Post Summary: The Best Camping Games By Category
Are you planning a family camping trip? If you have kids or expect some down time during your trip, activities are ESSENTIAL to keep everyone entertained!
In this post, we’re sharing our absolute favorite camping games. Berty and I have been camping ever since we can remember – probably since birth! We have played nearly every game on this list!
The Best Camping Games That Everyone Will Love
This post contains affiliate links. We participate in the Amazon Associates program, and all opinions are our own!
Before we begin – in this post we’re breaking down these outdoor camping games by subject. Check out the table of contents to find fun camping games that fit your group’s needs!
Camping Games at Night
Looking for games to play while camping at night? Here are some of our favorites:
1. Flashlight Tag
Get from point A to point B, all without being caught by the person with the flashlight! Stealth is key here.
2. Glow in the Dark Capture the Flag
It’s like regular capture the flag, but each team wears glow sticks of their team color!
3. Campfire Stories
Make up your own or choose your own adventure with REI’s prompt cards for epic campfire stories.
4. Spot constellations
One of the best night time camping games that requires no equipment at all is going stargazing and spotting constellations. If you need a guide, check out Google Sky or SkyView for help!
5. S’mores contest
Plan ahead and bring all the best s’more ingredients for this fun camping game! Make a bracket or judge one at a time to pick the best version of this classic camping treat. And if you use any of our favorite s’more recipes, let us know which one wins!
6. Make a Colorful Fire
You can buy flame color changer from Amazon for just $17 (pack of 24) and have a fun evening of watching nature’s TV.
7. Murder in the Dark
Like mafia, this is a fun (and spooky!) group game that is best played in the dark.
To play, use a deck of cards (or paper) with one joker in it. Hand out cards to each player. Whoever draws the joker becomes the “murderer” and tries to “kill” everyone before they are found out. Can you make it out alive?
Card Games for Camping
There are so many popular camping card games! Here are some of the classic favorites:
7. Uno
The game of Uno is perfect for an evening of camping games. For a more complex version, try Spicy Uno–another way to play the game that doesn’t require any special add-on cards, just new rules!
8. Go Fish
You might think of this as a game for kids, but adults–don’t sleep on Go Fish! This game is easy, passes the time, and is quite fun.
9. Phase 10
The game Phase 10 is based off of Rummy and can be played by 2-6 players. It also has roots in Uno!
10. Speed
This fast-paced game is great for wiggly children or those wanting to play a quick card game.
11. Old Maid
Rooted in the Victorian era, the Old Maid game comes from an ancient gambling game in which the loser pays for the drinks! You can use the actual Old Maid card game, or use a standard deck of cards by taking out three queens–the final queen becoming the old maid.
11. Rummy
The objective of Rummy is to get rid of all your cards. You do this by matching cards of the same rank or sequence and same suit.
12. Slapjack
All you need to play Slapjack is a deck of cards! To play, you simply divide the cards evenly between all players, put down a card one at a time, and slap the stack in the middle when a jack shows up!
The first person to slap the cards wins the pile. Whoever has the most cards wins.
13. Spoons
Spoons is one of the best fun games to play while camping, because it’s fast-paced and can be done with a small or large number of people! All you need to play Spoons are a deck of cards and spoons (or any other object of which you have multiple, totalling one less than the number of people in your camping group).
14. Exploding Kittens
This card game is so fun and great for small groups. Exploding Kittens is strategic, engaging, and addicting!
15. Apples to Apples
One of the best camping games for kids is Apples to Apples–the fun word game that will have you rolling on the floor laughing! For an adult version of this game, check out Cards Against Humanities.
Rainy Day Camping Games
Some of the best games for camping can be done indoors! If you find yourself camping on a rainy day, here are some of our top camping game suggestions that are perfect for inside a tent or trailer, in a nearby coffee shop, under a shelter, or under an awning:
16. Charades
You can make up your own words and draw from a bowl or use a random word generator to play! This timeless game is perfect for kids, as it requires movement. Don’t have a lot of space? Try using just hand gestures!
17. Cup Stacking
All you need are cups and a flat space. See how fast you can construct and deconstruct a cup tower!
18. Camping Bingo
Print cards before you go and use rocks as place markers.
19. Trivia
This is always a fun game with friends and family. You can look up questions, bring trivia cards, or simply test each other’s knowledge with things you already know.
20. Bananagrams
You can play this with two or a few! What makes Bananagrams so great is that it’s extremely portable (unlike a large Scrabble board), is engaging, and can be played over and over.
21. Madlibs
This is a great game for small kids. Pick up a Madlibs booklet at any local store before your camping trip or make up a template on your own.
22. Roll-up Shuffleboard
You can get one from REI for just $40! Being a roll-up game, this is a portable and fun option for camping in the rain.
Best Campfire Games
Some of the best camping memories happen right around the campfire, making it the perfect time to start some conversation with campfire games!
Here are some good campfire games for two people or twenty:
23. Would You Rather
You can make up your own Would You Rather questions or use premade cards. The best thing about this conversation game is that you can make the questions as silly or serious as you’d like.
24. Two Truths and a Lie
One of the best games for camping is Two Truths and a Lie, because you can learn a lot about people with this game and it’s quite strategic!
25. Telephone
Everyone loves this classic word game! To level up, play the fun variation of Telephone Pictionary.
26. Read a Book
When all else fails, reading a book aloud around the campfire is a great way to relax or have a good laugh at the end of the day.
Need a book to read? Some of the silliest campfire stories are found in Patrick McManus’s books about boyhood, growing up, and living in the backwoods.
27. Table Topics Cards
These Table Topic cards come in a variety of styles (Couples, teen, dinner party, etc) but the Family Deck is a great way to spark up some new conversations!
Best Camping Board Games
Whether it’s a rainy day or you’re up for late night shenanigans, board games are great fun while camping.
Here are some of our favorite camping board games that can be played by all ages:
28. Catch Phrase
You can play this classic game with or without the actual game! All you do is have every player write down words, and take turns guessing!
29. Parcheesi
This board game is great for those who love abstract strategy games!
30. Sorry!
One of the best board games for camping is Sorry!, because it’s easy to play with people of all ages. It’s fast-paced and simple to learn.
31. Checkers
If you don’t have a board for Checkers, make your own with some paper, stones, and wood pieces from the forest!
32. Yahtzee
While this game uses a lot of luck, it also requires quite a bit of strategy! Yahtzee is perfect for kids, families, or couples.
33. Monopoly – National Parks Edition
Because of its connection to US national parks, Monopoly – National Parks Edition is one of the best board games for camping. You’ll go on a great adventure while playing the classic board game, Monopoly.
34. Sequence
This timeless game is so fun. All you need is four players and the board game! Sequence is perfect for kids, those who love strategy, and folks who like shorter, quick games.
BEST Camping Games Without Equipment
Sometimes the best camping games are those that require nothing but yourselves! Here are some of the best camping games without equipment that can be done anywhere, anytime:
35. Add to the Story
This is one of the best family camping games, because anyone at any age can participate! To play these camping word games, all you do is have someone begin a story with a sentence, then the next person adds to it! Keep going until you have a complete story.
36. The Human Knot
To play this simple game, have everyone get in a circle and grab hands with someone else.
The object of the game is to untangle the group while still holding hands and get back into a circle. It’s harder than you might think!
Best Camping Games for Large Groups
Group camping is one of the best ways to experience the outdoors, make new friends and bond with old ones, and play fun games!
Here are some of our favorite camping games for large groups:
37. Frisbee
You can simply throw the frisbee to one another or play Ultimate Frisbee, which is basically American football but with a frisbee instead of a football!
38. Capture the Flag
One of the most classic outdoor camping games is Capture the Flag. All you need is two teams of any size and one object for each team to guard from the other. Don’t get tagged or you’ll go to the other team’s prison! If you’re lucky, they’ll call a jail break.
39. Tug-of-War
Going back centuries, Tug-of-War is a timeless game that only requires a rope and two teams! To level up, you can play messy Tug-of-War and make a mud pit in the middle for the losing team to fall into.
40. Bocce Ball
The strategic game, Bocce Ball, is great for large groups while camping.
Bocce Ball is both easy and simple to learn, and only requires 9 balls (4 for each team and one smaller ball, called the “Jack” or “Pallino”), two teams, and an open space to play.
41. Sleeping Bag Races
Everyone’s got a sleeping bag or blanket while camping, so this is the perfect game for large group camping! All you need to do is have everyone get in their sleeping bag, line up, and say “GO!”
Whoever makes it to the finish line first wins!
42. Make up the Camping Olympic Games
For all the creative types out there, you can make a tournament of your own for the “Camping Olympics!” Need inspiration? Revisit the old “Minute to Win It” game show for ideas!
43. Wolf
One of the best group camping games is Wolf, because it can be played at any time–literally. It’s kind of like ultimate hide-and-seek!
To play, one person is designated the “wolf.” When the wolf shouts “WOLF!” everyone else hides within 10 seconds while the wolf’s eyes are closed, but they must hide in a way where they still maintain eye contact with the wolf.
After 10 seconds, the wolf stays in their spot, looks around, and searches for all players. Whoever is found last wins that round and is named the next wolf!
44. Tricky Tricky Bear
One of the best late-night group camping games is called Tricky Tricky Bear. To play, everyone sits around a large table and holds a plastic cup/object of your choice.
Everyone then sings the Tricky Tricky Bear song and rotates the cups around the table. If you mess up and drop your cup, you’re out! The game continues until there are only two people left.
45. Fishbowl
This is such a fun game to play with large groups! The supplies you’ll need are paper, pens, and a bowl. Have everyone write down three nouns and put them in the bowl.
To play, there are two teams and four timed rounds that will be played in a circle: catch phrase, charades, describing the noun with one word (other than what’s on the paper), and making a sound! Whichever team has the most papers wins.
Camping Lawn Games
If you’re camping near an open space, we’ve got you covered with all the best camping lawn games to play with friends and family:
46. Cornhole – One of the best Camping Games
One of the most popular camping yard games is cornhole. All you need are cornhole boards (or buckets, if you don’t have the game set-up) and bean bags!
47. Ladder Ball
This is the perfect outdoor sports game for all ages. The object of Ladder Ball is to wrap more bolas (two golf balls attached together with nylon string) than your opposing team.
48. Horseshoes
Campgrounds often have this game, making it one of the easiest camping lawn games.
49. Ring Toss
This game is so simple to set up and fun for families and kids, as you can make it as difficult or as easy as you’d like. Don’t have the game? Make your own with sticks from the forest and homemade rings!
50. Lawn Jenga
If you’ve got access to giant Jenga or 2×4’s, you can play Lawn Jenga! This is a highly entertaining game for kids–especially since it’s a big version of the classic game!
51. Kubb
For a longer and fun family lawn game to play while camping, check out Kubb. The object of the game is to knock down the other team’s blocks before they knock down yours!
52. Slacklining
One of the most entertaining activities to play while camping is setting up a slackline and trying to get across! All you need is a slackline, two trees, and a little bit of bravery!
53. Outside Inside Axe Throwing Kit
On your next camping trip, bring REI’s Outside Inside Axe Throwing Kit–a kid-safe, foam axe throwing board and axes that can be used anywhere. The best thing about this game is that it’s collapsible!
54. Kickball
If you’ve got access to a large space or baseball field, play kickball!
This game is great for large groups and is fun for all ages. All you need is a soft ball and base markers. If you don’t have base placemats, make your own with paper plates!
Fun Camping Games For Kids
Family camping trips are some of the funnest times for kids, and adding games into the mix makes the vacation even better!
Here are some of our favorite (and easiest!) games to play with kids while camping:
55. Scavenger Hunt / Treasure Hunt
This is one of the easiest camping games for toddlers and kids, because you can make it as easy or as difficult as you’d like! All you have to do is hide objects of your choice. You can even guide the kiddos using the “hot and cold” game.
56. Simon Says
Games like Simon Says are great kids camping games, because you don’t need any equipment. Just find an open space, pick a leader, and start playing!
57. Red Light Green Light
If you’ve got small kiddos to entertain while camping, try the classic kid’s game, Red Light Green Light. The rules are simple: to play, have the leader on one end of your playing field and the rest of the participants on the other.
When the leader says “green light,” the players can walk (or run) toward the leader. When the leader says “red light,” everyone must stop. Whoever touches the leader first wins!
58. Water Balloons
Up for getting messy? One of the silliest camping games for families is playing water balloon games or simply having a water balloon fight! Just remember to pick up your trash when you’re done and Leave No Trace.
59. Making an Obstacle Course
For ultimate family bonding, set up an obstacle course! All you need to do is make a course out of any items you have with you, or you can use the natural landscape around you–the woods are perfect obstacle courses!
Other obstacle course ideas include making teams, doing it blindfolded, or making a chalk hop-scotch course.
What are some of the best camping games that you love? Share your favorites in the comments!
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