51 Camping Games That Turn Any Trip Into an Epic Adventure

The notification sound was the first thing I missed. Then the Instagram scroll. By hour six of our phones being completely dead at a remote Colorado campground, my teenage nephew was pacing the campsite like a caged animal. “What do people even DO out here?” he asked, gesturing helplessly at the mountains.

That’s when my dad pulled out a deck of cards and started dealing. “Egyptian Rat Screw,” he announced. “Winner gets to pick dinner.” What followed was three hours of the most competitive, hilarious, and bonding gameplay I’d ever experienced. My nephew went from bored teenager to engaged participant, and we all realized something profound: the best camping entertainment doesn’t require wifi, batteries, or screens.

That trip taught me that camping games aren’t just backup plans for when technology fails—they’re the secret ingredient that transforms good camping trips into legendary adventures. The right games bring groups together, create inside jokes that last for years, and help you discover new sides of people you thought you knew.

Here are 51 camping games that will make your next outdoor adventure so engaging, you’ll actually hope your phones stay dead.

Active Outdoor Camping Games

Get your blood pumping and your group laughing with these physical games that make the most of open camping spaces.

Classic Yard Games That Pack Small

Horseshoes – The gold standard of campground games. Most established campgrounds have horseshoe pits, but you can create your own by driving stakes into the ground 40 feet apart. The satisfying clang of metal on metal and the skill required to throw ringers make this addictive for all ages.

Cornhole – Probably the most popular camping game in America right now. Lightweight boards fold up for transport, and the underhand tossing motion is easy for kids to master. Pro tip: Fill your bean bags with corn instead of plastic pellets—they’re biodegradable if they split open.

Kan Jam – Two plastic cans and four frisbees create hours of competitive fun. Players try to throw frisbees into or deflect them off the cans for points. It packs smaller than cornhole but delivers similar entertainment value.

Ladder Ball (Ladder Toss) – Three rungs, six rope bolos, and endless attempts to wrap those ropes around the bars. The different point values for each rung add strategy beyond just accurate throwing.

Group Movement Games

Capture the Flag – Transform your campground into a battlefield with this classic team game. Use bandanas or old t-shirts as flags and set boundaries using natural landmarks like trees or picnic tables. Best played at dusk when the lighting adds drama to the stealth required.

Tug of War – Nothing builds team unity like pulling together on a rope. Find a 25-30-foot rope, mark the center, and divide your group into teams. The key is balancing teams by weight and strength, not just the number of people.

Spikeball – This relatively new game has become a camping favorite because it packs small but provides intense action. Four players surround a circular net and spike a ball into it, volleyball-style. The 360-degree gameplay means constant movement and unpredictable bounces.

Solo Skill Challenges

Disc Golf – Many campgrounds now have disc golf courses, but you can create your own by designating trees, posts, or other landmarks as “baskets.” Three different discs (driver, mid-range, putter) let you work on different throwing techniques.

Slack Lining – String a piece of flat webbing between two trees and challenge yourself to walk across. Start low and close to the ground for safety. It’s harder than it looks and provides individual challenge with group entertainment as people attempt crossings.

Juggling Practice – Pack tennis balls or bean bags and use camping time to finally learn this skill. The open space and relaxed atmosphere make it perfect for practice, and it’s a great activity while others are setting up camp or cooking.

For more outdoor activities that complement camping games, check out our guide to things to do while camping for additional adventure ideas.

Card and Word Games for Camp

When the sun goes down or the weather drives you under shelter, these games require nothing more than cards, paper, or just your imagination.

Fast-Paced Card Games

Egyptian Rat Screw – The most energetic card game you’ll ever play. Players rapidly place cards in a central pile and slap when certain combinations appear. It’s part speed, part strategy, and completely addictive. Warning: expect some sore hands and lots of laughter.

Slap Jack – A simpler version of Egyptian Rat Screw that younger players can master. Just slap when Jacks appear in the central pile. The person with the quickest reflexes wins the cards, and the goal is to collect them all.

Speed – Two players simultaneously play cards from their hands, trying to play all their cards first. There are no turns—just frantic card playing until someone empties their hand. Perfect for competitive duos.

Strategy Card Games

Love Letter – Only 16 cards, but surprisingly deep strategy. Players attempt to deliver their love letter to the princess by deducing who has which cards. Games last 5-10 minutes, making it perfect for multiple rounds around the campfire.

Sushi Go – A drafting game where you pick sushi cards from a hand, then pass the rest to your neighbor. Different combinations of sushi score different points. The cute artwork and quick gameplay make this a crowd favorite.

Fluxx – The rules constantly change in this chaotic card game. You start with “draw one, play one,” but cards modify the rules throughout. Games can last three minutes or thirty—you never know what will happen.

Word and Memory Games

Bananagrams – Scrabble’s faster, more flexible cousin. Everyone gets letter tiles and races to create their own crossword grid. No board, no turns, just pure word-building competition. The fabric banana pouch makes it perfectly portable.

20 Questions – The classic guessing game needs no equipment. One person thinks of something while others ask yes-or-no questions to narrow down the answer. Animal, vegetable, or mineral—the categories are endless.

Word Association – Sit in a circle and go around saying words that connect to the previous word. “Campfire… smoke… cloud… rain… umbrella…” Keep it going as long as possible or until someone can’t make a connection.

Salad Bowl – Everyone writes words or phrases on paper slips that go into a bowl (or pot). Teams take turns acting out, describing, or giving one-word clues for the items. It combines charades, Taboo, and Password into one hilarious game.

Campfire Circle Games

The campfire creates the perfect atmosphere for games that bring people together through conversation, storytelling, and shared experiences.

Classic Campfire Activities

Two Truths and a Lie – Each person shares three statements about themselves—two true, one false. The group votes on which statement they think is the lie. It’s amazing what you learn about people you thought you knew well.

Never Have I Ever – Players take turns stating something they’ve never done. Anyone who HAS done that thing takes a drink (of water, soda, or whatever you’re drinking). Reveals surprising experiences and creates great conversation starters.

Would You Rather – Present impossible choices and force people to pick sides. “Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?” The explanations for choices are often funnier than the questions themselves.

Storytelling Games

Campfire Stories Round Robin – Start telling a story, and after 30 seconds, the next person continues where you left off. The plot twists become increasingly absurd and hilarious as different people add their creative input.

Ghost Stories – Nothing beats classic scary stories around a campfire. Research local legends beforehand or make up your own. The flickering firelight and outdoor sounds create a perfect atmosphere for spine-tingling tales.

Fortunately/Unfortunately – Alternate between “Fortunately…” and “Unfortunately…” statements to create collaborative stories. “Fortunately, the bear was friendly. Unfortunately, he was also hungry. Fortunately, we had sandwiches…” The unexpected turns keep everyone engaged.

Group Bonding Activities

Best and Worst – Everyone shares the best and worst parts of their day, week, or entire trip so far. It’s a great way to process experiences together and often leads to helpful problem-solving for any issues.

Compliment Circle – Each person gives genuine compliments to the person next to them. It might sound cheesy, but it creates positive vibes and helps people feel appreciated—especially important during longer camping trips.

Goals and Dreams – Share something you want to accomplish in the next year. The outdoor setting and relaxed atmosphere often lead to more honest, meaningful conversations than you’d have at home.

Nature-Based Educational Games

Turn your camping environment into an interactive classroom with games that help you discover and appreciate the natural world around you.

Scavenger Hunt Variations

Traditional Nature Scavenger Hunt – Create lists of items to find: specific leaves, animal tracks, unusual rocks, or bird species. Bring cameras to document discoveries rather than collecting items. Make separate lists for different age groups to keep everyone challenged.

Photo Scavenger Hunt – Instead of collecting items, take photos of things on your list. This works especially well for things you shouldn’t disturb, like birds’ nests or delicate flowers. Create categories like “something red,” “something that makes noise,” or “something perfectly round.”

Alphabet Nature Hunt – Find natural items that represent each letter of the alphabet. “A” for acorn, “B” for bark, “C” for cloud… This can occupy kids for hours and really makes them observe their surroundings closely.

Color Scavenger Hunt – List colors and challenge people to find natural examples of each. You’ll be surprised how difficult it is to find true blue or purple in nature. This game makes everyone look at their environment with fresh eyes.

Wildlife Observation Games

Bird Bingo – Create bingo cards with common birds in your area. Players mark off species they spot during their camping trip. Provide field guides or bird identification apps to help with learning. The first person to get five in a row wins.

Animal Track Detective – Look for animal tracks around your campsite and try to identify the species. Bring a track identification guide and measure tracks for size comparison. Create stories about where the animals might have been going.

Silent Observation Challenge – Sit quietly for 10 minutes and count how many different sounds you can identify. Birds, insects, wind, water—nature is surprisingly noisy when you really listen. Compare lists and see who noticed sounds others missed.

Exploration Activities

Geocaching – Use GPS coordinates to find hidden caches in your camping area. Many campgrounds and parks have established geocaches. It’s like a high-tech treasure hunt that gets you exploring areas you might otherwise miss.

Nature Journaling – Encourage everyone to sketch, describe, or write about natural discoveries. No artistic ability required—stick figures and basic descriptions work fine. It’s amazing how much more you notice when you’re recording observations.

Rock Painting – Collect smooth rocks and paint them with natural scenes, camp memories, or positive messages. Hide them around your campsite for other campers to find, or take them home as trip mementos.

The KOA camping blog provides additional family-friendly camping activities and game ideas for outdoor adventures.

Looking for more nature-based activities? Our camping activities for kids guide has additional ideas for getting children engaged with the outdoors.

Rainy Day and Indoor Games

Don’t let the weather ruin your camping fun. These games work perfectly in tents, under tarps, or in camp shelters when outdoor activities aren’t possible.

Quiet Tent Games

Travel Board Games – Pack compact versions of classic games like travel Scrabble, magnetic chess, or pocket-sized Yahtzee. Magnetic pieces prevent loss in breezy conditions, and small sizes fit easily in camping gear.

Mad Libs – Fill-in-the-blank stories that create hilarious results. Pack a few Mad Libs books or create your own templates. The sillier the word choices, the funnier the final stories become.

Riddles and Brain Teasers – Research riddles beforehand or bring puzzle books. Great for keeping minds active during downtime and perfect for all ages. Create your own camping-themed riddles using your surroundings.

Individual Activities for Solo Time

Adult Coloring Books – Don’t laugh—they’re incredibly relaxing and require minimal space. Choose nature themes to match your camping experience. Pack a small set of colored pencils for a complete kit.

Crossword Puzzles – Bring puzzle books appropriate for your skill level. Working puzzles while listening to rain on the tent fly creates a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere. Share difficult clues with tentmates for group participation.

Origami – Pack colorful paper and learn basic folding techniques. YouTube has countless tutorials you can download before your trip. Create animals, flowers, or abstract designs. It’s meditative and produces tangible keepsakes.

Group Tent Activities

Charades – Act out movies, books, animals, or camping-related activities. The confined tent space makes gestures more dramatic and hilarious. Create category cards beforehand to keep the game moving smoothly.

I Spy – Perfect for tent-bound time. “I spy with my little eye something that starts with S…” Use items visible inside your tent or through tent windows. It’s simple but surprisingly engaging for all ages.

Memory Games – “I’m going camping and I’m bringing…” Each person repeats the previous items and adds their own. See how long you can keep the list going without forgetting items. Variations include alphabetical order or specific categories.

Water Games for Lake and River Camping

If you’re camping near water, these games take advantage of swimming, splashing, and cooling off during hot weather.

Swimming Pool and Lake Games

Marco Polo – The classic pool game works perfectly in lakes or large swimming areas. One person closes their eyes and tries to tag others by calling “Marco” and listening for “Polo” responses. Set clear boundaries for safety.

Water Tag – Various versions, including freeze tag, TV tag, or regular tag—but played in waist-deep water. The resistance makes movement challenging and hilarious. Perfect for hot afternoons when everyone wants to cool off.

Red Light, Green Light – Players move toward the caller during “green light” and freeze during “red light.” Water resistance makes stopping and starting more difficult, increasing the challenge and fun factor.

Water Balloon Activities

Water Balloon Toss – Partners start close together and take a step back after each successful catch. The team that can toss and catch from the greatest distance wins. Have towels ready for the inevitable balloon breaks.

Water Balloon Dodge Ball – Use water balloons instead of rubber balls for a cooling twist on the classic game. Set up teams and boundaries, but be prepared for everyone to end up soaked and happy.

Water Balloon Piñata – Hang water balloons from tree branches and let blindfolded players try to break them with sticks. The surprise splash adds excitement to the traditional piñata concept.

Beach and Shoreline Games

Sand Castle Competition – If camping at a beach or sandy lake shore, organize building contests with different categories: tallest, most creative, most elaborate. Provide basic tools or encourage using found objects for decoration.

Skipping Stones – Teach the technique for making rocks skip across water. Count skips and compete for the most bounces. It’s surprisingly technical—flat rocks, low angle, and proper wrist snap all matter.

Beach Combing Treasure Hunt – Create lists of interesting items to find along the shoreline: unusual shells, smooth glass, driftwood shapes, or colorful stones. Perfect for early morning or evening when the water might be too cold for swimming.

The camping games you choose can literally make or break your outdoor experience. A deck of cards weighs two ounces but can provide hours of entertainment. A simple rope enables tug of war, jump rope, or defining game boundaries. The key is being prepared with options for different group sizes, ages, energy levels, and weather conditions.

Start building your camping games kit gradually. Add one new game per trip and see what works with your regular camping companions. Some groups love competitive physical games while others prefer collaborative storytelling. Pay attention to what generates the most enthusiasm and laughter.

Remember that the goal isn’t winning or perfect execution—it’s creating shared experiences and memories. The game where everything went wrong often becomes the story people tell for years afterward. Embrace the chaos, laugh at the mistakes, and focus on bringing people together rather than keeping a perfect score.

Frequently Asked Questions