Summer time and children of all ages are off to go to camp. Summer camp games involve campers and their counselors in activities designed to provide physical exercise; help build leadership skills, independence, and self-esteem; and are fun!

Our selection of camp games includes camp games for kids of every age and ability level. We have active outside games and those played indoors. Some require preparation and equipment and some can be played anytime and anywhere with no prior preparation required. Read on to find the perfect camp game for your summer fun.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Hide-and-Seek Camping Games
    • 1.1 Find the Camp Counselors
    • 1.2 The Good Guys and the Bad Guys
    • 1.3 Sardines
  • 2 Team Camp Games
    • 2.1 Balloon Basketball
    • 2.2 Capture the Flag
  • 3 Active Camp Games
    • 3.1 Blob Tag
    • 3.2 Catch the Cane
  • 4 Camp Ball Games
    • 4.1 Bump, Set, Spike
    • 4.2 Dodgeball Free-For-All
  • 5 Camp Games for Campfires
    • 5.1 Skits in a Bag
    • 5.2 Action Auction
    • 5.3 Act It Out
  • 6 Camp Games for Young Children
    • 6.1 Push Wars
    • 6.2 Doggy, Doggy, Where Is Your Bone?
  • 7 Tips for Fun and Effective Camp Games
  • 8 Games for Young Campers
    • 8.1 Grapes Game
    • 8.2 Bug House Building
    • 8.3 Build a Fort
    • 8.4 Fairy or Gnome Houses
    • 8.5 Alphabet Nature Camp Game
  • 9 Camp Games for Teens
    • 9.1 Balloon Pop Camp Game
    • 9.2 Ambush
    • 9.3 Yell Out
  • 10 Camping Games for Every Age
    • 10.1 Obstacle Course
    • 10.2 Scavenger Hunt
    • 10.3 Camp Olympics
    • 10.4 Hide and Seek
    • 10.5 Water Balloon Fight
  • 11 Campfire Games
    • 11.1 Campfire Story Contest
    • 11.2 Storytelling Chain
    • 11.3 Song Fest
  • 12 Rainy Day Camp Games
    • 12.1 Related Posts

Hide-and-Seek Camping Games

Kids of every age love hide and seek and we have three variations sure to provide fun for your campers. For additional fun, play these games at night. Just make sure you designate an area without any obvious dangers.

Find the Camp Counselors

A fun camping game that works well for ages eight through twelve, the object of this game is to find the hidden counselors. Begin by providing each camper with a pencil and paper. Keep the campers in a specified area until all the counselors hide. After the counselors are hidden, the campers search for them and get signatures from each counselor as they find them. The first camper who gets all the counselor's signatures wins.

The Good Guys and the Bad Guys

Divide your group of campers into the "good" guys and the "bad" guys. The bad guys hide and the good guys find them, arrest them, and bring them to "The Jail," a predesignated location. When all the bad guys are in jail, the players change places and play starts again.

Sardines

An "opposite" hide-and-seek game, only one person hides. The other players search for the hidden camper and remain hidden with them when they find them. The loser is the player left when all the others have hidden. The loser becomes the next person to hide.

Team Camp Games

Team Camp Games

Competition between teams creates a great deal of camp fun. The team with the most points wins in each of these games. One of our team camp games works for more than two teams.

Balloon Basketball

Set up two rows of chairs approximately three feet apart. (No chairs? No problem. Just have the campers sit in a row on the ground or floor.) Assign each team a basket at one end of the facing rows. Divide your group into two teams and have them sit alternating the players from the two teams. Place a large basket, box, or clean waste container at each end of the facing rows. The object is to bat a balloon down the "court" and score a basket. If a player hits the balloon out of bounds, the leader awards the other team the ball to begin play again. Set either a time for play or a score to be reached for winning.

Capture the Flag

A popular children's game great for camping, the object of this active game is to capture the other team's flag. Divide your group into two teams. Designate a play area. Each team hides their flag on one side of the playing area. Teams attempt to find the other team's flag. At the same time, team members must keep from being tag by members of the opposing team. If they are tagged, they go to "jail," a designated area on the opposing team's side. They only get out of jail if someone on their team manages to get to them without being tagged. The game ends when the time is up or when one team captures the other team's flag.

Active Camp Games

Active Camp Games

Blob Tag

A type of reverse tag, the object is to be the last person left untagged. Designate one player to be "It," and begin tagging the other players. Every time a player is tagged, they link arms with those who have already been tagged. As they do so, a blob of players forms. The person left when all the other players have been tagged and become part of the blob is the winner.

Catch the Cane

For this game, you will need a broomstick, cane, or wooden baseball bat. Give a number to each player without players knowing the number of the other players. Have all your players form a circle around a player in the center. The player in the center of the circle holds the cane, baseball bat, or broomstick, and releases it without warning, while calling out a number. The person assigned the called number runs forward and tries to catch the released object before it hits the floor. If the player succeeds, he becomes the person in the center of the circle.

Camp Ball Games

Bump, Set, Spike

Have your campers form a circle and pass a beach ball or lightweight ball. Players can only touch the ball once in a row. If they touch it twice, they are out. If a player is not able to keep the ball in play, they are out. If a player touches the ball and then the ball hits the ground, they sit in the middle of the circle. If a player spikes the ball, and the players in the middle of the circle catch it, the player who spiked the ball sits in the middle of the circle. The object is to be the last person standing.

Dodgeball Free-For-All

After establishing boundaries for play in a large circle about twenty yards in diameter, throw a single dodgeball in the air. Players must allow the ball to bounce three times, after which any player can grab the ball. Players may only take three steps and then must throw the ball at another player. Anyone hit by the ball is out and must leave the playing field. However, if a player successfully catches a ball thrown at them, the thrower is out. Every time a new player is eliminated, anyone eliminated by them is back in the game. The winner is the player left when everyone else is out. This game can take a very long time. You can shorten it by having those players eliminated permanently out of the game.

Camp Games for Campfires

At the end of the day, campers usually are physically exhausted. Still, campers need evening activities to keep them entertained. Most camps have a pavilion or other outdoor area for gathering at night. The following activities will keep everyone entertained until lights out.

Skits in a Bag

Camp counselors gather items to use as props. Divide the group into teams of four to seven people. Give each team three props and tell them they must develop a skit using them. You may wish to choose a storyline theme for younger campers. Some suggestions are:

  • The first day of camp
  • The last day of camp
  • A time someone was lost
  • A bad day at school
  • A scary story

Allow the teams 20 minutes to prepare their skits. If you wish, campers can prepare their skits early in the day for performing around the campfire at night.

Action Auction

Each camp cabin or camp group – you can divide your campers into teams if you wish – grabs a pillowcase and for ten minutes, they grab anything they wish that will fit in the pillowcase. Assign a leader or counselor to play auctioneer. The auctioneer asks for an item and any team that has that item gets a point. Additionally, they can use the items in their pillowcase for other requests from the auctioneer, such as:

  • smelliest feet
  • loudest burp
  • silliest giggle
  • best animal noise

At the end of the auction, the team with the most points wins a prize such as extra time participating in a favorite activity or free ice cream from the camp canteen.

Act It Out

If your camp does not have a stage, designate an area to serve as one. Campers form teams of three. The campers choose a location for the basis of their skits. Some suggestions are:

  • the beach
  • another country – must be specified
  • the park
  • another planet
  • the school room
  • a kitchen

The team members line up behind one another on one side of the stage. The facilitator says, "Go!" and starts counting to five. The first team takes the stage and acts out an action appropriate to the chosen location. They have fifteen seconds to do so. Camp leaders or counselors try to guess what action appropriate to the chosen location the team is trying to pantomime. If those guessing are correct, the team goes to the end of the line. If the action cannot be guessed, the team is out and must sit down. Teams keep acting out actions. Teams are not allowed to repeat actions. If they do so, they are out. After all teams have taken a turn, campers choose another location and play continues.

Camp Games for Young Children

Camp Games for Young Children

Most of the games we have listed work for any age. However, the following two games are especially appropriate for younger children.

Push Wars

A fun game to release energy, counselors need to monitor this one closely to ensure safety. Players try to push each other with only their hands touching. Begin by pairing up your campers. Have team members face each other, and place hands on shoulders with arms straight and feet together. When the game begins, players put hands together, palms facing out. Keeping palms touching and feet together, players attempt to get their partner to lose their balance by pushing them with their outstretched arms. Campers must push or not push at just the right time in order to either push their partner over or have their partner lunge forward and fall. The last camper remaining upright wins.

Doggy, Doggy, Where Is Your Bone?

A guessing game that works for very young children, begin this game with your campers standing or sitting in a circle. You will need a prop to serve as a bone. Choose one camper to play the dog and find the bone. The camper playing the dog closes their eyes (or you can blindfold them). The facilitator of the game chooses a person from the circle to sneak up and steal the bone. When this camper does so, they say in a disguised voice, "Doggy, doggy, where is your bone?" After they return to the circle, all the players stand with their hands behind their backs and the camper playing the dog tries to guess who has the bone. Once they guess correctly, the camper who stole the bone becomes the dog.

Summertime is camp time for many children. Increase their fun and create lasting memories with our selection of fun camp games for every age.

Tips for Fun and Effective Camp Games

Tips for Fun and Effective Camp Games

For camp games to be fun and effective there are some simple rules and guidelines to follow:

  • Make sure you choose games where everyone can participate and have fun.
  • Choose games that fit the age and ability level of your campers.
  • Counselors should participate with the campers.
  • Give clear instructions and make sure all participants understand game rules.
  • Encourage sportsmanship and discourage name-calling, rough playing, and any other behaviors that may hurt campers physically or emotionally.

Games for Young Campers

Games for Young Campers

Younger campers need games that are safe and provide an opportunity for everyone to participate. Additionally, younger campers build valuable skills such as sharing, taking turns, and good sportsmanship while playing. We have chosen games that are fun, but also provide some personal growth for campers.

Grapes Game

Provide a paper plate for each camper. Place five grapes on each plate and bury them in whipped cream. Players lock their hands behind their backs and attempt to eat all of the grapes on their plates. If you have a great number of campers, have six to eight of them play at once and then have winners in a playoff.

Bug House Building

Kids love bugs. Choose a container – a milk jug with the top cut off makes a good one. If you use a jar, make sure it has holes for air. Keep the bughouse in the shade, not in direct sunlight, which will cook your bugs. The following directions will help you provide a wonderful home for your bugs:

  • Put a layer of dirt on the bottom
  • Add whatever items will make the bugs feel at home.
  • If you found your bugs under leaves, add some leaves.
  • Add rocks for the bugs to crawl on, if you think they will like them.
  • A twig is a nice addition for some bugs. Just put it in a place where they cannot use it to climb out.
  • Add a small dish of water and some food – a small piece of fruit works well.
  • Remember to set the bugs free the last day of camp.

Build a Fort

Fort building is fun for kids at home and even more fun at camp. Have the campers build their forts facing each other and they can have mock battles using squirt guns. Follow these instructions for fun, sturdy forts:

  • Pick a spot.
  • Gather materials for the forts.
  • Wood pieces, long sticks, and logs
  • Dead branches of all sizes
  • Tarp or canvas, if you have one
  • String or rope
  • If possible, build the forts against a support – a fence, large rock, or tree.
  • Level the floor as much as possible.
  • Build your fort, using larger materials on the bottom and work your way up to lighter, smaller materials at the top.
  • If you have rope available, use it to secure the largest pieces.

If one group of campers collect a great deal more materials than another, collect all and have groups take turns picking out what they need to build their fort.

Fairy or Gnome Houses

Fort building is not for everyone. If you have more sedentary campers or very young campers, try making a home for "fairies" or "gnome." Collect leaves, rocks, sticks, shells, feathers, and any other items that are small and pretty. Your home should be hidden under a bush or behind rocks to provide fairies or gnomes the privacy they like.

Alphabet Nature Camp Game

Try this game with very young campers in grades two and up. Players must find objects around camp that begin with each letter of the alphabet. The names of objects must be specific. For example, "tree" will not work, but "pine" will. This game can also be played with teams.

Camp Games for Teens

Camp Games for Teens

Choosing camp games for teenagers can prove challenging, but if you stick to active games, boredom will be avoided. The following games provide laughter and a bit of a challenge.

Balloon Pop Camp Game

Divide your campers into pairs and provide each couple with an inflated balloon. The goal is to pop the balloon between their bodies without using hands or feet. It may be best to pair boys with boys and girls with girls to avoid embarrassment. The last pair with their balloon still intake wins.

Ambush

Choose a wooded area for this game. Establish a basepoint, and divide the campers into two teams. Provide the first team with something to leave a trail – popcorn or small pieces of paper work well. (The paper must be picked up, however.) The first team sets off into the woods to set up an ambush point. If you do not want to use clues, have them stick to an established trail. The second team waits for five minutes and then sets off to find the first team. When they arrive at the ambush spot, the first team's members jump out and try to tag all of the members of the second team before they can return to base. Those who are tagged join the first team. When everyone is back at the basepoint, campers switch sides, with team two doing the ambushing. Eventually, all the players should be on the first team. The last player remaining untagged wins.

Yell Out

Gather your teen campers into a circle so that all players can see each other clearly. Have everyone put their heads down and close their eyes while a counselor counts to ten. When the time is up, campers look up and stare at someone. If the person they are staring at is staring back at them, they both let out a loud yell and leave the circle. Those who are not staring at someone who is looking back at them remain in the game. The last two people in the circle win.

Variation:

Instead of having those with shared stares yell, have them call out their names before leaving the circle. This is a good way to help campers learn each other's names.

Camping Games for Every Age

Camping Games for Every Age

Some games work no matter what the age and skill level of your campers. This set of games works well at a camp with a wide span of ages.

Obstacle Course

An obstacle course provides a skill challenge for kids. If you wish and have space, you can leave the obstacle course set up for a number of days or for the entire camp session, and campers can attempt to improve their skills and score. You can even include some items to keep the camp area clean and neat.

Using camp items and creativity, your obstacle course can include:

  • Collect fifteen pieces of wood and place on the campfire wood pile
  • Crawl under a picnic table
  • Find 10 pieces of trash and put in the garbage can
  • Do so many jumping jacks (vary the amount for age and skill level of campers)
  • Hang from a tree branch for 10 seconds
  • Walk (or run) around the cabin (tent) twice (or more times if desired)
  • Leap frog over a stationary item (something soft)

Scavenger Hunt

Try two different types of scavenger hunts with your campers: 1) take a nature walk and provide a list for campers to check off as they find items, and 2) create a scavenger hunt with parameters for the camp area. The list of items to find varies, but the fun your campers have is guaranteed, no matter which option you choose.

If you are doing the nature-walk scavenger hunt, advise your campers not to pick up their finds, but simply check off their list. Here is a list of items for a scavenger hunt, nature walk:

  • bird's nest
  • crawling or flying insect
  • wild animal (i.e. deer or squirrel)
  • feather
  • fish or frog
  • flower
  • a frog
  • toadstool
  • pinecone
  • slug or snail
  • a snake or a worm
  • animal tracks
  • moss or lichen

For a camp area, scavenger hunt, the items on your list are somewhat dependent upon the size and nature of your campground. Add to this list of items:

  • a rock with an unusual shape
  • a piece of trash
  • a bug
  • a worm
  • a pinecone or large leaf (dependent upon which is available)
  • a snail or snail shell, or a slug

It is a good idea to have campers work in pairs or teams if you have a very large group. Counselors should verify finds before campers check items off their list.

Camp Olympics

All campers will love camp Olympics if you include a variety of skills and allow campers to make a selection based upon ability. A good way to do this is to divide your activities into sets and let campers pick from each set. Give points for the more difficult skills in each set and decide upon the total points necessary for completion for each camper. If you do not have the campers compete for the highest score, the activity becomes one in which a camper is able to excel and feel good about their accomplishment.

Many fun camp activities work for your Olympics. Try the following suggestions:

  • Balancing on one leg – give a point for every 10 seconds
  • Jump roping
  • Long jump
  • Relay race
  • Shooting basketballs
  • Skipping stones
  • Swimming competitions
  • Tug of war

Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek is so much more fun at camp than it is at home, because there are so many places to hide. A nighttime game is particularly fun. Provide a flashlight for whoever is "It." You may wish to set as specific area for your game or some hiders may never be found!

Water Balloon Fight

Fun for a particularly hot day, a water balloon fight gets everyone cool and wet. Simply fill balloons with water. Campers can either play alone, or divide your camper into teams and provide each with filled balloons. Whichever team has the driest members when the balloons are all dry wins. Alternatively, if campers are playing as singles, whoever stays dry until the balloons are gone wins the game.

Campfire Games

Campfire Games

What would camp be without a campfire? The following activities help make the time around the campfire fun and full of memories.

Campfire Story Contest

Your camp counselors should be able to provide some good stories. Scary ones are fun. Once the counselors have shared, get the kids to make up some stories or tell an old one with a new twist, i.e. Hansel and Gretel where the old woman is nice. When everyone who wishes to participate is through, have the counselors vote on the best kid's story. Remember, kids love hearing about the "old days" when the adults were their age.

Storytelling Chain

If no one has a story to share, try a story telling chain. Have a counselor begin with a sentence that sets the scene. For example, "One night, not too long ago, right at this camp, something mysterious happened."

Each camper adds a sentence until the story ends. If the stories are short, encourage the telling of more than one.

Song Fest

If your campers do not know many of the traditional campfire songs, you may need to teach them. Try easy things at first, such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" as a round, with singers joining in after each line is sung. For extra fun, add "instruments" such as a can filled with pebbles, pot lids, and "drum sticks" (a long handled spoon) and pans.

Rainy Day Camp Games

The weather does not always cooperate during camp sessions, so be prepared with some indoor and outdoor rainy day games. Try some of the following ideas:

  • If the rain is warm and there is no thunder and lightning, play in the rain.
  • Make moldable Fluffy Stuff with 2 boxes of cornstarch and 1 can shaving cream (color if desired)
  • Watch a movie
  • Plan and present skits
  • Play board games
  • Have an indoor Scavenger Hunt

When the weather is warm and kids are out of school, it is time for camp, and nothing makes camp more fun than good games. Be prepared with camp games for sunny and stormy days and nighttime as well. Use the games in this article for every camp situation, age group, and level of ability. Pick a camp game and have fun!