Camping Kids Games
Growing up, camping was usually a part of the summer plans.
My dad loved camping as a child and that love went into adulthood, and he always looked forward to taking his family whenever we could go.
Now that I have a family of my own, I find myself longing for those same childhood memories of being in the mountains – free of distractions – for my children as well.
Although camping isn’t always easy (like camping while pregnant), it’s something we try to do at some point during the year.
While my favorite memories come from eating delicious food and gathering around the campfire, sometimes it’s fun to have some games on hand to play – especially if you have lots of children around!
I have gathered together some of the BEST camping games out there to share with you today.
First, I have SIX printable games that you can print ahead of time to bring with you to the camp site. These require very little prep work, and they are sure to be a lot of fun.
I do recommend laminating them to protect them from getting wet and so you can use them in the future. I have had this Amazon Basics Laminator for years, and it has yet to let me down.
Here are the games that are included with this free printable pack:
- Charades
- Scattegories
- Eye Spy
- Campfire Tales
- Camping Silly Stories
- Camping Bingo
You can download this printable pack using the download button below.
Campfire games
Here are some more details on each of these and how to play/what you need. You may want to get some prizes for some of the games!
Camping Charades
Preparation:
Laminate the charades card and cut out each slip of paper
What you do:
Place all of the slips of paper into a hat or bowl.
Split into teams – each team takes a turn having one team member draw a slip of paper and act it out. They have two minutes to act out as many as possible.
Each piece of paper guessed correctly is worth one point. Whatever team has the most points wins.
Camping Scattergories
Scattergories is one of my favorite games, so I am super excited to share this camping version!
Preparation:
- Print off the cards – laminate for extra use. Make sure you have enough instructions cards for each person to use.
- If you have them laminated, bring erasable markers; otherwise, bring pencils/pens
- Cut apart game boards
- Find an alphabet dice
- Sand Timer (you could use one on your phone, but a sand timer is better for disconnecting!)
How to Play:
- Distribute one writing sheet to each person, as well one instruction card per round
- Roll the alphabet dice to get a letter to start a round
- The point of the game is to get a word for each prompt on the card that starts with that letter
- Flip the timer and let everyone write until it’s up
- Go around the group and list off what people got. If someone else got what you got, you both have to cross it off
- The person with the most unique answers wins
Camping Eye Spy
Preparation:
Print off enough cards for people participating. Laminate if desired.
How to Play:
Be the first to mark off all the items on the list! Go around the campsite and discover what you can find.
Campfire Tales
Preparation:
Print off, laminate and cut the story cards.
How to Play:
Sit in a circle.
The first player draws a story card and begins a story with the prompt/photo that is on it. They have three minutes.
After three minutes, the next person in the circle with draw a card and continue the story, adding details using that card.
Keep playing until all cards are done. Whoever draws the last card will complete the story.
Camping Silly Stories
This is a classic Mad Lib game with a camping twist!
Preparation:
Print off as many cards as you need. You will also need pens or pencils.
How to Play:
You can do this as a group or split into pairs. Pairs is easiest.
One person will ask for the prompted word (verb, noun, adjective, etc.) without telling the context.
The other person (or the group as a whole can decide on one) gives the word, and the first will write it down in the right spot.
Go around the circle and read the silly story with the words.
Summer Camping Bingo
Preparation:
Print off and laminate if desired. You will need pens, pencils or markers for marking off.
How to Play:
Give each camper a Bingo sheet. They will have the entire camp time to get a Bingo, Blackout, or however you’d like to play it!
Don’t forget to download these for FREE using the button below!
In addition to these printable games, here are a bunch of games you can purchase beforehand that might be fun at a camp site!
Chelsea says
Camping was always something my family did every summer, too! These games all sound so fun! We’ll have to try some out next time we go camping!