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 games that liven up a camp: Recreation games (1–10)
Octopus and sea bream
This is a game played in pairs.
Players are divided into the Octopus and the Sea Bream, and they hold hands.
The caller randomly says either “Octopus” or “Sea Bream.” The person on the called side tries to slap their partner’s joined hand with their free hand.
If they manage to slap it, they win.
The person on the uncalled side can use their free hand to defend and prevent being slapped.
It’s a great icebreaker for getting to know someone new.
It fell, it fell.
It’s a game everyone can enjoy around the campfire.
When someone calls out, “Oh—something fell!” the others respond, “What fell?” Depending on what fell, everyone performs the matching gesture.
The tension rises as everyone wonders what will drop next.
Give it a try with lots of energy and loud voices!
electric water gun
When you play with water guns in the city, you have to be a bit considerate of people around you.
But out in nature, you can enjoy it without worrying about a thing! Water guns might sound like kids’ toys, but there are electric models now, so adults can have plenty of fun too.
It could be exciting to set up team battles that make use of the natural surroundings.
If you make it so getting hit even once means you lose, it turns into a pretty thrilling game.
Fun games that liven up a camp: Recreation games (11–20)
Catch
It’s a recreational game that you can play with groups, starting from just two people.
It’s a classic! No materials are needed, and once you learn it, anyone can play easily, so it’s highly recommended.
How to play: Hold both hands out in front of you.
Point only your right index finger downward, and make a loose fist with your left hand so there’s a gap in the center.
When someone says “Catch,” quickly put your right index finger into the gap of the person’s left hand.
It’s even more fun if you mix in trick calls—like saying “cabbage” instead of “catch” to fake people out.
Make a leaf vein specimen
When you go into the forest, you’ll find many different kinds of trees.
Likewise, you’ll see lots of different kinds of leaves on the ground.
So how about making a “leaf vein specimen”? It takes a bit of work to make the veins clearly visible, but if you do it during a summer camp, it can serve as an independent study project, and the sense of achievement when you finish will be all the greater for the effort.
It’s dangerous for children to make on their own, so be sure to do it together with an adult.
Peg solitaire
Tents and tarps are essential for camping.
And the tool used to anchor those tents and tarps to the ground is the peg.
They come in all kinds of materials and shapes.
Many people probably bring extra pegs, too.
Here’s a game that uses those pegs: “Peg Collapse.” It’s the peg version of the classic game played with shogi pieces, “Shogi Collapse.” Place pegs randomly in the middle of the group, piling them up into a mound.
Then, carefully pull one out without causing the mound to collapse.
If you make even the slightest noise while pulling, you’re out—disqualified.
Anyone who successfully pulls a peg is safe, and the last person remaining gets a penalty!
Camp Bingo
When it comes to classic party and event games, bingo is a staple, and it could be a hit at a camping trip as well.
You can buy bingo cards at 100-yen shops, so using store-bought ones is fine, or you can enjoy making them by hand with your kids! Adding camping-themed illustrations will boost the mood even more.
It’s bingo when you complete a line—vertical, horizontal, or diagonal! To get everyone even more excited, consider preparing some lavish prizes, one of the highlights of any bingo game.
