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)
Jump into a rock-paper-scissors game!
The “Rock-Paper-Scissors Jump Game,” which combines rock-paper-scissors with jumping, is a playful activity that helps children learn how to use their bodies while potentially improving their athletic ability.
Create waiting spots on the left and right, and have participants play rock-paper-scissors with the person next to them.
The winner then jumps while moving from their current waiting spot to the one on the opposite side.
It’s a simple game that repeats this process, so any child old enough to play rock-paper-scissors can join.
For the jumping styles, start with a “rock” jump keeping both feet together, then move to a “scissors” jump.
After that, switch to a gallop and finally to a “paper” jump.
Don’t make a sound! The Silent Game
The no-noise game, where even the slightest sound means you’re out, is a fun activity for everyone from small children to adults.
You can use anything as the subject, but simple, everyday items like plastic cups make preparation easy and help you enjoy it casually.
Try focusing your attention and being extremely careful to avoid making sounds while getting creative with tasks like stacking paper cups, wrapping with tissues, lining up juice cans, or folding aluminum foil.
Once you get used to the game, it’s also recommended to add a time limit or use paper bags to increase the difficulty.
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.
Mölkky
Molkky is becoming a classic camping game.
In Molkky, you knock down pins called “skittles” that have numbers on them, and the first person to reach exactly 50 points wins.
It’s especially fun as a team game, so I highly recommend it.
If you knock down only one skittle, you score the number written on it; if you knock down multiple skittles, you score the number of skittles you toppled.
Be careful—if you go over 50, your score resets to 25.
Because you have to calculate your points and adjust your aim to match the situation, it’s surprisingly strategic.
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!