One of the great things about classic camp games is that they can be easily adapted to fit the size of your group and the age of the people who will be playing. Most games are fun for both kids and adults and can be played by people of all ages, either individually or in teams. Classic camp games include tug-of-war, scavenger hunts, horseshoes, three-legged races and sardines.
A scavenger hunt is a classic game that never goes out of style. You can create a list of items to be found depending on the area you are camping in, the age of your campers and the season. Examples of items to include in your scavenger hunt are a live frog, a four-leaf clover, a pinecone and a pink flower. It’s a good idea to go through the things on your list to make sure they can be found in the area you are camping, especially if the scavenger hunt is for children.
Tug-of-war is another game that has been played by campers for years. It’s best to make the teams as equal as possible. You can divide the group by gender, family, size or other criteria. Make sure that the rope you use is strong enough to withstand the pressure of being pulled from both sides. Place something in the middle of the rope so that it will be clear when one of the teams wins the game.
Horseshoes is one of the camp games that can be played by either children or adults. Many campgrounds have horseshoe pits available for guest use and you can borrow horseshoes to play with during your stay. Bring your own horseshoes if you are camping in a remote area where a pit won’t be available. You can play horseshoes individually or divide your group into teams. Make sure that the horseshoe area is clear of other campers so that nobody will get injured by a flying horseshoe.
If you’re looking for classic camp games you can play with a large group of kids, sardines is one of the best. Sardines is a fun take on hide-and-go-seek, where one person hides and the others find them. The twist is that the first person who finds the hider gets into the hiding spot with them. The game continues until the last seeker finds where everyone else is hiding. That person becomes the hider in the next round.
Camp games are a great way to get everyone involved, get some exercise, and create closer relationships. Whatever camp game you choose, make sure you are a good sport and have the most fun with your friends and loved ones!
Images via Justin Ornellas, Egan Snow
