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 (61–70)
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.
Archery
Since you’re going camping, many of you probably want to enjoy recreational activities you can only really do on such occasions.
For those people, archery is a great recommendation.
By archery, I don’t mean the competitive sport, but archery-style toys.
They’re designed with safety in mind—for example, the arrow tips are made of sponge.
Even so, some products can shoot as far as about 60 meters.
Since it’s a special opportunity, why not set up a target as far away as the location allows?
Jump together
One fun challenge to try with a large group around the campfire is “Jump Together.” Form a circle holding hands with the campfire in the center.
One person calls out a direction to jump—like “forward” or “right”—and everyone else jumps in that direction.
If you keep calling “forward,” you’ll get too close to the fire and it will get hot, so the caller should be careful.
Once you get used to it, try a version where the calls stay the same, but everyone jumps in the opposite direction of the command!
Gorilla Game
A great recommendation for nighttime campfire recreation is the “Gorilla Game.” The rules are simple: split into a questioner and an answerer, and the answerer must reply “gorilla” to every question.
Questions like “What’s your name?” or “What did you have for breakfast today?” work well because answering “gorilla” makes it hilariously mismatched.
It’s a popular activity with kids, so be sure to give it a try around the campfire!
Number guessing game
Here’s a number-guessing game idea that’s fun for both adults and kids.
It’s simple yet surprisingly deep.
First, players form a circle.
One person says any number they like, and everyone chooses to either sit or stand.
If the spoken number matches the number of people standing, that person wins.
Because there’s a psychological element, it’s a great way for all ages to get excited together.
You can also tweak it so that matching the number means you lose.
Try adjusting the rules to suit the number of players.
MTB
How about speeding along a bumpy road on a bicycle? The thrill of gliding smoothly between the trees is irresistible.
You can try a time attack if you like, but simply taking in the scenery at a relaxed pace is more than enough.
If you can ride a bike, it’s great for small children too!
A summer of fun with an outdoor smartwatch!
Do you have a smartwatch? They’re popular among people who go camping or do fitness because they can automatically record your daily activities! Since they can track steps and various other data, using them to set shared benchmarks with your friends can give you clear goals and a stronger sense of unity.