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)
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.
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.
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!
Fun games that liven up a camp: Recreation games (11–20)
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.
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.
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!
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.