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 to liven up your camp: Recreation games (21–30)
Beef Tongue Game
The Gyutan Game is a simple activity that’s sure to captivate everyone from kids to adults.
It needs no equipment and really gets people fired up, so it’s perfect for camp recreation too! Players face each other with their palms together and clap in turn to the rhythm: “gyu, tan, gyu, tan, gyu-tan-tan…” As the number of “tan”s increases, anyone who falls behind the rhythm or messes up the order loses.
Once you get the hang of it, speeding up the tempo makes it even more exciting!
Playing cards at camp
How about enjoying a barbecue during the day and, when there’s still time before sunset, playing some card games? If you’re embracing camping as a digital detox, keep the recreation analog too! Playing cards is a classic pastime familiar to both kids and adults.
Simple, well-known games with easy rules—like Concentration, Old Maid, or Sevens—are great for getting a small group excited.
Even children and adults who usually play digital games are sure to get hooked on card games, saying “one more round, just one more!”
Back-to-back! Can we stand up?
It looks simple but gets everyone excited: a very simple game where you form a circle, sit back-to-back, and try to stand up.
Link arms with the people next to you and stand using only your legs—no hands.
It seems easy, but standing up using only leg strength, while also leaning against the person behind you, makes it hard for both sides to keep their balance, so you won’t stand up smoothly.
It might help to do it with loud, energetic calls or cheers.
Werewolf game
If you’re camping with a large group, why not enjoy Werewolf as a communication game? Werewolf revolves around conversation and strategy between players, so you progress by interacting and negotiating with others.
The rules are simple: among players who have been assigned roles in advance, identify the werewolves.
Since only you can see your own role, deduce who the werewolves are through discussion and lead your team to victory! It’s a great game for downtime at camp or as a campfire activity.
The more people there are, the harder it gets! Finger Catch
The “Finger Catch Game,” which trains your reflexes and lets everyone have fun, is played with everyone standing in a circle.
Put the index finger of your right hand into the open palm of the person to your right, just lightly touching it.
In turn, participants chant, “Ka, ka, ka, catch,” and at the moment someone says “catch,” everyone tries to pull out the finger they had inserted.
At the same time, you must quickly grab the finger that’s been inserted into your own open hand before it escapes.
If you fail to pull your finger out or fail to catch your neighbor’s finger, you’re out.
The last person remaining wins.
The exact timing of saying “catch” is key.
It’s a game that tests concentration, timing, and careful observation of others.
Lyrics Shiritori Game
A fun game where you play shiritori using song lyrics.
Sing a line from a song, then continue with lyrics from another song that start with the last character of the previous line.
It’s great for everyone from kids to adults—you’ll recall familiar tunes and discover new ones.
Not only for people who love singing, it’s also a chance to encounter songs you don’t know.
Perfect for karaoke, parties, and school activities.
Even those who aren’t confident singers will naturally smile—simple yet surprisingly deep.
Put your musical knowledge and creativity to use and have fun playing!
tug-of-war sumo
This one-on-one “tug-of-war sumo” isn’t just ordinary tug-of-war; the tricky part is that it’s played in unstable positions.
Players stand on small chairs, cans, pieces of wood, and the like, and tug.
The person who falls off and puts a foot on the ground loses.
It’s a game that requires technique—loosening, pausing, and varying the pace—rather than just yanking hard.
If you pull too strongly, you might overdo it and end up falling off yourself—a self-inflicted defeat (lol).