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!
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Fun activities that liven up a camp: Recreation games (91–100)
Mountain board
Would it help to imagine it as a skateboard with bigger wheels? Since the wheels are large, off-road terrain is no problem! You can enjoy it anywhere there’s a slope.
Be sure to wear a helmet and pads so you don’t get hurt if you fall.
Command Game
Simple yet exciting.
For example, if the leader says “Command: raise your right hand” while raising their right hand, the participants should imitate and raise their right hand.
However, if the leader says “lower your right hand” while lowering their right hand, you must not imitate them.
That’s because when the phrase doesn’t start with “Command,” imitation is forbidden.
Listen carefully to the commands.
playing on the rocky shore
If you’re camping near the ocean, how about some tide pooling? The sea views are beautiful, and swimming or getting up close with marine life is fun for both adults and kids! Playing with things you find in nature can be surprisingly entertaining, too.
Pick up a favorite seashell on the way back and you’ll have a little keepsake of your memories.
Why not be greedy and enjoy both the mountains and the sea?
Target practice with a bamboo-leaf popgun
Let’s make a bamboo pop gun and try a target-shooting game! First, gather bamboo grass (sasa).
You’ll insert a thinner piece into a thicker one, so collect plenty in various sizes and thicknesses.
Choose a piece that fits snugly inside another, insert it, and pack one end with splinters or scraps to fix it in place, leaving the other end free to slide smoothly.
Stuff a wadded, damp tissue into the tube, and when you push with the fixed bamboo, it pops out with a satisfying sound—pop! Make some targets and try knocking them down.
You can even assign points to the targets and compete!
stone art
When you’re camping out in nature, you want to enjoy activities you can only do outdoors, right? How about trying some rock art? If you’re camping by a river, you’ll find stones of all shapes and sizes.
Gather them up and paint on them with acrylics or markers! Paint a rice ball on a stone that looks like an onigiri, or a car on a stone shaped like a car…
Playing with natural materials is truly fun, and the finished rock art will probably look great in photos, too!
Human finger smartphone (likely shorthand for smartphone operated by human finger)
With a numerical count, participants simultaneously show their thumbs and try to guess the total number—this is the classic “finger sum” game, but advanced through full-body movement.
Participants wait while bowing, and with each count, they freely decide whether to raise their upper bodies.
If someone correctly guesses how many people have raised their upper bodies, they clear the round.
The key excitement comes from reading and outmaneuvering how others will move.
Since each person can only choose 0 or 1, it’s best played with a large group to broaden the range of possible totals.
bath
This is a circle-based recreation game called “The Bath.” While singing a bath-time song, you imitate the actions and words from getting into the bath to getting out.
First, choose one leader, who says, “Time to take a bath!” and starts the song.
Everyone else copies the leader’s words and actions.
It’s fun to repeat the same parts with different wording or add exaggerated reactions.
Definitely give it a try if you’re running a camp with lots of kids.
Collecting stag beetles while car camping
Video games and indoor recreation are fun, but since you’re going camping, why not try insect collecting? Rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles are an eternal fascination for boys, right? There’s also a game called “Mushiking,” but getting hands-on with real insects is a valuable experience too.
campfire
One of the joys of camping is the campfire, isn’t it? In the city, a campfire is basically impossible, and these days many rural areas also prohibit open burning.
So let’s enjoy a campfire only in designated areas.
There are apparently several ways to stack firewood, but a versatile method is the “igeta-gumi” (well-frame) style: you arrange the logs like the character for ‘well’ (井).
You should place round logs at the very bottom, and the trick is to surround them with small stones so they don’t roll.
And don’t forget a bucket of water for fire safety!
stargazing
Since camping lets you stay out in nature in a way you can’t usually experience, enjoying the nighttime outdoors is one of its true pleasures.
A campfire is great, of course, but how about quietly stargazing? The brilliance of the mountain night sky is, needless to say, second to none.
In conclusion
We introduced outdoor activities, games, and recreations that liven up camping. When camping with friends or family, games and activities are essential, right? Prepare a few, and make great memories by choosing the ones everyone gets most excited about!