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)
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.
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).
Fun camp activities to get everyone excited: Recreation games (31–40)
Kick the can
As a recreation that’s sure to captivate everyone from kids to adults, we recommend playing Kick the Can! Place an empty can in the center of a circle, and once someone kicks it away, the game begins.
While one of the taggers returns the can to its original spot and counts, the other players hide behind buildings, trees, and so on.
The tagger guards the can while searching for hidden players; anyone found is caught and brought into the circle.
If someone manages to kick the can without being noticed by the tagger, the captured players are freed and the game restarts.
Since campgrounds offer plenty of hiding spots, if you’re playing with a large group, increasing the number of taggers to two or three can make it even more exciting.
Zoingo Boingo
It’s a toy that’s like a combination of a pogo stick and a balance ball.
You hold the handle and jump to play.
It really tests your balance.
If you can get several of them, setting a goal and racing would be fun, too.
Adults should definitely give it a try!
snack-eating contest
How about a candy-eating race—like the classic bread-eating race—during some downtime at your camp? After the barbecue, when everyone’s relaxing, you could play it as a snack-time game! Preparation is pretty simple: stretch a rope between two trees and clip snacks onto it with clothespins.
This bread-eating-race-style game, a staple of school sports days, can captivate not only kids but also adults who’ll find themselves getting nostalgic and totally into it.
For the treats, consider choosing mostly lightweight snacks like dagashi.
Cycle Day Camp
Environmental awareness is on the rise, and it seems the number of people who love bicycles is steadily growing.
City bikes are great, but nothing beats the feeling of riding full-out on an open road that stretches on forever.
A cycling camp where you cook simple camp meals and hang out with easygoing friends sounds like a lot of fun!
Bacon thief
Bacon Thief is a simple game.
Divide the group into one referee and two teams, and have the teams line up facing each other.
Place the “bacon” in the middle.
If you don’t have one, a ball or anything similar will do.
Assign each player on both sides a shared identifier, such as a number or letter, so that there’s a matching counterpart on the opposite team.
When the referee calls a name, the two players with the same name from both sides run to grab the bacon.
If a player manages to bring it back safely to their team’s side, they win!