We’re headed up north this weekend for our annual Labor Day camping trip. Does your family camp? Tent, RV or cabin?
We’re tent campers. I find it to be such an amazing family experience – time to spend with your family out in the woods without any of the day to day distractions. Fresh air to breathe. This trip is our annual large group camping trip with 10 other families.
What games to bring camping with teens and preteens?
There are a few things to consider when choosing games to bring camping
Nothing with a lot of pieces. Something that can be played on an uneven surface (so no games where pieces must be positioned…unless you have a magnetic version).
Games that are good for all ages, kids and adults. with an emphasis on games that would interest teens (because we don’t want them going off in the woods to play on their phones). Good to play after dinner or in the tent waiting out a downpour.
Games that can be played in your tent or on a picnic table.
Don’t take up a lot of room since the car is already packed with all the camping gear.
A few of our top picks for camping games
- horseshoes – if there’s enough open space this is a fun game of skill for everyone. There’s plenty of sets for sale that come in a compact carrying case perfect for packing in the car.
- badminton – I have memories of playing this games for hours in the backyard as a kid. Chasing that shuttlecock and forth (never knew its correct name as a kid, lol)
- bocce ball – another popular game for trips to the woods, the beach or a backyard party. This game does require a patch of open flat space so not all camping sites will accommodate.
- ladder golf – another fun active game that folds up compactly for the road trip.
board games and card games for camping trips
Board games and card games are great for late-night playing or in the tent during a rainstorm. Card games are perfect because they’re compact and easy to stick in a bag without taking up too much room.
- deck of cards – some many games including solitaire, go fish, poker, and my son’s current favorite Assasins. I always keep a few packs in my glove compartment. I like having a waterproof deck of cards for travel – both camping trips, trips to the beach or pool.
- Not Parent Approved – this game is like Cards Against Humanity but for kids. My son brought this to sleep away camp and it was a hit.
- Exploding Kittens – another popular card game
- Uno – always so popular. My son went through a year or two obsessed with the game – we played hundreds of games and wore out a deck.
- Jenga – becoming even more popular recently with the large backyard sets but for camping, pack the smaller traditional set. There’s even a National Parks edition that is perfect for camping families.
- Battleship – a fun game for all ages. Look for a travel edition that packs up easily.
A few more games for a camping trip – these don’t even require you to pack anything.
- I spy
- 2 truths and a lie
- Charades
And last but not least, camping games for the adults after the kids crash
What games do you pack for family trips into the woods? We’d love to add to our collection
