Cabins, Camping and Road Trips: Drive to Destinations

Seven Ways to Make Your Next Family Trip Memorable

When camping with kids and teens, you can sometimes face the problem of them getting bored, which can turn what you hoped would be a fun family camping trip into a bad camping trip.

In order to keep boredom at bay, it’s nice to have a list of the most fun camping games for kids and teens on hand for your next camping trip. Seasoned campers know how to keep kids and teens entertained and busy. Having them set up the tent, stack firewood, and hook up the water lines is a good start in my book.

For parents who are new to camping, you may need some games at the ready to keep the kids engaged in the Great Outdoors. The last thing you want is your kids sulking about their lack of wifi. Here are seven ways to make your drive-to vacation memorable this year: 

1. Camp Olympics

Sure, the real olympics are cancelled this year, but that doesn’t mean YOU can’t compete. A good way to get everyone involved in some physical play is Camp Olympics. No need to add weird sports like curling or pole vaulting. Stick with foot races, long jumps, swimming contests, and even some wrestling. These Summer or Winter Olympics can be used yearly to track record setters for years to come. Not a bad addition to the family history books that are hidden in your garage somewhere.

2. Glow Battle

Battle like a ninja samurai using harmless glowing swords! Family, friends and neighbors play organized sword fighting games using (harmless!) glowing foam weapons. With 10 variations, it encourages kids and families to play together. Available here.

3. Washer Toss

Washer Toss is a good way to rest up after the Camp Olympics. It’s a fun game that can get competitive even though it is played at a more relaxed pace. You don’t want your kids running all over the place right before bedtime. Washer Toss is a good way to calm everyone down and get ready for the sleeping bags or hammocks.

5. Capture the Flag REDUX

Capture the Flag REDUX is always a go-to game for all ages no matter where you are. It’s definitely one of the best outdoor camping games. You can even play after those memorable sunsets with Capture the Flag REDUX, our glow in the dark version of Capture the Flag. The kit’s 25 reusable light-up game pieces allow for up to 10 traditional Capture the Flag players. It also includes 12 alternate ways to play, allowing for 4-20 players.

6. Scavenger Hunts

Whether you need a game for the day or a week-long challenge, Scavenger Hunts never get old. How many items could you find over the course of a week at a campground? I’d say 50-100 if you want to make things interesting.

Some honorable mentions for the best outdoor camping games include:

• Mini-Ping Pong
• Dodgeball
• Tennis, as many campgrounds have courts.
• Tent Race (Make setting up the tents a competition among the kids and keep the recorded times for each trip.).
• Rain Hike Challenge (you thought I would throw in some board games for rainy days? Haha! Teach the kiddos a little toughness. They won’t melt).

Keep this list of games handy as you head out for your next camping trip. Getting active and competitive with your kids and will make them forget about the lack of wifi out in the woods. It doesn’t hurt us adults to forget the internet world for a while either!

Want more games? Here is our best outdoor games list that includes 50 of what we think are the best outdoor games.

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