Fun activities that liven up a camp: recreational games
When you go camping, you set up the tent, have a barbecue, and then…
Huh? What should we do next? There’s actually a lot of time until sunset—this situation happens more often than you’d think.
So in this article, we’ll introduce fun activities, games, and recreational ideas for times like that.
They’re enjoyable for everyone from kids to adults, so be sure to check them out before you head out! Whether it’s an adults-only trip, a camp with a bunch of kids, or a family outing, if you know activities that anyone can enjoy regardless of age, you’ll be set even when there’s downtime during your camp!
Fun games that liven up a camp: Recreation games (1–10)
Wild Beast Hunting Game
How about we all play a game where we shout together? In the “Wild Animal Hunt” game, the opening song is key.
Singing it together instantly livens up the atmosphere.
The rule is simple: at the end of the song, an animal’s name is called out, and everyone must quickly form groups with the same number of people as the number of syllables in that animal’s name, then hold hands.
It’s a game for kindergarten and nursery school children, but adults are more than welcome to join in too.
Gesture Game
The “gesture game” you often see on TV variety shows: Only the person doing the gestures sees the prompt, and they have to convey it using gestures without words, while the others guess what they’re doing.
You don’t need any special props, you can play it anywhere, and you don’t have to worry about the number of participants—perfect for camping and the like.
It gets even more exciting if you set rules and make it a team competition, such as a time limit for each round of gestures, bonus points for answering within the time, and a cap on the number of passes!
Frisbee
How about really getting your body moving with a frisbee out in the vast great outdoors? It’s the kind of game you can only play in an open space.
All you need is a frisbee disc, so it’s easy and convenient.
You can toss it back and forth with someone like a game of catch, or set up a target and aim for it.
Just be careful not to hit anyone when you throw.
Outdoor Badminton
When you want to get active outdoors without much fuss, badminton is perfect.
The problem is that on windy days the shuttlecock won’t fly the way you want, which can spoil the fun.
That’s why today I’m introducing “outdoor badminton,” which handles wind better.
Outdoor badminton shuttlecocks are made a bit heavier, so they fly straight and fast even in a breeze.
The rackets also have larger heads and shorter grips.
The larger face makes it easier to catch the shuttle, and the shorter grip makes it easier to swing even with wind resistance.
If you’re thinking about playing badminton while camping, you should definitely consider picking one up.
Drawing in the night sky
You play with a penlight and a dedicated smartphone app.
Move the light in a dark place and record it.
Then you’ll capture a scene where a picture appears to be floating in midair.
You can of course do this at home, but trying it out in the great outdoors adds atmosphere and makes it even more wonderful.
OgoDisk
Have you heard of the OgoDisk, a toy you can throw like a flying disc? Its center is made of a soft material, so you can catch a ball with it and even use it like a racket.
With just one OgoDisk, you can throw, hit, and catch, making it a great choice for camping when you want to keep your gear to a minimum while still having fun.
We introduce a variety of games you can play with the OgoDisk, such as disc passing, ball bouncing, and disc batting, so feel free to use them as a reference.
Wink Killer
We recommend playing this game with five or more people.
First, deal the cards and choose one person to be the killer.
The killer winks at other participants without being noticed.
Anyone who gets winked at loses.
On the other hand, if you catch someone winking and call them out, you win.
It’s great because you don’t need to move around, so you can play it anywhere.
Age doesn’t matter, either.