Pro Tips: River Trips Games
River trips are all about doing exactly what you want to do. Feel like relaxing in the shade and reading a book? Do it! Can't stand the thought of sitting in a chair because you can do that at home? Grab some other energetic folks and play a game! Here are a handful of ways to entertain yourself or friends while spending your vacation on the river.
Bocce Ball
Coming out of the boules family of games this is an international classic. However, playing on the river should be a bit more exciting than sticking to the classic court you might find in the front country.
Bocce Ball is a great game to take anywhere
Toss the white ball around camp and make it a bit of an adventure. There are even glow-in-the-dark sets out there that are really fun for night time games.
Kubb
This game seems to have become a bit more common place in the last couple of years. While I am not going to dive into the rules of Kubb it is a pretty straight forward game that almost any one can play. It is also great because it can accommodate a large number of players.
Dress up and Kubb are a perfect combo
Ducky Wars
This is a perfect game for those hot summer days on the river. Great for camp with a nice big swimming eddy or while floating a calm stretch of river.
Most people like to play on an upside down ducky (inflatable kayak) or even on a stand up paddle board. The goal is simple, knock the other person off and into the river with out touching them. Last person standing wins.
Ducky Wars
You can also play this game while standing on the gunnels of a canoe. Just be careful not to fall into the canoe as it may not be a soft landing.
Water Slide
Another great game for a hot summer day. While it works best if you have a boat that isn't full of gear, setting it up as a slide is pretty easy. Flip it upside down, grab some buckets to make it slippery, and start sliding.
An upside down raft works great as a water slide
You can also create a slide by lining up paco pads or a couple upside down duckies.
Chess
A classic game with a river twist. Maybe you planned ahead and brought your chess set, but maybe you didn't. A throw bag, some straps, or extra rope is all you need to set up a board. Find some rocks, cans, hot sauce or salad dressings and you have a chess set.
Impromptu game of chess
Other Games To Play
- Jump rope
- Tug-o-war (stand on ammo cans for some extra entertainment)
- Hide and seek
- Obstacle course time trials
What are you favorite games to play while on the river?
