Best Campfire Games for Kids: How to Keep Them Entertained for Hours

Camping is a great way for families to spend time together, to unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and to connect with nature. But for kids, camping can also be a time of boredom and restlessness.

With no TV, no video games, and no Wi-Fi, kids may find themselves with nothing to do. That’s where campfire games come in. Campfire games are a fun and engaging way to keep kids entertained for hours, and to create lasting memories.

S’mores Relay

S’mores are a staple of camping, and this relay race is a fun way to get everyone involved in making them. Divide the group into two teams and set up two stations, each with graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. One player from each team races to the station, makes a s’more, and runs back to tag the next player in line. The first team to make a certain number of s’mores wins.

Ghost in the Graveyard

This classic game is a spooky twist on hide-and-seek. One player is chosen to be the ghost and hides while the other players count to a designated number. Then, the players go out and search for the ghost. When a player finds the ghost, they yell “ghost in the graveyard” and everyone must race back to home base without being caught by the ghost. If the ghost catches a player, that player becomes the next ghost.

Flashlight Tag

Flashlight tag is a fun and easy game that can be played in the dark. One player is chosen to be “it” and is given a flashlight. The other players run around in the dark, trying to avoid being caught by the player with the flashlight. When a player is caught, they become the next “it”.

Charades

Charades is a classic game that’s great for all ages. One player thinks of a word or phrase and acts it out without speaking. The other players try to guess the word or phrase. You can use a theme, such as camping or nature, to make the game more relevant to your surroundings.

Campfire Stories

Campfire stories are a time-honored tradition of camping. Gather around the fire and take turns telling spooky stories or tales of adventure. For younger kids, you can tell silly stories or read from a children’s book.

Frisbee

Frisbee is a great game for playing during the day, and it can be played with any number of people. Set up two markers as goals and divide into two teams. The teams try to score points by throwing the frisbee to their teammates and making it into the opposing team’s goal.

Alphabet Game

The alphabet game is a simple game that’s great for kids of all ages. Start with the letter A and take turns saying a word that begins with that letter. The next player must say a word that begins with the next letter of the alphabet, and so on. The first player who can’t think of a word is out, and the game continues until one player is left.

I Spy

I Spy is a classic game that’s great for younger kids. One player chooses an object and says “I spy with my little eye something that is…” and gives a clue, such as a color or shape. The other players try to guess the object.

Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare is a classic game that’s great for older kids. Players take turns choosing to answer a question truthfully or complete a dare.

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a fun way to get kids exploring the outdoors and searching for treasures. Create a list of items for the kids to find, such as a pinecone, a feather, or a certain type of leaf. Give each kid a bag or container to collect their items. The first kid to find all the items on the list wins.

Who Am I?

This game is a fun twist on 20 Questions. One player thinks of a person, place, or thing, and the other players take turns asking yes or no questions to try to guess the answer.

Name That Tune

Name That Tune is a fun game that’s great for all ages. One player hums or whistles a tune, and the other players try to guess the name of the song.

Would You Rather?

Would You Rather is a fun game that’s great for older kids. Players take turns asking each other “Would you rather” questions, such as “Would you rather live in a treehouse or a castle?” The other players must choose one of the options and explain why.

Simon Says

Simon Says is a classic game that’s great for younger kids. One player is chosen to be “Simon” and gives commands, such as “Simon says touch your toes” or “Simon says jump up and down”. The other players must follow the commands, but only if Simon says “Simon says” before the command.

Balloon Games

Balloons are a fun and inexpensive way to keep kids entertained. You can play a variety of games with balloons, such as balloon volleyball, balloon keep-it-up, or balloon tag.

In addition to these games, there are also many other fun activities that kids can do while camping, such as hiking, fishing, and swimming. Encourage kids to explore their surroundings and to appreciate the beauty of nature. You can also plan themed activities, such as a nature scavenger hunt or a photography challenge.

When playing campfire games with kids, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Make sure that the area around the campfire is clear of any flammable materials, and that the fire is never left unattended. Teach kids how to safely use matches and lighters, and make sure that they understand the importance of fire safety.

Campfire games are a fun and engaging way to keep kids entertained while camping. From classic games like charades and flashlights tag to outdoor activities like frisbee and scavenger hunts, there are plenty of games and activities to choose from.

These games can help create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds, while also encouraging kids to explore and appreciate the great outdoors. So the next time you go camping, be sure to pack some games and activities to keep the kids entertained for hours.