Summer’s about to start, and nothing beats ending the day around a campfire with family—unless everyone’s glued to a screen or arguing over who ate the last marshmallow! You don’t need all that. What actually makes those nights fun are the weird games, the off-key singing, and the stuff that ends in someone laughing so hard they fall off a log. It’s low effort, high chaos, and way more fun than refreshing a feed for the hundredth time. S’mores are great, but they’re not the main event. These family-friendly campfire activities keep it simple, get everyone involved, and don’t require anything but a little imagination!
Campfire Charades
Get ready to act out wacky stuff like a dancing penguin or a pancake flipper without saying a word! It’s fun watching everyone guess wildly while you try to mime a helicopter or a confused cat. The best part? No one really knows what’s going on, and everyone ends up laughing anyway. Add some silly props if you want to make it even goofier!
Backpack Relay
Ever try running while wearing all your camping gear at once? You’re about to! Set up a silly obstacle course and watch your friends wobble, hop, and crawl their way through with backpacks full of socks and sleeping bags. It’s part race, part chaos, and 100% funny.
Spy in the Dark
Everything’s more mysterious when it’s nighttime! Instead of colors, try spying shapes like “something glowing,” “something wiggly,” or “that thing next to the log that might be a rock or a raccoon.” Use flashlights for extra spookiness and giggles. It’s like a nighttime scavenger hunt—but way sillier.
Pass the Story
One person starts with “Once upon a time…” and by the time it gets around the circle, there’s a dragon in a tutu and someone named Kevin living in a taco. You never know what’s going to happen next, and that’s what makes it awesome. The weirder, the better! Warning: there will be belly laughs.
Memory Lane
Tell your funniest, weirdest, or most embarrassing camping stories—like that time you tripped into a puddle while eating a sandwich. Everyone gets a turn, and no one’s allowed to hold back the laughter. You can even make up a few details… no one will know! This one’s all about remembering the goofy stuff together.
Campfire Mad Libs
Take turns filling in the blanks with the silliest words you can think of (yes, even “fart” or “pickle” are allowed). Then read the story out loud and try not to laugh so hard you snort. You’ll end up with tales about dancing hippos on the moon or sneezing dinosaurs in tutus. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s perfect for camping.
Nature Bracelet Craft
Stick duct tape (sticky side out) around your wrist and go hunting for the coolest nature treasures. Leaves, flower petals, tiny rocks—whatever you find becomes part of your bracelet. Some turn out amazing. Others? Well, they’re “creative.”
Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss
Snap some glow sticks into rings, find a stick in the ground, and let the games begin! You’ll cheer, you’ll miss wildly, and someone will probably throw theirs straight into a bush. The glow makes everything look cooler—even if no one actually wins.
Campfire Jam
Grab a stick, bang on a log, and sing your heart out—even if you don’t know the words. The more off-key, the better! Someone always turns into a rock star, and someone else makes up a song about a squirrel. If someone brings a ukulele, they’re officially in charge of the band.
Firelight Freeze Dance
Dance around like no one’s watching… until someone yells “FREEZE!” Hold your pose—no matter how silly it looks. Bonus points for wobbly knees, wild arm flaps, and dramatic twirls. No music? Just clap, hum, or beat on a log—it still works!
Insect Safari
Take a flashlight and go exploring for nighttime bugs (the cool kind, not the bitey kind). You’ll find crawling critters, glowing eyes, and maybe a beetle that becomes your new BFF. Someone always names a bug something like “Captain Crunch.” Don’t worry—you’ll let them go after they’ve had their moment in the spotlight.
Nature Sound Orchestra
Who needs instruments when you’ve got sticks, rocks, and leaves? Make your own campfire band with crunches, taps, and clunks. It might sound like a mess… but a fun mess. Everyone gets to be noisy, and no one gets in trouble for it!
Build Fairy Houses
Use bark, moss, twigs, and pinecones to make tiny homes for forest fairies. It’s like building with blocks, but way more magical (and a little dirtier). Make secret doors, leaf beds, or even a pinecone mailbox. You don’t have to believe in fairies, but it’s more fun if you pretend.
Campfire Fashion Show
Wrap a blanket around your shoulders, put leaves in your hair, and strut like you’re walking a red carpet made of pine needles. Everyone makes their own wild outfit using only camping stuff. There are no rules—just laughs. Be ready to model like you meant to wear your rain boots on your hands.
Campfire Commercials
Make up the silliest product ever—like “Sasquatch Shampoo” or “Glow-in-the-Dark Pajamas for Turtles”—and sell it like you’re on TV. Someone can be the dramatic customer and someone else can be the “before and after” model. Use your biggest voices and wildest faces. This is your time to shine (and be very, very goofy).
Traveling With Kids? 10 Must-Know Tips for Parents
Traveling with kids can feel like an adventure, a challenge and a comedy all rolled into one. Whether heading out on a road trip or hopping on a plane, a little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring a smoother journey. These 10 tips, packed with lesser-known strategies and real-life examples will help you navigate the chaos and truly enjoy the experience with your little ones.
Campfire Cinema: Cozy Up With These Family Camping Movies
Grab the marshmallows and your coziest blankets—it’s time to turn the great outdoors into your open-air movie theater. Whether you’re camping in the backyard or deep in the woods, these feel-good, family-friendly camping movies are packed with adventure, laughs, and just the right amount of heart to light up your night under the stars.
Tamara Tsaturyan is the owner and writer of Thriving In Parenting, a website focused on providing simple tips for busy parents — easy and healthy recipes, home decor and organization ideas and all things P A R E N T I N G.
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