Great for camping! Recreation games for kids
Many families are probably planning to take their kids camping over the summer holidays.
Camping is exciting in so many ways, and in this article we introduce activities and games that will make your trip even more fun.
From active, physical play to popular everyday games kids already love, and nature experiences that even little ones can enjoy—there’s plenty to choose from! Take this opportunity to savor the special moments you can only experience at a campsite.
If you go over this with your child before you leave, you’ll surely hear, “I want to do this!” Get fully prepared, have a blast, and make the best memories!
- Outdoor games and recreational activities recommended for children
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Fun recreational games that liven up outdoor activities
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Outdoor Recreation Popularity Rankings
- Fostering Cooperation: Recommended Games to Enjoy in the Boy Scouts
- [Elementary School] Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy at a Forest School Camp
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Recommended outdoor games and recreational activities for lower elementary school children
- No worries even in the rain! Fun recreational activities you can do in the gym
- Recreation Activities That Excite Kids’ Clubs! Plans and Ideas Children Will Love
- [Elementary School] Indoor Games and Recreational Activities Recommended for Upper Primary Grades
Recommended for Camping! Recreation and Games for Kids (21–30)
Archery
Since you’re going camping, many of you probably want to enjoy recreational activities you can only really do on such occasions.
For those people, archery is a great recommendation.
By archery, I don’t mean the competitive sport, but archery-style toys.
They’re designed with safety in mind—for example, the arrow tips are made of sponge.
Even so, some products can shoot as far as about 60 meters.
Since it’s a special opportunity, why not set up a target as far away as the location allows?
The “Haa” game
There are many ways to express the same word depending on the situation, right? This game, “The ‘Haa’ Game,” turns those expressions into a challenge.
Just like the title says, you have to guess what kind of situation the ‘haa’ is being used in.
It’s not just ‘haa’—there are various words like ‘no way’ and ‘I’m fine’ as well.
You draw a card with a word on it and act it out; the listeners try to guess which ‘haa’ it is.
If they guess correctly, they earn points.
The performer also earns points based on the number of correct guesses.
It’s a simple, high-energy card game that tests your acting skills.
Recommended for Camping! Recreational Games for Kids (31–40)
Ogostic
Ogostick is played using a stick that looks like a deer’s antler and a hemp ball.
Hook the stick onto the ball’s weave to toss it back and forth, and try to catch it skillfully.
It can be tricky to throw at first, but once you get used to it, it’s easy and fun.
When you throw, think about tossing upward rather than forward.
If you’re looking for a different kind of game to play while camping, try Ogostick for a fresh, new experience.
9-square tag
“Nine-Square Tag” is a quirky variation of tag played in an area divided into nine squares.
On a cue, everyone on the grid moves exactly one square at the same time.
If the chaser (the “it”) lands in the same square as someone else, that person is out.
If the chaser can’t catch anyone within ten turns, the chaser loses.
You can play it in a small space.
It’s fun for both kids and adults, and although simple, it engages both mind and body—making it a lively brain workout.
Give it a try!
Rope-Under Relay
It’s a game where several people hold hands in a circle and pass a rope loop around the circle without letting go, competing on speed.
Because you must keep holding hands, it requires not only flexibility and agility, but also everyone’s cooperation and trust, as well as the ability to view things objectively, making it a good activity for strengthening team skills.
When there are fewer participants, timing the run is also a good option.
Stand-up with everyone
Games that you can’t beat unless everyone syncs up are really fun, aren’t they? With that in mind, here’s an idea called “Stand Up Together.” Everyone sits while holding hands, then tries to stand up at the same time.
It works best with about 2 to 10 people.
If you don’t coordinate and stand up simultaneously, your balance will collapse and you’ll fall over.
But when it works, it really gets everyone excited.
The more people you have, the trickier it gets, so start by practicing with a small group.
Bamboo Shoot Gnocchi
Let’s play the classic game “Takenoko Nyokki.” The chant is: “Takenoko, takenoko, nyokki-ki!” After everyone claps their palms together and says the chant, each person shouts “1 nyokki,” “2 nyokki,” and so on—saying a unique “number + nyokki” that doesn’t overlap with anyone else—and thrusts both hands up.
If there are five players, the numbers go from 1 to 5, but the person who says 5 loses.
Keep in mind: avoid saying the same number as someone else, and don’t be the last one.
Enjoy the game!