Hide-and-Seek Camping Games
Kids
of every age love hide and seek and we have three variations sure to provide
fun for your campers. For additional fun, play these games at night. Just make
sure you designate an area without any obvious dangers.
Find the Camp Counselors
A
fun camping game that works well for ages eight through twelve, the object of
this game is to find the hidden counselors. Begin by providing each camper with
a pencil and paper. Keep the campers in a specified area until all the
counselors hide. After the counselors are hidden, the campers search for them
and get signatures from each counselor as they find them. The first camper who
gets all the counselor’s signatures wins.
The Good Guys and the Bad Guys
Divide
your group of campers into the “good” guys and the “bad” guys. The bad guys
hide and the good guys find them, arrest them, and bring them to “The Jail,” a
predesignated location. When all the bad guys are in jail, the players change
places and play starts again.
Sardines
An
“opposite” hide-and-seek game, only one person hides. The other players search
for the hidden camper and remain hidden with them when they find them. The
loser is the player left when all the others have hidden. The loser becomes the
next person to hide.
Team Camp Games
Competition
between teams creates a great deal of camp fun. The team with the most points
wins in each of these games. One of our team camp games works for more than two
teams.
Balloon Basketball
Set
up two rows of chairs approximately three feet apart. (No chairs? No problem.
Just have the campers sit in a row on the ground or floor.) Assign each team a
basket at one end of the facing rows. Divide your group into two teams and have
them sit alternating the players from the two teams. Place a large basket, box,
or clean waste container at each end of the facing rows. The object is to bat a
balloon down the “court” and score a basket. If a player hits the balloon out
of bounds, the leader awards the other team the ball to begin play again. Set
either a time for play or a score to be reached for winning.
Capture the Flag
A
popular children’s game great for camping, the object of this active game is to
capture the other team’s flag. Divide your group into two teams. Designate a
play area. Each team hides their flag on one side of the playing area. Teams
attempt to find the other team’s flag. At the same time, team members must keep
from being tag by members of the opposing team. If they are tagged, they go to
“jail,” a designated area on the opposing team’s side. They only get out of
jail if someone on their team manages to get to them without being tagged. The
game ends when the time is up or when one team captures the other team’s flag.
Active Camp Games
Blob Tag
A
type of reverse tag, the object is to be the last person left untagged.
Designate one player to be “It,” and begin tagging the other players. Every
time a player is tagged, they link arms with those who have already been
tagged. As they do so, a blob of players forms. The person left when all the
other players have been tagged and become part of the blob is the winner.
Catch the Cane
For
this game, you will need a broomstick, cane, or wooden baseball bat. Give a
number to each player without players knowing the number of the other players. Have
all your players form a circle around a player in the center. The player in the
center of the circle holds the cane, baseball bat, or broomstick, and releases
it without warning, while calling out a number. The person assigned the called
number runs forward and tries to catch the released object before it hits the
floor. If the player succeeds, he becomes the person in the center of the
circle.
Camp Ball Games
Bump, Set, Spike
Have
your campers form a circle and pass a beach ball or lightweight ball. Players
can only touch the ball once in a row. If they touch it twice, they are out. If
a player is not able to keep the ball in play, they are out. If a player
touches the ball and then the ball hits the ground, they sit in the middle of
the circle. If a player spikes the ball, and the players in the middle of the
circle catch it, the player who spiked the ball sits in the middle of the
circle. The object is to be the last person standing.
Dodgeball Free-For-All
After
establishing boundaries for play in a large circle about twenty yards in
diameter, throw a single dodgeball in the air. Players must allow the ball to
bounce three times, after which any player can grab the ball. Players may only
take three steps and then must throw the ball at another player. Anyone hit by
the ball is out and must leave the playing field. However, if a player
successfully catches a ball thrown at them, the thrower is out. Every time a
new player is eliminated, anyone eliminated by them is back in the game. The
winner is the player left when everyone else is out. This game can take a very
long time. You can shorten it by having those players eliminated permanently
out of the game.
Camp Games for Campfires
At
the end of the day, campers usually are physically exhausted. Still, campers
need evening activities to keep them entertained. Most camps have a pavilion or
other outdoor area for gathering at night. The following activities will keep
everyone entertained until lights out.
Skits in a Bag
Camp
counselors gather items to use as props. Divide the group into teams of four to
seven people. Give each team three props and tell them they must develop a skit
using them. You may wish to choose a storyline theme for younger campers. Some
suggestions are:
The
first day of camp
The
last day of camp
A
time someone was lost
A
bad day at school
A
scary story
Allow
the teams 20 minutes to prepare their skits. If you wish, campers can prepare
their skits early in the day for performing around the campfire at night.
Action Auction
Each
camp cabin or camp group – you can divide your campers into teams if you wish –
grabs a pillowcase and for ten minutes, they grab anything they wish that will
fit in the pillowcase. Assign a leader or counselor to play auctioneer. The
auctioneer asks for an item and any team that has that item gets a point.
Additionally, they can use the items in their pillowcase for other requests
from the auctioneer, such as:
smelliest
feet
loudest
burp
silliest
giggle
best
animal noise
At
the end of the auction, the team with the most points wins a prize such as
extra time participating in a favorite activity or free ice cream from the camp
canteen.
Act It Out
If
your camp does not have a stage, designate an area to serve as one. Campers
form teams of three. The campers choose a location for the basis of their
skits. Some suggestions are:
the
beach
another
country – must be specified
the
park
another
planet
the
school room
a
kitchen
The
team members line up behind one another on one side of the stage. The
facilitator says, “Go!” and starts counting to five. The first team takes the
stage and acts out an action appropriate to the chosen location. They have
fifteen seconds to do so. Camp leaders or counselors try to guess what action
appropriate to the chosen location the team is trying to pantomime. If those
guessing are correct, the team goes to the end of the line. If the action
cannot be guessed, the team is out and must sit down. Teams keep acting out
actions. Teams are not allowed to repeat actions. If they do so, they are out.
After all teams have taken a turn, campers choose another location and play
continues.
Camp Games for Young Children
Most
of the games we have listed work for any age. However, the following two games
are especially appropriate for younger children.
Push Wars
A
fun game to release energy, counselors need to monitor this one closely to
ensure safety. Players try to push each other with only their hands touching.
Begin by pairing up your campers. Have team members face each other, and place
hands on shoulders with arms straight and feet together. When the game begins,
players put hands together, palms facing out. Keeping palms touching and feet
together, players attempt to get their partner to lose their balance by pushing
them with their outstretched arms. Campers must push or not push at just the
right time in order to either push their partner over or have their partner
lunge forward and fall. The last camper remaining upright wins.
Doggy, Doggy, Where Is Your Bone?
A
guessing game that works for very young children, begin this game with your
campers standing or sitting in a circle. You will need a prop to serve as a
bone. Choose one camper to play the dog and find the bone. The camper playing
the dog closes their eyes (or you can blindfold them). The facilitator of the
game chooses a person from the circle to sneak up and steal the bone. When this
camper does so, they say in a disguised voice, “Doggy, doggy, where is your
bone?” After they return to the circle, all the players stand with their hands
behind their backs and the camper playing the dog tries to guess who has the
bone. Once they guess correctly, the camper who stole the bone becomes the dog.
Summertime
is camp time for many children. Increase their fun and create lasting memories
with our selection of fun camp games for every age.
Tips for Fun and Effective Camp
Games
For
camp games to be fun and effective there are some simple rules and guidelines
to follow:
Make
sure you choose games where everyone can participate and have fun.
Choose
games that fit the age and ability level of your campers.
Counselors
should participate with the campers.
Give
clear instructions and make sure all participants understand game rules.
Encourage
sportsmanship and discourage name-calling, rough playing, and any other
behaviors that may hurt campers physically or emotionally.
Games for Young Campers
Younger
campers need games that are safe and provide an opportunity for everyone to
participate. Additionally, younger campers build valuable skills such as sharing,
taking turns, and good sportsmanship while playing. We have chosen games that
are fun, but also provide some personal growth for campers.
Grapes Game
Provide
a paper plate for each camper. Place five grapes on each plate and bury them in
whipped cream. Players lock their hands behind their backs and attempt to eat
all of the grapes on their plates. If you have a great number of campers, have
six to eight of them play at once and then have winners in a playoff.
Bug House Building
Kids
love bugs. Choose a container – a milk jug with the top cut off makes a good
one. If you use a jar, make sure it has holes for air. Keep the bughouse in the
shade, not in direct sunlight, which will cook your bugs. The following
directions will help you provide a wonderful home for your bugs:
Put a layer of dirt on the bottom
Add
whatever items will make the bugs feel at home.
If
you found your bugs under leaves, add some leaves.
Add
rocks for the bugs to crawl on, if you think they will like them.
A
twig is a nice addition for some bugs. Just put it in a place where they cannot
use it to climb out.
Add
a small dish of water and some food – a small piece of fruit works well.
Remember
to set the bugs free the last day of camp.
Build
a Fort
Fort
building is fun for kids at home and even more fun at camp. Have the campers
build their forts facing each other and they can have mock battles using squirt
guns. Follow these instructions for fun, sturdy forts:
Pick a spot.
Gather
materials for the forts.
Wood
pieces, long sticks, and logs
Dead
branches of all sizes
Tarp
or canvas, if you have one
String
or rope
If
possible, build the forts against a support – a fence, large rock, or tree.
Level
the floor as much as possible.
Build
your fort, using larger materials on the bottom and work your way up to
lighter, smaller materials at the top.
If
you have rope available, use it to secure the largest pieces.
If
one group of campers collect a great deal more materials than another, collect
all and have groups take turns picking out what they need to build their fort.
Fairy or Gnome Houses
Fort
building is not for everyone. If you have more sedentary campers or very young
campers, try making a home for “fairies” or “gnome.” Collect leaves, rocks,
sticks, shells, feathers, and any other items that are small and pretty. Your
home should be hidden under a bush or behind rocks to provide fairies or gnomes
the privacy they like.
Alphabet Nature Camp Game
Try
this game with very young campers in grades two and up. Players must find
objects around camp that begin with each letter of the alphabet. The names of
objects must be specific. For example, “tree” will not work, but “pine” will.
This game can also be played with teams.
Camp Games for Teens
Choosing
camp games for teenagers can prove challenging, but if you stick to active
games, boredom will be avoided. The following games provide laughter and a bit
of a challenge.
Balloon Pop Camp Game
Divide
your campers into pairs and provide each couple with an inflated balloon. The
goal is to pop the balloon between their bodies without using hands or feet. It
may be best to pair boys with boys and girls with girls to avoid embarrassment.
The last pair with their balloon still intake wins.
Ambush
Choose
a wooded area for this game. Establish a basepoint, and divide the campers into
two teams. Provide the first team with something to leave a trail – popcorn or
small pieces of paper work well. (The paper must be picked up, however.) The
first team sets off into the woods to set up an ambush point. If you do not
want to use clues, have them stick to an established trail. The second team
waits for five minutes and then sets off to find the first team. When they
arrive at the ambush spot, the first team’s members jump out and try to tag all
of the members of the second team before they can return to base. Those who are
tagged join the first team. When everyone is back at the basepoint, campers
switch sides, with team two doing the ambushing. Eventually, all the players
should be on the first team. The last player remaining untagged wins.
Yell Out
Gather
your teen campers into a circle so that all players can see each other clearly.
Have everyone put their heads down and close their eyes while a counselor
counts to ten. When the time is up, campers look up and stare at someone. If
the person they are staring at is staring back at them, they both let out a
loud yell and leave the circle. Those who are not staring at someone who is
looking back at them remain in the game. The last two people in the circle win.
Variation:
Instead
of having those with shared stares yell, have them call out their names before
leaving the circle. This is a good way to help campers learn each other’s
names.
Camping Games for Every Age
Some
games work no matter what the age and skill level of your campers. This set of
games works well at a camp with a wide span of ages.
Obstacle Course
An
obstacle course provides a skill challenge for kids. If you wish and have
space, you can leave the obstacle course set up for a number of days or for the
entire camp session, and campers can attempt to improve their skills and score.
You can even include some items to keep the camp area clean and neat.
Using
camp items and creativity, your obstacle course can include:
Collect
fifteen pieces of wood and place on the campfire wood pile
Crawl
under a picnic table
Find
10 pieces of trash and put in the garbage can
Do
so many jumping jacks (vary the amount for age and skill level of campers)
Hang
from a tree branch for 10 seconds
Walk
(or run) around the cabin (tent) twice (or more times if desired)
Leap
frog over a stationary item (something soft)
Scavenger Hunt
Try
two different types of scavenger hunts with your campers: 1) take a nature walk
and provide a list for campers to check off as they find items, and 2) create a
scavenger hunt with parameters for the camp area. The list of items to find
varies, but the fun your campers have is guaranteed, no matter which option you
choose.
If
you are doing the nature-walk scavenger hunt, advise your campers not to pick
up their finds, but simply check off their list. Here is a list of items for a
scavenger hunt, nature walk:
bird’s
nest
crawling
or flying insect
wild
animal (i.e. deer or squirrel)
feather
fish
or frog
flower
a
frog
toadstool
pinecone
slug
or snail
a
snake or a worm
animal
tracks
moss
or lichen
For
a camp area, scavenger hunt, the items on your list are somewhat dependent upon
the size and nature of your campground. Add to this list of items:
a
rock with an unusual shape
a
piece of trash
a
bug
a
worm
a
pinecone or large leaf (dependent upon which is available)
a
snail or snail shell, or a slug
It
is a good idea to have campers work in pairs or teams if you have a very large
group. Counselors should verify finds before campers check items off their
list.
Camp Olympics
All
campers will love camp Olympics if you include a variety of skills and allow
campers to make a selection based upon ability. A good way to do this is to
divide your activities into sets and let campers pick from each set. Give
points for the more difficult skills in each set and decide upon the total
points necessary for completion for each camper. If you do not have the campers
compete for the highest score, the activity becomes one in which a camper is
able to excel and feel good about their accomplishment.
Many
fun camp activities work for your Olympics. Try the following suggestions:
Balancing
on one leg – give a point for every 10 seconds
Jump
roping
Long
jump
Relay
race
Shooting
basketballs
Skipping
stones
Swimming
competitions
Tug
of war
Hide and Seek
Hide
and Seek is so much more fun at camp than it is at home, because there are so
many places to hide. A nighttime game is particularly fun. Provide a flashlight
for whoever is “It.” You may wish to set as specific area for your game or some
hiders may never be found!
Water Balloon Fight
Fun
for a particularly hot day, a water balloon fight gets everyone cool and wet.
Simply fill balloons with water. Campers can either play alone, or divide your
camper into teams and provide each with filled balloons. Whichever team has the
driest members when the balloons are all dry wins. Alternatively, if campers
are playing as singles, whoever stays dry until the balloons are gone wins the
game.
Campfire Games
What
would camp be without a campfire? The following activities help make the time
around the campfire fun and full of memories.
Campfire Story Contest
Your
camp counselors should be able to provide some good stories. Scary ones are
fun. Once the counselors have shared, get the kids to make up some stories or
tell an old one with a new twist, i.e. Hansel and Gretel where the old woman is
nice. When everyone who wishes to participate is through, have the counselors
vote on the best kid’s story. Remember, kids love hearing about the “old days”
when the adults were their age.
Storytelling Chain
If
no one has a story to share, try a story telling chain. Have a counselor begin
with a sentence that sets the scene. For example, “One night, not too long ago,
right at this camp, something mysterious happened.”
Each
camper adds a sentence until the story ends. If the stories are short,
encourage the telling of more than one.
Song Fest
If
your campers do not know many of the traditional campfire songs, you may need
to teach them. Try easy things at first, such as “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” as a
round, with singers joining in after each line is sung. For extra fun, add
“instruments” such as a can filled with pebbles, pot lids, and “drum sticks” (a
long handled spoon) and pans.
Rainy Day Camp Games
The
weather does not always cooperate during camp sessions, so be prepared with
some indoor and outdoor rainy day games. Try some of the following ideas:
If
the rain is warm and there is no thunder and lightning, play in the rain.
Make
moldable Fluffy Stuff with 2 boxes of cornstarch and 1 can shaving cream (color
if desired)
Watch
a movie
Plan
and present skits
Play
board games
Have
an indoor Scavenger Hunt
When
the weather is warm and kids are out of school, it is time for camp, and
nothing makes camp more fun than good games. Be prepared with camp games for
sunny and stormy days and nighttime as well. Use the games in this article for
every camp situation, age group, and level of ability. Pick a camp game and
have fun!
