50 Campfire Games That Keep the Fun Going All Night 🔥

Wanderlust Vibes Only

Picture this: you’re wrapped in a blanket, toes warmed by the fire, the smell of toasted marshmallows drifting through the air. The kids are laughing, the stars are bright, and no one wants the night to end. That’s where campfire games come in — they’re the secret ingredient to turning a good evening into an unforgettable one.

As a digital nomad family of four — with our five-year-old son and two-year-old daughter — we’ve played games around campfires in Portuguese beach camps, forest clearings in France, and even our own backyard in the Netherlands. We’ve discovered that the right mix of campfire games for kids, campfire games for adults, and campfire games for families can keep everyone engaged long after the last s’more is gone.

In this guide, you’ll find 50 ideas you can use anywhere — whether it’s during a family camping trip, at a bonfire party, or even during a backyard BBQ party with friends. Some will have you laughing until your cheeks hurt, others will spark creative storytelling or friendly competition. And the best part? You don’t need much more than your fire, your people, and maybe a pack of cards or a fun glow-in-the-dark frisbee to keep the magic alive.

Campfire Games (Best Ones)

These are the all-time favorite campfire games we’ve seen work in every setting — whether it’s a family camping trip, a big campfire party, or just a quiet night in the backyard. They need little to no setup, and most work equally well for kids, adults, and mixed groups.

1. Story Builder

Everyone takes turns adding one sentence to a story, but here’s the twist — each person has to start with the last word the previous person used. Expect hilarious, unexpected tales. A portable camping lantern nearby helps keep faces visible for dramatic storytelling.

2. Glow Stick Ring Toss

Use glow stick necklaces and a stick in the ground for a nighttime ring toss game. It’s easy to set up, fun for all ages, and gives the fire area a magical glow.

3. Name That Tune – Campfire Edition

One person hums a song, and everyone else guesses. You can make it trickier by using a portable Bluetooth speaker to play short snippets of different genres.

4. Charades in the Dark

Classic charades, but with LED finger lights so players can add dramatic movements that stand out in the night.

5. Werewolf / Mafia

A thrilling group game of mystery and bluffing where villagers try to catch the werewolves before they’re all eaten. A deck of playing cards makes it easy to assign roles.

6. Two Truths and a Lie

Simple, fun, and perfect for getting to know people better. Great for both new friends and longtime camping buddies.

7. Marshmallow Sculpting

Hand everyone a few marshmallows and toothpicks, and see who can create the tallest, funniest, or most creative sculpture before eating it.

8. Campfire Karaoke

Set up a wireless microphone and a playlist of sing-along favorites. Works wonders for breaking the ice at a bonfire night activity.

9. Shadow Puppet Contest

All you need is a bright camping flashlight and a tent wall or sheet. See who can make the funniest or most realistic animal shadows.

10. S’mores Relay

Teams compete to roast and assemble the perfect s’more the fastest — but the marshmallow must be golden brown. A s’mores roasting kit can make it even easier and safer for kids.

Campfire Games for Kids

Kids have endless energy — even after a full day of outdoor camp activities like hiking, swimming, and exploring. The key is to channel that excitement into games that are safe, easy to set up, and fun for everyone watching. These campfire games for kids are perfect for a family camping trip, a lively campfire party, or even a simple backyard BBQ party. Most of them require only a few items you may already have, and they work just as well for small groups as for big gatherings.

11. Glow-in-the-Dark Scavenger Hunt

Before it gets dark, hide small glowing objects — think glow stick bracelets, LED toys, or painted rocks coated with glow-in-the-dark paint — around the campsite. Hand each child a mini LED flashlight and give them a list or picture guide of the items to find. Kids race around the area, searching for the glowing treasures. For extra fun, turn it into a timed challenge and see who can collect the most before the clock runs out.

12. Animal Sound Guessing Game

One child (or adult) makes the sound of an animal — it could be a loud roar, a gentle chirp, or a silly moo — and the others guess which animal it is. You can make it more exciting by using a sound effect app to throw in harder-to-recognize creatures, like a seal or a kookaburra. This game works especially well for younger kids and can even be played sitting down around the fire.

13. Sleeping Bag Races

Lay out a start and finish line, and have kids hop inside their sleeping bags to race from one end to the other. The hopping motion is hilarious to watch and even more fun for the kids doing it. Use durable kids’ sleeping bags so you don’t have to worry about tears. For extra laughs, make it a relay race where they tag the next player before swapping sleeping bags.

14. Campfire Freeze Dance

Play upbeat music on a portable Bluetooth speaker and let the kids dance around the campfire area (at a safe distance). When the music stops, they must freeze in place. Anyone who moves is out for the round. Keep playing until there’s only one dancer left, or keep it going just for the fun of it. It’s a great way to burn off that last burst of evening energy before bedtime.

15. Pass the Water Cup

Line the kids up in a row, all facing forward. The first child gets a cup filled with water and must pass it over their head to the person behind them without looking. The goal is to get the water to the last person without spilling too much. If you want to make it sillier, use a reusable camping cup and add colored water (using food coloring) for extra visual fun.

16. Shadow Charades

Hang a light-colored sheet or use the wall of a tent, then place a bright camping lantern behind the performer. They act out a word or phrase, and the rest of the kids guess based only on the shadow. You can theme it around animals, camping objects, or even favorite cartoon characters. The shadows make everything look extra funny and mysterious.

17. Hot Potato with a Glow Stick

The rules are simple: sit in a circle and pass a soft glow stick baton around while music plays. When the music stops, whoever’s holding the glow stick is out. Keep going until there’s one winner. This works perfectly after dark because the glowing “potato” is easy to spot and adds a fun twist to the classic game.

18. Marshmallow Catapult

Set up a bucket or bowl a few feet away from the kids. Using a mini slingshot toy, they try to launch marshmallows into the target. You can give each player a set number of marshmallows and award points for each one that lands in the bucket. Best part? Everyone gets to snack on the “practice” marshmallows.

19. Campfire Costume Parade

Pack a bag of dress-up accessories — hats, scarves, sunglasses, and funny wigs — and let kids pick their outfits. Once they’re ready, play music and have them strut around the fire in a silly parade. Adults can be the judges, awarding fun titles like “Most Colorful Outfit” or “Silliest Walk.”

20. Giggle Tag

In this twist on tag, the person who’s “it” must make another player laugh before tagging them. They can make faces, tell jokes, or do silly dances, but no touching until the laugh happens. It’s a great game for younger children who might find regular tag too fast or competitive.

Campfire Games for Adults

Once the kids are tucked in, it’s time for grown-ups to claim the fire. These campfire games for adults range from lighthearted to competitive, and they’re perfect for keeping the conversation flowing during a campfire party or bonfire night activity. Some are laid-back and work well with a drink in hand, while others will have you laughing so hard you forget the time.

21. Truth or Dare – Campfire Edition

This classic never gets old, especially when played with the crackle of the fire in the background. Write a mix of fun, silly, and daring prompts on small slips of paper and put them in two jars — one for “Truth” and one for “Dare.” For a twist, use a small waterproof container so you can take the game on any family camping trip or outdoor adventure without losing the cards.

22. Name That Tune – 90s and 2000s Hits

One player hums or plays a few seconds of a song on a portable Bluetooth speaker, and the others race to name it. Make it decade-themed for extra nostalgia, or create playlists on your phone before the trip. This is a great backyard BBQ party game when you want to get people singing along.

23. Werewolf (or Mafia)

Perfect for larger groups, this game blends strategy, bluffing, and a bit of acting. Players are secretly assigned roles — villagers, werewolves, or a moderator — using a deck of playing cards or printed role cards. Each “night,” the werewolves secretly choose a victim, and each “day,” the villagers vote to eliminate someone they suspect. The tension builds until one side wins.

24. The Compliment Game

Everyone takes turns giving the person on their left a genuine, heartfelt compliment. Sounds easy, but after a few rounds, you’ll be digging deep for thoughtful words. You can make it sillier by mixing in a few “compliment dares” like “Make it rhyme” or “Say it in a dramatic voice.” Works beautifully when winding down the night.

25. Campfire Trivia Night

Choose categories like travel, pop culture, or history, and have one person serve as quizmaster. A waterproof trivia card deck makes it easy to keep the game going, even if someone spills a drink or the air gets damp. Offer small prizes — maybe a marshmallow s’more or the last piece of chocolate — for the winners.

26. Shadow Charades – Adults Only

The same setup as the kids’ version, but with inside jokes, movie scenes, or pop culture references only the adults will get. Use a bright camping lantern to cast the shadows on a tent wall or sheet for dramatic effect.

27. Pass the Story – Campfire Confessions

One person starts a fictional story, but every player has to sneak in one real fact about themselves without anyone noticing. At the end, everyone guesses which parts were true. This is an easy way to mix storytelling with personal connection.

28. Sip or Spill

Similar to “Never Have I Ever,” but with a twist: if you’ve done the thing mentioned, you take a sip of your drink; if you haven’t, you tell a short story related to the topic. Works best with insulated camping cups to keep drinks warm or cold.

29. Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss – Night Challenge

Set up glow stick rings and a stick or bottle as the target, then compete to see who can land the most rings. Turn off all other lights so the only glow comes from the fire and the game pieces.

30. Campfire Pictionary

Use a small dry erase board and markers to draw clues while others guess. It’s more challenging and fun in low light, and you can theme the prompts around camping, travel, or inside jokes from your trip.

Campfire Games for Families

Some of the best memories happen when everyone — kids, parents, and even grandparents — joins in on the fun. These campfire games for families are simple to set up, entertaining for all ages, and perfect for turning a quiet evening into an unforgettable part of your family camping trip. They work for big campfire parties, intimate backyard BBQ party nights, and even bonfire games during fall and winter gatherings.

31. Campfire Bingo

Before your trip, print bingo cards with camping-themed items — a roasting stick, a shooting star, a tent, a flashlight. As you spot them during the evening, mark them off. The first to get five in a row wins. Reusable bingo boards are great for multiple trips and avoid waste.

32. The Laugh Chain

One person starts with a silly laugh — it can be high-pitched, snorty, or exaggerated — and the next person has to copy it exactly before adding their own twist. Go around the circle until everyone is laughing for real. This works especially well to bring shy kids into the fun.

33. Family Talent Show

Each person prepares a short act — it could be singing, telling a joke, juggling, or even showing off a new dance move. A portable camping lantern makes the perfect “spotlight” for the performers. Award funny titles like “Best Animal Impression” or “Most Dramatic Performance.”

34. Would You Rather? – Camping Edition

Take turns asking questions like, “Would you rather sleep under the stars or in a treehouse?” or “Would you rather roast marshmallows or hot dogs for dinner?” You can make it sillier for kids or more thought-provoking for adults.

35. Flashlight Hide and Seek

One person is “it” and uses a bright LED flashlight to spot players hiding in the dark. Works best in safe, open areas near the campsite and is a hit for both kids and adults who like to sneak around.

36. Campfire Sing-Along

Pick a few classic songs or family favorites and sing together. Bring a small acoustic guitar or a wireless microphone for karaoke-style fun. You can even split into teams and have a friendly sing-off.

37. Story Circle – Round Robin

One person starts a story with a single sentence, then the next person adds another, and so on until you have a completely unpredictable (and often hilarious) tale. Younger kids love adding their own imaginative twists, while adults can steer the plot toward epic adventures.

38. Balloon Keep-Up

Blow up a balloon and try to keep it from touching the ground using only your heads. For nighttime play, use a light-up LED balloon so everyone can see it.

39. Nature Charades

Same as regular charades, but every prompt has to be related to nature or camping — like “pitching a tent,” “catching a fish,” or “swatting mosquitoes.” This levels the playing field so both kids and adults can join in.

40. S’mores Challenge

Each family member has to create the most unique s’more possible using whatever’s available — think peanut butter cups instead of chocolate or adding sliced strawberries. A s’mores kit with a variety of toppings makes this even more fun and delicious.

Bonfire Night Activities

A big, crackling fire has a way of pulling people together. These bonfire night activities work whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering for a few close friends or a lively campfire party with dozens of guests. They’re perfect for all ages and add that extra layer of magic to bonfire games and chilly-season evenings outdoors.

41. Sky Lantern Release

Hand out biodegradable sky lanterns and a few markers so guests can write down wishes, affirmations, or messages of gratitude. Once lit, the lanterns float gently into the sky, creating a stunning, almost dreamlike scene. It’s a great way to mark a special occasion or simply end the night on a meaningful note. Make sure to choose lanterns safe for the environment and only release them in areas where it’s permitted.

42. Bonfire Dance Off

Clear a safe space near the fire (but not too close!) and play upbeat music from a portable Bluetooth speaker. Divide into small teams or let everyone compete individually. Add fun themes like “Best 80s Moves,” “Wildest Freestyle,” or “Funniest Dance” to keep things lighthearted. Kids can serve as judges, which always adds extra laughter.

43. Firelight Story Swap

Pass around a story stick — a decorated branch or carved piece of wood — and let whoever holds it share a personal travel story, a spooky camp tale, or a memory from their childhood. The stick acts as a “talking piece,” giving everyone a chance to speak without interruption. The flicker of the fire makes stories feel richer and more captivating.

44. Glow-in-the-Dark Capture the Flag

Divide into two teams, each with a glowing “flag” like a glow stick baton wrapped in bright tape. The goal: sneak into the other team’s territory, grab their flag, and return it without being tagged. This works best in an open outdoor space, and the glowing elements add a magical touch to nighttime play.

45. Hot Drink Taste Test

Set up a tasting station with a variety of hot drinks — from classic hot chocolate and chai lattes to mulled cider and herbal teas. Serve them in insulated camping mugs so they stay warm while people taste and guess what’s in each cup. Offer a small treat as a prize for the most correct guesses.

46. Bonfire Photo Challenge

Create a list of photo prompts like “Most Epic Marshmallow Roast,” “Best Shadow Silhouette,” or “Coziest Blanket Moment.” Give guests time to take their shots, either on their phones or with a compact instant camera. Share the photos later as a memento of the night.

47. Star Map Hunt

Bring a glow-in-the-dark constellation map or use a stargazing app to identify visible constellations. Set a timer and see who can spot the most in 15 minutes. For an extra challenge, include planets or satellites on the list. It’s a peaceful yet engaging way to enjoy the night sky.

48. Campfire Drum Circle

Gather any percussion instruments you have — bongos, tambourines, shakers, or even pots and pans — and form a circle around the fire. A small travel drum works perfectly for this. Let one person start a rhythm and have everyone else join in, building the beat together.

49. Bonfire Trivia – Fire Facts Edition

Host a quiz night centered around fire, camping, and outdoor survival. Include a mix of fun facts (like “What’s the hottest part of a flame?”) and practical knowledge. A waterproof trivia card set makes it easy to keep playing even if the evening gets damp.

50. Sparkler Art

Hand out long sparklers and let guests “draw” shapes or words in the air while someone takes long-exposure photos. Try writing the year, making hearts, or creating spirals. The glowing trails look magical in photos and make for a memorable finale to the night.

From Embers to Memories 🔥

Campfires and bonfires are about more than warmth — they’re about connection, shared laughter, and creating the kind of moments that stick with you for years. Whether you’re on a family camping trip, hosting a backyard BBQ party, or enjoying a cozy bonfire night activity, these 50 games and activities will keep everyone smiling long after the fire burns down.

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