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
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party 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
- 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
- [For Kids] Fun Indoor Game Ideas for After-School Day Services
- Recreation Activities That Excite Kids’ Clubs! Plans and Ideas Children Will Love
Recommended for Camping! Recreational Games for Kids (31–40)
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!
Puzzle-solving game
When you think of campfires, songs and dancing are the classics, but a great new classic we recommend is a “puzzle-solving game.” It’s an intellectual recreation you can do even in the dark.
For example, there are wordplay-style questions like figuring out what a string of hiragana represents, or cipher-like puzzles that use arrows or kanji—ranging from simple ones to those that require a flash of insight.
It’s fun for both kids and adults to think through together, and you can adjust the difficulty to match the group size and age range.
You can tackle them individually or play in teams—there are many ways to enjoy them.
Give it a try!
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.
Escape Game
Work together with your group to clear the game! Here are some escape game ideas.
Aiming to clear it with your teammates helps foster cooperation and problem-solving skills! By teaming up to complete challenges like treasure hunts, crosswords, coin drops, and quiz competitions, children can learn the importance of teamwork.
Combining different types of games allows children to develop multifaceted thinking and grow while feeling a sense of achievement.
It’s a great idea for strengthening bonds with peers while improving problem-solving and communication skills.
Recommended for Camping! Recreation Games for Kids (41–50)
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.
Camp Bingo
When it comes to classic party and event games, bingo is a staple, and it could be a hit at a camping trip as well.
You can buy bingo cards at 100-yen shops, so using store-bought ones is fine, or you can enjoy making them by hand with your kids! Adding camping-themed illustrations will boost the mood even more.
It’s bingo when you complete a line—vertical, horizontal, or diagonal! To get everyone even more excited, consider preparing some lavish prizes, one of the highlights of any bingo game.