Sometimes even the most experienced campers can run out of ghost stories. That’s why having a few campfire games up your sleeve is always a good idea.
From classic favorites with camping twists to unique outdoor-themed challenges, we’ve put together the ultimate collection of campfire games that’ll keep everyone entertained long after the s’mores are gone.
1. Numbers
Looking for a game that’s deceptively simple but guaranteed to get everyone engaged? Numbers might be the easiest game to explain but one of the trickiest to master. You’ll be amazed at how challenging (and hilarious) it is to simply count as a group.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 5 and up
How to play:
- Everyone sits in a circle around the campfire
- The goal is to count as high as possible as a group
- Any player can say the next number in sequence
- If two or more people speak at the same time, start over at 1
- Keep track of your highest count to try beating it
2. Telephone
Ever played telephone in school? Now imagine playing it with cricket chirps, crackling fire, and the occasional owl hoot in the background. This classic game takes on a whole new life around the campfire, where whispered messages transform in the most entertaining ways.
- Players: 6 or more
- Age Range: All ages
How to play:
- Form a circle around the campfire (but not too close!)
- First player thinks of a message (moderately complex works best)
- Whisper the message to the next person ONCE only
- Message passes around the circle
- Last person says the message out loud
- Compare final message to original
3. Categories
Need a campfire game that keeps minds sharp while still being fun? Categories combines quick thinking with endless possibilities, and the camping setting provides tons of themed options to explore.
- Players: 3 or more
- Age Range: 6 and up
How to play:
- Choose a category (example: “things you find in a forest”)
- Pick a starting letter
- Go around the circle, each person naming something from that category starting with chosen letter
- Players have 5 seconds to answer
- If you can’t think of something, you’re out
- Last player standing wins
Variations:
- Written version: Set 1-minute timer, everyone writes as many items as possible
- Progressive letters: Move through alphabet with each round
- Theme categories: Camping gear, wildlife, hiking trails
4. Name That Tune
Got a musical camper in your group? This game turns their talents into entertainment for everyone. Even if you don’t have instruments, this game adapts easily to humming or singing.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: All ages
How to play:
- Musician plays first few notes of a familiar song
- Other players try to guess the song
- First correct guess gets a point
- Winner can choose next song or be next musician
- Play to a predetermined number of points
Variations:
- Humming version: No instrument needed
- Theme rounds: Holiday songs, camp songs, decades
- “Sing that song”: Draw song names from a hat, must sing portion correctly
5. I Went to Market (Camping Version)
This memory game gets a fun outdoor twist that’ll test even the sharpest minds. As the list of camping gear grows, you’ll be amazed at what people can (or can’t) remember!
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 7 and up
How to play:
- First player starts: “I went to REI and bought a [camping item]”
- Next player repeats first item and adds their own
- Continue around circle, each player repeating entire list and adding item
- Miss an item or mess up the order = you’re out
- Last player remembering entire list wins
Variations:
- Use different store names (Bass Pro, Camping World, etc.)
- Add prices to make it harder
- Include actions for each item
- Use alphabetical order for items
6. Going on a Camping Trip
Take the memory game up a notch by adding actions! This physical version gets everyone moving and laughing while testing their memory skills.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 6 and up
How to play:
- First player: “I’m going on a camping trip and I’m bringing [item]” with action
- Next player repeats item and action, adds their own
- Continue around circle
- Must remember items AND actions in order
- Miss either = you’re out
Variations:
- Add sound effects
- Create a story connecting items
- Theme it around specific camping activities (hiking, fishing)
7. Frog
Want a fun campfire game that starts simple but gets challenging fast? Frog combines rhythm, memory, and quick thinking in a way that’ll have everyone riveted to see who messes up first.
- Players: 5 or more
- Age Range: 7 and up
How to play:
- Players sit in circle
- First player says “One frog”
- Second: “Two eyes”
- Third: “Four legs”
- Fourth: “In the puddle”
- Fifth: “Kerplop!”
- Continue pattern, getting faster
- Miss your line or mess up timing = out
Variations:
- Add actions with words
- Change animal and related sequence
- Add more steps to sequence
8. Heads Up, Seven Up
This classic school game gets even better around the campfire. Just remember to keep safety in mind with clear boundaries away from the fire!
- Players: 7 or more
- Age Range: 7 and up
How to play:
- Select 3 “pickers”
- Others sit with eyes closed, thumbs up
- Pickers quietly walk around OUTSIDE fire circle
- Each picker taps one thumb
- Tapped players put thumbs down
- When finished, pickers say “Heads up, seven up!”
- Tapped players guess who picked them
- Correct guess = switch places
9. Hot Potato Marshmallow
Transform the classic hot potato game with a camping twist! Using a marshmallow instead of a traditional ball makes this game perfectly themed for your campfire gathering.
- Players: 6 or more
- Age Range: 5 and up
How to play:
- Form circle in safe area away from fire
- Pass marshmallow while music plays
- When music stops, player holding marshmallow is out
- Last player wins
- Winner gets to eat the marshmallow (if it’s still clean!)
Variations:
- Use multiple marshmallows
- Add silly passing rules
- Incorporate camping songs
- Add movements while passing
10. Dead Fish
Looking for a campfire game that gets everyone moving but doesn’t need any supplies? Dead Fish combines silly movements with quick reactions for a game that’s especially fun with kids.
- Players: 5 or more
- Age Range: 4 and up
How to play:
- Choose “fish caller”
- Players “swim” around designated area
- When caller yells “dead fish,” everyone freezes
- Move after freeze = you’re out
- Last fish swimming wins
- Winner becomes new caller
11. In the Pond
Want a game that tests reflexes and gets everyone laughing? In the Pond combines simple commands with quick movements, and the best part is how easy it is to add your own silly variations. This game keeps everyone on their toes – literally!
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 5 and up
How to play:
- Choose a leader
- Players respond to three basic commands:
- “In the pond” – hands straight forward
- “Out of the pond” – hands up in air
- “On the bank” – hands on thighs
- Leader calls commands in random order
- Wrong movement = player is out
- Last player standing wins and becomes new leader
12. Stick Limbo
Who says you need fancy equipment for a dance party? This camping version of limbo brings the classic party game outdoors with nothing more than a stick and some willing participants.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 6 and up
How to play:
- Two people hold stick horizontally
- Players take turns going under stick
- No touching stick or ground
- Lower stick after each round
- Touch stick/ground = you’re out
- Last player able to limbo wins
13. Shoe Flip
Ready for some controlled chaos? Shoe Flip combines skill, luck, and a whole lot of laughter as players attempt to launch their footwear with surprising precision.
- Players: 3 or more
- Age Range: 8 and up
How to play:
- Sit in chairs around fire (at safe distance)
- Balance shoe on toes
- Count to 5 as group
- Flip shoe over head
- Furthest successful flip wins round
- Best of three rounds wins game
14. Charades (Camping Edition)
Take the classic party game and give it an outdoor twist! This camping-themed version of charades adds an extra layer of fun with actions everyone can relate to around the campfire.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 6 and up
How to play:
- Write camping-related items/actions on slips
- Divide into teams
- Take turns drawing and acting out slips
- No speaking or sound effects
- Teams guess within time limit
- Point for each correct guess
15. Puppet Master Charades
Think regular charades is fun? This hilarious variation adds a whole new level of comedy as players become human puppets in this unique twist on the classic game.
- Players: 6 or more
- Age Range: 10 and up
How to play:
- Divide into teams
- One player is “puppet master”
- Choose partner to be “puppet”
- Draw word/phrase
- Position puppet to act out word
- No speaking from either player
- Teams guess within time limit
16. Skits
Transform your campfire circle into a stage! Skits offer a perfect blend of creativity, performance, and group participation that can create unforgettable camping memories.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 7 and up
How to play:
- Divide into small groups
- Give time limit for preparation
- Each group creates short skit
- Perform for others
- Can be themed or free choice
- Optional: Vote on favorites
17. Make Me Laugh
Turn your campfire circle into a comedy club with this simple but entertaining challenge. This fun campfire game tests both your ability to stay straight-faced and your skill at making others crack up, all without any props or preparation.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 6 and up
How to play:
- Choose one person to be “contestant”
- Set timer for 90 seconds
- Others try making contestant laugh
- No touching allowed
- Can use faces, voices, movements
- Contestant who lasts longest wins
Variations:
- Team version: Teams take turns
- Tournament style
- Add themes for comedy attempts
- Staring contest version
18. The Winking Assassin
As darkness falls, this game of mystery and deduction becomes even more exciting around the campfire. The flickering flames add the perfect atmosphere for this game of secret signals and careful observation.
- Players: 8 or more
- Age Range: 10 and up
How to play:
- Deal one card to each player:
- Ace = Winker/Assassin
- King = Detective
- Number cards = Civilians
- Winker eliminates players by winking
- “Killed” players wait 5 seconds, then say “I’m out”
- Detective tries to identify winker
- Wrong guess = detective loses
Variations:
- Multiple detectives for larger groups
- Add time limit
- Include safe zones
- No cards version: leader taps roles
19. Twenty Questions (Camping Edition)
This classic guessing game gets an outdoor twist that makes it perfect for camping. Focus on nature, camping gear, and outdoor activities to keep it themed for your adventure.
- Players: 2 or more
- Age Range: 7 and up
How to play:
- One player thinks of camping-related item
- Others ask yes/no questions
- Maximum 20 questions
- Must guess item correctly to win
- Winner chooses next item
20. Who Am I
Transform your camping group into a cast of outdoor characters with this engaging guessing game. The campfire setting makes this classic party game even more fun.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 8 and up
How to play:
- Write camping-related characters/items on notes
- Stick one on each player’s forehead
- Players ask yes/no questions
- One question per turn
- First to guess their identity wins
21. True Story
Everyone has a camping story to tell, but can you tell which ones are real? This game turns storytelling into a fun guessing game that gets everyone involved.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 10 and up
How to play:
- Players take turns telling stories
- Can be true or made up
- Others guess if story is true
- Point for correct guesses
- Optional: Use dice to determine if story should be true (even) or false (odd)
22. Tap the Stick
Here’s a campfire game that tests observation skills and creates plenty of “aha!” moments. The secret rule makes this game especially entertaining as players try to figure out what makes a “correct” tap.
- Players: 5 or more
- Age Range: 8 and up
How to play:
- Leader knows secret rule: clear throat before tapping
- Pass stick around circle
- Each player tries to tap “correctly”
- Leader responds yes/no to each attempt
- First to figure out secret wins
- Winner becomes new leader
Variations:
- Change secret rule
- Add multiple conditions
- Include gestures
- Time limit for solving
23. What’s Yours Like?
Turn simple descriptions into a challenging guessing game! This creative game gets everyone thinking while learning surprising things about their fellow campers.
- Players: 5 or more
- Age Range: 7 and up
How to play:
- Choose guesser to step away
- Group picks common item everyone has
- Guesser returns, asks “What’s yours like?”
- Each player gives one-word description
- Guesser tries to identify item
- Can ask for second round of descriptions
24. I’m Thinking of an Animal
Perfect for nature lovers and young campers alike, this game combines wildlife education with fun guessing elements. It’s a great way to learn about outdoor creatures while playing.
- Players: 3 or more
- Age Range: 4 and up
How to play:
- One player thinks of animal
- Gives three specific clues
- Others try to guess
- Additional clues if needed
- First correct guess wins
- Winner chooses next animal
25. Trifecta (Fish Bowl)
This three-in-one game combines the best elements of several classic party games into one epic camping activity. It gets progressively more challenging and entertaining with each round.
- Players: 8 or more
- Age Range: 10 and up
How to play:
Round 1 (Charades):
- Act out words without speaking
- 1 minute per turn
- Score point for each correct guess
Round 2 (Taboo):
- Describe word without saying it
- Use same words from Round 1
- 1 minute per turn
- Score point for each correct guess
Round 3 (Password):
- One-word clue only
- Same words again
- 1 minute per turn
- Score point for each correct guess
26. Truth or Dare (Camping Edition)
This classic game gets an outdoor makeover! Keep it camping-themed and family-friendly for an evening of silly challenges and fun revelations.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 8 and up
How to play:
- Players take turns choosing “truth” or “dare”
- Group gives appropriate challenge
- Must complete challenge or answer truthfully
- Can pass once per game
- Optional: points for completed challenges
27. Would You Rather
Turn hypothetical scenarios into hilarious discussions with this camping-themed version of the classic choice game. The outdoor setting provides endless creative possibilities for amusing and thought-provoking dilemmas.
- Players: 3 or more
- Age Range: 7 and up
How to play:
- Take turns presenting two options
- Everyone must choose one
- Explain your choice if you want
- No skipping or choosing both
- Can keep score of matching answers
28. Hot Seat
Turn getting to know each other into an entertaining campfire game! This question-based activity can range from silly to thoughtful, perfect for building camping camaraderie.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 8 and up
How to play:
- One person sits in “hot seat”
- Others ask questions
- Set time limit (usually 3-5 minutes)
- Player must answer honestly
- Can pass on uncomfortable questions
- Everyone takes turn in hot seat
29. Where in the World Are We?
Perfect for families or groups who travel together, this memory-based guessing game combines storytelling with problem-solving. It’s a great way to relive past adventures while creating new ones.
- Players: 3 or more
- Age Range: 6 and up
How to play:
- Think of past trip location
- Give three specific clues
- Others try to guess place
- Can give additional clues if needed
- First correct guess wins
- Winner picks next location
Clue Types:
- Weather/climate
- Activities done there
- Landmarks
- Memorable moments
- Time of year
30. Brown Bear, Brown Bear
This gentle game is perfect for younger campers or winding down the evening. It combines simple songs with stuffed animals for a sweet camping activity.
- Players: 4 or more
- Age Range: 3-8 years
How to play:
- Sit in circle with stuffed animals
- First player starts song: “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?”
- Names another player’s animal: “I see a [animal] looking at me”
- Named player continues pattern
- Continue until all animals included
31. Earn Your S’mores
Make dessert time even more fun by turning it into a game! This activity adds excitement to the classic camping treat while burning some energy before sugar consumption.
- Players: Any number
- Age Range: 4 and up
How to play:
- Write challenges on slips
- Draw and complete challenge
- Earn ingredient for each challenge
- Need all ingredients to make s’more
- Can help others earn ingredients
32. Chubby Bunny
A classic camping challenge that combines marshmallows with silly speaking attempts. Just remember to be safe and supervise younger players.
- Players: 3 or more
- Age Range: 12 and up
How to play:
- Put one marshmallow in mouth
- Say “chubby bunny” clearly
- Add another marshmallow
- Repeat phrase
- Continue until can’t say phrase
- Last clear speaker wins
33. Whistling Crackers
This simple but entertaining challenge turns snack time into a competition. The dry crackers make whistling nearly impossible, leading to plenty of laughs.
- Players: 3 or more
- Age Range: 8 and up
How to play:
- Give each player same number of crackers
- At “go,” start eating crackers
- Must eat all crackers
- First to successfully whistle wins
- No drinking water until after whistle
- Can time how long it takes
