Downtime at the campsite doesn’t have to mean boredom. In a world where our attention is glued to glowing screens, it’s easy to forget the simple joy of play. These camping games are your ticket to a screen-free escape. Read on to discover the perfect games to keep your next outdoor adventure engaging from start to finish.
Active Camping Games | Relay & Skill Challenges | Indoor Camping Games | Party & Icebreaker Camping Games | Campfire & Nighttime Games | Nature-Centered Activities | Water-Related Activities | Adults-Only Camping Games
Active Camping Games
Scavenger Hunt
Description: Teams race to find or photograph nature-themed items from a checklist.
Setup: Prepare a list of 10–20 items or photos, set clear boundaries, assign teams.
How to Play: Teams search the area to collect or snap each item; first to finish—or most items by time’s up—wins.
Capture the Flag
Description: Two teams hide and steal each other’s flags while defending their own.
Setup: Divide into two territories, designate hiding spots for each flag.
How to Play: Players sneak into enemy zone, grab the flag, and return it home without being tagged (tagged players go to jail).
Cornhole
Description: Toss beanbags at a slanted board—3 points in the hole, 1 for the board.
Setup: Place two cornhole boards 27 ft apart; provide four beanbags per team.
How to Play: Teams alternate throws; score each round, and the first to exactly 21 wins.
Horseshoes
Description: Toss horseshoes at a stake to score points (3 for a ringer, 1 for close).
Setup: Drive two stakes 40 ft apart; supply four horseshoes.
How to Play: Teams of two take turns; tally ringers and closest horseshoes each round—first to 21 wins.
Ladder Ball
Description: Toss bolas (two balls on a rope) onto ladder rungs for 3–2–1 points.
Setup: Erect a three-rung ladder about 15 ft from the tossing line; give each player three bolas.
How to Play: Players alternate throws; score by which rung they land on. First to 21 wins (without going over).
Obstacle Course
Description: DIY course using chairs, buckets, tables, chalk hopscotch, etc.
Setup: Arrange obstacles (weave chairs, crawl under table, hop between buckets) in a loop or straight line.
How to Play: Each player races the course; fastest time wins—or work as a relay.
Ultimate Frisbee
Description: Team sport combining football-style scoring with frisbee passing rules.
Setup: Mark two end zones ~25–30 yd apart; supply one frisbee and 6+ players.
How to Play: No running with disc—pass downfield to score in end zone. Turnover on drops or interceptions.
Tug-of-War
Description: Two teams pull opposite ends of a rope, aiming to drag marker past their line.
Setup: Lay out a rope with a center flag; mark team lines ~10 ft either side.
How to Play: On “go,” teams pull—first to move center flag over their line wins.
Lawn Jenga
Description: Giant Jenga using 2×4 boards for a tower-toppling challenge.
Setup: Stack 18 layers of three boards each, alternating directions.
How to Play: Players remove one block at a time and place it on top without toppling the tower; last person to successfully move wins.
Relay & Skill Challenges
Sleeping Bag Relay
Description: Race by hopping inside a sleeping bag to hand off to teammates.
Setup: Line up sleeping bags at start; mark a turnaround point ~20 yd away.
How to Play: Players hop or shuffle to turnaround, unzip, hand bag to next teammate—first team to finish wins.
Marshmallow Eating Contest
Description: No-hands contest to eat a set number of marshmallows fastest.
Setup: Provide equal marshmallow piles and small bowls for participants.
How to Play: On start, players stuff marshmallows in mouth—without using hands—until they finish their pile; first done wins.
Water Balloon Toss
Description: Partners toss a water balloon, stepping back after each successful catch.
Setup: Fill at least 15 balloons; pair up players.
How to Play: Partners face each other, toss gently—if caught, take one step back. Last unbroken balloon wins.
Bocce Ball
Description: Classic Italian lawn game where players toss heavy balls toward a smaller target ball (the “pallino”).
Setup: Flat area (about 60 × 12 ft), marked boundaries and foul line; pallino placed 20–40 ft out; four balls per team.
How to Play: Teams alternate rolling from behind the line, aiming to get closest to the pallino or knock opponents away; score one point per ball closer, first to the agreed total wins.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament
Description: Bracketed elimination of rock-paper-scissors matches.
Setup: Arrange players in a single-elimination bracket.
How to Play: Players face off; best of three throws wins and advances until champion is crowned.
Indoor Camping Games
Classic Card Games
Description: Easy, portable games like Uno, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Rummy, etc.
Setup: Bring a standard deck (or Uno deck) and table or lap space.
How to Play: Follow each game’s specific rules—deal cards, take turns matching or playing until someone wins.
Spoons
Description: Pass cards to collect four of a kind, then grab spoons—last without a spoon is out.
Setup: Place one fewer spoon than players in the center; deal four cards each.
How to Play: Players draw/discard rapidly in turn; upon four-of-a-kind, grab a spoon discreetly—others then race to grab spoons.
Board Games
Description: Classic tabletop games—Jenga, Sorry, Yahtzee, Trouble, Connect Four, etc.
Setup: Bring a chosen board game set and surface.
How to Play: Follow each game’s rulebook—move pieces, roll dice, or stack blocks to achieve the win condition.
Salad Bowl
Description: Three-round guessing game using words written on paper slips.
Setup: Each player writes 3–5 words/phrases on slips; fold into a bowl.
How to Play: Round 1: Describe the word verbally. Round 2: One-word clue only. Round 3: Mime the word. Teams guess as many as possible in each round.
Party & Icebreaker Camping Games
Charades
Description: Act out words or phrases silently while your team guesses.
Setup: Write prompts on slips; divide into teams; set a timer (1–2 min).
How to Play: A player mimes the prompt; teammates shout guesses until correct or time’s up.
Mafia / Werewolf
Description: Social-deduction game of hidden roles (mafia vs. townsfolk).
Setup: Assign roles secretly; moderator needed; sit in a circle.
How to Play: Night: mafia eliminates one. Day: group debates and votes to eliminate a suspect. Repeat until one side prevails.
Two Truths and a Lie
Description: Share three statements—two true, one false; group guesses the lie.
Setup: Players sit in a circle. No materials needed.
How to Play: Each player takes a turn; group votes on which statement is the lie.
Truth or Dare
Description: Players choose revealing truths or daring challenges.
Setup: Sit in a circle; optionally supply a list of dares.
How to Play: Each turn, a player chooses “truth” or “dare” and completes it.
Simon Says
Description: Follow commands only when preceded by “Simon says.”
Setup: Designate one “Simon.” Players stand facing Simon.
How to Play: Simon gives commands; players obey only those starting “Simon says”—mistakes lead to elimination or playful penalty.
Telephone
Description: Whisper a phrase around the circle and compare the final message.
Setup: Players sit in a circle; choose an initial phrase.
How to Play: One whispers to next; continues until last person announces what they heard. Depending on how many adult beverages the group has had, this can be just as fun without kids.
20 Questions
Description: Guess a secret object/person by asking up to 20 yes/no questions.
Setup: One player thinks of something; others prepare questions.
How to Play: Players take turns asking yes/no questions—guess the answer before question #20.
Would You Rather…
Description: Choose between two quirky scenarios and discuss.
Setup: Prepare a list of “would you rather” prompts or improvise.
How to Play: Pose each choice; players vote and explain their preference.
Never Have I Ever
Description: Players share experiences; if they have done it, they lower a finger.
Setup: Sit in a circle, hold up five fingers each.
How to Play: Each turn starts “Never have I ever….” Players put down a finger if they’ve done it; first to zero loses (or wins, depending on variation). An adult variant of the game would be to drink if the player has done it.
I-Spy
Description: Observation game: one “spy” picks an object and gives a clue.
Setup: Players stand or sit with a clear view of surroundings.
How to Play: Spy says “I spy with my little eye something that is…” and names a feature. Others guess the object.
Who Am I?
Description: Yes/no guessing of a famous person/character taped to your forehead.
Setup: Write names on cards and tape one to each player’s forehead.
How to Play: Players take turns asking yes/no questions to deduce their identity.
Campfire & Nighttime Games
Flashlight Tag
Description: Classic tag after dark—“it” tags by shining a flashlight on players.
Setup: Choose “it,” arm them with a flashlight; define play boundaries.
How to Play: “It” chases and tags others with light beam; catches become the new “it.”
Sardines
Description: Reverse hide-and-seek—one hides, everyone else seeks and joins in hiding spot.
Setup: Select a safe hiding area; designate one hider.
How to Play: Hider conceals; seekers look—when a seeker finds them, they squeeze in until last seeker finds the cramped group.
Campfire Bingo
Description: Bingo cards feature camping sights/sounds—mark off as you experience them.
Setup: Print or draw bingo cards with 5×5 grids of camping prompts; provide markers (coins, acorns, marshmallows).
How to Play: As items occur (owl hoot, shooting star, etc.), mark them. First to bingo wins.
Campfire Pictionary
Description: Draw camping-themed prompts by lantern or flashlight while teammates guess.
Setup: Provide paper or small whiteboard and markers; collect prompt ideas in a bowl.
How to Play: Teams alternate; one draws while others guess within a time limit.
Story Circle
Description: Collaborative campfire tale—each camper adds one sentence.
Setup: Sit around the fire; agree on theme or opening line.
How to Play: Going around the circle, each person adds one sentence to build a fun story.
Shadow Puppets
Description: Cast animal or story silhouettes on a sheet or tent wall using a flashlight.
Setup: Hang a white sheet or use tent wall; have a flashlight or lantern.
How to Play: Players take turns holding hands or cutouts near light source to create recognizable shadows for others to guess.
Glow Stick Hot Potato
Description: Pass a glowing stick around while music plays; whoever holds it when music stops is out.
Setup: Crack and join glow sticks; circle up with music source.
How to Play: Pass the glowing stick; stop music at random—last player holding it gets eliminated. Continue until one remains.
Campfire Karaoke
Description: Sing favorite songs around the fire using a phone or portable speaker.
Setup: Charge a speaker or phone; prepare a queue of songs.
How to Play: Players take turns selecting and performing songs; group can rate or simply enjoy.
Alphabet Around the Campfire
Description: Name a camping/nature word for each letter of the alphabet in order.
Setup: Sit in a circle; decide on direction of play.
How to Play: Starting at A, each person names a word fitting the theme—no repeats or hesitations.
Nature-Centered Activities
Hiking
Description: Explore trails to observe wildlife, plants, and scenery.
Setup: Choose a trail suited to group ability; pack appropriate hiking gear: water, snacks, footwear.
How to Play: Follow trail markers, stay on path, enjoy sights; return before dark or predetermined time.
Bird Watching
Description: Spot and identify local bird species with binoculars or camera.
Setup: Bring binoculars, field guide, notebook for notes.
How to Play: Move quietly, scan treetops and skies, note or photograph species; compare against guide.
Draw Your Surroundings
Description: Sketch the landscape, wildlife, or campsites for creative expression.
Setup: Bring sketchpads and pencils/crayons.
How to Play: Spend 10–20 minutes observing and drawing; share and discuss results afterward.
Mountain Bike Riding
Description: Explore trails on a bike for an adrenaline-filled adventure.
Setup: Have bikes, helmets, trail map; choose a difficulty-appropriate route.
How to Play: Ride the designated trail, follow rules, take breaks—turn back before fatigue sets in.
Water-Related Activities
Canoeing or Kayaking
Description: Paddle on lakes or rivers to explore from the water.
Setup: Rent or bring canoe/kayak, life vests, paddles; choose a calm water launch.
How to Play: Launch craft, follow safety protocols, paddle designated route; return before dusk.
Fishing
Description: Cast a line to catch fish for sport or dinner.
Setup: Bring rod, tackle, bait or lures, valid fishing license if required.
How to Play: Find a good spot, cast line, wait patiently—reel in any bites and unhook or keep per regulations.
Skipping Stones
Description: Toss flat stones to make them skip across water surface.
Setup: Find smooth, flat stones by a calm body of water.
How to Play: Throw stone at low angle; count skips. Players take turns—most skips wins.
Swimming
Description: Cool off by swimming in lakes, rivers, or campground pools.
Setup: Pack swimsuits, towels, sunscreen; ensure safe swimming area.
How to Play: Swim laps or play water games—always follow safety rules and swim with a buddy.
Adults-Only Camping Games
Cards Against Humanity
Description: Darkly humorous fill-in-the-blank card game for mature groups.
Setup: Bring CAH deck and playing surface.
How to Play: Each round, one player reads a black card question; others submit the funniest white card answer—winner picks their favorite.
What Do You Meme?
Description: Create the funniest meme by matching caption cards to image cards.
Setup: Bring the meme deck; set up judging player each round.
How to Play: Judge plays an image card; players submit caption cards—judge chooses the funniest meme.
We’re Not Really Strangers
Description: Thought-provoking question game designed to deepen connections.
Setup: Bring the card deck; sit in a circle.
How to Play: Players take turns drawing cards and answering or asking questions as directed to foster meaningful discussion.
Armed with this lineup of screen-free camping games, you can seamlessly fill every break in your outdoor itinerary with memorable fun. So pack away your gadgets, grab a handful of marshmallows, and let the great outdoors be your playground.
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