13 Family Camping Games and Activities to Keep Kids Entertained

Camping with kids is a wonderful way to bond with your family and create lasting memories. However, keeping children entertained during a camping trip can sometimes be a challenge. Fortunately, with a bit of planning and creativity, you can make sure that your kids stay engaged and have a blast in the great outdoors. In this post, we’ll explore a variety of family camping games and activities that will keep children of all ages entertained, from nature scavenger hunts to campfire stories. Plus, we’ll suggest some great gear and tools available on Amazon to make these activities even more enjoyable.

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1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is an excellent way to get kids excited about exploring the outdoors. It encourages them to observe their surroundings closely and learn more about nature. You can create a list of items for them to find, such as different types of leaves, rocks, insects, or even animal tracks.

How to Set Up a Nature Scavenger Hunt:

• Prepare a List: Before your trip, create a list of items that are likely to be found at your campsite. Include both common and unique items to make the hunt challenging.
• Provide a Bag: Give each child a small bag or container to collect their treasures. A simple drawstring bag like the Drawstring Backpack works perfectly.
• Set Rules: Establish ground rules to ensure safety. For example, remind kids not to pick up anything potentially harmful, like mushrooms or sharp objects.
• Offer Prizes: Motivate the kids by offering small prizes for completing the scavenger hunt. These could be things like extra s’mores or a special glow stick.

Extra Ideas:

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2. Campfire Stories and Songs

No camping trip is complete without gathering around the campfire for stories and songs. This classic activity is a great way to wind down after a day of adventures and spark your kids’ imaginations.

How to Make Campfire Stories More Engaging:

• Choose Age-Appropriate Stories: Tailor the stories to the age of your children. Younger kids may enjoy light-hearted tales, while older kids might appreciate a spooky story (nothing too scary, of course!).
• Interactive Stories: Engage the kids by telling interactive stories where they get to choose what happens next. This can turn a simple story into a fun, collaborative adventure.
• Campfire Songs: Singing songs together is a joyful way to bond as a family. Traditional campfire songs like “The Campfire Song Song” from Spongebob are always hits with kids.

Extra Ideas:

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3. Glow Stick Hide and Seek

As the sun sets, it’s time for glow stick hide and seek! This game combines the classic fun of hide and seek with the magic of glowing lights in the dark.

How to Play Glow Stick Hide and Seek:

• Buy Glow Sticks: Purchase a set of glow sticks like the Glow Mind Glow Sticks from Amazon. These are non-toxic, long-lasting, and come in a variety of colors.
• Set Up Boundaries: Establish the playing area to ensure kids don’t wander too far in the dark.
• Assign Roles: One person is “it” and counts while the others hide. The twist? Each hider carries a glow stick, making them easier (or harder) to spot, depending on their creativity.
• Switch It Up: Make the game more challenging by having the hiders switch hiding spots once during each round.

Extra Ideas:

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4. Campground Olympics

Turn your camping trip into an Olympic event with a series of outdoor games and challenges that the whole family can enjoy. You can set up different “events” like sack races, frisbee throws, or tug-of-war.

How to Host a Campground Olympics:

• Plan the Events: Choose a mix of physical activities and fun challenges that everyone can participate in, regardless of age or skill level.
• Create Teams: If you’re camping with other families or friends, divide everyone into teams. Otherwise, compete individually.
• Keep Score: Make the competition more exciting by keeping track of scores and awarding medals or prizes at the end.

Extra Ideas:

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5. Nature Crafts

Bring out your kids’ creative side with nature crafts. Using materials found around the campsite, they can create beautiful, nature-inspired art.

Nature Craft Ideas:

• Leaf Rubbings: Collect different types of leaves and place them under a piece of paper. Rub a crayon or pencil over the paper to reveal the leaf’s intricate patterns.
• Rock Painting: Gather smooth rocks and paint them with fun designs, animals, or inspirational messages. Use a kit like the Rock Painting Kit for Kids to get started.
• Stick Frame Art: Collect sticks to create picture frames. Use twine or string to bind the sticks together, and decorate them with leaves, flowers, or painted rocks.

Extra Ideas:

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6. Hiking Adventure with a Twist

Turn a simple hike into an adventure by adding fun challenges along the way. This could include identifying different plants and animals, following a map, or searching for a “hidden treasure.”

How to Make a Hike More Fun:

• Treasure Hunt: Before the hike, hide small treasures (like coins or toys) along the trail and give your kids a map or clues to find them.
• Animal Spotting: Bring a pair of binoculars and challenge your kids to spot as many animals as possible.
• Photography Challenge: Give each child a disposable camera or let them use your phone to take pictures of interesting plants, insects, or landscapes. Award a prize for the best photo.

Extra Ideas:

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7. Campfire Cooking Class

Turn mealtime into a fun learning experience by teaching your kids how to cook over a campfire. From roasting marshmallows to making foil packet meals, campfire cooking can be both educational and delicious.

Campfire Cooking Ideas:

• S’mores with a Twist: Teach your kids how to make the perfect s’more, or get creative by adding different ingredients like peanut butter or banana slices.
• Foil Packet Dinners: Let your kids choose their own ingredients (such as veggies, meat, and seasonings) to make a custom foil packet meal. Show them how to safely cook it over the fire.
• Campfire Pizza: Using a cast iron skillet, help your kids create their own campfire pizza. Just layer some dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings, and cook it over the fire.

Extra Ideas:

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8. Stargazing and Nighttime Exploration

Camping provides the perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to the wonders of the night sky. Stargazing can be a magical experience, and with a few simple tools, you can turn it into an educational activity as well.

How to Make Stargazing Fun:

• Learn the Constellations: Before your trip, download a stargazing app like SkyView to help identify constellations and planets. Show your kids how to use it during your camping trip.
• Storytelling with Stars: Tell your kids the myths and legends behind the constellations. This not only makes stargazing more engaging but also adds a storytelling element to the activity.
• Night Hike: Equip the kids with flashlights or headlamps and go on a short night hike. The EverBrite Headlamp is lightweight and easy for kids to use. Keep an eye out for nocturnal animals or listen to the sounds of the night.

Extra Ideas:

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9. Campfire Charades

Campfire charades is a great way to get the family laughing and interacting. This game is perfect for all ages and can be easily adapted to fit the camping theme.

How to Play Campfire Charades:

• Prepare Your Words: Write down camping-related words or phrases on small slips of paper. Examples could include “pitching a tent,” “starting a fire,” or “catching a fish.”
• Divide into Teams: Split the family into teams. One player from each team acts out the word while their team tries to guess it within a set time limit.
• Use Props: Encourage the use of props to make the game even more entertaining. For example, a sleeping bag can be used to act out “sleeping under the stars.”

Extra Ideas:

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10. Fishing Fun

If your campsite is near a lake or river, fishing can be a relaxing and rewarding activity for kids. Not only will they learn patience, but they’ll also enjoy the thrill of catching (and maybe even eating) their own fish.

How to Introduce Kids to Fishing:

• Teach the Basics: Show your kids how to cast a line, bait a hook, and reel in a fish. Start with simple techniques and gradually introduce more advanced methods as they become more comfortable.
• Catch and Release: If you prefer not to keep the fish, teach your kids about catch-and-release practices. This helps them learn about conservation and respecting nature.
• Fishing Contests: Make the experience more exciting by holding a friendly fishing contest. See who can catch the most fish, the biggest fish, or the smallest fish.

Extra Ideas:

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11. Build a Fairy House or Gnome Home

This activity taps into kids’ imagination and creativity. Using natural materials like twigs, leaves, and stones, kids can create tiny homes for fairies or gnomes.

How to Build Fairy Houses:

• Gather Materials: During a walk around the campsite, collect materials like twigs, bark, leaves, and pebbles.
• Create a Base: Find a flat area to start building the house. Use stones to create a foundation and build the walls with sticks.
• Decorate: Add leaves for a roof, moss for a carpet, and small flowers for decoration. Let your kids’ imagination run wild!
• Tell a Story: After building, gather around and make up stories about the fairies or gnomes that might live in the houses.

Extra Ideas:

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12. Outdoor Movie Night

Bring the fun of the movies to your campsite by setting up an outdoor movie night. This is a perfect activity for winding down after a day of outdoor adventures.

Setting Up an Outdoor Movie Night:

• Choose the Right Spot: Find a flat, open area to set up your screen and projector. Make sure everyone has a comfortable place to sit.
• Pick a Family-Friendly Movie: Choose a movie that everyone will enjoy. Consider classics like “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” or “Moana.”
• Snacks: No movie night is complete without popcorn! Use a portable popper like the Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper to make a big batch.

Extra Ideas:

• Portable Projector: The Anker Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector is an excellent choice for outdoor movies. It’s compact, battery-powered, and has built-in speakers.
• Projection Screen: Pair your projector with a Mdbebbron 120-inch Projection Screen for a clear, large display that’s easy to set up and pack away.

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13. Build a Bug Hotel

For a fun and educational activity, help your kids build a bug hotel. This is a great way to teach them about insects and their habitats.

How to Build a Bug Hotel:

• Find a Container: Start with a wooden box, old flower pot, or even a pile of sticks.
• Fill with Natural Materials: Fill the container with various natural materials like dry leaves, sticks, pine cones, and stones. Each material attracts different types of insects.
• Place in a Quiet Spot: Once your bug hotel is complete, place it in a quiet area of the campsite. Over time, different bugs will make it their home, providing an up-close look at nature.

Extra Ideas:

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THE WRAP UP

Family camping trips are a fantastic way to connect with nature and each other, and with the right games and activities, you can keep your kids entertained and engaged throughout the adventure. Whether it’s a scavenger hunt, campfire cooking, or a nighttime exploration, these activities offer plenty of opportunities for fun, learning, and making unforgettable memories.

Remember, the key to a successful camping trip is flexibility and creativity. Adapt the activities to suit your family’s interests and the environment around you, and most importantly, have fun!

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