Whether you’re heading to the mountains, the beach, or just your local park, the great outdoors offers the perfect playground for fun, bonding, and a break from screens. Nature doesn’t just provide fresh air and beauty — it offers limitless opportunities for adventure and creativity. So if you’re looking to spice up your weekend with something more than just a walk or picnic, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some fun and active outdoor games to try with family and friends, no matter your group size or age range. Grab your gear, lace up your shoes, and get ready to play under the sun and stars!
1. Scavenger Hunt with a Nature Twist
A classic for a reason, scavenger hunts are a fun way to explore nature while adding a bit of friendly competition. Instead of searching for random objects, tailor your list to the environment — leaves of different shapes, animal tracks, pinecones, smooth rocks, feathers, or certain colored flowers.
How to Play:
- Create a list of items commonly found in the area.
- Break into teams or pairs.
- Set a time limit (30 minutes to 1 hour).
- The team that finds the most items or completes the list first wins!
Bonus Tip: Include a photo challenge — like “take a picture of a butterfly” or “selfie with a tree older than 50 years.”
2. Capture the Flag — Wilderness Edition
This high-energy game is perfect for big groups and wide open spaces like forests, large parks, or campgrounds. You’ll need two flags (or bandanas), and some safe boundaries.
How to Play:
- Divide players into two teams.
- Each team hides its flag within its territory.
- The goal is to sneak into the opponent’s side, grab their flag, and bring it back without being tagged.
- If tagged, the player must go to a designated “jail” and can only be freed by a teammate.
Why It Rocks: It combines strategy, stealth, and speed — plus, it gets everyone moving!
3. Nature Bingo
Ideal for kids (and adults who love a low-key challenge), Nature Bingo turns your hike or stroll into a game of observation.
How to Play:
- Create bingo cards with items like “bird’s nest,” “acorn,” “cloud shaped like an animal,” or “red flower.”
- First to complete a row, column, or full card wins a prize — maybe a snack or a nature-themed keepsake.
Fun Twist: Make it a photo bingo game — participants must snap a picture of each item they find.
4. Obstacle Course Challenge
Use nature’s materials — logs, rocks, hills, trees — to create a DIY obstacle course. This game is excellent for both kids and adults who want a more physical challenge.
Course Ideas:
- Balance on a fallen log.
- Hop across rocks without touching the ground.
- Crawl under low-hanging branches.
- Climb up and down a steep hill.
- Toss pinecones into a target zone.
Make It a Game:
- Time each player.
- Add challenges at each station.
- Offer prizes for fastest time, most creative technique, or best teamwork.
5. Forest Hide and Seek
Hide and seek gets an epic upgrade when played in the woods or a large natural setting. Just make sure the area is safe, with clear boundaries and no dangerous wildlife.
Safety First Tips:
- Set a perimeter everyone agrees on.
- Ensure all players have a whistle or a way to signal if they’re lost or need help.
- Use team play for younger kids.
Pro Version: Play “Sardines” — one person hides, and everyone else seeks. When someone finds the hider, they hide with them. Last person to find the group loses!
6. Glow Stick Tag (Night Version)
Nightfall doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. In fact, it’s when the magic begins — especially with glow stick tag.
How to Play:
- Everyone wears glow sticks (bracelets or necklaces).
- One person is “it” and tries to tag others.
- Once tagged, that person joins as another “it.”
- Last person remaining untagged wins.
Variation: Use colored glow sticks for teams in a game of capture the flag.
7. Stick Tic-Tac-Toe
Sometimes simple is best. Grab a few sticks, draw a grid on the dirt or sand, and use pinecones and rocks as your Xs and Os.
Bonus: You can make multiple boards and have a mini tournament. Great for winding down after a hike or while waiting for dinner by the campfire.
8. Water Balloon Dodgeball
Perfect for warm weather, this is a silly and splashy way to cool off. Just be sure to clean up any balloon bits afterward to keep nature clean.
How to Play:
- Divide into two teams.
- Fill up lots of water balloons.
- Set up a playing field with a safe throwing distance.
- Last dry person wins!
Tip: Bring reusable water balloons or sponge balls for an eco-friendlier option.
9. Story Chain Around the Fire
While not a “game” in the traditional sense, story chain is a wonderful bonding activity. Best played in the evening around a fire or during downtime.
How It Works:
- One person starts a story with a single sentence.
- Each person around the circle adds a sentence.
- Keep going until the story reaches a hilarious or unexpected conclusion.
Theme Ideas:
- Spooky forest tales.
- Nature-inspired fantasy.
- “What happened at camp last night…”
10. Animal Charades
You don’t need any props for this one — just a good imagination and some enthusiasm.
How to Play:
- Write down different animals on slips of paper.
- One person picks a slip and acts out the animal without speaking.
- Others guess what it is.
- The person who guesses correctly goes next.
Get Creative: Try making sounds without words for added fun or add a timer for fast-paced rounds.
11. Geocaching Adventure
Think of it as a modern-day treasure hunt using GPS. Geocaching is a global game where players hide and seek containers (“caches”) at specific coordinates.
How to Get Started:
- Download a geocaching app.
- Choose a cache nearby.
- Follow the GPS to find it.
- Sign the logbook and maybe swap out a trinket.
Why It’s Awesome: It mixes tech and nature in a way that gets even the most screen-loving teens excited.
12. Hiking Poker Run
Combine hiking with a bit of chance. A Poker Run involves collecting a card at different checkpoints. At the end, the best poker hand wins.
How to Organize:
- Choose a hiking trail with 5+ stops.
- At each stop, participants draw a card from a hidden envelope or jar.
- Keep your cards — no trades!
- Compare hands at the end and declare a winner.
Great For: Family reunions, birthdays, or scout groups.
13. Nature Art Contest
Tap into everyone’s creative side by hosting a nature art contest. Use only items found in the wild — leaves, bark, flowers, stones, etc.
Categories to Judge:
- Most beautiful.
- Most creative.
- Best animal made from natural objects.
- Funniest sculpture.
Guidelines: Remind everyone not to disturb wildlife or living plants. Only use fallen or found objects.
14. The Quiet Game (With a Nature Twist)
It might sound boring — but it’s powerful. The goal? Sit in complete silence and observe. The winner is the person who lasts the longest without talking, laughing, or moving.
Why Try It?
- It teaches mindfulness.
- Great for resetting overstimulated minds.
- You’d be surprised what you hear — rustling leaves, birdsong, distant water.
Variation: Have everyone write down or draw what they notice afterward and share.
15. Shadow Tag
This twist on classic tag is best played when the sun is low, either early morning or late afternoon.
How It Works:
- Instead of tagging someone’s body, you step on their shadow.
- If your shadow gets stepped on, you’re “it.”
- Keep moving to keep your shadow safe!
Why It’s Fun: It’s surprisingly tricky — and very giggle-worthy.
Wrapping Up: Let Nature Be Your Playground
The beauty of outdoor games is that they don’t require much — just space, creativity, and a willingness to let loose. Whether you’re organizing a weekend camping trip, hosting a picnic at the park, or heading out on a family hike, these games make your time in nature more memorable, meaningful, and fun.
So next time you’re wondering what to do on a sunny weekend, step outside, gather your crew, and let the games begin!
Pro Tips for Outdoor Game Success:
- Safety First: Always check the area for hazards like poison ivy, uneven terrain, or wildlife.
- Hydrate: Bring plenty of water, especially for high-energy games.
- Leave No Trace: Clean up any trash or materials used.
- Adapt to Your Group: Modify rules based on age, ability, and group size.
Whether you’re 8 or 80, there’s something magical about playing in nature. So go ahead — make memories, break a sweat, and rediscover your wild side this weekend.
Recent Post
Gallery
