Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
Teens love camping but finding fun and engaging games can be challenging. So, here are a few exciting camping activities for teenagers that you can try out. These activities help them bond with their peers and have great experiences that they will cherish forever. Many families go hiking or camping during summers, and as you spend most of the time outdoors, it is important to have a few fun games in mind to keep everyone happy and entertained. Engaging in camping activities enhances the experience and fosters independence, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for nature. These activities are crafted to be fun and adventurous, tailored to teens’ interests, ensuring they create memorable experiences. So, take a look at the options below and add your twist to them. Read on to know more.
Camp Games For Teens
Each of these games provides entertainment while strengthening relationships among peers, enhancing communication skills, and encouraging physical activity. Select the ones that best suit your group dynamics and have fun!
1. Air raid
Image: IStock
- Make a start and a finish line, fifty meters apart.
- Find at least five or six obstacles, which are big enough to be used to hide. For example, you can take up items such as tables, fences, wheelbarrows etc. Arrange these articles in a zig-zag pattern all across the ground, between the start and the finish line.
- Two people would be the bombers who will throw sponge pads. Using sponge pads is better than water balloons as it wouldn’t hit the gentle skin of the teenagers.
- The bombers will be placed ten feet past the finish line and also halfway across the lines respectively to play the game.
- The bombers will have to hit the runners, and the halfway bomber is supposed to be alert. He has to make sure that he hits only the runners when they have passed by him and the bomber will have to cease fire. Every time the runner crosses an obstacle, he or she gets an assigned point or reward which has been decided earlier. The total points collected by the runners will be their final scores.
- The objective of the game is to finish the race without getting hit by the bombers. The obstacles can be used as hiding places to prevent themselves from getting hit.
2. Ten pin knockdown
- The campers are divided into two separate groups and then a square playing boundary is established for the purpose of the game. The field should be divided into equal halves, which resemble a tennis game field or something similar to it.
- The teams are assigned the task to strategically place their pins in the area given to them.
- As they get the command ‘go’ they have to knock down the cones or pins of each other’s sides. It is done with the help of the ball that can be rolled only towards the opposite side. The team that can keep all the pins intact wins the game.
- The objective of the game is knocking down the maximum number of pins or cones of the opposite team to win the game.
3. Alaskan baseball
Image: IStock
- One camper is given a throwable object, with his team then forming a circle around him. That person throws the object.
- After he has thrown the object, he goes around the circle taking everyone’s name in order of the circle. Every time he makes it around the circle it counts as a run.
- Meanwhile the other team is chasing the object. Everyone forms a line behind the first person that has the object. They then pass the object between their legs until it reaches the last person, where it is then passed overhead back to the first person in line.
- When the first person gets the object, the team yells out, and the other team stops counting runs. The first person in line that retrieved the object now has a circle formed around him and he throws the object and the process reverses.
4. Back to back tag
- Two players are involved at first who hold each other’s hands and tag themselves with a name. After that, they are required to tag other players but they can only use their free hands to tag the person.
- The next tagged person joins a side with the ones who have tagged them, and thus, a chain is formed. The chain runs to tag the players who are yet to be tagged. In such a situation, the untagged players can find the ones without labels and back away from them to prevent being tagged. The game goes on till all the players are tagged.
- The objective of the game is to tag all the players, and the last one standing is the winner.
5. Birthday line up
Image: Shutterstock
- It is one of those cool camp games for teens that work perfectly as an icebreaker and gives the players the scope to interact freely with each other during camp time.
- In this game, the players are asked not to talk to each other about anything till they get the permission to do so.
- After that instruction is given, the players are asked to line up by their heights. The order can further break into arranging them on the basis of their birthday dates, alphabetical order, etc. This works as a perfect icebreaker, letting them interact freely.
- The only objective of the game is to break the ice and let the campers interact with each other.
Quick tip6. Play the dead fish
- The campers are asked to play as ‘dead fish’ that are not supposed to anything and be completely still. One of them will act as the invigilator and make rounds to check on the kids so as to make sure that no one laughs or makes any movement.
- The ones who are able to stay still all throughout the game without flinching a little will be declared winners.
7. Hide to scare
- In this game, the campers are divided into four or five groups and are given names based on particular colors such as red, blue, yellow, or green. Each team is given some chips as points. The idea is to spread out around the entire area and scare the players of other teams.
- Every time someone succeeds in scaring members from other teams, they collect a point from him or her. In this way, after forty or fifty minutes, the team with the highest number of points stands to win the game.
8. Flashlight catch the flag
- The campers are divided into two groups and the field is also established in two halves representing two sides. It is a game that is best played in the dark and the teams will be given glow sticks of some unique color and flashlights. The team members will hide their glow sticks carefully in their assigned fields making sure at least one inch of the stick is out and visible.
- The members of the opposite team are assigned to find the glow sticks using the flashlights and hunt down all of them within a fixed period. The team which collects the maximum number of glow sticks from the opposite field wins. The invigilators have to extremely careful about the safety of the kids due to the dark.
Camp Activities For Teens
Apart from the games and stargazing, teenage kids can also indulge in some entertainment and relaxation during the break hour and enjoy each other’s company. Some innovative and fun activities for teens to spend a great time together are:
1. Play the twig castles
One thing that all kids love while on a sandy beach holiday is to make sand castles. But what if you are in a jungle living in a humble tent? Well, you can also make twig castles with the dry branches and leaves and enjoy your creations.
To make the twig castle properly, instead of buckets and panes, you will need some strong glue, tape, and scissors. You can also take the help of the camp leader or supervisor for some inspiration.
2. Get an experience of storytelling
A field consists of a vast number of kids who come from different backgrounds and cultural spheres, making the camping environment culturally rich with varieties of ethnicity.
In this activity, the campers are grouped in small numbers, and one player from the team is asked to start a story with one line inspired by the scene around them. The next player catches up with the last few words and adds one more line to let the story go further. Ideas and thoughts are distributed and various groups come together to share the same space. This activity is very good for bringing various kinds of people together and creating some absurd but interesting campfire stories.
Point to consider3. Catch it or do not catch it
Image: Shutterstock
The game involves the players standing in a circle with one person in the middle.
A ball is given to the players which they pass around, with one person in the middle saying catch or don’t catch. The one who does not follow the instruction goes out of the game. The last man standing is the winner.
4. Murder in the dark
One of the most exciting and adventurous camp games popular among teenage kids, a murder in the wilderness has to be solved in this game. A fake murder is planned, and one player is the victim. The clues are given with the help of which a team of ‘detectives’ has to find the murderer. This game can be played by a small group of campers, and tests their reasoning, logic, and, capacities to imagine.
5. Play Noah’s ark
It is nothing but an enjoyable memory game that can be played with a small or large group of campers while snacking on some s’mores. In this activity, all the members are asked to sit in a circle and take turns to utter the names of animals that could be found in Noah’s Ark, in alphabetical order. Each player has to remember and utter the last animal named and add one more name to it.
A sequencing game, one member is responsible for writing down the correct sequence and invigilating if the players are correctly uttering the names or not. Every person who gives a wrong sequence is thrown out of the game. The game is on till one person is left with the right sequence.
6. Singing a song
Image: Shutterstock
Best played at night beside a softly glowing bonfire, the campers are supposed to sing a song.
The last letter of the song is what the next singer has to sing a song with. The one who fails to think of a song in ten seconds loses the game.
7. Have a selfie scavenger hunt
Teens are obsessed with selfies, aren’t they? So, how about having a selfie scavenger hunt during camping? Divide the participants into teams and make a list of items or challenges that they need to find or complete. Each item or challenge should be documented with a selfie, which adds a personal touch to the game while creating lasting memories. Set a time limit for the scavenger hunt to keep the activity exciting. Once the game is completed, review the selfies of all participants and declare the winner. This game allows teens to explore the surroundings and capture beautiful moments in the process.
8. Call out spud
A multiple player game, each player is assigned a digit that begins with one and goes on. All the players make a circle with one person in the center, who holds a sponge or softball. He or she has to throw the ball and shout a number randomly.
The one whose number is called remains standing while the rest of the players scatter. The player whose number is called catches the ball, and as soon he or she gets it, can cry out “Spud” and everyone freeze in their positions.
The camper now takes three giant leaps to reach the nearest player and throws the ball at him or her. The targeted camper can dodge the ball without moving from his or her place. If that is done, the next round is played, or else, if the ball hits the camper, he or she is declared out of the game. The last person standing is the winner in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits that we can get from camping?
Camping is a fun-filled activity for children and adults alike. It is a great way to spend the holidays with children and learn new skills. Some significant benefits of camping include:
- Develop a spirit of adventure and independence
- Share outstanding bonds with friends and families
- Spend less time on social media and the internet
- Stay physically active
- Learn team building and survival skills
- Appreciate the beauty of nature
- Promote teamwork and learn to cooperate
2. Is camping good for anxiety?
Camping has various health advantages, from the physical activity you get on the route to the stress-relieving effects of being outside. For example, researchers from Stanford University have found that being in nature can reduce stress and anxiety. In addition, spending time in nature has a favorable impact on mood, working memory, and other cognitive functions and a calming influence on anxiety (2).
3. What safety tips should we follow when camping with teens?
When camping with teenagers, teach them about animal safety, proper use of camping gear, establish clear rules, provide emergency contact numbers, and supervise them to prevent accidents or risky behavior.
4. What are the common challenges that teens face when camping?
Teenagers who go camping might find it hard to adjust to new environments, deal with weather or insects, adapt to group dynamics, and communicate with others.
5. How can camping activities help teens to build team spirit?
Camping activities promote team spirit among teens by engaging them in collaborative tasks such as setting up tents and cooking meals. They learn to cooperate, support one another, and develop a sense of companionship. Participating in hiking or playing games further strengthens their teamwork and fosters friendships.
6. What are the potential educational opportunities associated with camping activities for teens?
Camping activities offer potential educational opportunities for teens, including learning about nature, animals, and the environment. They can acquire practical outdoor skills such as navigation and safety. Camping helps foster personal growth, independence, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. According to Jacob, a father, and an avid traveler, camping also offers a great opportunity for children to become acquainted with local flora and fauna. He says, “Animal spotting is one of my personal favorite activities, and we almost always take opportunities to learn about the local fauna wherever we find ourselves, even when we aren’t camping. However, I love the sorts of animal encounters that can happen during camping trips.
“We’ve had all sorts of animals wander through our campsites from raccoons looking to steal our scraps to an entire herd of bison just wandering through! Adding a nature hike onto your camping trip can often increase your likelihood of spotting some great animals as well, and, depending on where you are, the camp itself may have tips for exploring the local fauna (i).”
Camping activities for teens could enhance the bond with their peers and make camping more memorable. Air raid, Tenpin knockdown, and Alaskan baseball are some of the best group activities for teenagers. Icebreakers such as birthday lineups can help the teens interact with and know each other better. Group storytelling and sharing experiences can also make the camping more interesting and enable the teens to gel with their peers. Singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, or any such activities help the teen display their talents.
Infographic: Fun Camping Activities And Games For Teens
Camping is a fun activity that helps forge bonds and allows friends to catch up with each other. So, are you planning a camping trip with your teen gang but don’t know what activities to include? We bring a list of activity suggestions to help you guys have an unforgettable experience. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Foster peer connections by engaging teenagers in fun camping activities.
- Amuse them with games such as birthday line-up, back-to-back tag, or Alaskan baseball.
- Teens will likely enjoy participating in quirky activities like singing, selfie scavenger hunts, or making twig castles.
- Choose a suitable activity for your teen to have fun and create lasting memories.
Illustration: Fun Camping Activities And Games For Teens
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. 7 great ways to add education to a camping trip.https://neverendingfieldtrip.com/educational-camping/
References
- Seven health benefits of camping.
https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2019/12/seven-health-benefits-of-camping/ - Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature
https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/
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