Catherine - Savvy Family TravelCamping with kids always results in the best family memories, but keeping them entertained while you’re cooking dinner or trying to enjoy your coffee can prove challenging on the fly. That’s why I put together this giant list of camping games for kids—including how much prep is required.
Some are spontaneous and use what you already have. Others require a little planning, but I promise they’re worth the effort.
No-Prep Camping Games for Kids
These are the MVPs of camping games for kids. No supplies, no setup, just kids being kids.
DIY Nature Tic-Tac-Toe
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: 4 sticks, 2 sets of nature pieces
Here is one way to do it but you could also simply lay out a grid with sticks and play using rocks vs. pinecones.
Shadow Tag at Sunset
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Players: 2+
- Supplies: None
Kids chase each other trying to step on each other’s shadows. It’s hilarious and best right before dusk.
Fairy House Building
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 5+
- Supplies: Just sticks
These camping games for kids can fill an entire afternoon if you let them.
Nature Mandalas
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Rocks, leaves, pinecones, acorns, dandelions
Gather pieces from around the campsite and design circular patterns.
Rock, Stick, Leaf
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 3+
- Supplies: Nature objects
It’s rock-paper-scissors with natural items. Line up a rock, stick and leaf in front of each player. On Rock, Stick, Leaf “SHOOT,” quickly grab the item you wish to play.
Quick, silly, and surprisingly fun. (Leaf covers Rock, Rock breaks Stick, Stick rips Leaf)
Boat Races
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Tree bark, sticks, leaves, grasses (as string)
Build your own boat with whatever natural materials can be found and race them down a flowing creek or river.
No Prep “Around the Campfire” Camping Games for Kids
20 Questions: Camping Edition
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 6+
- Supplies: None
One person thinks of an animal or camping item, everyone else asks yes/no questions until they guess it.
One Word at A Time Stories
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: None
Build a story going around in a circle, each person adding the next word in the sentence.
ABC Categories
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: None
Build a story going around in a circle, each person adding the next word in the sentence.
Copycat
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: None
One person starts by making some type of motion with their body. The next person in the circle needs to do that action plus their own. Games goes on until someone forgets to do one of the previous motions.
Pack-Ahead Camping Games for Kids
You’ll need to toss these in the trunk, but they’ll earn their space.
Sand Mini Golf
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Putters and golf balls (or tennis balls work great too)
If you know there’s a beach at the campground or a sand volleyball court, a great camping game for kids is to have each child design a mini golf hole in the sand. Then have the group play the course!
Art Box
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 3+
- Supplies: Sketch Book, Water Colors, Paint Markers, Glue, Markers, a string and clothespins to hang art to dry.
Use the glue for Nature Mandalas, use the markers or paints for leaf prints, and more.
Gaga Ball
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: A kickball
The last 3 campgrounds we’ve stayed in have all recently installed Gaga Ball courts. Be ready to use them by packing your own ball. Our kids both knew how to play as their schools have one on the playground, but you can quickly learn the game rules online.
Hula Hoop Games
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 3+
- Supplies: Hula hoop
We bring just one, and it turns into a jumping ring, target zone, or limbo prop.
Chalk
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 2+
- Supplies: Chalk
Chalk has loads of uses and is one of the easiest camping games for kids to pack. Use chalk for yard games like hopscotch, obstacle courses, creating roads for toy cars, and endless drawing fun.
Ladder Toss
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 6+
- Supplies: Ladder toss set
We rotate this in for downtime while dinner cooks. It gets competitive!
Giant Bubbles
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 2+
- Supplies: Bubble wand + solution
Toddlers chase, big kids make bubble challenges. Always a hit.
Construction Site
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 2+
- Supplies: Dump Truck, Excavator, Bulldozer, Backhoe
If we have the space, we’ll always pack a bin of construction trucks. They provide hours of fun rain or shine.
Tug-of-War
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Rope
Use a log or towel as the center line and go kids vs. grownups. Instant classic.
Mad Libs: Camping Edition
- Prep Level: Bring-Along
- Ages: 6+
- Supplies: Mad Libs booklet or printable
Perfect around the picnic table. The sillier the words, the better.
Nature-Inspired Camping Games for Kids
Encouraging a little observation and creativity goes a long way outdoors.
Nature Bracelets
- Prep Level: Low Prep
- Ages: 3+
- Supplies: Masking tape
Wrap tape sticky-side out around wrists and decorate with found leaves, flowers, etc. Toddlers to tweens love this. When finished, I like to lock everything in place with another layer of tape.
Mini Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Prep Level: Low Prep
- Ages: 2+
- Supplies: You can create a simple list on the fly, print one ahead of time, or order one online.
These Find It cards from Amazon were fun for my kids or you can snag this aesthetic wooden tray from Etsy.
Explorer Kits
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Assorted
Several State and National Parks we’ve visited have offered well stocked Explorer Backpacks that you can borrow from ranger stations for free. Ask at the Visitor Center.
They typically have a guide book to the local animals or plants, a bug net, insect jar, magnifying glass, binoculars, compass, pencil, and ruler.
Bug Hunt
- Prep Level: Low Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Bug Box or DIY Bug Jar
After Dark Camping Games for Kids
Flashlight Hide-and-Seek
- Prep Level: Low Prep
- Ages: 6+
- Supplies: Flashlight
We play this every camping trip. One kid hides, the rest use flashlights to search. Bonus: it tires them out before bed.
Glow Stick Dance Party
- Prep Level: Low Prep
- Ages: 2+
- Supplies: Glow sticks
Once it gets dark, crack a bunch of glow sticks and let the dance party begin. We like the large packs that come with lots of connectors and use clear packing tape to attach pieces to your body.
Glow Ring Toss
- Prep Level: Bring-Along
- Ages: 5+
- Supplies: Glow bracelets, stick or water bottle
Great nighttime game. Easy to set up and even easier to play.
Constellation Spotting
- Prep Level: Bring-Along
- Ages: 5+
- Supplies: Star map or app
Lay out on a blanket and try to find the Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt.
Rainy-Day or Tent Games
Sometimes the weather shifts. These camping games for kids are great for rainy mornings or quiet tent time.
Card Games & Board Games
- Prep Level: Bring-Along
- Ages: 5+
- Supplies: We recently played a hot potato type game called “Hurry Up Chicken Butt” and the kids loved it! We also keep Peg Solitaire, cribbage, Phase 10, a deck of cards, travel chess, and a puzzle in our camp bin.
Classics like Uno, Go Fish, or Monopoly Deal are great options too.
Cup Stacking Races
- Prep Level: Bring-Along
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Plastic cups
Create pyramid towers and race to see who builds fastest.
Would You Rather: Camping Edition
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Optional: Books from Amazon (Would You Rather Camping Edition)
Ask silly questions like “Would you rather camp in the snow or with 100 frogs?” or “Would you rather be covered in bug bites or sunburn?”
Wet and Wild Fun
- Prep Level: Bring Along
- Ages: 2+
- Supplies: Rain boots, jacket, a puddle.
There’s only so long you can bunker down inside at a campsite. Let kids lose in the rain to play with their trucks/toys in the mud.
Large Group Camping Games for Kids
Great for when you have cousins, neighbors, or campground friends joining in.
Campsite Olympics
- Prep Level: Bring-Along + Low Prep
- Ages: 4+
- Supplies: Chalk or cones to set boundaries
Set up a series of goofy competitions: sack race, long jump, frisbee toss.
Charades
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 5+
- Supplies: Guesstures board game (Optional)
Split into two teams and guess the word or phrase your team mate is acting out. They can make it up on the fly or you can pack the deck of cards from the Guesstures board game.
Obstacle Course Relay
- Prep Level: Low Prep
- Ages: 3+
- Supplies: Anything around camp!
Jump over logs, crawl under picnic tables, spin in circles—we make this up on the fly.
Sardines (Reverse Hide-and-Seek)
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 5+
- Supplies: None
One person hides, everyone else searches. When you find them, you join them in their hiding spot. Last one out loses.
Campfire Talent Show
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: All ages
- Supplies: None (optional props)
Kids perform silly songs, jokes, or dances after s’mores.
Red Rover
- Prep Level: No Prep
- Ages: 5+
- Supplies: None
To play Red Rover, two teams form lines facing each other, then take turns calling out “Red Rover, Red Rover, send [name] right over!” to challenge a player from the other team to run and try to break through their linked arms.
Packing List: Endless Camping Games for Kids
Camping with kids doesn’t have to mean packing your entire toy room or planning a Pinterest-worthy itinerary. With a little creativity and a handful of ideas, your whole crew can stay entertained, connected to nature, and maybe start some new traditions.
Here’s a list of some key things to pack for endless entertainment:
- Putter and golf balls (or tennis balls) for DIY mini golf
- Art Supply Box with a Sketch Book, Water Colors, Paint sticks, Glue, Markers, a string and clothespins to hang art to dry.
- A kickball (dodgeball, kickball, gaga ball and more)
- A hula hoop
- Chalk
- Ladder Toss
- Bubbles
- Construction trucks to play in sand or dirt
- Rope (Limbo, obstacle courses, Tug-of-War)
- Packing Tape (Nature Bracelets, Glow Stick Dance Party, Talent Show Props)
- Bug Box
- Flashlights or Headlamps
- Glow Sticks
- Card Games/Board Games: Cribbage, Peg Solitaire, Hurry Up Chicken Butt, Uno, Yahtzee, Phase 10.
- Plastic Cups
- Sports Cones
- Frisbee
Optional items if you don’t want to come up with topics/themes on the fly:
- Mad Libs Camping Edition
- Scavenger Hunt Cards / Printables
- Would You Rather Camping Edition
- Guesstures – A Charades Game
Also, be sure to check out our complete checklist of camping gear to pack and our hacks for camping with kids.
If you have favorite camping games for kids, I’d love to hear what worked best for your crew
Catherine – Savvy Family Travel
My favorite pastime is finding fun, interesting experiences to share with family and friends.
I’m a mom of two energetic and curious boys who have endless patience with my tendency to over plan activities on our family vacations. My tireless husband, Troy, provides comic relief, is our favorite photographer, and expert navigator.
I’m a firm believer that travel with kids doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. It can be affordable, epic, and, dare I say, even relaxing!
Are you a travel loving parent too? I’d love to meet you, please reach out via Messenger and say “hi!”
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links on which (at no additional cost to you) I may earn a small commission. I promise to use any kickback to explore more of our incredible world. Read full privacy policy here.
Catherine – Savvy Family Travel
My favorite pastime is finding fun, interesting experiences to share with family and friends.
I’m a mom of two energetic and curious boys who have endless patience with my tendency to over plan activities on our family vacations. My tireless husband, Troy, provides comic relief, is our favorite photographer, and expert navigator.
I’m a firm believer that travel with kids doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. It can be affordable, epic, and, dare I say, even relaxing!
Are you a travel loving parent too? I’d love to meet you, please reach out via Messenger and say “hi!”
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links on which (at no additional cost to you) I may earn a small commission. I promise to use any kickback to explore more of our incredible world. Read full privacy policy here.
Love this list of games to keep kids entertained. Like the variety of things you have on the list. The word games remind me of times around campfires as a kid. And my kids loved anything that looked like a scavenger hunt!
Fairy houses were a perennial favorite for our kids. Love these low prep options for kids.
Oooh you have so many fun sounding ideas! I am expecting our first little-un any day now and we LOVE camping… so hopefully in the next few years I can give these a try!
That’s very exciting! Have fun exploring with your mini-me!