Even with an amazing view, when you’re camping or staying at an RV park, you can only take so much of sitting in your chair with a cold beverage. At some point, many laughs and family-friendly competitions are needed.
Fun family camping games can be a huge trip-saver when you’re at an RV park or on a roadtrip. Sometimes there’s not much to do, and games can keep everyone’s mind occupied.
Outdoor Camping Games
A combination of classics and newbies, your family is sure to get some smiles out of these camping games:
Cornhole
Considered a classic at a campsite or RV park, cornhole is a lot like horseshoes except with beanbags and wooden boards instead of sand and poles. This is a game you can make yourself or easily buy on Amazon.
Rules: The boards, each with circular holes cut out of one end and set at a slight slant, are placed about 20 yards apart and facing each other. Then, teams of two to four players take turns tossing beanbags onto the boards. Points are scored when a bean bag stays on the board or falls through a hole. It’s much more difficult than it sounds, which is what makes it entertaining!
Pro: Loads of fun for the whole family.
Con: Takes up some space in your RV.
Ladder Golf
Using plastic pipes to form a ladder with three levels and golf ball bolas (two golf balls attached to the ends of a nylon rope), this game can definitely spark the competitive spirit in your family.
Rules: Space the game ladders about 15 feet apart and start tossing your bolas. Each player tosses all three bolas at a time. The top rung is worth three points, the middle is worth two, and the bottom rung is one point. The first player to reach 21 without going over is the winner!
Pro: You can purchase a travel-sized version.
Con: It’s not made for many players at once.
Geocaching
Geocaching is an extremely inventive and unique game where all you need is a handheld GPS device to go on a fun scavenger hunt.
Rules: Hide a small container around your campsite and go to a website that allows you to keep track of cache locations. The website will provide you with GPS coordinates; plug those coordinates into the GPS and attempt to follow it to the cache. Quick tip: candy is the perfect item to hide in your cache!
Pro: It’s a game the whole family can enjoy.
Con: Wi-Fi connection or internet for the web and GPS is needed.
KanJam
A relatively new game, KanJam allows you to practice both your aim and frisbee throwing skills!
Rules: Take a large plastic cylinder and cut a slot on the front. Two teams of two players take turns throwing the Frisbee at the cylinder. The object is to send the Frisbee through the slot or at least hit the cylinder. The player’s partner can assist by deflecting the frisbee so that it hits the cylinder. Points are also scored if the frisbee, either on its own or via an assist, is dropped through the top of the cylinder.
Pro: KanJam is challenging, making it an entertaining game.
Con: This game requires some ability to throw a frisbee and is more suitable for older ages.
Indoor Camping Games
If the weather isn’t ideal or you need a break from the sun and the bugs, a collection of indoor camping and roadtrip games can come in super handy.
Cards
While this is an extremely obvious roadtrip game, make sure to print out different card game instructions or look them up online as you go. There seems to be an infinite number of card games out there — you can never run out!
Also, in case you didn’t know, Monopoly actually comes in a card pack version called Monopoly Deal! As for card games you don’t normally think of as traditional card games: Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity are also great options for more involved card games!
Pro: You’ll never run out of card game options.
Con: You’ll probably get tired of playing with cards.
Yahtzee
Another classic and must-have game for your roadtrip, Yahtzee is a family game that will never get old. You can even keep a running score of what family member has the most game wins!
Pro: Encourages thinking about probability and making calculations.
Con: Kids might find it boring.
LCR
A tiny game with a ton of fun, LCR is a game of complete chance!
Rules: LCR has three dice, each marked with three dots, plus an L for left, a C for center or an R for right, which is where the name comes from. Each player has a predetermined number of chips or coins. Players take turns rolling all three dice. If an L appears on one of the die, then that player must give one chip to the player to his or her left (or to the right if an R appears). A dot means the player can keep their chips that round. The last player still with chips is the winner.
Pro: It takes little to no room in storage.
Con: The dice can easily get lost.
Game Time
As often as possible, put down your screens, turn off your electronic devices, and play some fun family games!
You can enjoy being outside while promising to totally beat your dad in cornhole or overtake your sister in Yahtzee!