Fun Things To Do When Camping and What to Do When it Rains

Things to Do While Camping

If you think that camping is just sitting around the campfire and eating hot dogs and roasting marshmallow…well, those are some of the best things, but certainly not all there is to camping. And what do you do when you’re camping and it rains?

Just as you need to plan like crazy while camping, you need to plan just as much for the unthinkable – rain.

There are so many fun things to do for young adults, couples, and families that you will not be at a loss when camping. As I mentioned in my post Tips and Tricks For the Basics of Camping in the Great Outdoors, our family loves to camp during the summer and we do several of these activities, every trip.

Fishing

If you have never gone fishing before, here is your chance to do it and do it up big. Fishing in your hometown is probably nothing compared to fishing in some of the greatest camping lakes around.

Once you have experienced hooking your first fish, you will be hooked forever.

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Stargazing

Before you go stargazing, get a book or two on the subject or do some research online. Get to know what you want to look for and then begin your search. You will be absolutely amazed at what you will discover in searching for different things in the galaxy. It can be absolutely habit forming. Our kids are always amazed at how many stars are visible when you get away from the city lights and out camping. On a clear night, the sky is absolutely packed!

Old-Fashioned Scavenger Hunts or Geocaching

An old-fashioned scavenger hunt while camping is one of the most fun things you can do with your family. You can even have an adult scavenger hunt if you are really creative. Or maybe even try Geocaching! (Geocaching is is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.) You can find out more about geocaching on this website.

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Hiking

Hiking while out camping is a great way to break up the day. You can also collect things along the way and look at all the different species of plants and even rocks.

Biking

There is nothing better than an early morning bike ride to get your appetite up and your circulation going. Pat and our kids Gabe and Cadence especially love to mountain bike.

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Swimming

Chances are that your campsite has a pond or lake for swimming. There is nothing as refreshing as a swim in a lake surrounded by mountains, hills, and valleys. I personally try and make sure we are camped close to a lake or body of water so we are able to swim and/or kayak or stand up paddle board. All of those fun water sport type things are my jam.

Picnicking

If you are getting weary about eating around the campfire or too much barbeque food, then a picnic with fresh sandwiches is the best way to go. A picnic can offer a form of pleasure and relaxation all rolled into one. A picnic provides an opportunity to take a break from the more rugged camping style and allows you to sit back and enjoy a beautiful meadow while lying on your back staring up at the sky.

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Boating or Kayaking

Boating or kayaking are great ways to get out and see the path down the river while camping. It will take you away from all the dirt roads and muddy pathways and down a crystal-clear sparkling lake or river on your own adventure.

If you (or a friend) happen to have a motor boat there is certainly a plethora of water activities to enjoy such as water-skiing, wake-boarding, tubing, wake-surfing etc. My very first time water-skiing I tried it during a camping trip!

These are only a handful of things that you can do while camping. Again, these things are appropriate for couples, singles, families, and children of all ages.

What to Do While Camping When it Rains?

Just as you need to plan like crazy while camping, you need to plan just as much for the unthinkable – rain. There are many things that you can do impromptu if it rains, but it is also an excellent idea to be prepared for a rainy night or day in advance.

Take a Vote

Each family member should have a say about what he or she might like to do if it rains while out camping. Some of your family members may still like to participate in a boat ride or fishing if it is just drizzling a bit, while others may prefer the safety and warmth of the tent.

It is important to discuss this beforehand and let each family member know that he or she is responsible for bringing along something to keep them occupied if it does rain. Depending on the campsite, wireless internet and phone signals may not be a possibility.

Games of All Kinds

There are so many games to play and it’s worth bringing some along just in case. Board games are always popular and everyone can bring one along or agree on just one or two.

Some of our favorite board games to bring camping include:

• Yahtzee (not really a boardgame I guess, but still fun and simple to pack)
• Pictionary (my mom always brought this one along, lots and lots of laughs)
• Telestrations (thia is a newer one but it always guarantees some laughs)
• Cards are always fun to play for both kids and adults alike. There are so many old-fashioned card games that you will never be at a loss to find one that suits everyone’s tastes, and you will have loads of fun trying. I have so many memories of camping when I was a kid that include cards and learning different card games. I always felt especially lucky when I got to play with the adults! This year we got to pass along that little bit of joy to our own kids.
• Bingo is fun and always has been. And then there are the various word games such as naming a state/province and then the next person has to name a state/province with the last letter of the previous state mentioned.

Calling out names of people that start with each letter of the alphabet is always fun as well. You can even make up your own games.

Good Old-fashioned Reading

You can have a family meeting and discuss the things you can do during rainy days or nights. Reading is a great option.

Have everyone go to the library and pick out a book. Yes, a real book with pages and everything! Have them spend some time reading at night by lantern or by day in their tent if it is raining.

For myself, I bring a few books to read whether it is raining or not! (We also bring a hammock which is lovely to lay in on sunny days and read during a hot afternoon if we are lucky enough to get a spot with two perfect trees).

Crossword puzzles, sudoku, word searches, and coloring are great ways to pass the time, as well.

Last but not Least

If you have prepared properly, you will have a separate tent for eating under, with a zippered lining that closes. This protects food from animals and bugs, but also offers you a place to sit and eat.

There may be nothing better than to sit around and eat and talk in order to pass the time while waiting for the rain to stop.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips on what to do while camping and what do when it rains. If you have any suggestions to add to the list, be sure to share them in the comments!

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• 4 Health Benefits of Camping
• The Downside of Camping: Bugs, Bites, and Itches
• Camping: The Great Outdoors and The Basics
• Ultimate Guide to Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
• Camping at Davis Creek & Kootenay Lake Provincial Park Campground
• Benefits of Owning a Cast Iron Skillet

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