36 Camping Games and Activities

Gathering around the campfire, sleeping under the stars, and exploring nature are what memories are made of—but any seasoned troop leader or parent knows that a rainy afternoon or a long tent evening needs a backup plan!

Whether you are planning a pre-trip packing meeting, looking to pass the miles on a long drive to the campsite, or trying to keep a troop of energetic scouts engaged in the great outdoors, having a toolbox of quick games is a lifesaver. To help you keep the fun going from sunrise to flashlight time, we’ve gathered 36 of the absolute best camping games, printables, and activities.

From silly camp-themed Mad Libs to energy-burning relay races and interactive scavenger hunts that teach essential Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, these low-prep ideas will ensure your next outdoor adventure is an absolute hit!

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Camping Mad Lib

Get ready for some serious campfire giggles! This interactive fill-in-the-blank game is the perfect way to pass the time in the tent or pass the miles on the drive to the campsite. Have the girls call out silly words to create a wild camping adventure story they’ll want to read out loud over and over again.

➡️Download for free!

Camping Puzzles

Keep your scouts engaged and excited for the great outdoors! This printable download features a collection of three camping-themed word puzzles designed to test your group’s outdoor smarts. It’s the perfect, low-prep icebreaker for a pre-trip meeting or a fun tent activity for a rainy day at camp.

➡️Get all three.

Outdoor Games to Play When Camping

Four fun outdoor games:

Sleeping Bag Rolling Relay Race
Marco Polo
Capture the Flag
Survival Tent Game

➡️PDF from GSUSA

Nature Scavenger Hunt

This Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable is a fantastic, interactive tool to teach kids about the outdoors while instilling the core values of Leave No Trace (LNT). As young explorers search for the items on their list, the activity provides a perfect opportunity to practice principles like Principle 4: Leave What You Find. Instead of collecting physical items and disturbing the local ecosystem, children can simply check them off their printable sheet or snap a photo.

➡️Download for your group.

26 Games to Play Any Day

This PDF download is from GSUSA:

7 Icebreakers
7 Indoor Games
12 Outdoor Games

➡️Download From GSMW

Camping Bingo

Camping Bingo is a fantastic, low-prep game that keeps kids and scouts engaged while sharpening their observation skills in the great outdoors. Instead of just sitting around the campsite, players can grab a board and scan their surroundings for nature staples like pinecones, wildlife, tents, and hiking boots. It works beautifully as an interactive scavenger hunt during a day hike, a fun icebreaker for a pre-trip packing meeting, or a cozy tent activity to pass the time during a sudden rainstorm.

➡️Get 12 cards and a set of calling cards.

Pick a Theme

What is your group’s latest obsession? Is it based on a current movie? A sport? A book? A gameshow. Or maybe a world event such as the Olympics. Whatever it is, consider capitalizing on the fun with a theme-based camping trip.

➡️Take a look at these carnival games.

No matter if your camping trip brings clear blue skies or a surprise downpour, these 36 games and activities are sure to bring your group closer together and fill your trip with serious campfire giggles. The best part? Most of these printables and resources are completely free and easy to pack, making your trip preparation completely stress-free.

So grab your sleeping bags, prep your scavenger hunt checklists, and get ready for an unforgettable outdoor adventure!