Glamping Activities for Kids – Outdoor Games

We believe that getting away from the trappings of everyday modern life is one of the best things about a glamping holiday. Disconnecting from the endless barrage of work, emails and to-do lists will allow you to get the best from your break, and time outside with the family is the perfect antidote.

Everything about our glamping sites has been designed to immerse you and your family in the peace, quiet and natural beauty of the British countryside, so look forward to leaving the daily grind behind and going wild outdoors.

How do I entertain my kids on a camping trip?

You may be surprised with how little you need to keep children entertained during a camping or glamping holiday. For many, the novelty of life under canvas and being in the great outdoors, cooking over flames and exploring, is fun enough in itself! Of course, sometimes you may need to think of things to do, which is where we hope we can help.

What are some fun camping ideas?

From natural art to scavenger hunts, there are plenty of outdoor games that both young and old are bound to love during their holiday. We’ve gathered some of our favourite glamping with children's activities to play outside on your glamping holiday, with options for kids large and small.

Hunt it out

Create a treasure or scavenger hunt for your kids by hiding bits and pieces of glamping gear in and around your camp. Make a list of what’s missing, set a boundary for the search area and watch them go! If you have extra time to put your fun glamping games together, try composing some clues as to the whereabouts of your hidden items and create a trail for the family to follow.

Alternatively, ask the kids to find objects from around the glamping site beginning with each letter of the alphabet, one by one.

Get musical

Play a twist on the old classic of musical chairs by swapping chairs for sleeping bags. Lay the sleeping bags out in a circle, with one less than the number of people playing, and move around them while the music plays. When the music stops, it’s a mad scramble to get into one of the sleeping bags before the other players.  

This is a great outdoor game for older children but be warned, it can get a little physical! The best thing? The fact that your glamping tent comes complete with beds and bed linen means that you won’t have to use a sleeping bag full of grass come bedtime.

Buckets of laughs

Ideal for a hot summer day, this glamping game is a great way to cool down! You’ll need four buckets and two smaller plastic jugs. Split the family into two teams, fill two of the buckets with water and place them at one end of the glamping site.

Put the other two empty buckets at the other end, opposite the first two and line up the teams next to the full buckets. The aim of the game is for each team to transfer the water in their full bucket to their empty one, using just the small jug. Staying dry is not an option!

Fire pit fun

It wouldn’t be a holiday in the great outdoors without time spent around the fire pit. As the evening draws in, gather the family, grab some blankets and hot chocolate and play a classic glamping game, such as Chinese whispers or twenty questions. 

Creating a family story is always fun too; choose one person to start you off with a story opening, something like, ‘Once upon a time, there was a badger who loved roller skating…’ The next person adds the next part of the story and away you go. Before you know it, you’ll have a tale worthy of a bestseller, or at least plenty of giggles! Definitely one of the best things to do when glamping with kids.

Torch 'It'

Another twist on an old classic, and this time in the evening! Ideal for burning off the last of that energy before bedtime, Torch ‘It’ is an active, fun and competitive game for all ages. All you need is some open space and a torch. Choose one person to hold the torch and be ‘it’ – they then close their eyes and count to twenty. Meanwhile, everyone else scatters! Once they’ve finished counting, the person who is ‘it’ turns on the torch and uses it to search for the others, who continue to run around. If they’re found, ‘it’ shines the torch directly at the person and shouts their name – now they’re ‘it’, and the game starts again.

As with any game played in the dark, please check for tripping hazards such as rabbit holes and branches and stay well away from any firepits and campfires. Set some boundaries and agree a word that anyone can yell to stop the game if they feel unsure.

Stargazing

There’s no better place than a glamping holiday to try stargazing. Surrounded by nature and away from the lights and noise of urban areas, you’ll have a beautiful view of the night sky. You don’t need much to get the family involved, just somewhere comfortable to sit back and look up. Of course, there are plenty of ways to enhance your experience and knowledge of the sky. Take a look at our stargazing and glamping blog for more information.

Nature Art

Another great one for children who love to get creative, done using bits and pieces they find all around them! Leaves, acorns, conkers, blossom and more can make some beautiful crafting materials. Stick them onto card or, even better, use the forest or campsite floor as your canvas! Alternatively, try for something more elaborate by attempting a 3D tower or model using sticks and stones. You could even challenge the children to see who can build the highest structure!

Discover more ways to get youngsters enjoying the outdoors by taking a look at our guides on den building, trail finding and hide and seek.

Take a look at our brilliant Ultimate Guide to Glamping for tips, ideas and what to bring with you when you come.

Updated September 2022