10 Campfire Games You Have to Play

Posted on 6/23/2009 by Kim

It’s officially summer. (cue kids cheering) Life slows down a bit in the summer, at least it should, leaving you with more time to spit watermelon seeds, dip your toes in a swimming pool, and savor the sweet refreshing taste of freshly squeezed lemonade. Mmm! If I had to pick out a centerpiece of summer, though, it would have to be the campfire. They have a magical way of bringing people together, inviting them to laugh, sing, and tell secrets. The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the crackles of the wood popping, the bright constellations above, and the warmth of people gathered around a central focus… I love campfires. So much of our life is spent moving in different directions, but the summertime campfire grabs you by the hand and asks you to sit and relax… together. Enjoy these ten campfire games you have to play…

1. Telephone
2. Truth or dare
3. Chubby bunny
4. Two truths and a lie
5. Guess the jelly bean
6. Twenty questions
7. Name that tune
8. A What?
9. Do as I say… not as I do
10. I can tap this stick just right

P.S. This isn’t a game, so it didn’t make the list, but here’s a fun site with over 1,600 campfire songs.

P.S.S. Also, not a game, but here’s a cool site to inspire some spooky campfire stories.

P.S.S.S. And finally, here are a few books on the subject…

The 175 Best Camp Games: A Handbook for Leaders
Camp games are meant to be fun. Here are the very best camp-tested games for boys and girls aged 4 to 16, with easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations. The Frasers include indoor and outdoor games for both small and large groups, with some old favorites and lots of new, soon-to-be favorites. Though written with camp leaders in mind, this book will appeal to youth activity directors, counselors, counselors-in-training, coaches, scout leaders, parents, teachers and any other adult looking for creative group activities for youth that include all participants and require little or no special equipment.

The Kids Campfire Book: Official Book of Campfire Fun
Families who camp, school classes that make treks to outdoor sites, and scout and youth group leaders will find this book to be a detailed compendium for safe, environmentally friendly, and joyous campfire experiences. Guidance is offered for selecting a location; creating wax firestarters (with adult guidance); and building, burning, and dousing campfires. Tips for seating, singing, cooking, storytelling, and conducting science demonstrations are included; fire, hatchet, knife, and cooking safety are given good coverage. Special features include making cooking utensils out of green wood, identifying night sounds, observing and identifying creatures by the shape and glow of their eyes, and both beautiful and silly songs complete with guitar cords. Peppy black-and-white pencil sketches appear throughout. No other current title offers so much information about creating a successful evening in camp.

The Girls’ Guide to Campfire Activities
Encarnacion takes readers on a virtual camping trip. The text starts with a step-by-step guide for building a campfire safely, followed by recipes, games, songs, and stories to share around it. The book concludes with a plan for hosting your own indoor campfire. Graphic-style cartoon illustrations are nicely done and capture the thrill of sitting around the fire listening to the woods and wildlife. The songs are silly fun, and the stories will have the campers squealing with frightened delight. An appealing volume that will give readers ideas for good old-fashioned fun.

101 Family Vacation Games: Have Fun While Traveling, Camping, or Celebrating at Home
This resource brings together games new and old from around the world, creating a wonderful collection for parents to explore with their families. The activities can be used any time parents, teachers, camp counselors, and other adults want to encourage laughing and learning and engage children in a positive and fun-filled way. There are games to play at the beach, while camping, in the car, on the plane, and elsewhere. Sample games include Word Tennis, Treasure Hunt, and Storytelling Starters, and photographs and illustrations enhance the play experience.

Campfire Cuisine
Campfire Cusine is a cookbook for the growing number of hikers, campers, and backpackers who are making healthy, tasty, and satisfying food a high priority in their lives. It offers more than 100 simple but inspired recipes for meals that can be cooked at a campsite or in any other outdoor setting—all made from fresh foods, never relying on ready-made food products. Enjoy Spicy Orange Chicken, Grilled Steak Tacos, Bourbon-Glazed Salmon, Lemony Couscous Salad, Cinnamon Baked Bananas, and more!