Camping Games and Activities for Families

Camping is one of the best ways to spend quality time together as a family. Whether you’re pitching a tent at a campsite, enjoying a caravan holiday, glamping or camping in the garden, it’s the perfect opportunity to unplug from technology, explore the outdoors and make lifelong memories.

From exciting games and nature-inspired activities to evening campfire fun, there’s no shortage of ways to keep children entertained.

If camping inspires your child to spend more time outdoors, Club Hub UK can also help you find local children’s activities, outdoor clubs, holiday camps and family events happening across the UK.

Why Camping Is Great for Children

Camping offers children experiences they simply can’t get from staying indoors. It encourages independence, curiosity and creativity while giving families the chance to slow down and enjoy nature together.

Camping helps children to:

• Build confidence
• Develop problem-solving skills
• Learn teamwork
• Improve communication
• Stay physically active
• Appreciate nature and wildlife
• Reduce screen time
• Improve mental wellbeing
• Encourage imagination
• Create lasting family memories

Many children discover a love of the outdoors that continues long after the camping trip has ended.

Outdoor Camping Games for Families

Keeping children active during a camping holiday is easy with a few simple games.

Try:

• Scavenger hunt
• Nature bingo
• Capture the flag
• Hide and seek
• Sack races
• Egg and spoon race
• Three-legged race
• Tug of war
• Obstacle course
• Treasure hunt
• Frisbee
• Rounders
• Football
• Cricket
• Giant bubbles
• Water balloon games
• Skipping competitions
• Hula hoop challenges
• Relay races
• Parachute games

These activities are suitable for children of different ages and encourage teamwork as well as plenty of laughter.

Nature Activities for Curious Children

Camping is the perfect opportunity for children to discover the natural world.

Nature-inspired activities include:

• Go on a woodland walk.
• Identify different trees.
• Spot butterflies.
• Watch birds through binoculars.
• Search for animal footprints.
• Create bark rubbings.
• Collect interesting leaves.
• Build a bug hotel.
• Hunt for wildflowers.
• Listen to birdsong.
• Create nature artwork.
• Learn cloud names.
• Look for mini beasts.
• Photograph wildlife.
• Make a nature journal.

These simple activities help children learn more about wildlife while encouraging them to explore safely and respectfully.

Camping Crafts Using Natural Materials

Nature provides plenty of free craft supplies.

Children can create:

• Leaf collages
• Stick picture frames
• Pebble painting
• Pinecone animals
• Twig boats
• Nature crowns
• Flower pressing
• Leaf printing
• Fairy houses
• Woodland sculptures

Crafting outdoors encourages creativity while helping children appreciate the beauty of nature.

Campfire Activities Everyone Will Love

Evenings around the campfire are often children’s favourite part of camping.

Fun campfire ideas include:

• Tell funny family stories.
• Share favourite memories.
• Sing campfire songs.
• Roast marshmallows.
• Toast crumpets.
• Make s’mores.
• Play “Would You Rather?”
• Twenty Questions.
• Alphabet games.
• Campfire charades.
• Guess the sound.
• Story-building games where everyone adds a sentence.
• Spot stars and constellations.
• Listen for owls and other wildlife.

Always supervise children closely around open fires and follow campsite safety rules.

Camping Challenges for Older Children

Older children often enjoy friendly competitions.

Why not challenge them to:

• Build the strongest den.
• Design the best paper aeroplane.
• Complete a compass challenge.
• Learn to tie camping knots.
• Cook something over the campfire (with adult supervision).
• Complete an orienteering course.
• Build the tallest stick tower.
• Identify ten different birds.
• Learn basic survival skills.
• Navigate using a map.

These challenges encourage independence and teamwork while building useful outdoor skills.

Camping Games for Rainy Days

British weather can be unpredictable, but rain doesn’t have to spoil the fun.

Keep everyone entertained with:

• Card games
• Board games
• Camping bingo
• Storytelling
• Drawing competitions
• Family quiz
• Travel games
• Reading together
• Charades
• Camping-themed colouring

Having a few rainy-day activities packed means everyone stays happy whatever the weather.

Essential Camping Equipment for Families

Being prepared helps everyone enjoy their camping adventure.

Useful items include:

• Tent
• Sleeping bags
• Camping chairs
• Picnic blanket
• Torch
• Head torch
• First aid kit
• Reusable water bottles
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Waterproof clothing
• Wellies
• Outdoor games
• Binoculars
• Camera
• Pack of cards
• Marshmallow skewers

Packing a few games and activities means children always have something fun to do between meals and adventures.

Discover More Outdoor Activities Near You

If your children love camping, why not continue the adventure after the holidays?

Across the UK there are thousands of outdoor activities for children, including:

• Forest School sessions
• Bushcraft clubs
• Nature clubs
• Adventure play
• Climbing
• Orienteering
• Scouts and Guides
• Outdoor holiday clubs
• Multi-activity camps
• Wildlife workshops

Trying new outdoor activities helps children build confidence while staying active throughout the year.

Find Children’s Activities Near You with Club Hub UK

Looking for even more ways to keep the children entertained?

Club Hub UK makes it easy to discover children’s activities, holiday clubs and family events across the UK.

Simply search by your location, your child’s age and the type of activity you’re looking for.

Whether you’re searching for:

• Baby classes
• Toddler groups
• Holiday clubs
• Sports clubs
• Dance classes
• Drama schools
• Swimming lessons
• Music lessons
• Outdoor adventure clubs
• Forest School sessions
• SEND activities
• Family events

Club Hub connects families with trusted children’s activity providers in their local area.

Keep the Outdoor Adventures Going

Camping is about much more than sleeping under canvas. It’s about exploring, learning, laughing and spending quality time together as a family.

Whether you’re building dens, spotting wildlife, roasting marshmallows or discovering a new outdoor hobby, every camping adventure helps children develop confidence, resilience and a love of nature.

When the camping trip is over, keep the adventure going by discovering exciting outdoor children’s activities, holiday clubs and family events near you with Club Hub UK.