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Most of the time, sitting outside at the cottage with an ice-cold beer is more than enough. Other times though, you might be looking for something a little more involved to alleviate the boredom.
Here is a list of our favourite fun activities to do at the cottage if you're bored!
1. Fishing tournament
Fishing off the dock is one of many classic cottage activities, but why not turn it into a friendly competition? Set a time limit, and award points for different types of catches. The biggest fish, the weirdest catch, and the most fish caught can all earn bragging rights!
Pro Tip: Use a simple bobber setup for an easy and relaxing way to reel in panfish like perch or sunfish.
2. Spikeball
As far as cottage activities go, Spikeball ticks all the right boxes for a perfect afternoon in the sun. It's extremely fun, super easy to set up, and brings out just the right amount of competitive spirit. If you've never played it before, think tennis meets volleyball on a micro-scale.
Water Version: Try a floating Spikeball set for a fun twist in the lake!
3. Water balloon baseball
When it’s hot outside, regular baseball just won’t cut it — but water balloon baseball? Now that’s a home run.
Swap out the traditional ball for a water balloon, grab a bat (or even just a big stick), and let the splashing fun begin. The trick is finding the right balance — too soft of a swing, and the balloon stays intact; too hard, and you’ll be drenched before you make it to first base.
(Just be sure to clean up the balloon's after!)
Extra Challenge: Make it a full game with bases and innings, or set up a "home run derby" to see who can make the biggest splash!
4. Try a local brewery
We are extremely spoiled in Ontario when it comes to amazing local beer so wherever your cottage happens to be, you can be sure there's a craft brewery pretty close by. Collingwood Brewery, Lake of Bays, Muskoka Brewery, and Canvas Brewing Co are just the start so assign a designated driver and visit one!
Bonus: Looking for activities that keep you at the cottage? Pick up a variety pack and have a blind taste test to find your new favorite.
5. Dockside yoga & stretching
The dock is the perfect place for a peaceful morning yoga session. With the sound of the water and the fresh air, it’s an ideal spot to wake up your body and mind. Even a few simple stretches can help loosen up sore muscles after a day of swimming or paddling.
New Challenge: Try a balancing pose like tree pose — just don’t fall in!
6. Giant Jenga
Take the classic game of skill and strategy and supersize it! When it comes to cottage activities, Giant Jenga is perfect for outdoor fun, letting you test your steady hand and nerve as the tower gets taller (and wobblier).
You can buy a set or make your own by cutting and sanding wooden blocks. For an added twist, write fun cottage-themed challenges on some of the pieces — whoever pulls them has to complete the task before their next turn!
Twist: Play "extreme Jenga" by setting the tower on an uneven surface, like a dock or a slight hill, to up the difficulty.
7. Invent chip combos
If your cottage is anything like ours, it's usually stocked full of all sorts of chips. If so, a fun (and delicious) activity can be grabbing a few bags (party mix bags work really well) and combining different chips into a single bite to invent a new flavour! Sour Cream & Onion and All Dressed? Why not. BBQ and Cheetos? We'll try anything once. Get creative and maybe you'll get a call from Ruffles.
Extra Challenge: Create the weirdest but tastiest mix and have everyone vote for the best new flavor.
8. Cottage obstacle course
Channel your inner warrior by creating an epic obstacle course using whatever you have around the cottage. Jump over logs, crawl under patio chairs, balance across a fallen tree, or carry a cup of water without spilling.
Time each person as they complete the course, or make it a team relay race. Whether you keep it simple or get creative with lake swims and canoe paddles, it’s an awesome way to burn off energy and have a blast.
Extra Challenge: Add a "mystery round" where participants have to complete a surprise task at the end, like solving a riddle or stacking rocks before crossing the finish line.
9. Stargaze
If it's too hot to spend the day outside, a cool night under the stars might be just what you need. Without the light pollution of the city, the night sky comes alive with a dazzling glow. If you don't want to just sit back and see what you can find, we recommend trying Star Walk 2 or Google Sky Maps, an augmented reality app that will show you star maps, constellations, and more in real-time!
Bonus: Use a telescope or binoculars for an even better look at planets and distant stars.
10. Nighttime swim
Next on our list of cottage activities is going for an evening swim. To take it to the next level add glow sticks or waterproof LED lights! Toss them into the water to create a glowing effect around the dock, or wear glow bracelets and necklaces for a magical night swim.
Safety First: Always swim with a buddy, especially at night.
11. Geocaching
While you can start Geocaching pretty much anywhere, cottage country is a really fun place to go looking for them. If you don't know what it is, Geocaching is the world's largest treasure hunt! Use the app to find them hidden all over the world (some of them are super inventive and tricky to spot) and once you do you fill in your name and date that you found it. Some of the bigger ones even have little trinkets people like to leave for other Geocachers to keep.
Extra Challenge: Hide your own geocache near the cottage for future visitors to find!
12. Capture the flag
This classic game gets even better when you play it in cottage country, where the natural landscape makes for perfect hiding spots and sneaky strategies. Divide into two teams, set up boundaries, and hide your flags. Whether you’re sprinting through the trees or sneaking up behind opponents, the thrill of the chase makes this a must-play.
Glow-in-the-Dark Version: Play after sunset using glow sticks for flags and wristbands—just be careful not to trip on tree roots in the dark!
13. Dock jumps & trick challenges
Jumping off the dock never gets old, but why not up the ante with some fun challenges? Try cannonballs, belly flops, or see who can make the smallest splash. You can also set up a "dock diving contest" with categories like best pose, highest jump, or funniest mid-air face.
Bonus Challenge: Try jumping in while holding hands with a friend — without letting go!
14. Nature scavenger hunt
A fun and easy way to explore the great outdoors, a scavenger hunt is perfect for all ages. Make a list of things to find around the cottage—pinecones, a feather, a skipping stone, a frog, or even something in every color of the rainbow. You can play solo, in pairs, or as a team competition. It’s a great excuse to get outside and notice the little things you might usually miss.
Bonus: Add a photo challenge where players have to take pictures of their finds instead of collecting them, making it an eco-friendly adventure.
15. Board games
Having a closet full of board games is a must when it comes to cottages and pulling out the all-time bests like Life, Monopoly, and Operation will always have a few people on board (pun intended). There are also a couple of newer board games we highly recommend like Exploding Kittens, which is super easy to learn with just the right balance of skill and luck, or Betrayal at House on the Hill, a game that starts off cooperative until one person has to become the monster!
Twist: Play a "Cottage Edition" of your favorite game—add house rules or special challenges based on your surroundings.
16. Brush up on your survival skills
Along with being fun, this one be can actually be pretty useful too! Turn your kids into little survivalists by teaching them how to fish, build a fire, treat small wounds, find safe drinking water, and spot poison ivy. Chances are, they'll never have to use them, but they'll take pride in learning! If you haven't practiced in a while either, no time like the present.
Bonus: End the lesson with a real challenge, like a race to build the fastest fire or purify the most water.
17. Floating mat lounge
You’ve probably seen these floating lounge mats before, and if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. These oversized foam mats let you sprawl out on the water, soak up the sun, and stay cool without ever having to fully commit to getting wet. Whether you’re reading a book, enjoying a drink, or just lazily drifting, a floating mat is the perfect way to relax on the lake. They’re also surprisingly sturdy, so you can walk, jump, or even try some friendly wrestling matches — just be prepared to end up in the water!
New Challenge: Try running across the mat without falling off — it’s harder than it looks!
18. DIY tie dye
Turn plain white t-shirts, socks, or even pillowcases into vibrant works of art with a little tie-dye magic. All you need are fabric dye bottles, rubber bands, and something cotton to dye. Experiment with different folding techniques—spirals, stripes, and crumple patterns—to create unique designs. You can even use different leaves or ferns as stencils by placing them on the fabric before dyeing for a unique, nature-inspired design.
Pro Tip: If you didn’t bring dye with you, don’t worry—you can make natural dyes using leaves, berries, flowers and other things found in nature. (Blackberries were used to dye the shirt in the picture above.)
19. Read something
Whether it's some classic fiction, small novelas, or your favourite magazine, reading at the cottage is one of those activities that just feels different when the sun is shining and there's a nice breeze coming off the water. Alternatively, if it's a rainy afternoon, curling up to read next to the fireplace with raindrops lightly rapping away on the roof is hard to beat.
Extra Challenge: Start a mini book club—everyone reads the same short story or article and discusses it over drinks.
20. Watch a movie
If it's just too hot to handle outside (or you've spent the entire day in the heat) take a break with your favourite movie.
If you can't decide what to watch we have a few recommendations: Stay on theme with probably the best cottage movie ever, The Great Outdoors, or if you're watching at night and don't mind a little scare, Cabin in the Woods or The Evil Dead will have you keeping the lights on when you head to bed!
Fun Twist: If the weather is nice, take movie night outside with a sheet and a projector.
Cottage life is all about slowing down and enjoying the moment, but sometimes, a little activity is just what you need to mix things up. Whether you’re playing a game, trying a new local beer, or paddling out on the water, there are endless activities to do so you can make the most of your time at the cottage.
