35 Fun Camping Activities For Teens & Tweens
Looking for camping activities for teens? You’re in the right place. Taking teenagers camping can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It’s a great opportunity to disconnect from technology, bond with family and friends, and explore the great outdoors.
But let’s face it – your teens might not be as excited about their time in the wilderness as they may have been when they were younger. They’re at an age where they want to be hanging out with their friends or scrolling social media.
But these camping activities for teenagers will make sure even the most surly teen has a great time!
Why You Should Take Your Teenager Camping
There is no doubt that time spent in nature is beneficial for all of us – teens included!
Camping is the chance to disconnect and take a little break from our busy, over-stimulated lives. This alone is one of the best benefits of camping with teens.
Here are some of the best reasons why you should take your teenagers camping:
- Improved problem-solving skills: When faced with unfamiliar surroundings and challenges, we must adapt and find solutions. This helps to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Increased physical activity: A recent study from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare revealed that approximately 25% of kids and teens are now overweight. These stats are almost double for adults. Camping typically encourages more physical activity which is beneficial for health.
- Better mood: Spending time in nature has been proven to increase feelings of happiness, reduce stress and improve overall well-being. This is especially important for teenagers who may be experiencing the pressures of school, social media and hormones.
- Family bonding: Camping provides a perfect opportunity for families to spend quality time together without distractions. It allows for meaningful conversations and creating lasting memories.
So with these great benefits in mind, let’s plan your family camping trip with teenagers!
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Fun Camping Activities For Teens
Teenagers are at a unique phase of life where they crave independence and seek new experiences.
These fun camping activities for teenagers have a variety of ideas to suit different interests, while also fostering bonding, learning, and a deep appreciation for nature.
They are great family activities for camping with teens, but also equally great ideas if you’re planning summer camp activities too.
1. Card Games
Card games are a camping staple. They’re compact, lightweight, and versatile.
Teach your teen strategic games like Canasta or play some simple favourites, like Crazy 8s, UNO and Snap.
Playing card games with the family is a great way to pass the time, especially during bad weather. You can play in your tent or under shelter while you wait for the rain to pass.
Here are a few other specialty card games teens will enjoy:
- Apples To Apples
- Kids Against Maturity
- Throw Throw Burrito – This is a game where cards meet dodgeball and it’s hilarious! My nieces and nephews always play this around the campsite!
- Taco Vs Burrito
2. Frisbee Golf
This is the ultimate frisbee game! Combine the joy of Frisbee with the competitive strategy of golf, and you have Frisbee Golf.
Outline a course with different “holes” (hoola hoops make a good hole for disc golf) and challenge everyone to complete the course in the least number of throws.
This game encourages physical activity and strategic planning plus you get a lot of laughs too. It’s a good option for larger groups where you can play with team members.
Here are some instructions for DIY frisbee golf.
3. Stargazing
There is something truly spectacular about the night sky when you’re away from the city.
Away from the city’s light pollution, the night sky reveals its true splendour.
Bring along a telescope or binoculars to add to the experience. Or simply roll out a picnic rug or tarp near your campsite and see what you can spot on a clear night.
4. Tell Ghost Stories Around The Campfire
Encourage your family members to create their own ghost stories.
This stirs creativity and adds an element of excitement to the campfire experience. Plus, it’s a chance for them to practice their storytelling skills in a fun setting.
For younger teens, you might like to keep these fairly tame, but older teenagers will likely enjoy making it as scary as they can. Not one to play with younger siblings!
If there are younger kids, they don’t need to be ghost stories. Storytelling can take many forms.
5. Go Geocaching
be is like a global scavenger hunt that combines hiking and tracking skills.
Using a GPS-enabled device, and a geocaching app, you locate hidden “caches”.
This is a thrilling activity that combines technology with nature and often gets your teenagers keen for this reason.
The best part is that people often leave little surprises in the cache for the next person to find, such as painted rocks or little trinkets. Don’t forget to bring some things with you to leave for other finders.
6. Play Horseshoes
Horseshoes is a classic game that can be easily set up at a campsite. A bit of friendly competition and hand-eye coordination.
Plus, it’s a great way to involve everyone in the family (or even the new friends you make from surrounding campsites).
7. Set Up Obstacle Courses
An obstacle course can be a lot of fun using what you already have around you.
Use natural obstacles like trees, logs and boulders to create your course. Get creative with it! Use tarps for tunnels, and have everyone climb under tables and jump over buckets as an extra challenge.
This is something you can do multiple times during your camping trip, trying out different courses each time.
Your teenager might cringe at the idea at first, but sometimes they simply need a gentle push to remember how much fun it is to let the inner child take over, without worrying about what others think.
8. “Selfie” Scavenger Hunt
Modernise the traditional nature scavenger hunts by adding a digital twist.
Create a list of items or landmarks for your teen to find and take a selfie with.
This activity encourages exploration and observation and it encourages you to leave things as you find it, rather than collecting items for your scavenger or treasure hunt.
Plus you will end up with some hilarious photo memories of the trip!
9. Play Campfire Charades
Charades is a timeless camping game for teens and the rest of the family that needs no equipment.
Tailor it to your camping trip by using camping-themed phrases or names of local wildlife or choose any theme you like – pop culture references, famous people, or whatever comes to mind. Or if you want to make it really easy, grab out printable camping charades bundle:
10. Take A Remote Control Car
A remote control car can provide hours of entertainment.
Your teen can race it on different terrains around your camping grounds. Just make sure it’s not annoying to other campers nearby or that it doesn’t disturb any native wildlife.
Finding a big open space a little further away from camp is a good option.
11. Bring A Friend
Having a friend along can make any experience more enjoyable for your teen.
They will have someone their own age to share the adventure with, especially if it’s mostly younger children otherwise.
This can be a good way to get them more involved in all the camping activities and fun camping games since they’ve got someone there to make the trip more memorable.
12. Practice Navigating
Use your camping trip as an opportunity to teach your teen how to navigate using a map and compass.
This practical skill for young adults encourages spatial thinking and could spark an interest in orienteering or hiking.
13. Go On A Hike
Hiking is not just about exercise; it’s about appreciating nature and its tranquillity. Hiking is one of my favourite outdoor activities, but many teens aren’t so keen!
There are plenty of ways to make hiking more fun for kids and teens though, such as with hiking games and fun activities along the way.
Choose a trail that suits your teen’s fitness level and has a rewarding end-point like a waterfall or a panoramic view.
It’s a great way to foster a love for nature and it gives them a confidence boost once the trail is conquered!
14. Swimming
If you’re camping near a safe body of water, swimming can be a great activity for the whole family.
It’s a fun way to cool off but you can also enjoy water activities such as water volleyball with an inflatable net, take your kayak, or even just float around on pool inflatables.
Remember to prioritise safety by checking the water conditions and supervising the swim. Even if your teenager is a strong swimmer, supervision is essential.
15. Hang a Hammock
A camping hammock is always a worthwhile addition to your essential camping gear.
They can use it as a relaxed spot to read, listen to music, for afternoon naps after a hike, or simply enjoy the surrounding nature.
16. Campfire Cooking
Involve your teen in campfire cooking for your family meals and snacks.
From skewering marshmallows to wrapping potatoes in foil and tucking them into the embers, they can learn basic cooking skills and experience the joy of eating something they’ve prepared themselves.
No doubt the meal will taste even better if they’ve contributed!
17. Go Bike Riding
Depending on where you’re camping, you might be able to take your bikes with you.
Biking is an excellent way for teens to explore the campsite and beyond.
It encourages physical fitness and gives them a sense of independence – or make it family time and all head out on your bikes together.
Make sure they know how far they can go on their bike ride and know the area’s rules and regulations.
18. Play Board Games
Board games are a great way to pass the time, especially during bad weather.
Opt for compact, lightweight camping games that are durable enough for outdoor use and don’t have a gazillion pieces that might go missing amongst the sleeping bags or cooking equipment.
You could start a tradition of playing a different board game each night after dinner in your tent.
Here are some of our favourite camping games:
- Bananagrams
- Triominos
- Sequence – You can even get a giant outdoor version of Sequence
19. Twenty Questions
This classic game requires no equipment and can last as long as you want it to.
Encourage each participant to ask questions to guess the chosen object or person until someone can guess right.
20. The Alphabet Game
Also known as alphabet soup, this is one of our favourites, also for road trips.
This simple word association game involves taking turns to name themed items for each letter of the alphabet.
For example, food items and each person needs to come up with a unique item for each letter round. So for A, one person says apple, another might say apricot etc.
We usually don’t bother keeping score but if you’re competitive in your family, you can score one point per each letter a person gets correct, with a maximum of 26 points. If anyone skips a round or repeats an answer, that’s zero points.
It’s a fun mental exercise that can lead to lots of laughter.
21. Teach Them How To Make A Campfire
Teaching your teen how to build a campfire is not just about creating a cozy gathering spot; it’s about teaching responsibility, safety, and respect for nature.
Plus, there’s a great sense of accomplishment in successfully building a fire.
This is definitely one that requires a lot of supervision but they will get a boosted sense of confidence that you are allowing them to learn such a thing.
22. Have A Water Fight
If the weather’s hot, a water fight can be a fun way to cool down.
Supply everyone with water squirters or reusable water balloons and let the fun begin!
Remember to respect your camping neighbours and clean up afterwards.
We like to use reusable silicone water balloons since they don’t leave any mess and you don’t want to be leaving litter in nature. They are magnetic and really durable. Definitely opt for an environmentally friendly option.
Another fun alternative is to create your own sponge water bombs. You can also buy similar reusable water balls online.
23. Go On An Excursion Into Town
Exploring a nearby town can be an exciting change of scenery.
You can all learn about local culture, try popular local food places for a break from the campfire cooking, and even pick up a souvenir.
24. Play Frisbee
Frisbee is an easy-to-pack item that provides plenty of entertainment as a great outdoor game.
Whether it’s a casual toss or a competitive game, it promotes physical activity and coordination. Such a simple game for teens and kids of all ages.
25. Fishing
Fishing teaches patience, quiet reflection, and the thrill of the catch.
It’s a peaceful activity that allows for one-on-one bonding time and can lead to a delicious campfire meal.
26. Kayaking or Paddleboarding
Water sports like kayaking or paddleboarding offer an adventurous way to explore and appreciate the water bodies near your campsite.
‘They promote balance, strength, and confidence in the water and it doesn’t even really matter if there are rainy days since you’re out on the water already!
Just be sure to have good supervision with any water activities.
27. Make A Video Of Your Trip
Challenge your tech-loving teen to document the camping trip by making a video diary or a family documentary.
This creative project keeps them engaged and results in a wonderful memento of the trip.
28. Have A Nerf Battle
A Nerf battle is a fun, harmless way for everyone to engage in some friendly competition. There are loads of cool Nerf accessories.
Set boundaries and rules to ensure it’s a safe activity and make sure there are no other campers nearby that might be caught up in the crossfire.
Also, be sure to make sure all your Nerf pellets are accounted for at the end of the game so you don’t leave any traces behind in nature.
29. Make S’mores
Making s’mores is a quintessential camping activity. The hands-on experience of roasting marshmallows and creating their own delicious treat will definitely appeal to your teen and young kids too.
Who are we kidding? Dessert is loved by everyone!
30. Teach Survival Skills
Teaching survival skills like how to purify water, build a shelter, use a handheld GPS device or identify edible plants can make camping more engaging and educational for teens.
Make sure these are skills you are highly competent in before you try teaching these new skills to your teen though.
If you are staying at a camping ground with facilities and activities, some may offer these activities for you.
31. Learn to Make Paracord Bracelets
Paracord bracelets are practical survival tools disguised as trendy accessories.
Your teen will enjoy making their own bracelet and learning about its numerous uses in survival situations.
They are essentially practical friendship bracelets and they can make one for their friends too!
Here is a tutorial, however, there are loads of different styles:
32. Glow In The Dark Ring Toss
Make your own glow-in-the-dark ring toss game with glow sticks and empty water bottles for a fun nighttime activity.
This is perfect for those nights when the stars are out and you just don’t want to head back inside the tent yet.
Or you can get a pre-made glow-in-the-dark ring toss kit instead if you prefer.
33. Camping Olympics
Combine some of the fun outdoor camping games above with a few other simple favourites and divide into teams for a camping Olympic competition.
Some ideas to include are sack races, relay races, tug of war, capture the flag and obstacle courses.
This is a great way to involve everyone in an active and exciting event while encouraging teamwork and friendly competition.
This is also perfect if you’re camping with other families and there are a lot of kids and teens to keep entertained! You can entice them with prizes for extra incentive.
34. Camp Crafts
No one is ever too old for arts and crafts! There are endless possibilities for camp crafts, from nature-inspired projects to DIY lanterns and dreamcatchers.
Plan your own simple DIY project or bring a craft kit to do around the picnic table.
Get creative and encourage your teen to express themselves through art during your camping trip.
35. Allow Them Some Alone Time
It’s okay for your teen to want a little alone time during your camping experience.
More than anyone, they might feel overwhelmed by a constant day of family camping games and activities when they aren’t used to this much physical exercise and new experiences.
Plus a little alone time in nature is one of the best ways to recharge, no matter your age!
Want more ideas? Grab our huge camping games bundle that is suitable for all ages and loaded with 38 different games and activities for camping:
Conclusion: Camping Activities For Teenagers
Camping provides an invaluable platform for teens to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. By incorporating these fun outdoor games and the best camping activities for teens into your next camping trip, you’ll not only keep your teen entertained but also help them develop a range of useful skills and a deeper appreciation for the outdoors.
Here’s to creating unforgettable camping memories with your teens! And for more fun ideas, check out these camping activities for toddlers and young kids.
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