Katie and Pierce
Let’s face it: after a full day of hiking, swimming, and exploring, there’s nothing quite like gathering around a crackling campfire. But once the s’mores are gone and the ghost stories run out, what’s next? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with these fun campfire games for the whole family that’ll keep the good times rolling well into the night!
1. Puppet Master Charades
Ever seen someone try to position another person like a human mannequin? That’s Puppet Master Charades! One player acts as the “puppet master” while their partner becomes the “puppet” who can’t move on their own. The puppet master has to arrange their puppet to act out a word or phrase without speaking. The results are always hilarious! Works best with 6+ people, ages 10 and up.
2. Earn Your S’mores Challenge
Who says dessert can’t be a game? Write fun challenges on slips of paper like “do your best bear impression” or “name five camping essentials.” Each completed challenge earns a s’more ingredient. The best part? Watching someone perform a goofy dance just to get their hands on a chocolate bar! Perfect for any group size and ages 4+.
3. Chubby Bunny
A classic that never gets old! Players take turns stuffing marshmallows in their mouth one by one, saying “chubby bunny” after each addition. It sounds simple until you’re on marshmallow number five trying not to laugh while mumbling something that vaguely resembles “chubby bunny.” Just remember to be careful with younger campers. This one’s best for ages 12+.
4. Numbers
Sometimes the simplest games are the most addictive. The whole group tries to count upward in sequence, but anyone can say the next number. If two people speak at the same time, back to one you go! You’d be surprised how challenging it is to get past 20. We’ve seen groups get ridiculously competitive about this one! Great for 4+ players, ages 5 and up.
5. Where Are We?
Got a group that travels together often? This memory game is perfect! Think of a place you’ve all visited, then give three specific clues about it. Maybe the weird local food you tried, the crazy weather you experienced, or that landmark where someone took an embarrassing photo. The first person to guess correctly picks the next location. Works with 3+ people, ages 6 and up.
6. Would You Rather
Nothing sparks conversation like impossible choices! “Would you rather sleep in a tent during a thunderstorm or under the stars during mosquito season?” or “Would you rather forget to pack underwear or forget your toothbrush?” The camping-themed dilemmas can get as wild as you want. The fun is in hearing everyone’s reasoning! Any group size works, best for ages 7+.
7. Winking Assassin
As night falls, this game adds the perfect touch of mystery. One player secretly becomes the “assassin” who eliminates others with a wink. Another player is the detective trying to identify the assassin before everyone’s eliminated. The tension builds as players try to catch the assassin in the act without being too obvious! Great for groups of 8+, ages 10 and up.
8. Telephone
Remember playing this as a kid? It’s even better in the woods! The first player whispers something like “I heard a pack of wolves howling at the purple moon” to their neighbor. By the time it reaches the last person, it’s somehow transformed into “I packed my woolies for the trip to Cancun.” The garbled results never disappoint! Best with 6+ players of any age.
9. Categories
This fast-paced word game keeps everyone on their toes. Pick a category like “things you’d never want to find in your tent” and a starting letter. Players have just five seconds to name something that fits. Run out of time or repeat an answer? You’re out! The last player standing wins. It gets harder as the easy answers disappear! Fun for 3+ players, ages 6 and up.
10. Hot Seat
Want to really get to know your camping buddies? Put someone in the Hot Seat! For three minutes, they answer whatever questions the group throws at them – “What’s your most embarrassing outdoor moment?” or “What’s one thing you’d never eat, even if you were starving in the wilderness?” They can pass on truly uncomfortable questions, and everyone takes a turn. Perfect ice-breaker for 4+ players, ages 8+.
11. True Story
Everyone has a wild camping story, but is it real? Players take turns sharing outdoor adventures that might be true or completely made up. The group votes on whether they think it actually happened. You’ll be surprised how often the most outlandish stories turn out to be true, while perfectly reasonable tales are total fiction! Great for 4+ players, ages 10+.
12. Twenty Questions
Give this classic a camping twist! One player thinks of something related to the outdoors – maybe a bear, a compass, or a particular hiking trail. Everyone else asks yes/no questions trying to figure it out in under twenty questions. The first person to guess correctly picks the next item. Simple but addictive! Works with as few as 2 players, ages 7+.
13. Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Got little ones at the campsite? This gentle game is perfect for winding down before bedtime. Sitting in a circle with stuffed animals, the first player starts: “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?” then points to another stuffed animal: “I see a [animal] looking at me!” That player continues the pattern. It’s simple, sweet, and perfect for helping younger campers feel included. Ideal for ages 3-8.
14. Name That Song
If someone brought a guitar or ukulele to the campsite, put it to good use! The musician plays the first few notes of a familiar song while others race to identify it. The first correct guess earns a point, and the winner can pick the next song or take over as musician. You’ll be surprised how recognizable songs are from just a few notes! Works for any age group.
15. Make Me Laugh
Got a poker face? You’ll need it! One player becomes the “contestant” who must keep a straight face for 90 seconds while everyone else does their best to crack them up. This could be silly faces, weird noises, ridiculous stories, you name it! Just no touching allowed. The person who holds out longest against the laughter assault wins. Guaranteed to create some of your favorite camping memories! Good for ages 6+.
16. In the Pond
This quick-reaction game catches even the most coordinated people off guard. Players respond to three commands: “In the pond” (hands forward), “Out of the pond” (hands up), or “On the bank” (hands on thighs). The leader calls commands randomly, speeding up as you go. Make a wrong move and you’re out! Sounds easy until you’ve been playing for a few rounds and your brain starts to mix up the commands! Perfect for ages 5+.
17. Charades
Everyone knows charades, but this outdoor version uses only camping-related clues like pitching a tent, spotting wildlife, getting lost, finding poison ivy in an unfortunate location… you get the idea! No talking or sound effects allowed, just your best silent acting skills. Teams earn points for correct guesses within the time limit. A tried-and-true crowd-pleaser for ages 6+.
18. I Went to Market
This memory challenge gets camping-specific with “I went to REI and bought a…” The first player names a camping item, then each person repeats the growing list and adds their own item. “I went to REI and bought a sleeping bag, a headlamp, a can of bear spray, a camp stove and more.” It gets tough quickly! Miss an item or mess up the order and you’re out. The last one standing has serious bragging rights! Best for ages 7+.
19. Truth or Dare
This classic party game takes on new life in the woods! Keep the truths camping-focused (“What’s your worst outdoor bathroom experience?”) and the dares wilderness-appropriate (“Go find three different types of leaves” or “Do your best wildlife call”). You can even add a points system for completed challenges. Just remember to keep everything safe and appropriate for your group! Works for ages 8+.
20. I’m Going on a Camping Trip
Like a memory game with charades mixed in! The first player says, “I’m going on a camping trip and I’m bringing [item]” while doing a related action. Each player must remember and perform all previous items AND actions before adding their own. “I’m going on a camping trip and I’m bringing a flashlight (mimes shining light), a fishing rod (casting motion), bug spray (spraying motion) and so on.” It gets chaotic fast! Perfect for ages 6+.
21. Frog
This rhythm game seems simple but trips up even the sharpest minds. Sitting in a circle, players establish a five-part sequence: “One frog,” “Two eyes,” “Four legs,” “In the puddle,” “Kerplop!” Continue around the circle with each person saying the next part in sequence, getting faster each round. Miss your line or mess up timing and you’re out! For extra laughs, add matching actions to each phrase. Great for ages 7+.
22. Who Am I?
Everyone becomes a camping character in this guessing game! Write outdoor identities (such as “mosquito,” “campfire,” or “park ranger”) on sticky notes and place one on each player’s forehead without them seeing it. Players take turns asking yes/no questions to figure out their identity. “Am I alive?” “Am I something people want around their campsite?” First to guess correctly wins. Always good for some laughs when someone struggles to figure out they’re a “marshmallow”! Good for ages 8+.
23. Tap the Stick
This sneaky observation game creates lots of “aha!” moments. The leader knows a secret rule for what makes a “correct” tap of a stick. Perhaps tapping twice, holding it with your left hand, or clearing your throat first. As the stick passes around, each player tries to tap “correctly” with the leader saying yes or no. First to figure out the pattern wins and creates the next secret rule. It’s fascinating to see how different people approach solving the mystery! Good for ages 8+.
24. Trifecta
This three-act game delivers extended entertainment using the same words throughout. The first round is charades, the second round is describing the word without saying it, and the final round is giving just ONE word as a clue. Using identical words for all three rounds makes it progressively harder (and funnier)! Teams score points for correct guesses. Perfect for those long evenings when you’ve got time to kill. Best with 8+ players, ages 10+.
25. Perform Skits
Channel your inner performer with some campfire theater! Break into small groups and give everyone 10 minutes to create a short skit on themes like “the camping trip from hell” or “when animals attack.” The improvised performances are always entertaining, especially when props like flashlights and sleeping bags get involved! You’ll be surprised at how creative people get with minimal preparation. Good for groups of 4+, ages 7+.
26. Heads Up, Seven Up
This schoolyard favorite adapts perfectly to campfire circles. Three “pickers” walk quietly around (staying safely away from the fire) and each taps one seated player’s thumb. Those players put their thumbs down without peeking. Then the pickers announce “Heads up, seven up!” and tapped players try guessing who picked them. Correct guesses mean switching places. The darkness adds an extra challenge to this classic! Best with 7+ players, ages 7+.
27. What’s Yours Like?
This description game creates lots of laughs and “lightbulb moments.” A guesser steps away while the group picks a common camping item everyone has, like a sleeping bag or water bottle. The guesser returns and asks each person “What’s yours like?” collecting one-word descriptions: “Warm.” “Blue.” “Lumpy.” “Leaky.” Using these random clues, they try to identify the mystery item. The varied descriptions of the same object often lead to hilarious confusion! Good for ages 7+.
28. Stick Limbo
No limbo pole? No problem! Two people hold a stick horizontally while others take turns going under without touching it or the ground. Lower the stick after each round until only the most flexible camper remains. The firelight creates crazy shadows that make this even more entertaining to watch! Perfect activity to get everyone moving after sitting too long. Good for ages 6+.
29. Dead Fish
This freeze tag variation will have everyone giggling. A “fish caller” watches as players “swim” around a designated area. When the caller yells “dead fish,” everyone freezes instantly in whatever position they’re in, whether mid-step, mid-dance, or striking a pose! Anyone who moves after the call is out. The bizarre frozen positions people end up in are half the fun! Great for younger campers, ages 4+.
30. I’m Thinking of an Animal
Perfect for nature lovers and kids alike! One player thinks of an animal and gives three specific clues about it: “It has a striped tail,” “It’s nocturnal,” “It’s known for getting into trash cans.” Others try to guess the creature. First correct guess wins and picks the next animal. You can make this educational by focusing on local wildlife you might actually encounter! Great for all ages, especially 4+.
31. Whistling Crackers
This silly challenge turns snack time into a competition! Give everyone the same number of dry crackers to eat as quickly as possible. The first to successfully whistle after finishing their crackers wins. Sounds easy? The dry crackers make it nearly impossible to whistle until fully swallowed and washed down! No drinking water until after whistling makes it even tougher. The desperate attempts to produce even the faintest whistle always result in laughter! Good for ages 8+.
