Camping in the rain with kids: 20 ideas for rainy days

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Camping in the rain with kids: 20 ideas for rainy days

Rain while camping can be disappointing at first – especially if you had planned hiking, swimming or a day out. But a wet day does not have to be boring at all. With the right preparation, it is often exactly then that the cosiest, most creative and funniest holiday moments happen.

Here you will find 20 very different ideas for families, couples and groups of friends.

1. Make an occasion of breakfast at camp

Take extra time over breakfast. Make pancakes, porridge, scrambled eggs or warm rolls and turn it into a small camping buffet. Hot tea or cocoa makes it even cosier.

2. Hold a card game tournament

Card games take up hardly any space and belong in every camping kit. Play several rounds and collect points. Uno, Skip-Bo, Phase 10, crazy eights or classic card games all work well.

3. Plan a rainy day treasure hunt

Hide small objects in the caravan, the campervan or under the awning. Write clues and riddles that lead to the treasure step by step. For children, a small sweet or a camping badge can already be the star prize.

4. Go for a walk in the rain

With a raincoat, wellies and waterproof clothing, a walk in the rain can be surprisingly lovely. Look out for puddles, raindrops on leaves, snails and the smell of the wet woods.

In a thunderstorm, a gale or where there is a flood risk, though, you should stay in a sheltered area.

5. Have a cosy film afternoon

Download a few films or series before you travel so you do not depend on a stable internet connection. Build a small camping cinema out of blankets and cushions and make popcorn on the camping stove.

6. Create a camping diary

Write down what you have experienced so far, which places you have visited and what was especially funny. Children can draw pictures, glue in tickets or add pressed leaves.

A sketching set for kids (affiliate link) is ideal for a camping diary.

7. Invent a story together

One person starts with a sentence. Then everyone adds another sentence in turn. That is how a spontaneous story about mysterious woods, talking animals or an adventure on the campsite comes about.

8. Start a photography challenge

Rain offers exciting photo subjects. Photograph raindrops, reflections in puddles, colourful umbrellas, clouds or small details around the campsite.

Possible tasks are:

• Photograph something especially colourful.

• Find an interesting reflection.

• Photograph something that looks like a face.

• Capture the cosiest camping moment.

9. Fit in a spa afternoon

A small spa day is possible while camping too. Do face masks, foot baths, hand massages or listen to relaxing music. Afterwards you can wrap yourselves in blankets and enjoy a warm drink.

10. Bake or cook together

Try a new camping recipe. Depending on your equipment you can make pan bread, banana pancakes, wraps, one-pot pasta or a warm apple dessert.

Children can chop ingredients, knead dough or decorate the food.

11. Listen to an audio drama or a podcast

Audio dramas are especially practical when there is little space in the tent or campervan. While you listen you can draw, do a puzzle or simply listen to the rain on the roof.

12. Develop your own board game

Make a board out of paper or cardboard. Think up task squares, rules and playing pieces. Coins, buttons or small stones can serve as counters.

13. Hold a camping quiz

Prepare questions about nature, travel, animals or your holiday experiences so far.

Examples:

• Who remembers the name of the last campsite?

• Which animal did we see yesterday?

• What should never be missing on a camping trip?

• Who can identify an animal by its sound alone?

14. Try small experiments

Simple experiments are possible with just a few objects. Watch which materials float, how water travels through paper or how colours mix.

The inside should of course stay clean and dry.

15. Take a trip to a museum

Look for weatherproof places to visit nearby. Good options include:

• natural history museums

• science and technology museums

• indoor playgrounds

• swimming pools

• aquariums

• libraries

• visitor centres

• castles or palaces

A rainy day is a good opportunity to discover places that might not have made the list in sunshine.

16. Put on a camping fashion show

Combine raincoats, hats, towels, sleeping bags and other camping gear into funny outfits. Then everyone gets to walk an improvised catwalk.

17. Make friendship bracelets or small keepsakes

Pack wool, beads, cord or colourful tape. You can turn them into friendship bracelets, keyrings or small camping souvenirs.

A creative craft set (affiliate link) gives you more ideas for rainy-day projects.

18. Do an indoor movement challenge

Movement is possible even in a small space. Try yoga, stretches, animal movements or small balance tasks.

Examples:

• Who can stand on one leg the longest?

• Who can move like a frog?

• Who can manage ten slow squats?

• Who can copy a yoga pose?

Make sure to keep enough distance from furniture and camping equipment.

19. Plan the next day of your holiday

Look at the weather forecast together and think about what you would like to do as soon as it dries up. Everyone gets to name one wish. That builds the anticipation for the next outing.

20. Simply enjoy the rain

Sometimes a rainy day does not need to be planned out at all. Sit under the awning, listen to the rain, read a book and make yourselves comfortable. While camping in particular, having nothing to do for a few hours can be very relaxing.

What should you pack for rainy days while camping?

A small rainy day box can make the holiday considerably more relaxed. Useful items are:

• raincoats and wellies

• spare clothes and extra socks

• card games and small travel games

• books and drawing materials

• craft supplies

• downloaded films, podcasts or audio dramas

• torches

• towels and microfibre cloths

• bin bags for wet clothes

• an extra tarpaulin or a waterproof sun sail

A compact HABA family game (affiliate link) is also great to have in the camping kit.

Conclusion

Rain while camping is not always ideal, but it is no reason to write the day off. Whether creative crafting, a trip to a museum, a treasure hunt or a cosy film afternoon: with a few ideas, bad weather can turn into a special holiday day with children.