simon says touch your toes” or “Simon says to jump in the air.” Everyone must follow these commands; however, if Simon gives a command without saying “Simon says” first, no one must follow it! Anyone following an incorrect command is out of the game; play continues until only one person remains!
15. Story Cubes
This is a great game for sparking creativity and imagination! Each player rolls nine dice, each of which has six different images. Players then use these images to create a story; whoever tells the best story wins the game!
16. Marshmallow Toss
This game is perfect for kids (and adults!) of all ages! Players take turns tossing marshmallows into each other’s mouths; whoever catches the most marshmallows wins!
17. Balloon Pop Race
This game is perfect for a hot summer day! Divide players into teams and line them up at the starting line. Each team has a balloon; the first player in each team must race to the finish line and back, popping their balloon on the way. Once they have popped their balloon, they must tag the next player in their team, then race to the finish line and back until one team has no players remaining! The first team to have all their players cross the finish line wins!
18. Water Balloon Toss
Water balloon toss is a classic game that is perfect for any outdoor family fun or event! Here’s how to play:
Each player will need a water balloon. Fill them up with water from a hose or faucet and tie the end off so the water doesn’t leak out.
Line up all of the players on one side of a designated line. The first player in line will throw their balloon to the person across from them. That person will try to catch the balloon and then throw it back. If the balloon pops, that player is out!
The game continues until there is only one player left. That player is the winner!.
19. Capture the Flag
Divide players into two teams and choose boundaries for each side’s territory. Each team hides a flag somewhere in their territory; the game’s objective is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your territory without getting caught! If a player from one team steps into enemy territory, they can be “frozen” by having a member of the other team stand next to them; they can only be unfrozen by having one of their teammates touch them. The first team to capture the other team’s flag wins!
20. Treasure Hunt
One player hides a treasure somewhere in the campsite and gives clues to its location to the other players. The first person to find the treasure wins!
21. Campsite Scavenger Hunt
This game is similar to a regular scavenger hunt but with items that can only be found around a campsite. Make a list of items found at a campsite, and divide it into teams. The first team to find all the items on the list wins!
22. Hiking Scavenger Hunt
This game is similar to a regular scavenger hunt but with items that can only be found while hiking. Make a list of items found on a hike, and divide it into teams. The first team to find all the items on the list wins!
23. Nature Scavenger Hunt
This game is similar to a regular scavenger hunt but with items that can only be found in nature. Make a list of items found in nature, and divide it into teams. The first team to find all the items on the list wins!
24. Photo Scavenger Hunt
This game is similar to a regular scavenger hunt but with items that must be photographed instead of collected. Make a list of objects or scenes that must be photographed, and divide it into teams. The first team to photograph all the items on the list wins!
25. Geocaching
This is a great game for those who enjoy hiking and exploring! One player hides a cache (a small waterproof container) somewhere in the wilderness and provides coordinates and/or clues to its location. The other players then use GPS devices or maps to try and find the cache. The first person to find the cache wins!
