Camping’s popularity soared recently, with 92 million U.S. households joining the adventure in 2022, says the KOA North American Camping Report. No wonder why!
Unplugging from everyday life and spending time in nature is incredibly restorative. But to really optimize the experience, some planning is required.
Over the years, I’ve learned it’s not just about the destination but about the experiences along the way.
In this article, I’ll share my favorite activities to do while camping, covering everything from group bonding to solo adventures, and even those unexpected rainy days. Let’s dive in and discover ways to make your next camping trip truly unforgettable!
Group Activities
Nothing amps up the camping fun like getting everyone involved in some group activities.
I’ve found the ones below to be some of the most effective for creating hilarious memories and a stronger feeling of connection:
- “I Spy”: This classic game never gets old! We take turns describing something we see with details about its color, shape, or location. You’ll be surprised how differently everyone looks at their surroundings, encouraging fresh observation skills [1].
- Nature Bingo: I always try to prepare bingo cards featuring natural elements like wildflowers, different leaf shapes, bird species, or animal tracks. This turns your hike into a fun competition while deepening your connection with the environment.
- Singing hiking songs: Learning some upbeat, traditional hiking songs is a great way to lift everyone’s spirits. From classics like “She’ll Be Comin Around the Mountain” to more modern, silly tunes, singing together will get the group energized and add a playful soundtrack to your hike.
- Tell campfire stories: As the evening descends, there’s nothing better than gathering around the campfire and sharing stories. I love hearing everyone’s funny anecdotes, tales about their lives, or even a bit of spooky atmosphere. You’ll connect, laugh, and be entertained for hours.
- Play charades with hiking-themed words: Add a fun twist to classic charades by acting out objects you encounter on your hike, like backpacks, sleeping bags, or animals like squirrels and deer. Expect lots of laughter and a lighthearted way to strengthen teamwork.
- Organize a scavenger hunt: This is a fun way to engage with your surroundings. I like hiding clues based on natural features – specific leaves, interesting rocks, animal tracks – and then letting everyone scramble to find them. You can set time limits and add prizes to up the ante!
- Perform a play inspired by the hike: Get those creative juices flowing! Act out funny encounters from your hike, build an entire imaginary storyline around what you’ve seen, or use nature as props. It’s all about spontaneity and guaranteed laughter.
- Cooking challenges: This is one of my favorite campground activities. Divide your group into teams and see who can create the tastiest, most creative meal using limited ingredients. I often include surprise, unusual ingredients for added flair. This activity unleashes culinary talents you never knew your group had!
- Campsite Olympics: Turn your campsite into the Olympic grounds! Organize friendly, silly competitions like water balloon tosses, sack races, three-legged races, or log rolling (if there’s safe water access). This brings out everyone’s playful side and builds camaraderie.
- Musical jam session: Whether you bring instruments or create spontaneous sounds using sticks, rocks, or pots and pans, nothing brings folks together like a fun jam session. I find even those who claim to “have no musical talent” end up contributing and having a blast.
- Stargazing with apps: The wonders of the night sky await! Me and my friends often use stargazing apps to identify constellations and planets, and even track satellites passing overhead. It’s like having a portable astronomy lesson tailored to your exact location.
- Capture the flag with a twist: Put a nature-themed spin on this classic game by using water guns instead of flags, hiding special nature objects, or incorporating themed obstacles throughout the course. The possibilities are endless!
- Geocaching adventure: If you’ve never been geocaching, you’re in for a treat! This real-world treasure-hunting activity uses GPS coordinates to guide you to hidden caches. Explore new terrain and work as a team – it’s an excellent way to combine hiking with some tech-savvy exploration [2].
- Learn basic survival skills: This is not only fascinating but incredibly practical. Take some time as a group to practice fire-building techniques, learn to build simple shelters, and review basic first aid.
“Learning some basic survival skills while going for Mountain treks will help you in case of any emergency or when you face any difficult situation. If you learn some basic survival skills, you will be confident to walk over the mighty mountains.”
by Rohan Khedkar, Co-Founder & CEO Adventures365
Tip: Download relevant apps ahead of time, especially if cell reception is spotty where you’re camping. Planning this way ensures maximum enjoyment for these tech-focused activities.
Solo Activities
While being in nature often makes me crave connection with friends or family, I also know that solo time away from the hustle and bustle is essential.
Here are some things to do when camping alone:
- Practice mindfulness: Slow down and consciously focus on the present moment. Engage your senses fully – notice the textures and smells of the forest, the intricate bird songs, or the way sunlight filters through the leaves. This present-moment focus can alleviate stress and offer a deeper connection with nature [3].
- Identify plants and animals: Turn your hike into a learning experience. Use field guides or identification apps to discover the names of trees, wildflowers, birds, and even animal tracks you spot. I find that knowing the names of living things around me creates a personal connection to the environment.
- Sketch or paint: Let the inspiration of nature flow through you! Pack a small sketchbook or journal to capture scenic vistas, intriguing flowers, or any striking features that catch your eye. There’s no need to be a professional artist – allow yourself to simply express your creative side.
- Write in a journal: Hiking has a way of unlocking personal insights. Carry a journal to jot down observations, feelings, or inspirational ideas that bubble up throughout your adventure. I often return to my journals days, months, and even years later and appreciate the snapshots of reflection.
- Photograph interesting features: Practice your photography skills by looking for unique angles, captivating textures, and hidden details of your surroundings. Focus on capturing the essence of a place. Experiment with different lighting and perspectives to add an artistic touch.
- Listen to podcasts or music: Choose tunes that help you relax, boost energy for longer hikes, or opt for a fascinating educational podcast to stimulate your mind. I find tailoring my playlist to the mood and terrain makes solo walks even more fulfilling.
- Meditate: Find a peaceful spot with a view, close your eyes, and tune into your breath. The soothing sounds of nature, like rustling leaves or a babbling brook, create the perfect soundtrack for a guided meditation session or some mindful breathing exercises.
- Learn a new outdoor skill: Solo adventures are an excellent time to refine skills or experiment with new ones. Explore birdwatching, learn to identify edible plants (with an abundance of caution!), or brush up on topo map reading and compass navigation to feel more confident off the beaten path.
- Write haiku poetry: This traditional Japanese poetic form requires you to capture an observation or feeling in just three lines. It’s a wonderful way to hone your observational skills and preserve moments through mindful writing.
- Create nature art: Collect fallen leaves, pinecones, twigs, and vibrant stones to express your creative side. Use natural elements to construct patterns, miniature sculptures, or even a temporary shelter – these art installations are fleeting moments of connection and creativity.
Rainy Day Activities
It’s inevitable – sometimes those unpredictable weather patterns catch you on a camping trip. But a little rain doesn’t have to ruin the fun!
Here are some tried-and-true fun camping activities to pass the time and keep spirits high indoors:
- Play card games: Some of the best activities for camping, card games are incredibly versatile and perfect for cozying up under a shelter on a rainy day. I always pack classics like poker, UNO, and rummy – great for two players or larger groups, ensuring friendly competition for ages.
- Build a puzzle: Rainy afternoons are great for focusing on a challenging puzzle. Choose a landscape photo of your surrounding area or find an engaging and intricate design to pass the hours with satisfying progress.
- Read a book: Dive into a captivating novel, learn more about your hiking location through guidebooks, or pack some lighthearted magazines for a relaxing rainy day reading session. Sometimes curling up with a good book while listening to raindrops is the perfect way to embrace the weather change.
- Write letters or postcards: Take a moment to slow down and express your thoughts through the age-old tradition of letter writing. I love sharing funny anecdotes from my trip or describing the beautiful surroundings to friends and family back home.
- Do yoga or stretching: Even confined to your tent or shelter, it’s essential to take care of your body. Perform relaxing yoga stretches or gentle exercises to release tense muscles and improve flexibility –especially after a long hike or walk.
- Clean and organize gear: Rainy days present the perfect opportunity to prep gear for the next leg of your adventure. Wipe down muddy boots, re-pack essentials, and dry off rain-soaked items to feel prepped and ready for when the sun returns.
- Play brain games: Keep your mind active and stimulated by doing Sudoku, crosswords, or word searches. It’s a lighthearted way to keep boredom at bay while engaging your cognitive skills, ready for your next hike.
Tip: Pack puzzle books or print some challenging games in advance so you have them when cabin fever kicks in!
Night Camping Activities
Camping after dark becomes a world of its own, one I always look forward to!
Here’s how I enjoy those special moonlit hours – some activities may bring nostalgic childhood memories while others are ones I discovered and refined throughout countless adventures:
- Stargaze with a telescope: There’s a reason I lug a small telescope along for most treks. Getting an up-close view of the Milky Way, pinpointing constellations, or seeing lunar craters makes me feel connected to the cosmos. Don’t worry if you’re not an astronomy buff – there’s an indescribable thrill to learning what lies beyond the stars you see every night.
- Play flashlight tag: Sometimes, I crave being a kid again! That’s where flashlight tag comes in – a classic made even more hilarious by stumbling around in the dark. Remember to play in a safe, obstacle-free area as bumps and laughter are inevitable!
- Tell scary stories: Whether they’re old ghost stories passed down for generations or goofy, made-up-on-the-spot tales, everyone secretly loves a touch of fright around the campfire. It’s as much about hearing those exaggerated gasps and screams as it is about the stories themselves!
- Do shadow puppets: You don’t need fancy equipment for camping entertainment. Simply playing with hand shadows against a tent, with the flickering firelight in the background, brings out both creative storytelling and some serious giggles. I have no artistic talent, but the weirder my shadowy creations look, the better!
- Play board games: Nothing like healthy competition while curled in a sleeping bag! I pick travel-sized board games that pack a lot of fun in a small space – think Jenga, card games, or a miniature chess set. Check out our list of best board games for camping.
- Cook a delicious campfire meal: Cooking outdoors takes on a whole new atmosphere in the dark. I like finding unusual recipes beforehand, surprising my group with campfire pizzas, foil-packet salmon, or even gourmet roasted bananas. You never know which new meal will become a campout staple!
Waterside Fun on Your Hike
If your hike takes you near water, embrace the chance to cool off and add another dimension to your adventure.
Here’s how to incorporate some waterside fun on your next trek:
- Take a dip: Nothing beats a refreshing dip in a natural body of water! Before taking the plunge, make sure you choose a designated swimming area. Be mindful of water depth, currents, and any underwater hazards. Lakes are often calm and safest, while rivers and waterfall plunge pools require extra caution.
- Go wading: Explore shallow rivers or tidepools without taking a full swim. Look for cool rocks, minnows, and other small water critters – just remember to observe cautiously and leave them in their natural habitat. I often wear waterproof sandals just for this purpose.
- Build a mini dam: Gather stones and fallen branches to create your own temporary mini dam! Experiment with how to slow or redirect the water flow and be mesmerized by the immediate impact you make on the stream. Understanding these basics makes building larger structures (when permitted) so much fun!
- Skip stones: Choose smooth, flat stones and practice the perfect flick-of-the-wrist throwing motion that sends them skipping along the water. It’s about finding the right angle and a satisfying “plop” sound when you get it just right!
- Paddle a canoe or kayak: Renting these quiet watercraft opens up access to secluded spots unattainable on foot. Paddling a serene lake, river inlet, or calm coastline lets you see everything from a fresh perspective.
- Have a water gun fight: Let your playful side come out with a spontaneous water gun battle! Choose an open area to avoid disturbing other campers, fill up your weapons, and prepare to get soaked and laugh non-stop. It’s an instant cure for those hot, muggy days.
- Go beachcombing: Walking along an ocean beach reveals treasures delivered by waves. I love looking for beautiful seashells, unique pieces of driftwood, or smooth sea glass with frosted edges. Collect your most beloved finds as natural souvenirs of your beach camping adventures.
References:
- https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-I-Spy-Game
- https://www.geocaching.com/sites/education/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356
