Camping with kids can be a lot of fun, but if you’ve ever taken your little ones out into those wide-open spaces that Mother Nature has to offer, you also know that it can be a lot of work.
From the gear that you’ll need to set up camp to the food your family will eat while you’re there, you’ve got enough on your mind without worrying about how you’ll fill the hours of downtime before settling in for a relaxing night under the stars.
So, we’ve done the work for you!
We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite camping games for kids that’ll help you banish the boredom and make your next family camping trip your best one yet!
Camping with Kids
We absolutely love camping and went several times before having kids.
Now, as a family, we still love camping, but the process of going on a family camping trip does take a little bit more work and planning than it used to.
There’s more gear, for sure. More sleeping bags and camping chairs.
There’s definitely more food as well.
And I expected all of this.
What I didn’t really anticipate before we headed out with small kids in tow, however, was the need to fill the downtime.
As adults, we relish this quiet time in nature, the slow mornings, and the afternoons spent exploring.
Our children are learning the importance of this as well, but they’re kids, and while, in my opinion, a little boredom is good for the soul, it doesn’t hurt to have a few fun games at the ready in case you need them.
So, with that in mind, we’ve put together a list of our favorite camping games that the whole family will love!
Fun Camping Games
You’ll find something for everyone on this list and the best thing about these games is that they won’t create a ton of extra work for you while you’re packing for your trip!
From old school classics to new favorites, the materials needed for most of these games can be found right outside of your tent!
Hide and Seek
A classic game that the whole family can play! Just gather up the kids and get ready to hide!
To keep everyone safe, boundary limits should be set beforehand and if small children are playing, you’ll want to set up teams and use the buddy system rather than have everyone playing individually.
Capture the Flag
Another oldie but still a goodie!
There’s nothing like a little healthy competition to tire the kids out before heading into bed for the night!
Younger children really enjoy the race to capture the flag, but older kids can really up the difficulty level and work on their strategizing skills as well.
Sleeping Bag Races
A little bit of a twist on a classic makes this one perfect for camping in the great outdoors!
And it’s one that the whole family can get involved in!
Seriously, what kid wouldn’t love to see their parents hopping up and down in a sleeping bag while trying to beat them across the finish line?
Nature Tic Tac Toe
Ready to wind down a bit or do you need a quiet game while everyone rests?
Nature Tic Tac Toe is the perfect camping game for this situation and you’ll find everything you need to play just by looking around your campsite!
Drip, Drip, Dunk
Camping during the heat of the summer?
Putting a spin on the classic game of Duck, Duck, Goose makes it absolutely perfect for staying cool on those hot summer days!
Just like the original, children will sit in a circle on the ground.
The person that’s it walks around the outside of the circle with a cup of water in one hand. Instead of saying Duck, Duck, Goose, they’ll say Drip, Drip, Dunk.
As they say drip, they’ll use their fingers to sprinkle water on each person’s head until they reach the player that they’ve chosen to “goose” or “dunk” in this instance.
For this person, they’ll yell DUNK and dump the water on their head.
The rest of the game continues as the original until everyone’s had a turn.
Tarp Toss
A folded-up tarp takes up very little space so it’s super easy to bring one along for this tarp toss camping game!
It will not only keep your kids busy, but it will also help them work on their hand-eye coordination while giving them a good gross motor workout at the same time!
Target Practice
Gather up the Nerf guns, slingshots, and all of the other toys that you don’t want your kids playing with inside the house and take them camping with you!
Make your targets, take aim, and fire!
Glow in the Dark Ring Toss
This one does require a few supplies, but this glow in the dark ring toss game is such a fun one for the kids!
Glow sticks are always a huge hit and by setting out some glowing bottles and making a few glowing rings, you’ve got a game that will entertain the kids all the way to bedtime!
Builders and Bulldozers
A little like capture the flag (although a bit more chaotic), your kids are going to absolutely love this one!
Mom and dad will love it too when the kids are happy, worn out, and snoozing away in the tent come bedtime!
Builders and Bulldozers allows them to expend some serious energy while also giving them the opportunity to work as a team.
More Camping Games
From S’Mores Wars to Camping Memory, there are plenty of fun camping games out there for the whole family that won’t take up a lot of space when you’re packing for your trip!
So gather up the family, grab a seat around the campfire, and play a round or two as you’re settling in for the night!
Whether you’re heading out on your first family camping trip or you’re a seasoned pro, these camping games are sure to keep the entire family entertained for hours!
Looking for more fun camping ideas? Here are a few of our favorites!
