If you’re looking for fun camping games, unique activities, and camping ideas for adults, I’ve got ‘em! In this post, I’m sharing some of the best things to do with adults on a camping trip. Many of these ideas are also kid-friendly.
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Fun activities for camping with teams or groups
1. Themed Camping Party
A theme is so much fun for family get togethers or a big group of friends! Choose a theme and plan meals, decorations, and activities to go along with it.
Fun camping themes could be based on location (lake life, wildlife, mushrooms) or camping variations like scouts, vintage camping, and so on.
2. Have a tasting or flight
For me, camping is all about slow days and relaxing together. One of the best ways to do that is to have a food or beverage tasting or flight.
Wine tasting or beer flights are the first idea that comes to mind. However you could also pick up some charcuterie foods to create a flight, or unusual snacks, or even a s’mores bar.
3. Nature scavenger hunt
This is a great way to encourage outdoor exploration and observation. Provide everyone with a printed list of things to find, with various items worth different points. The person or team who finds the most items or finishes fastest wins.
4. Outdoor Trivia Challenge
If you have competitive or nerdy friends and family on your camping trip, a trivia challenge might be perfect!
You can choose categories that suit your group’s interests—nature, camping facts, pop culture, or local history. Then divide into teams and let the fun begin!
5. Wilderness Charades
Charades is a classic game that brings out the laughs like nothing else! Choose a camping theme (animals, survival skills, etc.) and let the game play begin.
6. Campfire Cooking Competition
Whether you have an old-fashioned chili cook-off, or simply compete for fanciest hot dogs, the tastiest dishes earn bragging rights.
You can add extra challenge by using only ingredients available at the campsite to level the playing field.
7. DIY Obstacle Course
This would be a great activity for an adult summer camp! By using natural features and basic camping gear, you can make a unique course that tests balance, agility, and teamwork.
8. Nature Photography Contest
Invite campers to capture the beauty, quirks, or hidden gems of the campsite and then share their shots. Go with a theme like “Textures of the Forest,” “Wildlife in Action,” or “Camp Life Details” to focus creativity.
You can award prizes for “Most Creative,” “Best Close-up,” or “People’s Choice” for even more fun.
Another variation is to have everyone take close up photos of objects, then take turns guessing what the objects are from the photos.
9. Themed Costume Contest
A costume contest can be a great addition to your next camping trip. Campers can plan ahead to bring costumes, or create costumes from materials available at the campsite.
Good theme ideas might be “Forest Creatures,” “Campfire Legends,” or “Survivor Style.” Give prizes for different categories like Most Creative, Funniest, and Best DIY.
10. Cornhole or Ladder Ball Tournament
A cornhole tournament is a classic outdoor game that fits perfectly into almost any camp setting. Ladder ball is another game that doesn’t require much space to set up and works well for camping.
11. Slackline Balance Challenge
Slacklines are a fun activity with minimal setup that kids and adults can enjoy. Trying to balance and complete the walk across is sure to bring lots of laughs too.
12. Field games / Camping Olympics
Traditional field games work well for large groups or at adult summer camps. The egg and spoon race, sack race, tug of war, and three legged race are popular ones that require few supplies.
You can also have outdoor camping Olympics with modified events that work well in a natural environment. Think: hurdling over logs; swimming out to a buoy and back; or seeing who can skip rocks the furthest.
Best camping activities for nighttime
1. Glow stick parade
I saw this idea on a TikTok video and I can’t wait to try it on our next trip! It’s the perfect way to include the whole family in a fun activity.
Every camper gets a bunch of glow sticks and clear tape. Campers put on dark clothes and tape the glow sticks onto their clothing.
Then everyone parades through the campground on foot or on wheels (if you brought bikes or something like that). This will be an unforgettable memory for sure!
@theoverduebucketlist To whomever invented glowsticks, THANK YOU! #glowstick #GlowstickPeople #GlowParty #SummerBucketList #KidsBucketList #FamilyBucketList #SoloFemaleTraveler #GetOutside #DatingApps #DatingTips #SingleAdvice #SoloCamping #CampingHacks #CampingTips #DatingStories #momsoftiktok #MomTok #familyfriendlycontent ♬ Glow in the Dark! – Sharon Needles
2. Glow Stick Ring Toss
All you need for this is a bunch of glow sticks with connectors, and some glow-in-the-dark tape. Set up several sticks with glowing tape at the tops, positioned at varying heights and distances.
Each player gets four glow stick rings. They take turns tossing, aiming to hook rings over the stakes. Players score more points for harder targets.
3. Glow in the Dark Frisbee or ball game
Bring a glow-in-the-dark Frisbee or ball and play at night. Note: for safety, this should only be played in a large open area without any hidden obstacles.
4. Stargazing
Camping often provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy night sky away from light pollution. Here’s some tips for a good stargazing experience:
What to bring:
- A good star chart or stargazing app
- A telescope or binoculars
- Comfy camp chairs or blankets
- Warm clothes
- Insect repellent if needed
- Red light flashlight to preserve night vision
Don’t forget to check weather forecasts and moon phases before heading out. New moon nights are best for stargazing, but you can also enjoy looking at the moon itself.
5. Campfire Storytelling
Sharing stories around the camp fire is one of the best ways to spend an evening. If you don’t know any good stories, anecdotes or misadventures to share, read from a good book together instead!
6. Campfire Storytelling with a Twist
Here’s a fun variation: each adult takes turns sharing a brief story, but there’s a catch. Every story must include a random object or theme.
Prepare a list of unusual objects or themes such as “an old boot,” “a mysterious letter,” or “a forgotten song.” Each storyteller must include the object in their story, with often hilarious results.
Example: a camper is handed a pinecone as their object prompt. Their story starts: “Once upon a chilly autumn night, I found a pinecone that glowed softly under the moonlight…”.
As the story continues, listeners shout out a new story element that must be added in to continue the story (“The pinecone opened up a portal…)
7. Campfire Sing-Along
Singing around a camp fire one of my favorite parts of the camping experience. It works best with a little bit of planning ahead.
Ask campers who play guitar or other portable instruments to join in. It’s helpful to print or write out lyrics for group singing to help everyone participate.
Keep in mind that it’s about having fun as a group, regardless of skill or experience.
8. Outdoor Movie Nights
Set up a projector and screen or a simple white sheet and you can enjoy a show under the stars. Here’s some fun camping movie suggestions that are family-friendly:
9. Nighttime Treasure hunt
A nighttime treasure hunt is a fun way to add excitement and adventure to your camping trip. All you’ll need is some flashlights and simple clues to have a great time.
Tips for camping treasure hunts:
- Set clear boundaries for the hunt
- Have campers work in teams for safety
- Incorporate glow sticks or reflective tape on hidden items to make them visible.
10. Campfire Games
We love group games that can be played without the need for equipment. Think about games like 20 Questions, Would You Rather, Truth or Dare, Mafia, and more. They’re ideal for a night around the campfire.
Best Camping Games
1. Classic board games or card games
It’s a good idea to bring a standard deck of cards on any camping trip in case of rainy days. Card games are great for when you don’t have much space, and can even be played on top of your sleeping bag in the tent!
Brian’s family always played gin rummy on campouts, while my family enjoyed Spades, Go Fish or cribbage.
If you want to branch out to other kinds of games, we love Phase 10, Monopoly Deal, Exploding Kittens and CodeNames. Our older kids enjoy playing chess, Catan, Castle Panic or Throw Throw Burrito.
2. Ball Games
You don’t necessarily need a big open space to play pickup sports like volleyball, baseball, football or soccer. Just toss the ball around in the space that’s available.
If you have a large group and plenty of space, you can also divide into teams for more complex games.
3. Yard Games
You may think you need a nice clear lawn space to play games like croquet or bocce. However, Brian grew up playing “wilderness croquet” with his family on camping trips – the obstacles made the game even more fun!
4. Water gun games
If you’re camping near water and the weather is warm, bring water guns and reusable water balloons. No plan needed!
For additional fun, you can do water gun races to fill up a container, or target practice.
5. Nerf games
As with the water guns, all you need are some Nerf guns and a large quantity of Nerf bullets. Target practice, team battles and other spontaneous games will happen, especially with teens.
I would also recommend eye protection, so that you don’t wind up with an unanticipated ER visit.
6. Laser tag
Laser tag is another fun game for older children, teens and adults to enjoy together. Best of all, there’s virtually no cleanup, unlike Nerf or water play.
7. Frisbee Games
Tossing a Frisbee around is a lot of fun, but there are also plenty of variations you can try to spice things up. Ultimate Frisbee and target practice are good starting ideas.
Some camp sites have disc golf courses to play through, so check your site ahead of time if that’s something you or your family members enjoy.
Outdoor activities
1. Mountain biking or rock climbing
With the right equipment and some basic training, both mountain biking and rock climbing can be beginner-friendly activities for camping.
Bring your own mountain bikes, or you may be able to rent some near the camp site. Check with local biking groups or at the park ranger office for suggested trails to try.
For rock climbing, enlist an experienced guide to help beginners learn basic safety and climbing.
2. Geocaching
Geocaching is like an adult treasure hunt played with people all over the world. You can use an app, or purchase dedicated geocaching devices to use.
You’ll be given GPS coordinates for a cache, which contains some kind of “treasure” (often a random object). However, it’s well-hidden, so you’ll need to search high and low to find it.
3. Get on the water
One of my favorite things about camping is the opportunity to be near creeks, lakes or the ocean. Adults can have plenty of fun in and on the water, whether swimming, diving, boating, jet skiing, rafting or fishing.
4. Wilderness Spa Day
Lounging in the outdoors surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds of nature brings peace and reduces anxiety. Why not enhance the natural benefits with some spa care?
If you’re lucky to camp near natural hot springs, these mineral-rich waters offer incredible relaxation and skin benefits. Spend some time soaking it in!
DIY spa treatments are another great way to slow down and rejuvenate. Create simple skincare treatments using honey, oatmeal, and aloe vera gel, or buy premade ones with natural ingredients.
5. Guided Nature Hikes
Many national parks or state parks offer guided hikes that cover topics from identifying bird calls to spotting rare plants. These walks range from easy strolls to challenging treks.
6. Kayaking and Canoeing Adventures
If you love water, bringing a kayak, canoe, or inflatable raft is a great way to enhance your camping trip. Paddling serene lakes or rivers gives a different perspective of the great outdoors, and you may see more wildlife as well.
7. Foraging and Wild Edibles Class
There are few things as satisfying as sourcing your own food from the local environment. Learning to identify and responsibly gather wild edible plants is fun and delicious.
Adult campers will love participating in a foraging class or learning from a guide. Check to see if there’s one offered near your camp site. Safety First: Never eat any wild plant without positive identification, as many can be toxic.
8. Yoga
Practicing mindful stretches and breathing exercises outside recharges your energy and increases tranquility. Many adults will find it refreshing to have a yoga session at the camp site. Sunrise or sunset can be a great time for this.
9. Mindful Nature Meditation
Ending or starting a camping day with a guided nature meditation can deepen appreciation for the surroundings. It’s also an opportunity to slow down, refresh the mind, and embrace the nature’s calm.
9. Survival Skills Course
If you or some of the other campers know some survival skills, consider sharing your knowledge as a group activity. Learning how to build shelter, find water, and start fire without matches are interesting and useful for everyone.
10. Photography Lesson
Most everyone has a phone camera nowadays, and many people would love to take better photos. Why not host a lesson on better photography as part of your camping trip?
Focus on learning how to shoot landscapes, macro shots of plants or insects, wildlife portraits, or nighttime photography. Then go out and capture some beautiful images!
11. Volunteer Eco-Camping
Volunteering together is a great way to bond and strengthen relationships, and you can easily incorporate it into your camping trip. Many parks offer opportunities to help with environmental projects that allow you to give back and support the parks.
Research local or regional parks offering volunteer camping programs. Some of the projects may include removing invasive species, planting native trees, or cleaning up campsites.
12. Crafting with Natural Materials
We love to bring along paint supplies to paint special rocks or sticks we’ve found. Using found items from your camp site or surroundings for crafts is a great way to create a memorable souvenir.
For younger kids, simple crafts like leaf prints and pinecone decorations can be great options.
13. Historic or Ghost Campgrounds
For a change of pace, camping at historic or ghost campgrounds can be a great idea. These spots often have tales of old settlements, abandoned mines, or notable events, blending history with nature.
Look for campgrounds with documented history or legends in your camping area. National and state parks often preserve these sites with informational plaques or guided tours.
14. Rockhounding
Many semi-precious stones and beautiful treasures are waiting to be found by observant campers. Bring a guidebook, some basic rockhounding tools and a sense of adventure and go looking for agates, jaspers and more.
Enjoy your camping trip!
I hope these camping games, activities and ideas help make your next camping trip fun and memorable. If you try some of these activities, I’d love to hear about them!
You may also enjoy these posts:
- Camping gifts for kids and teens
- Beginner’s camping ideas for families
- No cook camping meals and make ahead ideas
- Best canned foods for camping
- Complete list of US national parks and monuments by state
©️ Copyright Jennifer D. Warren 2025
