Hobbies And Interests
Fishing Game
For this game, a leader makes a fishing pole with a stick, tying a piece of string on one end and attaching a small magnet to the end of the string. After cutting out 12 fish from construction paper (about 4 inches in length), the leader puts a paper clip over each fish's mouth and lays the fish on the ground. Kids take turns and try "catching" as many fish as they can, with each kid getting five attempts per turn. The player who catches the most fish wins the game.
Flashlight Games
Flashlights often play an integral role in nighttime camping adventures. For Flashlight Pictures, a leader turns off the lights (if indoors), turns on a flashlight and has kids sit in front of a blank wall or inside an indoor tent. If outdoors, kids also can play the game at night with an adult leader. Using the flashlight, kids outline shapes on the wall or tent, while other players try guessing the shape. If a child guesses correctly, he takes a turn. As a variation, kids could play in teams and play the game like charades, with the team scoring the most points winning.
Flashlight Tag keeps the "tag" aspect of the game, but rather than use her hands, the "It" player holds a flashlight and catches other kids by shining the light on them. If the "It" kid "tags" a player three times, that player becomes the new "It" kid.
Happy Campers Matching Game
Kids try matching pictures of animals with their tracks in the Happy Campers Matching Game. A leader discusses the types of animals campers might encounter or see in the wilderness and holds up cards of animals' tracks (the marks animals leave when in motion). If kids have trouble identifying the animal that left the track, the leader may provide clues. Kids raise their hands if they can identify the correct animal.
Hungry Bear
As kids pretend to fall asleep, a Hungry Bear emerges from the wild in this game. A leader chooses one kid to play the "bear," who swipes a picnic, camping or food item off the blanket as the kids pretend to nap. After the "bear" drags the item to a hidden spot, the other kids "wake up" and try identifying the stolen item. If a kid correctly identifies the missing item, the "bear" returns and puts the item back on the blanket. The kid who guessed correctly then takes a turn as the "bear." If no one correctly identifies the missing item, play resumes with the original "bear."
Owl Search
Kids try finding the "hooting" owl in Owl Search. With one kid playing the "owl" as all other kids cover their eyes, the "owl" hides and begins hooting. The other kids open their eyes and search for the "owl"; should no one find the "owl" within an allocated time frame, play resumes with the original "owl." If a player finds the "owl," he becomes the new "owl."
Peanut Toss
To represent a hole in a tree, a leader sets an open box on a table, with its side facing out. As "squirrels," kids try landing peanuts into the hole. The player who lands the most peanuts in the hole wins the game.