games Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

All Canadian Games to Play on a Rainy Day

Paula — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:06:00 +0000

This August and September so far has seen its fair share of rainy days. You know where it is not fun to be when it is rainy? The cottage! Generally speaking a cottage is a smallish space where you share bedrooms. Unless you are super wealthy and have one of those McMansion cottages that celebrities are always renting in Muskoka, your space is at a premium. The goal is to be outside. Unless you are sleeping, you are outside enjoying the gorgeous beaches, trails and forests. So what do you do if it rains for hours or even days at the cottage? Well, it helps to have these All Canadian games on hand, or you might just buy them and drop them at the cottage if you own one or even if you rent one out. It is a simple amenity that adds value and implies a highly personal touch to a rental. Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Any purchases made via qualifying links mean a small commission for me. Plan Ahead I am a cottage girl through and through. By now, you must all know that. I grew up visiting a rented cottage with my family every single summer of my childhood. From Guelph Ontario, the drive to the Bruce Peninsula and Southampton, Port Elgin, or Sauble Beach is a manageable 2.5 to 3 hours. Basically, an afternoon driving and you are there. We typically brought many outdoor games along for the week. Most cottages have a stash of board games or something to keep you occupied in all sorts of weather conditions. Canadians just know weather is unpredictable and we want you to all feel welcome and engaged at the cottage. It’s in our nature. I find it helpful to have a range of ideas planned for most ages and stages, from groups of two or three to a family of four or a group of teens. There are dozens of word games and activities on this site that you can print and take with you whether camping or spending time at a cottage. Obviously this all applies to rental AirBnBs too. This year my Rainy Days at the cottage post has outdone itself for traffic which means a lot of you are finding it and using that as a guide. I mean over the years as a lifelong cottage renter I have seen my fair share of rainy weather days and I have a few tricks. This year, with ELBOWS all the way UP, I thought I’d share a few of our favourite all Canadian games to play at the cottage on a rainy day. Canadian Games for Rainy Days at the Cottage Crokinole If you ask me, every single cottage and home should have one of these crokinole boards. Canadian through and through. Did you know that? If you don’t want to pay this much for one of these Canadian classic games that will be passed down from generation to generation, hit up a few garage sales. I assure you that you will eventually find one on sale for under $25 Canadian. Ours is wooden and in gorgeous condition and was given to us by Jim’s dad or grandfather, I think. We have had this for many years. I also had one growing up and my own kids, especially my youngest, often ask to play this together. Somehow the flicking of the wooden disks is great feedback for a sensory seeking child. Origin and Details: Trivial Pursuit If you don’t have this already in your cottage and in your home, then how can you call yourself a Canadian? LOL. Kidding. Anyways, this is the biggest thing to hit the 80s, and a staple of my youth. For those who love trivia and have an entire afternoon to spend exercising your grey matter with long forgotten facts and dates and history. Canadian Trivia: Family Edition More trivia but this one is a bit simpler and really rooted in Canadian facts. Trivial Pursuit is a higher age level than this one and demands patience. This is a bit more Cascadia To be super clear I have never played this one. But it is Canadian and looks fun and family friendly. Balderdash Unlike standard trivia games that reward pure memorization, Balderdash is a creativity and psychology game. The goal isn’t just to be smart; it’s to write in a convincing, dry style that mimics the official card, or to craft something so delightfully believable that your friends fall for the trick. Canadian creative teams have played a major role in party game history, including Toronto-invented classics like Balderdash. Fast-paced, Canadian-invented party games like Trivial Pursuit keep large family groups engaged when outdoor plans get rained out. Canadian Trivia: Family Edition Created by Victoria, BC-based publisher Outset Media, Canadian Trivia: Family Edition features double-sided cards with junior and expert questions across geography, history, and pop culture. It allows kids, teens, and adults to play together on a rainy day without tricky handicap rules. A-Maze-ing Canada / Great Canadian Board Games: Educational geography and travel games published locally offer lighthearted family rivalry while testing everyone’s knowledge of provinces, territories, and landmarks. More All-Canadian Classics for Rainy Days Right now, when elbows up is literally a lifestyle that demands to be implemented across the board, it seems like we can all provide solutions to support buying Canadian. That’s why I thought this might help. Anyways, happy camping and leave a few of these at the cottage or scout them out at the next neighbourhood garage sale.

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Roll a Story Road Trip Game

Paula — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:36:00 +0000

If you know my family at all then you know that we love a good road trip. Honestly, it’s the least costly way to get to where you are going often. For instance, we frequently do this Home to Tremblant Quebec drive or we do one of our Vermont ski trips as a family. We have this down to a ‘T’ by now. Snacks packed, route loaded on the GPS, hitting the road by 4 a.m. and we are rocking and rolling. Oh, but not without some reliable road trip activities and road trip games like this roll a story road trip game. Let’s Roll a Story Road Trip Game Tomorrow we are heading out on another camping trip this summer. Now I know this trip is a short one, as in I will barely have enough time to load my favourite playlist on Apple Carplay, but I like to be prepared. So I will have a few things and the kids naturally bring headphones to tune out noises and sometimes even tune one of us out. It’s all good in the name of getting away and peaceful adventures. Here’s to short trips and not needing a whole lot of distractions when driving because it is just me. My husband doesn’t camp anymore. He’s a fan of indoor plumbing and actual beds. LOL. Weirdly I love sleeping in a tent on an inflatable mattress with the sound of crickets and cicadas as you fall asleep. When the kids were younger I never left home without a whole bag full of tricks. Our kids are neurodivergent and they also get bored easily which when they were little meant fights or hyper behaviours. That, in a car is super distracting so, it needs to be curtailed proactively when possible. So, tools like this Road Trip Roll a Story game are invaluable. Mostly though I packed word searches, colouring pages and big blank booklets for them to draw in and journal in as well. If there is a single rainy day when camping then you will also be looking for things to do. These kinds of storytelling and literacy activities are valuable on those rainy days. You might also consider these: Roll A Story Camping Trip Word Search Paper and Printer: Don’t forget to order paper – HP Printer Paper and also be sure to use a good printer. This Epson Eco Tank Printer is amazing. It saves ink like nobody’s business. There are several camping and road trip activities here now on my site so please take advantage of them and return if you think there’s something fun or cool you’d like to see here. Don’t forget to visit my Free Printables board on Pinterest. A couple of road trip items I rarely leave home without: Tiny Inui Portable power bank charger Melatonin Just in case we get where we are going and nobody can sleep that night. I want to enjoy my trip not stress over sleep. Take only as directed. Car First Aid Kit – if you have kids then you know this is not an option.

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Camping I Spy Game

Paula — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:15:00 +0000

It’s no secret we love camping. It is one of our favourite ways to disconnect and just touch grass. Good for my mental and physical health not to mention my whole family’s mental health. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Qualifying purchases mean a small commission for me at no cost to you. The Joys of Camping Nothing beats the feeling of gathering around a campfire. It’s the perfect way to hit the pause button on a busy week and enjoy some quality time in nature. Whether you are experienced campers or just starting out, there’s nothing quite like being outside together in a provincial or national park. One of my favourite things is spotting constellations at night. I mean listen if you are over 45 and need that bathroom break at 3 am like I do there’s no better spot to do it than at a provincial park where dark skies and no light pollution means you will easily spot Orion, Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Cygnus. But even camping isn’t perfect (is anything actually?) and young kids and teens will eventually blurt I am bored or something equally frustrating. Which is why I always recommend camping with a bag of tricks. Having some simple printables, activities and games like this Camping I Spy Game on hand if needed saves meltdowns occasionally. Camping Activities There’s so much to do when camping that you might be tricked into thinking that you won’t struggle to find ways to explore or stay active. I mean walking, biking, setting up camp, spending endless beach days swimming? What’s not to love? And yet, one of the biggest hurdles for parents can be keeping them busy during the witching hours just like at home. Having a few nature-focused games and activities handy is a lifesaver to keep everyone happy. Card Games I have a wild range of campfire games that we travel with when we go camping. We have picked up a few over the years and wouldn’t leave home without them. My kids are older so letting you know that before you get judgemental. Last year we bought Cards Against Humanity and it is a hoot. We haven’t laughed so hard in years. At 21 and 24, last season we were all okay with the language and the game was a blast. At Christmas I bought Noah the add on packs. There are so many, but we settled on the 90s pack. Classic Camping Games Another classic is corn hole, which is a simple setup and an easy one to play when someone is starting a campfire or waiting for somebody else to prep the food. For the most part we all pitch in and take turns helping with activities and meals but we also try to stay out of each other’s space at times. Everyone has a role and sometimes it’s better to play a game for a bit when somebody is cooking for instance. One of our favourite games on the beach is Bocce Ball. It is so portable and easy to play together. Pick one up via the link here or get a super cheap one at a discount store near you. Highly recommend. Print These out Before you Camp Head off the “I am bored” before it even starts. There are several camping activities here now on my site so please take advantage of them under the printables tab and return if you think there’s something fun or cool you’d like to see here. So, hit the Printables Pinterest board and take these with you. Don’t Miss These: Roll a Story Camping Game Camping Activity Pack Give these walkie talkies a try if you are looking for another fun camping activity for little people. THIS is a classic: Sports Washer Toss Where are you camping this season? Do you have a favourite camping game?

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Camping Word Games and Activities

Paula — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:38:29 +0000

There is something magical about trading the glowing screen of a tablet for the crackle of a campfire. Camping offers a rare chance to disconnect from the frantic pace of daily life and reconnect with nature and each other. It’s one of our favourite things to do in the summer months. When the kids were little we packed a regular activity bag or a bunch of tools to help them stay calm-ish while we drove to wherever we were going. Camping word games and activities, road trip word games and activities were staples. So I started offering them here too and they seem to be super popular so I keep them on offer throughout the year. Whether you are seasoned campers or planning your very first backyard adventure, the great outdoors is the perfect classroom without being overly school-like, if you know what I mean. Everything outside is a learning experience. But you don’t need to work too hard at it. Let your kids lead and interject occasionally to shape the conversation. Listen it’s not 100% certain you will never hear I am bored when you are camping away from all of the modern amenities that your house might have. But there’s so much to do when camping that it seems less likely that you will struggle to find ways to explore or stay active. Road Trip and Camping Activities On a rainy day or a slow, low key, morning you might still be looking for something simple to do. The trick to a successful trip isn’t just about packing enough marshmallows; it’s about having a few engaging, nature-focused activities up your sleeve to keep little explorers occupied while you set up the tent or prep dinner. That’s where Camping Word Games and Activities can come in handy. So print them off now before you embark on the road trip. While you are at it. Consider these road trip games too. Introducing the Ultimate Camping Activity Pack for Kids To help make your next trip stress-free and full of wonder, we’ve put together our new Camping Activity Pack for Kids. This printable resource is designed to turn your campsite into a hub of discovery. Inside, you’ll find: Ready to elevate your family camping experience? Download the pack today and turn every moment in the woods into an adventure to remember! Grab your gear, pack the sleeping bags, and get ready for a weekend of starry skies and s’mores. Happy camping!

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Roll a Story Camping Game

Paula — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:57:52 +0000

This seven page roll a story camping game is so cute and educational. It’s one of those sneaky activities that most kids will enjoy because it combines creativity with writing and a little bit of imagination. Plus they get to roll the dice to determine what happens next in the story. Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. I make a small commission on purchases made via qualifying links. The dice part of this story-telling game makes me nostalgic for game nights and summertime cottage visits with my mom when we all sat down and played a board game together. Roll a story camping activity was not something we did back then but believe me when I say that as a teacher’s daughter if she’d thought of this game she totally would have shared it with everyone. Summer evenings are perfect for shedding the rigid schedules of the rest of the year. The summer days are more relaxed usually and if you camp then you also know all about the joy in connecting outside, coupled with the very real need to occasionally still provide structure to some moments. Camping Fun The Roll a Story camping game is perfect for after dinner, while winding down, or print this out and take it with you to use on the rainy days. Oh, and there will be rainy days especially if you camp a lot or visit the cottage in the summer months. I can’t wait to get camping this year. By now you all know the drill. Download from this clean link and save and print it out to go camping. Have fun! Leave me a comment if you do use this and enjoy it. Just don’t resell, republish or reuse in any other capacity. Copyright belongs to Thrifty Mommas Tips. Whether you are gathered around a crackling backyard fire pit or lounging on a porch as the sun dips below the horizon, quiet moments invite memories to surface and tales to be told. When parents share stories from their own childhoods or recount funny adventures from the past year, it bridges the generational gap and creates a shared sense of identity that binds the family closer together. The Joy of Family Games Beyond the spoken word, playing games together offers a dynamic, interactive way to deepen those family connections during the summer season. Whether it is a fast-paced board game on a rainy afternoon, flying a kite together on the beach, a strategic card game on the deck, or an active game of lawn darts in the grass, the playful competition keeps spirits high and encourages teamwork. These shared challenges turn a simple afternoon into a memorable event, teaching everyone the value of good sportsmanship and the joy of spontaneous laughter. By carving out time for these low-stakes, high-fun activities, you create a vibrant atmosphere where the focus remains entirely on the people around you and the simple happiness found in just being together. There are no winners or losers in a roll a story game. It’s literally just a great chance to practice story-telling. Take turns and go around the table to tell the story. One of our favourite games on the beach is Bocce Ball. It is so portable and easy to play together. Pick one up via the link here or get a super cheap one at a discount store near you. Highly recommend. What other games or activities are you interested in seeing here?

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April Fool’s Word Search

Paula — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 22:14:00 +0000

What is your favourite April Fool’s Joke? My kids love to play jokes and they rarely miss a chance to prank me. They could make a full day of it or maybe even a week of it. Looking for a few cute word games to round out the day or prepare for the pranks? Check out my April Fool’s Word Search below for a few minutes of fun. I mean when my kids were younger they loved these games and crosswords were also a huge hit. Nobody really has a clear understanding of how this day actually came about. There’s some speculation it might have started in France, but the origin story is pretty much a mystery. To me, it is just a fun little opportunity to share a laugh or two. Best Pranks so Far One year one of my teens at the time gathered all of the spoons and froze them in a container in the freezer. That was a shock when I opened the drawer to find the spoon for breakfast and found them all much later in the freezer. Another time my youngest tried to tell me the toilet was smoking. In fact, they’d simply dressed the toilet up to look like it had a cigarette out of it. Finally, there was a time one kid picked out a screen saver of some sort and splashed it across the television then tried to convince me they broke the TV. Don’t Get Caught Without Paper Test Drive this new printer if you want to print it out and have some fun. This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Products Needed: Don’t forget to order paper – HP Printer Paper and also be sure to use a good printer. This Epson Eco Tank Printer is amazing. It saves ink like nobody’s business. How to Print it Out Download this file easily right here – > April Fool’s Word Search If you want to see some of the other Free Printables I have available visit my Pinterest Free Printables board. Check out these Crayola pencil crayons to use when doing any of my colouring activities. They are our favourites. Right now this one is super popular too. Months of the Year Printable. Other Ideas for Kids Amazon has a great selection of fun children’s activity books too.

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Pokemon Colouring Bookmarks

Paula — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 00:39:26 +0000

True story. During the last few wild and unpredictable years, the kids and I both fell hard for Pokemon Go. It’s a big part of my morning routine and self care and honestly one of the kids still enjoys playing it with me. So, we are fans of all the Pokemon things. We also love reading, which I am sure you know by now. So, here are some cute Pokemon Colouring Bookmarks combining both of our loves. We hope you enjoy. Skip to the end part For years, we have enjoyed Pokemon games and gaming. We’ve been to ComiCon a couple of times and found some fun merchandise like the hat above. Pokemon and More Semi-Annual Event – Up to 50% Off! We only do this twice a year! Tons of new styles marked down! Extra 40% Off Outlet with Code: EXTRA40 PLUS Additional 15% Off Sitewide with Code: UA15 at checkout! Shipping is FREE on $50+

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Fun Zoom Summer Charades Game

Paula — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 14:15:00 +0000

Alright let’s all have some fun with Zoom. I mean, listen I am fully aware that Zoom is a grind sometimes. It is a blessing and also a grind. So, why not capture a little more of the fun side of zoom with this zoom summer charades game. This past year I think we’ve all had a love hate relationship with Zoom. It’s great to have as a tool to keep business going and jobs thriving. I mean I am grateful for technology and so many Zoom moments and connections with my colleagues and my family members who I can’t see right now. Silly Zoom Pandemic Moments During the pandemic, we have all enjoyed a bit of the lighter side of Zoom at times. Like the lawyer cat zoom incident that went viral or the million times our friend’s and colleague’s pets have made their appearance known during home office Zoom calls. Oh and that one time during a news interview when the speaker’s toddler raced around the room in the background of frame. Hahaha…Good times. Fun Zoom Sessions But it can be fun occasionally too. That first Easter we all jumped on Zoom and ate dinner together strangely while also apart. It worked for the most part. At least we got to see each other that day even if it was over the computer. We have also done Zoom Kahoot sessions with my niece and nephews and FaceTimed them a lot. So there are positive ways to enjoy the tool. These Zoom summer charades are just another way to help get through the pandemic. So have fun! Easy Charades Download Instructions Just click on the download button below and it will take you to a clean version of this cute five-page printable activity for families. What Creative Ways Are You Using Zoom? Have any clever creative ways that you use Zoom? Drop them here and maybe I will give them a try too.

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Cute St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt

Paula — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:34:00 +0000

Well, I know it’s not exactly right around the corner or anything but here’s to St. Patrick’s Day. This year, we are celebrating with a St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt and maybe some green foods or drinks. It was St. Patrick’s Day roughly in 2020 when Coronavirus kicked it up a great deal and sent us all for a loop here. Our spring break vacation was cancelled entirely when the border between Canada and the US was closed to travel. That was a very hard period of time and the start of a long haul through 2020. But, here we are closer to the end of this pandemic. Still Struggling? Check out my Pandemic Content over on CBC Parents. Hope it helps. We didn’t feel much like celebrating then that’s for sure. Anyways, this year I am hoping for a much better St. Patrick’s Day and a sweeter month of March for you. Maybe this St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt will add to the fun. Print it out and share with your family or friends. Don’t Miss These St. Patrick’s Day Activities: St. Patrick’s Day Colouring Page March 17 Word Search for St. Patrick’s Day! How to Use This Activity First of all, download my St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt from the file below. I assure you it is a simple and clean link. Then grab a pen or some pencils and maybe a clipboard if you have one and get hunting. Remember, if you use one of my printables or activities, please leave me a comment here or on Pinterest so I know that they are useful. Have Fun! Drink responsibly this year and always. And a Few More Ideas for Fun

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Bald Eagle Life Cycle Learning Games Booklet

Paula — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:21:00 +0000

The first time I ever saw a truly gorgeous bald eagle in real life was in Alabama actually. We were doing a Segway Tour through the Hugh S. Branyon Back Country trail in Gulf Shores, Alabama and we stopped halfway though for a rest and spotted a nest high atop one of the trees and an eagle was in it. Oh I have seen them on TV and even in zoos, where eagles might be rehabilitating from injury. They are always impressive and majestic. But seeing that nest and the scope of it hit me. I’ve seen them in Florida treetops as well quite a few times and now that I know what to look for, I have even seen them in Canada once or twice. A Few Bald Eagle Facts Did you know that bald eagles are the only eagles that are indigenous to North America? Young eagles are called eaglets. Eaglets are light grey and fluffy when they first hatch. Their feathers turn dark brown when they’re about 12 weeks old and ready to leave the nest. Their bald heads don’t turn white until they are about four to five years old. Bald eagles make their homes in forests often near large bodies of water. This environment ensures good fishing and large trees for nesting. Check out this Bald Eagle Live WebCam, which is perfect right now because many of us still cannot travel. What’s in the Bald Eagle Life Cycle Learning Kit? Here’s what’s included in this cute and free learning tool for school aged kids. Want to Keep the Learning Going? Check out my Solar System Learning Unit. Also, I have a turkey life cycle activity, in addition to the horse life cycle games live here too. a Seahorse Life Cycle activity and finally a Bee Life Cycle activity.

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