By Gemma Tyler
5 Games to Play When Camping with the Kids
Camping with the kids can be a wonderful experience, but we all know that’s it’s not always easy. After all, it’s important to keep them occupied and entertained so that they don’t get bored – especially on rainy days or the evenings where adventuring through the woods is no longer an option.
Camping games are often the best course of action, and they not only provide them with masses of fun, but they can also bring everyone closer together.
To help you choose the best camping games to play with your kids, we have gathered the top five – and they can be played with children of all ages. Plus, we have made sure to keep the mess to a minimum so that you have less to worry about.
#1 Campfire Stories
This is a classic camping activity, and one that is perfect for the evenings just before you all settle down for sleep. It’s perfect for kids of all ages, and you can decide what kind of stories are shared around the fire.
Whether you are exchanging scary tales or want to keep things calm with some relaxing bedtime stories, the choice is yours, and the kids will love it all the same. However, we highly recommend that this activity is accompanied by roasting marshmallows or a healthy dose of S’mores!
#2 Camping Olympics
This game might end up with your kids a little muddy, but it is great fun for every member of the family. It’s a fully customisable game, but the objective is to split into teams and race to complete an obstacle course. You can choose how difficult it is, but things like weaving between cones and crawling through hoops that have been wedged into the ground often prove to be popular choices. You could even go one step further and use some netting for everyone to army crawl under.
#3 Scavenger Hunt
This makes a great activity for hanging out at the campsite, but also works amazingly for when you are out on the trail, and the kids are starting to get a little bored. You can buy insect and bird bingo books or make them yourself, but the aim of the game is to find and mark off as many as you can.
For older kids, you can even increase the difficulty and include specific types of plant or leaves for a bit of a challenge. It’s an educational game and will help keep their minds engaged while you hike.
#4 Rock Painting
When thinking about which of the 5 games to play on rainy days… there are always ways to keep the little ones (and big ones) occupied. Ditch the classic colouring books and take some time to gather a few smooth rocks when you arrive onsite. You can put these aside and use them for rock painting when the rain comes.
Rock painting is a lot of fun, and you can create an amazing range of animals and plant life on them. Plus, it will keep everyone busy for hours as well as make for a wonderful bonding activity. It makes for the perfect memento from a family holiday.
#5 Ring Toss
This is a classic game, and one that we have all played at least once. You can pick up loads of portable kits for ring toss that you can bring with you to the site, and it’s a great way to entertain the kids in the evening while they are waiting for dinner.
The game has simple rules, and presents them with a fun challenge, Plus, it allows for some friendly competition between family members, and it is a game that the adults can join in with too. You could even up the stakes with a children vs adults round.
To Conclude
Hopefully, you liked these 5 games to play and you have a few ideas for what to do with the kids when it comes to keeping them entertained on your next camping trip. There’s so much to do, and these games are sure to help get rid of some of their boundless energy. We hope that your next family adventure is a brilliant success!
For more games to keep children occupied, check out Nature Play Ideas.
Gemma Tyler
Gemma Tyler is a writer and blogger. If you are interested in more information on hiking and camping, then check out her ultimate camping guide and checklist for more details
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