Light and Easy Camping Games

For those traveling by recreational vehicle or camping next to their car, camping games can be anything you might play at home. Weight and space are usually not a problem, so board games and even video games are possibilities. But for backpackers who are hitting the trail and want to keep it light, the options are more limited. Here are three ultra-lightweight options.

1. Card Games

One deck of cards weighs a few ounces, doesn’t take much space in the pack, and allows you to play a hundred different games. This may be one of the best all-around entertainments to bring with you. If you are stuck for hours in the tent waiting out a storm, you have something to do. Even if you are hiking alone there are games such as the classic solitaire.

2. Athletic Camping Games

Granted, you will probably get all the physical exercise you need from hiking, but there are still some games that you may enjoy which require only a little athleticism and effort. A flying disc, for example, or just a bal to play catch can be great for a group, and both are relatively light. You can even set up target for either, or create your own flying-disc-golf course by designating trees and rocks as "holes" for the course.

3. Weightless Camping Games

Some of the best games for those who really like to keep it light are the ones that weigh nothing in the pack. I don’t mean close to nothing, but absolutely no weight. These are the games that you can play using materials already with you or ones that are out there in nature.

Tic-tac-toe and similar games can be played by scratching out a board in the sand and using stones for the marks. Stones can be used for a natural version of the game of marbles. Pine cones can be thrown at targets for points. Finally, boats made on the spot from whatever is available can be raced down mountain streams. The only limit to the camping games you can play is your imagination.

Every chapter has tips for lightweight backpacking and wilderness survival.