It’s the perfect combination: you’ve got a tent or trailer, a campsite, and no cell service. How do you make the most of your camping experience? What activities will make your camping trip fun and memorable? Some of our readers had suggestions for fun camping activities. Keep reading to find out what they recommend.
Hiking, Fishing, Canoeing
Camping offers a variety of fun activities to enjoy the great outdoors and connect with nature. Here are some suggestions:
1. Hiking: Explore nearby trails, enjoy scenic views, and get some exercise.
2. Campfire: Build a campfire, roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and share stories with your camping companions.
3. Stargazing: Observe the night sky, identify constellations, and watch for shooting stars.
4. Birdwatching: Bring binoculars and a guidebook to identify local birds in their natural habitat.
5. Fishing: Find a nearby lake or river and cast a line. Remember to follow local fishing regulations.
6. Canoeing or kayaking: If you’re near water, rent or bring a canoe or kayak for a relaxing paddle.
7. Wildlife observation: Keep an eye out for local wildlife and take pictures or sketch them in a journal.
8. Outdoor games: Play games like frisbee, and catch, or bring a portable game set like bocce ball or horseshoes.
9. Cooking: Experiment with campfire cooking or using a portable camp stove to create delicious meals.
10. Nature photography: Capture the beauty of your surroundings with a camera or smartphone.
11. Geocaching: Use GPS coordinates to find hidden treasures left by other campers in the area.
12. Biking: Bring your bikes and explore nearby trails or dirt roads.
13. Relaxation: Set up a hammock or find a comfortable spot to read, write, or nap.
14. Arts and crafts: Bring sketchbooks, watercolors, or other art supplies and draw inspiration from nature.
15. Orienteering or navigation: Practice your map and compass skills while exploring the area.
Remember to respect the environment and follow “Leave No Trace” principles to minimize your impact on nature.
Nature Walks, Stargazing, Geocaching, Reading
There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy while camping, whether you prefer quiet relaxation or more active pursuits. Here are my suggestions:
● Hiking or nature walks: Exploring the great outdoors is a great way to stay active and take in some beautiful scenery.
● Fishing: If you’re camping near a lake or river, consider bringing along some fishing gear for a relaxing afternoon by the water.
● Campfire storytelling: Gather around the campfire with friends or family and take turns sharing stories, jokes, or songs.
● Outdoor games: Bring along some outdoor games like frisbee, horseshoes, or cornhole for some friendly competition.
● Stargazing: Away from city lights, camping provides a great opportunity to observe the night sky and try to spot constellations or shooting stars.
● Cooking over an open fire: Whether it’s roasting hot dogs or marshmallows, cooking over a campfire can be a fun and delicious experience.
● Wildlife watching: Keep an eye out for birds, squirrels, deer, or other animals that might be living in the area.
● Kayaking or canoeing: If you’re camping near a lake or river, consider renting a kayak or canoe to explore the waterways.
● Geocaching: Geocaching is a fun and interactive way to explore the outdoors. Using a GPS device or smartphone app, you can search for hidden treasures or “caches” that have been hidden by other geocachers.
● Birdwatching: Bring along a field guide and binoculars to observe the local bird species.
● Photography: Camping provides plenty of opportunities to capture beautiful landscapes and wildlife on camera. Bring along your camera and snap some photos to remember your trip.
● Scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt for kids or adults, with clues or items to find around the campsite or surrounding area.
● Reading: If you’re looking for a more relaxed activity, bring along a book or two to enjoy while lounging in a hammock or camp chair.
● Mountain biking: If you’re camping in a mountainous area, consider bringing along your mountain bike to explore the trails.
There’s Something for Everyone
Camping is a great way to spend time with friends and family, enjoying the beauty of nature and the fresh air. Sometimes it can be challenging to come up with activities to do while you’re out in the wilderness. Luckily, plenty of fun things to do while camping will keep everyone entertained.
1. Hiking and Exploring Nature. One of the best things about camping is immersing yourself in nature. Take a hike, explore the surrounding area, and bring a map or GPS device. Look for plants and animals you might not see in the city, and take time to appreciate the scenery. You can also go on a nature walk or do some birdwatching.
2. Campfire Games and Activities. When the sun goes down, it’s time to light a campfire and get cozy. There are plenty of games and activities that you can do around the campfire, like roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories. Play some charades or other group games, or break out a deck of cards and play poker or fish.
3. Stargazing. Camping offers a unique opportunity to see the stars without the distraction of city lights. Take a blanket and lay down to gaze up at the night sky. You can also bring a telescope or binoculars to examine the stars and planets closely.
4. Fishing. Fishing can be a fun and relaxing activity if you’re camping near a lake or river. Check the regulations for the area you’ll be fishing in, and bring the necessary gear. You can also have a fish fry and cook up your catch over the campfire.
5. Swimming and Water Activities. Swimming can be a refreshing way to cool off if the weather is warm. Look for a lake or river with a sandy beach, or bring along an inflatable pool. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and paddle around the lake.
6. Geocaching. Geocaching is a fun treasure hunt that uses GPS coordinates to locate hidden caches. You can download a geocaching app on your phone and search for caches in the area. It’s a great way to explore new areas and see things you might not have noticed otherwise.
7. Scavenger Hunt. Create a scavenger hunt for your group and see who can first find all the items on the list. You can include natural objects like leaves and rocks or man-made objects like a bottle cap or a rubber band.
8. Photography. Camping offers plenty of opportunities to take beautiful photos. Bring a camera and take pictures of the scenery, wildlife, and your group having fun. You can also create a photo scavenger hunt to see who can take the best pictures of objects or scenes.
9. Bird Watching. If you’re an early riser, try bird watching. Bring binoculars and a bird identification guide, and see how many species you can spot. You can also create a birdhouse or bird feeder and attract birds to your campsite.
10. Playing Cards and Board Games. Playing cards and board games are a great option when you’re ready to relax and unwind. Bring along some of your favorites or try something new. It’s a great way to bond with your camping companions and pass the time.
11. Reading and Journaling. Camping can be an excellent opportunity to catch up on reading or journaling. Bring a good book or a journal and spend some time alone in nature. It’s a great way to reflect and unwind.
12. Storytelling and Singing. Gather around the campfire and tell stories or sing songs. It’s a fun and intimate way to connect with your fellow campers. You can make up your own ghost stories or write songs.
13. Outdoor Cooking. Cooking over an open fire is a classic camping activity. Bring along a cast iron skillet and cook up some delicious meals. You can also make s’mores or banana boats for dessert.
14. Biking. Biking can be a fun and exhilarating activity if you’re camping in an area with bike trails. Rent a bike or bring your own, and explore the surrounding area on two wheels.
15. Relaxing. Sometimes, the best thing to do while camping is nothing at all. Take a nap in a hammock, meditate, or enjoy the peace of nature.
In conclusion, there are plenty of fun activities to do while camping. From hiking and exploring nature to storytelling and singing around the campfire, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, camping is a great way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the great outdoors.
Nick Roberts
Bushcraft, Star Gaze, Nature Photography
● Tell campfire stories. Storytelling is a cornerstone activity when it comes to camping. It’s a great opportunity to flex creative and performance skills. Tell campfire favourites or encourage participants to make up their own and you’ll soon have a captive crowd.
● Bushcraft. Camping is a great opportunity to get in touch with our more practical and primal side. Engaging in bushcraft activities is a great way to learn about the local environment and our place in the natural world. Find books on local flora and fauna. Take effective tools to build fires and structures (or make your own from scratch). It can be a fulfilling and educational experience.
● Go hiking and explore the local area. Being out in nature is the perfect time to lace up your walking shoes and hit the trails. Before you leave for your trip, research the local area to find the best pathways or recommended walks. If you’re into orienteering, take a map and go exploring to find scenic views that are off the beaten path.
● Toast some marshmallows. Toasting marshmallows is the quintessential camping pastime. Toasting and eating gooey marshmallows is an absolute tradition. If you’re not a fan of the sugar snack, there are a whole host of other things you can roast and toast. If you want something savoury, take some hot dogs or bacon for a nice snack. If you want something sweet, roll some pineapple in cinnamon or bananas in sugar for a nice treat.
● Cook delicious food. Camping food doesn’t have to be burgers, snacks, and hot dogs. Cooking food by a campfire is its own art form, and there are a lot of recipes you can make that don’t require a whole cooler to make. Look online for simple campfire recipes and you’ll eat well throughout your trip.
● Nature photography. The great outdoors is full of stunning surroundings and interesting animals, allowing for infinite opportunities for professional or aspiring photographers. Take a camera out on a hike to capture some stunning scenery or set yourself up on a well-travelled game trail to see some wonderful natural species.
● Make a rope swing. Being out in nature among trees has a lot of perks, and making a rope swing is one of them. Few things beat the rush of swinging around, especially if you’re camping near a lake or beachside. Choose a strong tree and materials and be as safe as possible and you’ll have endless opportunities for fun.
● Stargaze. Campsites that are far out from civilization often escape the impacts of light pollution, making them the perfect spot to do some stargazing. Invest in a stargazing almanac, or check out any stargazing apps and you’ll be able to identify them in no time. You’ll be surprised when you see just how many stars are out there!
Leah Wanjiku
Outdoor Activities Increase Bonding
Camping is an adventurous activity in itself, but it can be coupled with fun activities to make the experience more enjoyable. Some of these are hiking, building sand castles, color festivals, mud sliding, outdoor barbeque or cooking, bonfire stories, rope skipping, bike riding, and competitive ball games.
The place of the camp set-up will determine which of these activities will be appropriate depending on the environmental rules, availability of the necessary resources, and the suitability of the camp location for different fun activities. These activities increase bonding and make the whole camping experience worth remembering.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors’ statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
