Sitting around the fire is one of the most magical things to do when camping. Throw in some fun campfire games, and it is also an opportunity for endless fun, laughter, and silliness—the ideal place to create memories. But if you don’t have a list of favorite campfire games, things can quickly fizzle out before even starting.
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What Makes These Camping Games Fun?
Camping games are fun, regardless of how you choose to play them. But what makes them fun? Consider the following:
- They can help develop new skills
- They are great for team building
- They don’t require Wi-Fi or electronics
- They need little to no equipment
- They may involve drinking (depending on your circle)
These are just some reasons campfire games for adults are a staple on any trip. By unplugging from your daily stresses, you can relax, appreciate life better, and build on your relationships with family and friends.
15 Exciting Campfire Games to Unleash Your Inner Adventurer
Gathering around the campfire is the perfect time to engage in some fun and bonding activities. Dive into our extensive list of camping games for adults that are sure to bring laughter and joy to your group, ranging from classic storytelling to interactive group challenges. These games are not only a great way to pass the time, but they also create memorable moments that everyone can cherish long after the trip is over.
Ready for a little healthy competition in the great outdoors? We understand that selecting the right game from such an extensive collection can be intimidating. But fret not. We have done the legwork for you and pulled together this list of 15 Camping Games for Adults to ensure your next camping trip is a blast.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
1. Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a popular party game that can result in some hilarious revelations!
To play, everyone takes turns to brag about something they have never done, such as “Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.”
Anybody who has done that thing would have to take a shot to celebrate the experience, while those who haven’t would not. You would be surprised to see how some questions lead to intriguing conversations!
2. Chubby Bunny
You are already sitting around a campfire, so why not grab the bag of marshmallows you undoubtedly brought for smores and try this campfire game out? Start by placing a marshmallow in your mouth but don’t chew it. Say “Chubby Bunny.”
Keep adding marshmallows and saying “Chubby Bunny” until you can’t hold anymore in your mouth. The person who holds the most marshmallows wins!
Add your marshmallows at Walmart to your shopping list.
3. Would You Rather
Would You Rather is a pretty straightforward game to play as you sit around the campfire. It is also a great way to learn some interesting tidbits about fellow campers. A player must say, “Would you rather…” and offer two different scenarios.
For example, you might ask if they would rather have hands for feet or feet for hands. As you go, make the scenarios more unique, difficult, dark, or as funny as you want.
4. Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truth and a Lie is another camping activity that is not only a great pastime but also a good icebreaker game. It is all you need to get the fun started if you are camping with people who are not well-acquainted with one another.
Gameplay is easy. Every person tells two truths and one lie about themselves, and others guess which statement is the lie. One trick to excel at the game is drawing on your unique, bizarre experiences.
Everyone has had stuff happen that’s almost unbelievable, and we bet you won’t be able to guess which one’s the lie!
5. Telephone
Since you are already sitting in a circle around the campfire, this position is perfect for the game of Telephone.
The rules are simple: one player whispers a message into their neighbor’s ear, and then the neighbor whispers it to the next person, moving around the campfire. This continues until the last person whispers the message reaches the last person who announces it.
You will all crack up when you hear how much the message changed along the way. And to add a camping twist, turn it into a drinking game. If the last person gets it wrong, they take a shot!
Pro Tip: Try creating a sentence with lots of alliteration or long, challenging words to ensure some hilarious misinterpretations.
6. The Alphabet Game
The alphabet game can get loud, but playing with the right people is fun. One player starts the game by shouting out a letter of the alphabet. At the same time, a second player shouts out a category.
So, the first player may shout out “D” while the second player shouts “vegetables.” Now you go around the group, and each person needs to name a vegetable that starts with the letter D. You can get even more creative with your categories as you go.
7. Murder by Winking
Wink Murder was a popular game back in the early 1900s and has continued its popularity to this day. It can be a fun campfire game where a secretly chosen “murderer” kills the other campers just by winking at them. The rest of the campers are responsible for identifying the secret killer.
Start by handing each participant a playing card. The person holding the Joker playing card is labeled the murderer. Everyone then must look around and figure out the murderer’s identity.
If you spot the murderer and he winks at you, wait a bit, and then tell everyone you’re dead. This game can be played in a small group but is best for a large group, so you can keep it going for a while.
Get yourself a deck of playing cards from Amazon or Walmart for your next camping trip.
8. Name That Song
For camping trips with musical friends, Name that Song will amuse and entertain. This popular game has been around for decades, and there are almost that many variations of it.
Here is a simple one:
The musician in your group plays the song’s tune on their guitar. Whoever guesses the song first wins. No one in the circle has musical talent? Hum the song or recite the lyrics. You can even bring along a portable cd player or recorder.
The key to this name game is to play songs that most people have heard. And in the case of a large group, you can even break up into teams for more fun. This game is fun for the adults, but the little ones can also join in and test their musical knowledge.
9. Campfire Ghost Stories
What creates a more classic campfire experience than telling scary campfire ghost stories in the dark as the campers’ shadows dance in the flames? To engage everyone in a good campfire circle story, start with a hook. You then need to keep the story moving around the campfire.
A fun twist on a regular storytelling session would be to start the story and then look to the next person to continue. It is fun to hear what kind of story you can come up with by the end. The more people you have, the more unique the story will be.
10. Charades
There is just something about this tried-and-tested game that can get everyone laughing. Whether you are atrocious at acting or are a master performer, charades are guaranteed to get everyone’s spirits high.
It can be played anywhere with four or more people. Players divide into two teams, and each player has to act something out while the other teammate guesses. Although, it could be an animal, a movie, or anything. The catch is that the acting player can’t talk and must perform everything. The team with the most right guesses wins this campfire game.
11. Truth or Dare
The ultimate classic game – and no, it is not just for teen sleepovers. Play Truth or Dare with your friends under the starry night sky for a memorable experience!
First, sit in a circle and begin by asking, “Truth or Dare?” to a player. Then, that player has to choose one. Once the player chooses, a truth-seeker or dare-giver will give them their fate.
But here is the kicker: if they don’t want to answer the question or take on the challenge, there’s a penalty involved. If you are with your family, it may be losing play money or giving up a piece of candy.
An adult-approved option may be taking a shot or coughing up a few bucks. Either way, don’t forget to include everyone and have fun.
12. Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon
If you have a few movie buffs in your group, you should try Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.
The theory goes that every famous actor in Hollywood is supposedly only 6 degrees of separation (or less) from Kevin Bacon.
To play, the first player starts by naming a famous actor or actress, such as Jennifer Lawrence. Then, the next person will name someone, like Charlize Theron, who has played alongside both Jennifer Lawrence and Kevin Bacon. That’s just two degrees of separation.
Since famous person Kevin Bacon has been in so many different movies, you can play this game for hours until you run out of all the famous names. You will be surprised at what you come up with!
13. Cards Against Humanity
Among the campfire games, Cards Against Humanity is the ultimate board game for those lazy camping afternoons. Furthermore, the bit that makes this game for adults: the answer cards and statements are typically risqué and offensive.
Play begins with someone picking up a black, fill-in-the-blank card from the deck and showing it to the players. Players then use the white cards in their hands to complete the statement. The one with the funniest or most outrageous answer is declared the winner.
The trick to succeeding is to come up with clever ways to use your otherwise boring answer cards.
Get your own set of Cards Against Humanity from Amazon or Walmart.
14. Twenty Questions
Most people are familiar with this game, so anyone can jump in. However, if you need a refresher on the rules, here it is:
The game starts with one person is the “answer-er”, who chooses a person, place, or object in their mind. Everyone else takes turns asking questions regarding who/what/where it is to help them guess correctly. The answer-er can only answer with a “yes” or “no.”
The twist?
You only have 20 questions to get it right. Fail, and the “answer-er” wins.
Tip: Try picking a theme ahead of time (i.e., popular cities, celebrities, famous landmarks, etc.) to spruce things up.
15. The Voting Game
If you are looking for some barrels of laughter, the voting game will do the trick.
Players take turns asking questions such as “Who is most like to survive a zombie apocalypse?”
Then, the rest of the players must vote on the person they think could do that. The vote can either be cast loud or anonymously. And when all votes are in, the player who asked the question will announce “the public’s top choice.”
Here are some interesting questions to kick-start the session:
- Who is the most romantic person?
- Who is most likely to win the lottery?
- Who would be a great maths teacher?
- Who is most likely to get drunk first?
- Who would go sailing by themselves?
Conclusion
The best campfire games are a great way to break the ice, learn about fellow campers, and have fun while around the fire.
If you are a group of adults and want to take it up a notch, you can turn many classic campfire games we mentioned above into a campfire drinking game for adults. A few good examples are Never Have I Ever and the Alphabet Game. It is sure to liven up your next camping trip.
Whether you want to play an icebreaker with your new group or pull an all-nighter with your buddies, these exciting options will keep you entertained.
Okay, so now you have planned your next round off camping activities, what’s next? Need some camping accessories for your upcoming hike? How about some tips and tricks for outdoor survival? Whatever it is, we have got you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Card games take up the least room and are the easiest to pack, making them a great companion for camping trips. UNO, Cards Against Humanity, and Solitaire are good options to consider.
Many of the best campfire games we listed don’t require any extra equipment or accessories to play. You just need to bring your mind and creativity and snuggle around the fire with fellow campers. Add a few more led lantern lights, some drinks, and tasty food, and you have the start of a fun night under the stars.
As an adult, camping brings an excellent opportunity to socialize with friends and unwind. And some fun campfire drinking games like Truth or Dare and Never Have I Ever are perfect for keeping the fun going. However, make sure to drink responsibly and be extra careful around the fire, cliffs, lakes, poison ivy, and such objects.
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Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API