It doesn’t matter how you camp—in a tent or an RV. Camping is an opportunity for serious fun and activities. Moreover, it’s an experience that you can customize for your family’s interests based on the season and where you’re camping.
You don’t have to pack to the hilt to stay entertained. In fact, there are plenty of simple activities for your next family vacation by the lake or in the mountains.
Here’s my super RVing with Rex Checklist of Camping Activities.
Camping activities: Water-based activities
There are tons of exciting things you can do in the water if your campsite is near a lake, seashore, river, pool, or other body of water. Some are very active; others are for lazy relaxing days. Slip on your bathing suit and have some fun in the water—here’s how:
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Floating or lounging
- Canoeing or kayaking
- Boating
- Water skiing
- Tubing
- Water volleyball or basketball
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Water balloon fight
Camping activities: Sports-related activities
Not all camping and RV resorts have a full list of amenities. If you’re rustic camping in the wild or you’re somewhere with limited amenities—or maybe just want some more variety—here are some great ideas to stay active with your family:
- Disc golf (Frisbee golf)
- Horseshoes
- Ringtoss
- Corn Hole
- Lawn bowling
- Soccer
- Football
- Kickball
- Baseball
- Biking
- Hiking
- Nature walks
- Spelunking/caving (make sure you have an experienced guide with you)
- Capture the Flag
- Hide and Seek
- Tag (there are dozens of variations)
- Red Rover
Camping activities: Nature-related activities
Part of the joy of camping is being closer to nature. Explore the great outdoors more with these activities. Be sure to respect the area where you are. Don’t disturb or damage the wildlife.
- Birding (bird watching)
- Animal watching
- Photography
- Sketching
- Catching fireflies
- Collecting leaves
- Cataloging rocks
- Fossil hunting
- Exploring
- Search for wild berries, nuts, and other edible plants
- Watch the sunrise/sunset
- Camping scavenger hunt
- Geocaching
Camping activities: Winding down activities
Staying active and enjoying the day is an important part of every camping trip. But you also need to embrace the down time and give your mind and body a rest. Camping to relax and get away from daily stress? Here are some great ways to relax and enjoy the family camping trip:
- Swing in a hammock
- Watch the trees blowing in the breeze
- Listen to nature
- Take lots of naps
- Daydream and let your mind wander
- Float on the water
- Stargaze
Camping activities: Downtime activities
Maybe the kids need some downtime in the tent. Or perhaps someone isn’t feeling well. There could be some unexpected weather that is keeping you indoors. Of course, you could just be relaxing under the protection of your tent to escape the bugs. There are plenty of things you can do inside the tent or RV either alone or with friends and family:
- Read books and magazines
- Read aloud to each other
- Card games
- Board games
- Crafting (knitting, sewing, drawing)
- Watch movies on portable devices
- Play on other electronic devices (iPods, iPads, Gameboys, etc.)
- Make up stories to tell each other
- Snuggle
Camping activities: Evening activities
The camping trip doesn’t end when the sun sets. A whole slew of activities become available when evening comes and dark settles on the campground. The darkness is a thrilling time while family camping because you’re not dealing with the lights and commotion of the city. Check out these awesome evening activities:
- Sit around the campfire
- Sing campfire songs
- Play a guitar or other instrument
- Dance around the fire
- Try out new varieties of s’mores
- Make colored fire (packages of colored fire crystals or pine cones are sold at many camping supply stores)
- Make shadow puppets
- Go for a nighttime walk (with a flashlight, of course)
- Stargaze
- Play flashlight tag
- Play hide and seek in the dark
- Go for a midnight swim
- Play glow in the dark bowling. Put glow sticks in 2-liter bottles filled with water. Use a ball to knock them down.
- Tell ghost stories
- Play Truth or Dare
Now that you have great ideas for things to do while camping, it’s time to get out there and try them.
Related Posts:
- On Camping and Spending Time in Nature
- Camping the Shoulder Season
- The Expanding Camping Community
- 12 of the Best State Parks for Spring Camping
Worth Pondering…
I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
—John Burroughs
