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Last Updated on December 19, 2022

In the exquisite words of John Lubbock, “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”

Lubbock was a firm believer that the marvels of mother nature can teach us more about the planet and ourselves than we could ever learn from the classroom. He opined that the only way to connect with the planet was by leaving the comfort of your home to experience the wonders of nature. Quite remarkable if you ask me. 

For as long as I can remember, camping has always been one of the easiest ways humans connect with mother nature. The presence of the greenery, the scintillating sounds of birds giving atmosphere to the surroundings, and the moon’s glory amid a starry night present us with a life-changing experience. The proposition, in its entirety, is utterly remarkable. 

Some schools of thought do not agree with this notion. They opine that camping is a dangerous activity with little or no reward. They say that the dangers of wild animals and diseases are too great for camping to be considered a viable means of connection to mother nature. However, this perspective doesn’t proffer any “safer” options to connect with nature.  

Ultimately, I believe that if you truly want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and the beep-filled technological atmosphere of the home, camping is the way to go. It gives you a break from the city while providing an avenue to connect with the earth’s soil. In addition, it is therapeutic and stress-relieving. 

Besides, with the ever-developing world around us, there have been major strides in camper safety over the years. From safety gear to designated campsites that curb the risk of encounters with dangerous animals, camping has never been safer! 

To take your camping experience to the next level and foster connections between campers, here are thirty exciting camping games you should try. 

 

Find The Campers 

This is a fun camping game that kids love. You could frame it as a “Kids Vs Adults” battle, or you could have a fun mix-up. This game begins by giving each member of one team a pen and a paper. The other team will be doing the hiding.

A team is kept in a specified area, while the other team members hide in various locations. The first team’s members have to find the various hidden campers and get their signatures, hence the pen and paper. After a specified time, the camper with the most signatures wins. 

Cops And Robbers

This is a game as old as the concept of camping itself. The idea of this game is simple yet timeless. As the saying goes, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” 

Campers are split into two divisions: cops and robbers. The robbers hide in various locations while the cops go out to find them and bring them to jail (a pre-determined location). If the cops can bring all the robbers to jail before the timer runs out, then they win. After each round, teams swap places. 

Sardines 

This game is commonly referred to as “reverse hide and seek.” The principle of this game is quite simple. Instead of two equally split teams, there is only one team of “seekers,” and one person tasked with hiding. 

The seekers spread out to find the hidden camper. If anyone finds the camper, they join him in hiding from the rest of the seekers. The last person to find the campers becomes the next person to hide in the subsequent round.  

 

Hole in One 

This game is simply the camping adaptation of free throws. You’d need a set of balloons or rolled-up paper and various baskets or clean waste containers. The aim of the game is simple: the team that scores the most baskets wins. 

Split your campers into two groups. Each group takes alternating turns, tossing the balloon or rolled paper into the basket from a pre-designated distance. If someone doesn’t get the balloon into the basket or toss it from the pre-designated point, they do not score a point. If you want to spice things up, you can reward extra points for trick shots. 

Capture The Flag (CTF)  

This is, hands down, one of the oldest yet most interesting games in camping history. This game embodies the principle of “the more, the merrier.” The objective of this game is to capture the other team’s flag. 

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Split your campers into teams of two and designate the teams using anything you like. You could use colors or animals. 

Team red, team blue, or team raccoon, the possibilities are endless. Each team hides their flag on one end of the designated area. Team members must try to capture the enemy team’s flag and defend their flag as well. 

In addition, campers must avoid being tagged by members of the opposing team. You’re sent to “jail” (a designated spot on the playing area) if you are tagged. The only way you can escape jail is if your teammate can tag you without getting tagged themselves. The first team to capture the enemy’s flag wins. However, if the game drags on, then the team with the most members wins after an amount of time elapses.

Catch The Bat 

This game is quite unconventional, but it’s fun for all ages. You have to keep an open mind. The only thing you’d need is a large stick, baseball bat, or a cane. After this, give a number to each player in the game, which they must not disclose to anyone. 

Randomly select a player to stand in the middle while the other players form a circle around the first player. After this, the player in the center will hold a cane and randomly call out numbers (within a specified limit) as he drops the bat. The person whose number is called has to catch the bat before it touches the ground. If the player is successful, he has to swap places in the circle’s center. 

Bump, Set, Spike

This game is another timeless classic. All you need is a beachball and some enthusiastic campers. Arrange your campers in a circle and have them pass the beachball to each other. Players may only touch the ball once and must keep it within the circle. If a player sends the ball out of play or allows it to hit the ground, he is sent to the circle’s center. The last player seated at the end of the game is declared the winner. 

 

Ready, Set, Dodgeball 

This activity is one of the most common games for high schoolers. As such, it is an instant hit at campgrounds. All you need is a couple of beachballs or basketballs, a wide space to play, and a group of competitive campers. 

The aim of the game is simple, dodge or catch balls thrown at you and successfully hit others with your shots. If a player can catch a ball thrown at them, the thrower is out of the game. Also, any player successfully hit by a ball is out of the game. The last man standing or the player with the most eliminations wins. 

Build A Fort 

This game has outstanding adaptability. It can be a versus battle or a team-building exercise. The aim of the game is simple: build a fort that you will be proud to see. Here are some steps to set you down the path of making an amazing fort: 

  • Select a location. An open area would be advisable. 
  • Gather materials such as wood pieces, long sticks, strings, ropes, logs, and dead branches of various sizes. 
  • Ensure you have a tarp or canvas prepared. 
  • If you can, establish your fort on a strong structure such as a fence, sturdy tree, or large rock. 
  • Level the ground as evenly as you can. 
  • Build your fort using larger and sturdier materials as the base while you work your way upwards. 
  • Use your rope or string to hold your large materials together. 
  • Let creativity lead the way. 

Scavenger Hunt

This game is another popular camping game with limitless possibilities. You could suggest a nature walk with fellow campers where each camper has a list of things to find. These items could include a bird’s nest, a crawling insect, a squirrel, a feather, a frog, a pinecone, and a snail. The important thing is that you make sure that people can find these things on the list. 

 

Obstacle Course 

This game provides the perfect opportunity to test the athletes in the camp. However, this game takes some preparation. You may have to set up for hours before the event can commence. As such, it would be wise to plan accordingly. 

To spice things up, you could throw in a special prize for the winner. Nothing motivates campers like a proper reward for their efforts. For some great obstacle course ideas, you can visit here

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Treasure Hunt

This game is nearly as old as the concept of camping itself. A timeless classic, if I say so myself. I’m sure we are all conversant with the concept of treasure hunts. Regardless, I’d go over it again. 

The idea is simple: provide a prize worth finding and leave behind a “mountain” of clues in the form of riddles. As each camper solves one riddle, the answer brings him to the location of the next clue. This cycle goes on till the treasure is found. 

To spice things up, you could add an obstacle course into the mix. This way, kids are forced to harness both physical and mental skills to obtain the treasure. This addition makes the whole hunt more elaborate, but it’s worth it.

Camp-lympics 

 

This game provides campers with the opportunity to display their physical and mental capabilities. 

The easiest way to do this is to divide activities into various sets, with the more difficult activities providing more points. After this, let campers select from each set. At the end of the games, the camper with the highest points wins. 

You could also separate campers into groups and have them select representatives for each event. Some fun events you could try are: 

  • Swimming 
  • Relay race 
  • Long Jump 
  • Kayaking 
  • Free Throws
  • Tug of War
  • Chess
  • Scrabble 
  • Jump roping 
  • Sack Race

 

The Battle of the Water Balloons

This game is perfect for a sunny day of camp. It presents the perfect opportunity to relieve stress and feel refreshed. Split campers into teams and equip them with balloons and a source of water. Give them some time to prepare their balloons. 

After this, the war begins! If a camper is struck directly with a water balloon, they are out. Whoever is the last man standing wins the game. 

 Scary Story Contest 

This game remains a favorite on campfire nights. The aim of the game is simple: tell the spookiest story imaginable. Gather your campers around the fire while you roast some marshmallows and challenge them to a story contest. After people are done telling stories, the campers take a quick vote to decide the winner. 

 Storytelling Chain 

This game is simple yet incredibly exciting. All you need is your creativity, a campfire, and some enthusiastic campers. The first camper begins the story with a sentence, while each camper adds to the story while providing only a sentence of information. This goes on and on until you have the most convoluted story imaginable. 

 

Singing Contest 

This game is as simple as it sounds. Gather your campers around the bonfire and challenge them to a vocal battle of the ages. When you have your singing volunteers ready, they can have at it. At the end of the contest, the campers vote for their top three singers. Whoever gets the most votes or cheers wins. 

Sleeping Bag Races

If you want to get your campers off their feet, this is the perfect game to suggest. All you need is an open area and a couple of sleeping bags. Think of this as the camp version of the popular sack race. As such, the first player to cross the finish line wins. 

Three-Legged Race 

This is the ultimate bonding exercise. All you need is some rope and a bunch of excited campers. Players would participate in teams of two. You need to tie the left leg of each teammate to the right leg of his partner. This way, two legs become one, making three legs, hence the name of the game. 

The goal is simple: the first team to cross the finish line wins! This game promotes teamwork as teammates have to match each other’s pace to progress in the contest. If one teammate moves faster than the other, both will fall. Quite a challenge if you ask me. 

 

Charades 

Next up on our list is charades. This game is a timeless classic for a reason. All ages and skill levels can play it. To spice things up, you could restrict the game to camp-related activities. This way, players have to act out various things in nature or activities that can only be done in campgrounds. The only limit in the game is your imagination. 

Bocce Ball 

This game is one of the oldest in the book. However, it has truly stood the test of time as it dates back to the ancient Egyptians. The aim of the game is simple, each team or player attempts to toss balls as close to a specially marked ball in the center area. 

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After each round, the person whose ball is closest to the center ball is declared the winner. Bocce ball sets are quite inexpensive and easy to find. This makes it the perfect camping game. If you don’t quite know how to play the game, here is a video guide to help you get started. 

 Hacky Sack 

The aim of this game is straightforward: don’t let it touch the ground! The aim remains the same, whether it is a ball, a sack, a rolled-up sock, or a bean back. Hacky sack is a comical game filled with its fair share of laughter and excitement. Players kick an object from player to player without letting it touch the ground. 

If a player lets the ball hit the ground, he is out. The last man standing wins. 

 

Frisbee Sports 

This game is one of the most versatile as you are limited only by your creativity. You could take turns throwing the frisbee at various targets or attempt trick shots by bouncing it off various objects. You could even go old-school and throw it to one another. The possibilities are endless. 

 Shadow Puppets 

This game is another outstanding activity that is perfect around the campfire. You can easily use the light from the flames to create weird shapes and objects from the shadows with the help of your hands. To spice things up, you could throw in a game of charades where everyone has to guess what object or creature you are making.

Toasted Or roasted?

This interactive card game takes the delight of roasting a marshmallow over a bonfire and puts a creative spin on it. Campers can sabotage your smore-making attempts, and you can do the same. The goal is to scale through these challenges and toast your marshmallows as quickly as possible. 

 

Noah’s Ark 

This game is a fun activity that tests your knowledge of animals. The first player starts by saying, “Into Noah’s Ark went (an animal that starts with letter A).” The second player goes, “Into Noah’s Ark went (the first animal mentioned) and (an animal that starts with letter B).” The goal is to make it to Z without anyone messing up. If anyone misses their mark, the game starts over. 

Pterodactyl 

This game is remarkably interesting as you will end up with a bunch of silly faces. The game aims to pronounce the word “pterodactyl” without showing your teeth. This results in the funniest expressions you’d ever see. Here’s how the game is played.  

Fire Tender 

Worry not! This game isn’t played with actual fire. The aim of the game is simple: steal twigs, branches, and leaves from the fire tender without letting them hear you. 

You’ll need to gather a lot of twigs, branches, and rustling leaves. Select any one to be the fire tender who sits blindfolded behind the pile of branches. Players take turns in trying to steal the materials from the pile without the fire tender hearing it. If the fire tender hears a noise, he yells, and the person caught is out of the game. The last player standing wins. 

 

Two Truths and A Lie 

This is another popular camp game that takes after Truth or dare. It takes all the juicy secrets of truths and removes the dangerous escapades of dares. This is a perfect bonding exercise as you will get to learn more about people around you. The aim of the game is simple: a player states three facts about them, one of which is a lie, and the other campers have to guess which ones are true and which one is false. 

Camp Talk 

Last but certainly not least is camp talk, a question-and-answer game that is supported by card prompts. This game is a great bonding tool for families and loved ones. The cards ask questions ranging from silly and creative to heartfelt and thought-provoking. You can spice things up by adding a penalty for anyone that doesn’t answer a question that they are asked.  

In the fullness of time, we cannot deny that by connecting with nature through camping, we are relieved of stress and can easily foster connections with people around us. Ultimately, these games provide creative, thoughtful, and challenging options for fun while establishing connections with people. That, in its entirety, is a splendid proposal.