Plan for the rain before it arrives
Rain is rarely the problem at camp. The problem is a group with a lot of energy and nowhere to put it. A little planning helps:
- Know your indoor space. A dining hall or activity room fits running games. A cabin or tent fits seated games only.
- Keep a short list of games that need no equipment. You can run these in any space on the spot.
- Mix energy levels. Start with something active to burn off energy, then settle into quieter games.
- Have a plan for the first hour. Groups usually get restless first, so the first game matters most.
If you are looking for a wider range of options beyond rain, see our guide to fun camping games.
High-energy games for a big room
Use these only where the floor is dry and clear.
Silent speed ball. Players stand or sit in a circle and pass a soft ball without talking. Anyone who talks or drops the ball is out, and the last players remaining win. Use a soft ball or rolled socks.
Hula hoop tic-tac-toe. Lay nine hoops in a grid. Two teams race one at a time to place a beanbag (or a similar soft item) in a hoop, aiming to get three in a row. After all markers are placed, runners move existing ones.
Sit-down tag. Campers stand beside a chair or spot on the floor. A tagger tries to tag players, who are safe only if they sit right before being tagged. A tagged player can do a short exercise, such as ten jumping jacks, to rejoin. Enforce walking if space is tight.
Indoor capture the flag, walking only. A low-contact version for a large room. Use cones for boundaries and a strict walking rule. For the original outdoor game, see capture the flag game ideas.
Balloon volleyball. Tie a string or use a line of tape as the net and keep a balloon in the air. Players sit on the floor to reduce running. For another indoor hiding game, try Sardines.
Circle and group games
These need almost no setup and scale to larger groups.
Zip Zap Zop. Players stand in a circle and send “zip”, “zap” or “zop” to others by pointing and making eye contact. The pace picks up as the group gets comfortable.
Four Corners. Label the four corners of a room. One person with eyes closed counts while everyone moves to a corner, then names a corner. Players in that corner sit out, and play continues until one is left. Run it walking only.
Charades. Let shy campers write prompts on slips of paper, and let more outgoing campers do the acting. Team versions keep everyone involved. See acting games for groups for more ways to play.
Mafia or Werewolf. A hidden-role game for older campers, usually ages 10 and up, with a moderator who runs each round. It works with a group sitting in a circle. For other hidden-role games, see at-home detective and mystery games.
Telephone and drawing telephone. Pass a message by whispering, or alternate between drawing and describing a phrase.
Quiet games for cabins and tents
- Card games such as Uno, rummy, Go Fish or Spoons.
- Dice games such as Farkle.
- Dominoes, including train-style games for a group.
- I Spy, twenty questions and Would You Rather. These are easy for any age group.
- Pencil-and-paper games such as Hangman, tic-tac-toe or dots and boxes.
- Story circles where each person adds one sentence.
For more low-light, no-screen ideas, see games to play when the power goes out.
Team challenges and mini events
For a longer stretch of rain, try a mini tournament across the day. Teams earn points for each small challenge:
- Build the tallest tower from newspaper and tape.
- Cheer or chant creation contests.
- A trivia round about camp and nature.
- Indoor scavenger hunt with a list of items to find or draw.
- A skit competition, with prompts drawn from a hat.
If your camp runs a color war, many of these also work as rain-day events. See color wars games for camp for more ideas.
Rainy day kit
A small bin that goes with you on every trip can save a bad afternoon:
- A couple of decks of cards
- A dice set and a notepad with pens
- Sticky notes for guessing games
- Soft balls and balloons
- Masking tape for lines and boundaries
- A list of games, with rules, on one page
Safety indoors
- Wet shoes and floors are slippery. Set a walking rule in active games.
- Move furniture and sharp edges out of the way before playing.
- Keep noise in mind if other groups share the building.
- Take breaks for water, bathroom and rest.
If you are camping with family
For family camping, use your tent vestibule, a car, or a campground rec room if one is available. Cards, audiobooks, reading aloud and board games work well. Keep a plan for drying gear, since damp clothes can lower morale quickly.
FAQ
Which game can be played on a rainy day? Card games, charades, Zip Zap Zop, Four Corners and balloon games all work indoors.
What to do when it rains while camping? Move to a covered space, play seated games, and save active games for a dry room if you have one. Check weather updates and campground guidance, especially if storms are forecast.
Are there rainy day games for large groups? Yes. Circle games like Zip Zap Zop, Four Corners and Mafia scale well. If you have new campers, mix in a few camp icebreaker games too.