Camping Is Boring

Camping is a great activity, but it does not come naturally to everyone. Sometimes, you need to put the work in to make camping fun for those new to the activity.

Making Camping Fun For Kids

Unlike adults, kids are not just going to sit back and decompress. They need to be kept active, if you want them to like camping at least. Here are some great activities for kids. No kids?Jump ahead to ideas to keep adults from thinking camping is boring.

Fishing

For many, fishing goes hand in hand with camping, but not all kids will enjoy just sitting back and watching a bobber float. The main trick to ensure that they enjoy it is to have the right gear. Here is what you need.

• Fishing Poles
  But not just any fishing poles. If your kids are young, let them pick out their own rod and reel. You might be a hard core angler, but you need to let it go and allow your kids to pick out a Barbie or Snoopy fishing pole if they like.
• Bait
  Lures are a big no no for little ones. It takes too much finesse to land a big fish and the endless casting and reeling will be bring. Instead, pick up some bobbers and bait. Catfish bait is a particularly good idea since they are easy to catch and put up a nice fight.
• Kid Friendly Hooks
  If your kids are new to fishing, gear like a “hide a hook” are a great idea to keep the hooks where they are supposed to be. Can’t find one? Cut off the barb from hooks to make an accidental hooking less painful.

Camping Games

Kids love a fun game, preferably one that keeps them physically active. Luckily, there are a number of kid friendly games that do not involve too much room in the camping bag. Take a look.

• Ring Toss
  You can buy an inexpensive ring toss game off of Amazon or you can just keep it simple. All that you really need to play ring toss is a few sticks pounded into the ground and some rings. Rope rings can fit to any shape, making them perfect for a camping bag.
• Horseshoes
  Just like with ring toss, you have a fun game that takes up very little room in your supply bag. To save weight and minimize the chance for injury, choose plastic horseshoes.
• Sports
  Most sports need minimal equipment to play, which is key if you like traveling light. Football, soccer and even baseball can be fun camping games. (Hint: Use a soft(squishy) ball to eliminate the needs for gloves.)

Photography

A kid friendly camera will encourage your child to explore nature, so that they realize that camping is not boring. Best of all. it requires minimal gear, such as the following.

• Kid friendly camera.
  Made of mostly plastic, they are designed to take some abuse and they are cheap.
• Charger.
  Your kid will undoubtedly leave the camera on draining the batter, so be prepared.
• Memory cards.
  You think that you take a lot of pictures? Wait until you set your kid free, so bring an extra memory card so that you are not constantly deleting.

Glow Stick Fun

You can spend hundreds of dollars in camping gear, have the best snacks and set up a perfect camp, but something still might be missing. Glow sticks!

• Assorted Glow Sticks
  Be sure to get a variety of shapes including bracelets, lanterns and necklaces. For the best prices, hit the dollar store before your trip.

Movie Time

The last thing that you want to do is sit your kid in front of a television on a camping trip, but you should be prepared. What if it rains? What if your kid is scared and can not sleep? Keep movie time an option that only you know about. Here is what you need.

• Loaded iPad.
  Or another tablet. Load it up with 3 or 4 movies, but no games (delete them).

Roasting Marshmallows

No camping trip is complete without roasting some marshmallows and probably catching a few of them on fire.

• Marshmallows.
• Long sticks (think telescoping for safety).
• Graham crackers and chocolate. (optional but s’mores, come on.)

Telling Campfire Stories

Who does not love a scary story? Just be sure to keep them age appropriate or you might end up with some problems when it is time to go to bed. Here are some things to have on hand.

• Flashlight for mood.
• Stories, obviously, but rehearse them in advance.

Making Camping Fun For Adults

If you are dragging along a young adult or even an actual adult that is not thrilled about camping, you should be just as prepared. Here are some activities to keep the boring out of camping.

Bird Watching

You are out in nature, so why not see what is up in those trees. Bird watching is a cheap and easy activity that allows you to see a side of nature not seen in the city. Be prepared for bird watching with the right gear.

• Binoculars.
• List of local birds to look for.

Drinking Games

Who says that you can not have a little fun as an adult and if alcohol is allowed at your campsite, drinking games become an option. Just be sure to be courteous to any other close by campers. Here is what you need.

• Alcohol of choice.
• Cups, pennies for beer pong or penny can.
• Water to keep potential hangovers at bay.
• Common sense to not let things get out of hand.

Campfire Songs

Who doesn’t love to sing around the campfire? Most people do, but if not, start with the drinking games. Luckily, you do not need to bring anything to take advantage of campfire songs except for maybe some lyrics.

• Lyrics.
  It does not hurt to have a few songs in mind to sing. Refreshing your knowledge of the lyrics before your trip never hurts either.

Camping Challenges

Getting back to nature makes us want to prove our wilderness skills. Why not have a competition to see who can start a fire with primitive tools or scavenge for edible berries, etc. Be sure to bring along a few things.

• Fire starter kit.
• Vegetation knowledge (don’t eat the wrong thing).

Go Geocaching

Geocashing is the modern day version of a treasure hunt. All that you need is a good app and a sense of adventure. Given the popularity of the sport, there are bound to be numerous treasures nearby to find and you onl

• Smart phone.
• Geocaching app (test it before you head out).

Play Cards

Cards are one of those activities that everyone generally likes, but few take the time to engage in. One tiny deck of cards can produce dozens of different games and there is sure to be one that will convince your group that camping is not boring. Here is what you need

• Playing cards (get a good brand that will be moisture resistant).
• Paper and pen.
• Poker hand rankings (cards always lead to poker, but the rules can get fuzzy).

Silly Games

Camping is the time to let yourself go and just have a bit of fun, even if the games you play are a little silly. Games like “never have i ever”, truth or dare or even charades can all be interesting ways to make camping less boring.