Camping is all about getting back to nature, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave all the fun behind. In fact, playing funny camping games while camping is the fun part of bonding with your fellow campers and adds some excitement to your whole trip. In this article, we’ll share 21 of the best camping games for adults that are sure to spice up your next camping adventure.
Table of contents
Why play games while camping?
Before we dive into our list of the best camping activities for adults, let’s talk about why playing games while camping is such a great idea.
First and foremost, camp games for adults are a great way to pass the time. While it’s important to take time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty around you, there are always going to be moments when you find yourself with nothing to do. Whether you’re waiting for dinner to cook or just enjoying a lazy afternoon, having a few games on hand can help keep everyone entertained and engaged.
Additionally, adult summer camp games are a great way to build camaraderie among your camping group. Whether you’re playing a competitive game of cornhole or working together on a scavenger hunt, playing games together is a great way to bond and get to know each other better.
The best camping games for adults
Now that we’ve covered why you should play games while camping, let’s dive into our list of 15 adult-approved fun camping activities. Whether you’re looking for something competitive or just a fun way to pass the time, there’s a game on this list for everyone.
Murder in the Dark
Murder in the Dark is one of the perfect playing around-the-campfire games. To play, one person is designated as the “murderer”, the second person a “detective” and the third player, the “victim”. The detective must figure out who the murderer is.
Once the detective leaves the area the murderer “kills” a fellow player in the dark, which causes them to scream and pretend to be dead. Thereupon hearing the scream, the detective returns and interrogates all players to identify the murderer. Another key point, the game involves players telling the truth, except for the murderer who must lie.
Rules:
- Do not use actual weapons
- No pushing or fighting
- Only the murderer, figuratively, kills people
Cornhole
Cornhole is a fun and easy game that’s perfect for playing at the campsite. To play, teams take turns throwing beanbags at a raised platform with a hole in it. The goal is to get your beanbag into the hole, or at least onto the platform, while your opponents try to do the same.
Get this Cornhole set from Amazon for $36.54
Giant Jenga
Jenga is a classic game that’s been around for decades, but have you ever played giant Jenga? To play, simply stack a bunch of wooden blocks on top of each other and take turns pulling them out one by one. The catch? The blocks are giant-sized, so they’re much harder to handle than the regular-sized ones.
Get Giant Jenga’s 4 foot version from Amazon for $99.95 or 5 foot Jenga for $129.95
Geocaching
One fun game that’s gaining popularity amongst adults is geocaching. It’s a modern-day treasure hunt that involves using GPS coordinates to find hidden containers, also known as geocaches. It’s a great way to explore the natural surroundings around your campsite and get some exercise in the process.
As a result, there’s a sense of satisfaction when you finally find the cache and sign the logbook. So, if you’re looking for a fun and unique camping game, give geocaching a try. Just don’t forget to bring your GPS device or smartphone with you!
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Scavenger Hunts
Camping is not just for kids, but also for adults who want to reconnect with nature and their inner child. One way to spice up your camping trip is by playing fun and exciting games that are tailored for grown-ups. One of the best games that you can do to mix things up during your camping trips is a scavenger hunt.
This game is perfect for those who want to treasure hunt while also testing their survival skills. You can set up a list of items that need to be found, such as acorns, pinecones, or even a specific type of leaf.
The first team to find all the items on the list wins! This game is not only challenging but also a great way to bond with your camping buddies. So, grab your binoculars and get ready for an adventure!
Fun things to collect for scavenger hunts:
- Pinecone
- Acorn
- Wildflower
- Feather
- Birch bark
- River rock
- Animal tracks
- Mushrooms (just don’t eat these)
- Snail shell
- Fallen leaf
- Stick shaped like a letter of the alphabet
- Piece of trash to properly dispose of
- Something that smells like cinnamon
- A smooth stone
- Four-leaf clover (if you can find one)
Remember to always follow Leave No Trace principles and respect the environment while collecting items on a scavenger hunt.
Bouldering or Rock Climbing
Not into board games? One more physical outdoor activity is bouldering or rock climbing, which challenges your strength and endurance as you scale rugged cliffs and boulders. Not only is it a great workout, but it also provides an opportunity to connect with nature, use problem-solving skills and test your physical limits.
Without a doubt, you’ll need specific climbing safety equipment and bouldering crash pads. Read more on bouldering essentials and how to get started.
Beer Pong
Beer-pong is a classic drinking game that’s perfect for the campsite. To play, set up a table and fill cups with beer. Teams take turns trying to throw ping pong balls into their opponents’ cups. If they make a ball, the other team has to drink the beer in that cup.
No table? This set below uses the larger cups that can be placed on the ground.
Get this set from Amazon for $24.99
Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is a fun activity that the whole family can play on its next camping trip. It’s perfect for playing on the grassy areas around the campsite. To play, teams take turns throwing balls at a smaller ball called the “jack.” The team that gets their balls closest to the jack wins.
Get GoSports Bocce Ball Set from Amazon for $38.96
Capture the Flag
One of the most popular games, and for good reason, is Capture the Flag. It’s a game that can be played with just a few people or with a large group, and it’s a great way to get your heart pumping and your competitive spirit going.
How it works: divide your group into two teams and designate a “jail” area for each team. Each team then hides a flag somewhere on their side of the playing area. The goal is for each team to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to their own side without getting caught or tagged, and sent to jail.
Specifically, you may need to enter enemy territory to break your teammates out of jail, while protecting your base.
Get Capture the Flag from Amazon for $49.90
Cards Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity are hilarious and irreverent card game to get everyone laughing. To play, one player reads a question or statement from a black card, and everyone else chooses the funniest or most outrageous answer from their white cards.
Get Cards Against Humanity from Amazon for $29.00
Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is another classic drinking game that’s perfect for playing around the campfire. To play, one person makes a statement starting with “Never have I ever…” and everyone else takes a drink if they’ve done the thing that was mentioned.
Charades
This is one of the most popular classic games that’s perfect for playing around the campfire. To play charades, one person acts out a word or phrase without speaking, and everyone else tries to guess what it is.
Cribbage
One classic game that is perfect for camping is cribbage. This card game is easy to learn but challenging to master, making it the perfect way to pass the time around the campfire. Plus, the compact size of the cards and board makes it easy to pack and bring along on your camping trip.
So, whether you’re a seasoned cribbage pro or a newbie looking to learn, this game is sure to add some fun.
Get Backpack Cribbage from REI from $17.95
Ladder Toss
Let’s face it, sitting around the campfire and staring at the stars can get old after a while. That’s where ladder toss comes in! This game is perfect for all levels of expertise and can be played with a group or just two people.
Basically, the objective of the game is to toss the bolas (two balls connected by a string) onto the ladder rungs to score points. The higher the rung, the more points you earn. It’s a game of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck. It sounds simple enough, but trust me, it can get quite competitive.
Get GoSports Pro Grade Ladder Toss from Amazon for $32.99
Truth or Dare
Truth or Dare is one of the adult summer camp games that’s perfect for the campsite. To play, one person chooses “truth” or “dare,” and then has to answer a question truthfully or complete a dare chosen by the other players.
Flashlight Tag
One of the most exciting and adventurous games that you can play in a large group while camping is flashlight tag. Certainly, this game is perfect for thrill-seekers who love the dark and want to add a bit of excitement to their camping trip.
To play flashlight tag, you’ll need at least three people. One person will be the “it” and will have a flashlight. The other players play hide, and the objective is to avoid being caught by the person who is “it.” If you get caught, then you become “it,” and the game continues.
Flashlight tag are one of the exciting camping activities to do on a dark night in the woods or an open field. It’s an excellent way to get the heart racing and to have more fun with your friends or family. So grab your flashlights and get ready for some intense, grown-up fun. Since this is played in the dark, make sure that everyone has the best backpacking flashlight, and be careful not to trip over any rocks or branches!
Get this mini flashlight set fromAmazonfor $22.99
Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is both a fun and easy game that’s perfect for getting to know your fellow campers. To play, each person tells three statements about themselves – two of which are true, and one of which is a lie. The other players have to guess which statement is the lie.
Frisbee Golf
Frisbee golf is a fun challenge that’s perfect for playing around the campsite. In one of the more active games, place golf disc baskets and then take turns throwing a frisbee at the targets. To play, simply set up a course with various “holes” (disc baskets) and take turns throwing your frisbee toward each one. The person with the lowest score at the end of the game wins.
/Get this Frisbee Golf set from Amazon for $63.49
Recommended reading: 13 Cheapest Camper Trailers Under $10,000
Slackline
One popular activity is slacklining or tightrope walking, which involves balancing on a narrow piece of webbing strung between two trees. This game can be a bit challenging, but it’s a great way to test your balance and coordination. A slackline kit with tree protectors is a must-have for this game, as it ensures that the trees are not damaged during the activity.
So, if you’re looking to add some excitement to your camping trip, consider bringing along a slackline kit with tree protectors and see who can stay on the longest!
Get this set from Amazon for $59.99
Taboo
Fun campfire game Taboo is a challenging word game, the perfect camping activity, done around a campfire or hiking. To play, one person tries to get their team to guess a word without using certain “taboo” words or phrases.
Kan Jam
One of the more active games that’s perfect for playing on a flat, grassy area. To play, set up a course, then teams take turns trying to throw a frisbee into a can. If they make it in, then they score points – but if their opponent “jams” the frisbee into the can, they win the game.
Get this Kan Jam set from Amazon for $39.97
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several night games that can be enjoyed while camping, including Ghost in the Graveyard and Flashlight Tag. These games offer engaging gameplay alternates and can add excitement to your camping experience.
Whether you’re searching for hidden players in the dark or trying to avoid being caught in the beam of a flashlight, these games provide hours of entertainment for campers of all ages. So, if you’re looking for some fun activities to spice up your camping trip, consider incorporating these thrilling and interactive games into your itinerary.
Hiking games for adults include games like I Spy and 20 Questions, as well as games like Geocaching and Orienteering which involve finding hidden objects or navigating a trail.
The best camping games for adults include group games like Charades and Pictionary, card games like Poker and Uno, and outdoor games like Frisbee Golf and Kan Jam.
Drinking games can be fun adult camping activities, but it’s important to play responsibly and to be mindful of alcohol consumption. Be extra careful around cliffs, poison ivy, or lakes if drinking games are part of any camping trips.
Conclusion
Camping is all about getting back to nature, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave all the fun behind. Besides camping essentials you shouldn’t leave behind, such as hiking gear women should have on every trip, or guys, your best hiking pants, or double sleeping bags.
By playing camping games, adults can create lasting memories and strengthen your relationships with your fellow campers. Whether you’re looking for something competitive, want to buy any of these games for hiking trips, or just a fun way to pass the time, there’s a game on this list for everyone. So next time you’re out in the great outdoors, grab some friends and get ready to play!
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Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
