Camping Games: 25 Fun Games for Kids, Adults and Rainy Days

Good camping games fill the gaps in a trip: the hour before dinner, the long evening by the fire, the afternoon the rain won't stop. Most need nothing more than a deck of cards or a few rocks. Here are 25 games sorted by where and how you'll play them, from no-gear campfire games to funny games for adults and rainy-day games for the tent.

Traveling with little ones? Pair these with our guide to camping with kids and these easy camping crafts.

No-Gear Campfire Games

These work anywhere, for any group size, with nothing to pack.

1. Two Truths and a Lie. Each player shares three statements and the group guesses the fake one.2. Story Chain. One person starts a story, and each player adds a sentence. Try a spooky one after dark.
2. Would You Rather. Take turns posing impossible choices, then make everyone defend their answer.
3. 20 Questions. One player thinks of something, and everyone else gets 20 yes-or-no questions to name it.
4. I'm Going Camping. Go around the circle saying "I'm going camping and I'm bringing..." Each player repeats the whole list and adds an item. Miss one and you're out.

Card and Dice Games

A deck of cards weighs almost nothing and belongs in every camp bin. Five dice in a small bag add even more options.

6. Crazy Eights. Match the top card by suit or number, and eights are wild. It's simple enough for young kids.
7. Rummy. Build sets and runs, then lay them down. A single hand fits nicely between dinner and dark.
8. Pinecone Spoons. Play the classic game of Spoons with pinecones in the middle of the table. Collect four of a kind, then grab. One pinecone is always missing.
9. Farkle. Roll six dice, set aside scoring dice and decide whether to risk rolling again. Bust and you lose the turn's points.
10. Cribbage. This two-player classic is a favorite for quiet evenings, and travel boards pack small.

Wind is the enemy of card games. Play on a table, or weigh the discard pile down with a rock.

Yard Games for the Campsite

These summer camping games need a little more packing, so they suit car camping. Check that your site has open space away from the fire ring and your neighbors.

11. Cornhole. Toss bean bags at a slanted board with a hole. Folding sets fit in most trunks.
12. Ladder Toss. Throw bolas (two balls on a cord) so they wrap around the rungs of a ladder frame.
13. Kubb. Teams throw wooden batons to knock over the other side's blocks, then topple the king. It's easy to learn and surprisingly competitive.
14. Disc Golf. Pick trees or stumps as "holes" around the campground loop and count your throws. Stay clear of other sites.
15. Water Balloon Toss. Partners step back after every catch. It's perfect on a hot afternoon. Pick up every scrap of balloon afterward.

Kids' Games and Scavenger Hunts

Games that send kids exploring can keep them busy for an hour. Add these to your kids camping checklist before you go.

16. Nature Scavenger Hunt. List things to find, like a Y-shaped stick, a feather or a smooth rock. Have kids check things off or take photos rather than collect, especially in parks.
17. Color Hunt. Give each kid a few paint chips or crayons and have them match each color to something in nature.
18. Capture the Flag. Split into two teams and hide a bandana on each side. Set clear boundaries first.
19. Red Light, Green Light. The classic needs no gear and burns off energy before bed.

Funny Camping Games for Adults

Once the kids are asleep, these camping games for adults bring out the laughs. Keep the volume down during quiet hours.

20. The Hat Game. Everyone writes names on paper slips. Teams then guess them across three rounds: description, one word, then charades.
21. Telephone Pictionary. Each player writes a phrase, and the next draws it. The next player describes the drawing, and so on. The final results are usually the funniest thing all weekend.
22. Never Have I Ever. Hold up five fingers and drop one each time you've done what someone names. Last hand up wins.
23. Flashlight Tag. The tagger "tags" players with a flashlight beam. Play in open, familiar ground, and walk rather than run in the dark. Kids love this one too.

Rainy-Day Tent Games

Bad weather doesn't have to end the fun. Our guide to camping in the rain covers staying dry. These two games, plus any card game above, cover the rest.

24. Dots and Boxes. Draw a grid of dots and take turns connecting them. Whoever closes a box claims it. All you need is a pencil and paper.
25. Shadow Puppet Theater. Hang a headlamp from the tent's gear loop and have the kids put on a show against the wall.

For more campsite tricks, see our list of camping hacks.

Camping Game Safety Tips

• Keep active games well away from the fire. Running and fire rings don't mix.
• Walk the play area first. Look for roots, guy lines and poison ivy.
• Respect neighbors. Stay out of other campsites, and stop loud games at quiet hours.
• Leave no trace. Pack out balloon scraps and paper, and don't let a scavenger hunt turn into a collection.

Recommended Gear

Most camping games use things you already own, but these help:

• Kids Explorer Kit: binoculars, a compass, walkie-talkies and a flashlight turn any scavenger hunt into an expedition.
• Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp: bright, dimmable light for evening card games, flashlight tag and shadow puppets.
• Helinox Chair One: a comfortable, packable seat for long card games around the fire.

Add a deck of cards, five dice, a pencil and a small notebook. That whole kit fits in a zip-top bag.