camping games

10 Boredom-Busting Games to Play When Camping With Your Pals

, by Laurence, 6 min reading time

Use our list of 10 games play when camping with your friends to keep your trip fun and exciting. From classic card games to outdoor challenges, we've got you covered!

If you’ve been assigned the job of planner for your friends camping trip, you may be feeling the pressure to come up with fun activities to do while on your getaway. Well, we’ve got a list of great games to play when camping that’ll keep everyone entertained.

Whether you're gathered around a roaring campfire, whiling away a rainy day inside your tent, or exploring the woods, these games ensure that every moment is filled with fun and laughter. 

From classic favourites to imaginative new twists, there’s something here to suit every taste and group size.

10 Fun Camping Games to Play With Your Friends:

  1. Truth or dare
  2. Charades
  3. Tent pitching relay
  4. The human knot
  5. Treasure hunt
  6. Flashlight tag
  7. Stargazing bingo
  8. Nature scavenger hunt
  9. Eco-art challenge
  10. Card games
camping games fire

#1 Truth or Dare

'Truth or Dare' remains a staple, providing laughs and deepening friendships as secrets and silliness unfold. 

You could make it lighthearted or ramp up the stakes by including prompts that involve campsite challenges, such as singing a song in front of neighbouring campers.

For the best experience, make sure to have a mix of easy and challenging questions and tasks

This game is perfect for small or large groups and can be played by all ages.

#2 Charades

Games like 'Charades' tap into everyone's creative side, as players mime different book titles, movies, or songs for others to guess. 

You can even split into teams and make it a competition! 

This is another great game for all ages but may require some pre-planning to come up with categories or prompts.

camping friends charades

#3 Tent Pitching Relay

One popular game that encourages collaboration is 'Tent Pitching Relay', where teams compete to set up and take down a tent the fastest. 

This not only adds an element of fun but also teaches valuable camping skills

To make it even more challenging, you can have each team use a different type of tent or give them specific instructions for setting it up.

It's a great way to get everyone involved and working together.

Some of our favourite easy-to-pitch tents include…

#4 The Human Knot

Another engaging team game is 'The Human Knot', where players stand in a circle, grab other people's hands at random, and work together to untangle themselves without letting go.

To add a competitive element, you can time each team and see who can untangle the fastest.

You can also have teams compete to create the most creative human knot sculpture once they are untangled.

camping friends tent 1

#5 Treasure Hunt

For a game that requires a bit of problem-solving, a treasure hunt, where teams use a series of cleverly crafted clues to find hidden items around the campsite, is a great option. 

You can also incorporate specific tasks or challenges that teams must complete at each location to earn extra points.

It's a fantastic way to encourage teamwork, critical thinking, and outdoor exploration.

Just make sure to have a prize for the winning team to add an extra element of competition.

#6 Flashlight Tag

'Flashlight Tag' is a thrilling game where one person, armed with a camping flashlight, seeks out hidden players in the dark, shining a light on them to mark them out.  

The game can be played in various ways, such as using different colours of light to represent different teams or having a time limit for each round.

This game is an exciting way to enjoy the outdoors at night!

#7 Stargazing Bingo

For those who enjoy quieter activities, 'Stargazing Bingo' can be a hit; players have cards with different astronomical objects and must spot them in the sky to win. 

This activity encourages quiet observation and helps players learn more about constellations, stars, and planets.

It's a great way to spend an evening outdoors and can even spark interest in astronomy.

#8 Nature Scavenger Hunt

One engaging game is 'Nature Scavenger Hunt', in which players have lists of natural items to find within a set time limit. 

This can include specific types of leaves, stones, or wildlife sightings.

Nature scavenger hunts can even be tailored to different age groups and locations, making the game suitable for all types of outdoor events.

Encourage players to take photos as they find each item and award points for creativity.

camping games stars

#9 Eco-Art Challenge

For a creative twist, try 'Eco-Art Challenge', where groups use found natural materials to create temporary art installations at the campsite. 

This not only encourages creativity but also promotes a deeper connection with the environment. 

To make it more competitive, have judges or fellow campers vote for their favourite installations.

#10 Card Games

For a more traditional approach, 'Card Games' like Rummy, Go Fish, or even Poker can keep everyone entertained for hours. 

They can also be adapted to fit different group sizes and are perfect for playing inside the tent so that when rain strikes, your camping spirit doesn’t need to be dampened.

Bring a deck of cards along for your outdoor adventure and enjoy some friendly competition.

camping friends cards

Summary: Fun Camping Activities for Your Next Trip

There is a huge variety of games to play when camping to keep your trip entertaining for all and to make lasting memories

From classic campfire games, such as Truth or Dare, to those perfect to play inside your tent during a rainy afternoon, there is something for everyone to get involved in

So gather your friends or family around the campfire and get ready for some friendly competition!

To find more ways to make your camping trip a fun one, head over to our blog!

FAQs

What Camping Games Can You Play If It Rains?

There are many camping games you can play inside your tent in order to stay out of the rain, such as card and board games.

What Camping Games Can You Play With Kids?

The best camping games for children are those that are easy to play but also engaging. These could include tag and treasure hunts.

What Card Games Can I Play When Camping?

Crazy Eights is a good card game for all ages and you can even have up to 8 players. Other fun card games include Uno, Go Fish, and Old Maid.

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