Camping Games for Kids

You’ve done it. The car is packed, you remembered all of the sleeping gear, and you even pitched your family’s tent in gale-force winds. You’re feeling like a superhero. But just as you collapse into a camp chair, reveling in your Herculean accomplishments, you hear the ear-piercing shrill of your four-year-old daughter’s voice:

Mama, I’m bored. What is there to do?

Camping with kids is a wonderful experience, chock-full of mental and physical health benefits. But sometimes, it’s tricky to help our kids see the same joyful experience we see.

But you know what always goes over well? Games, games, and more games. If you’re feeling a little lost for activities to entertain the tykes at camp, don’t sweat it: we’ve got you covered.

Read on for a few of our favorite family-friendly camp activities!

Outside the Tent

Your kids may be less enthused with one more hike, so here are a few alternatives.

Hide-and-Seek

This is always a crowd favorite at home but it really shines at camp thanks to plenty of trees, rocks, and shrubs that provide new hiding spots for eager kiddos. One pro tip: set game boundaries before you even begin counting. The last thing you want is a kiddo hiding for six hours because you literally cannot find him.

Limbo

How low can you go? If you’re like us, you likely remember this one from the early-80s roller skating parties, but it’s equally fun at camp. Grab a downed stick you find in the forest or snag one of your own trekking poles. Truly, the item doesn’t matter; you just need to prove to your children that you’ve still got some moves.

Obstacle Course

Okay, we’re not going to lie: this one is equally entertaining for adults AND kiddos! (We’ve definitely observed some inebriated adults playing this game long after the kids have grown tired of it.) Bottom line: everyone loves a good obstacle course. You don’t need to bring any props from home. Instead, scavenge for nature-inspired obstacles you find around camp. Vehicles, backpacks, tents, picnic tables, and trees all make delightful features and running, jumping, and push-ups are a great way to log a little cardio while challenging your children to a timed obstacle race.

Flashlight Tag

As the sun dips below the horizon and shadows begin to cover the ground, it’s easy to think that the fun is over. Never fear: there is still flashlight tag! Just like regular tag, one person carries a flashlight or wears a headlamp and uses the beam to “tag” others. Once a player is tagged, she is out until the next round.

Inside the Tent

We hear you: outside activities are great but what happens when you’re zipped inside a tent all day thanks to Mother Nature’s rainy wrath? Here are a couple “indoor” options that are always a good time.

Shadow Puppets

You’ve never lived until you’ve attempted to create a llama wearing a backpack with only your hands! This activity typically works best with younger kiddos, but older kids may get the giggles too. Using a flashlight or headlamp, get creative by making all sorts of shadow animals or objects against the tent wall. First one to guess the correct object gets to be the “designer” in the next round.

Thumb Wrestling

We’ll let you decide as to whether thumbs or arms are better suited for your family. Once you make that choice, this one is a great way to get a little physical activity while waiting for the rain to pass.

Fort Building

It could be argued that your tent is a kid’s dream fort, but you know what may be better? A fort inside of the fort. Your tent will be packed with sleeping bags, pillows, and comfy sleeping pads—perfect items to construct a world-class fort. The best part: you can read stories inside once you’re done, or tear it down and build another.

Mad Lib Story Hour

Remember those Mad Lib books where you’d decide on the best word that fit onto a line? This is like that, only better. Have your family sit in a circle and the first person begins telling a story. After a few sentences, s/he abruptly leaves off a few words into the sentence. Then, the next family continues the story, taking it whatever direction she wants it to go. Each member contributes a few sentences, handing it over to the next person to continue. Depending on the mood inside the tent, this one can go on for quite awhile— and the stories can be pretty entertaining!