No summer camp is complete without games! They’re super fun and a very important part of the camp experience.
However, it can be tricky to come up with games on the spot! How exactly do you select the right game for the right moment?
Luckily, in this article, we’ll give you loads of game ideas as well as helpful information on how to choose the perfect game! We’ll teach you games of all different types, including:
- Outdoor team games
- Indoor group games
- Water games for the pool or lake
- Nighttime campfire games
- Educational games with a fun twist
- Quick icebreakers for new campers
Let’s get right into it!
Importance of Summer Camp Games
Games are a crucial part of the summer camp experience.
Not only are they a fun way to pass the time and, in some cases, great physical exercise, but they can also have real, tangible benefits for campers!
Games teach social skills like interaction and cooperation, as well as foster leadership abilities.
They can also help campers learn new things; even if the game isn’t strictly educational, most games require strategizing and problem-solving. Improvement in these aspects also helps the campers’ self-confidence!
Outdoor Team Summer Camp Games
If the weather’s fine, there’s nothing better than outdoor games! These games are designed to be a blast while providing exercise and encouraging teamwork.
Capture the Flag
In Capture the Flag, each team has a flag (or other item if your camp has a fun theme) that is placed in their territory.
The goal of the game is to work together as a team to get the other side’s flag back to your territory without getting tagged out yourself and while guarding your flag.
It’s the perfect game for developing strategy, bonding, and, of course, a little healthy competition!
Kickball
Kickball works similarly to baseball, but rather than hitting a pitched ball with a bat, players kick an inflatable rubber ball or soccer ball and then attempt to round the bases before the opposing team catches up to the ball and kicks it to hit them.
Using a softer ball and kicking means that this game is more accessible for campers of all ages and skill levels!
Tug of War
In tug-of-war, two equally weighted teams hold onto either side of a rope. The rope is generally marked in the middle, and a similar mark is on the ground.
Each team pulls on the rope and tries to either get the middle mark on their side for a predetermined amount of time or get the other team over the center mark on the ground.
In similar versions, the last team standing and holding the rope wins! While tug of war is a simple game, winning it is a matter of timing and cooperation, not brute strength, which is a neat lesson!
Ultimate Frisbee
In ultimate frisbee, the goal is to get the frisbee into the other team’s end zone by coordinating and passing it between your teammates!
You can’t move once you’ve caught the disc, making it essential to work together to avoid interception and turnover.
Relay Races
Relay races are key to making running a team sport (and, frankly, a lot more fun!).
Make sure to mix up the teams to keep it fair. You can also do relay races that don’t rely as much on speed or fitness, like egg and spoon races.
Water Balloon Fight
If it’s warm out, nothing beats the heat like a water balloon fight!
Make strict rules or let chaos ensue; it’s all up to you and your campers. Just make sure to have everyone pick up the balloon mess afterward; otherwise, you can get reusable water balloons or squirt guns to minimize the cleaning time.
Scavenger Hunt
In a scavenger hunt, campers race to find all of the items on a list! They can be physical objects, taking photos, or just completing tasks and challenges.
Scavenger hunts are also easy to operate with a themed camp in a fun way (like finding things in nature, treasure hunt, etc.)
Sack Race
A sack race is just what it sounds like: campers step into a large sack (such as a potato sack) and race each other!
It’s silly but can still get pretty intense, and jumping as fast as you can is really good exercise!
Three-Legged Race
If you’re looking for another silly race, three-legged races are always a blast.
Campers pair up, stand shoulder to shoulder, and have the middle row of their legs bound (gently) together. They then have to coordinate steps to win the race—there’s no better way to bond!
Indoor Group Summer Camp Games
Just because it’s a rainy day or your camp is held indoors doesn’t mean you can’t still have a blast! These indoor games will have everyone laughing in no time:
Charades
Charades is a classic party game that is very camp-friendly! To play, you break into pairs or teams, draw clues out of a hat (or anything that can hold scraps of paper), and have the person whose turn it is try and act out the clue without speaking while their team or partner guesses.
If you trust them, you can also have your campers write out their clues for extra entertainment!
Pictionary
Pictionary is another guessing game, but instead of acting, you draw out the clue! While this exists as a board game, all you really need to play it is pen and paper or a whiteboard.
Board Games (e.g., Monopoly, Scrabble)
Board games or cards are also a camp staple! Make sure you have enough to go around and that the games are shared and played fairly, so no one feels left out.
Musical Chairs
In musical chairs, chairs are placed in a circle, one less than the number of people playing.
Music is played, and the campers walk around the circle of chairs. When the music stops playing, everyone rushes to take a seat and the person left standing is eliminated.
Then, one chair is removed, and the game continues until only the winner remains!
Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek is a commonly played game, but it can be so much fun with a large number of campers!
To play it, the seeker closes their eyes and counts down while everyone else hides.
When the time is up, the seeker has to find the hiders! It can be fun to break up into teams instead of just having one seeker as well.
Simon Says
In Simon Says, one camper (or camp leader) is in the role of “Simon.”
It’s their job to give instructions to the group by saying “Simon Says…” (touch your nose, spin around, and do other similar things.)
If a camper doesn’t follow instructions correctly or follows them when Simon hasn’t said the magic words, they’re out for the round!
Duck, Duck, Goose
In Duck, Duck, Goose, campers sit in a wide circle facing each other, and one is selected to be the tagger.
The tagger walks around the outside of the circle, taps the campers lightly on the head, and says either “duck” or “goose.”
If they say “duck,” nothing happens, but if they dub a camper “goose,” they then run away, and the “goose” has to chase them.
If the tagger gets caught, they remain the tagger. However, if they manage to get around the circle and into the goose’s seat before getting caught, the goose is now “it”!
Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts also work really well indoors, and it’s easier to hide real objects for the campers to find.
Plus, you don’t need to worry about things like ants or the campers wandering too far away!
Balloon Pop
In Balloon Pop, the campers break into teams and stand in line with balloons for each team across the room.
When the game starts, each person needs to run and pop a balloon as fast as they can, then return to their line before the next person goes. The first team to pop all their balloons wins!
Water Games for the Pool or Lake
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a pool or lake, these water games are sure to be a hit!
Just make sure to be extra vigilant when playing in the water, especially if it’s deeper than standing height for your campers.
Marco Polo
Marco Polo is the most iconic pool game! To play, one person has to tag the other players.
The tagger has to have their eyes closed, but when they say “Marco” everyone else needs to reply, “Polo!”
Water Volleyball
Water volleyball is just that—volley in the water! You can play it with a net, but you don’t need one to have a blast.
Pool Noodle Jousting
If you have pool noodles, jousting is bound to happen! Turn it into a game by having a structured competition; this makes it safer and fairer as well.
Water Balloon Toss
In the Water Balloon Toss, campers are paired up and given a water balloon between them.
They gently throw it back and forth and have to take a step apart each time a pass is successful. Play carefully, or get splashed!
Water Relay Races
Relay races are also really fun in the pool or lake; just make sure the baton floats!
Pool Basketball
If you have a basketball hoop or can drum up a makeshift one, pool basketball is the best!
For younger campers, using a soft foam or inflatable rubber ball may be a good idea.
Watermelon Relay
You can also do a relay race using a watermelon!
Just have the teams along one side, and have them move the floating watermelon to the end point and back before handing it off.
If you want to make it extra tricky, use Crisco or vegetable oil to make the melon slippery first!
Underwater Treasure Hunt
If your campers are strong swimmers, diving for prizes or ring toys is a great way to get even better at it and have fun doing it.
Water Tag
A simple game of tag in the water is always fun! You can also play themed line tag like sharks and minnows or freeze tag to hone your water treading skills!
Night-time Campfire Circle Games
Just because the sun’s gone down doesn’t mean the fun activities have to stop for the kids!
Campfire Stories
A camp classic is to swap stories (spooky or otherwise) around a campfire! It’s an amazing way to encourage confidence, speaking skills, and creativity, as well as strong friendships.
Marshmallow Roasting
Making marshmallow roasting into a timed game helps everyone stay safe and minimizes fire risk!
Sing-Along with Guitar
If you (or any of your campers) can strum a tune, bringing a guitar to a campfire sing-along is a recipe for an excellent jam session.
Shadow Puppets
If you’ve got a light source and a blank wall, amaze your campers with shadow puppets and encourage them to make their own!
Glow Stick Ring Toss
If you’ve got glow sticks, you can mold them into rings (often used as bracelets or necklaces) and have a magical night-time ring toss!
Stump the Stars (Stargazing)
Have a look up at the night sky and teach your campers about the stars and constellations! Encourage the sharing of mythologies and cultural beliefs, as well as making up their own stories.
Capture the Flag (with Glow Sticks)
Capture the Flag can also be super fun in the night or evening, and using glow sticks pinpoints who you need to watch out for! It adds another level of fun and strategy to the game.
Spotlight
Spotlight is a mix between tag and hide and seek and can only be played in the dark! The tagger has a flashlight and tags others by shining it on them.
Educational Summer Camp Games with a Fun Twist
These games max out the learning while still being a blast! Feel free to tailor them to your camp’s theme or campers’ interests.
Jeopardy-style Quiz
Jeopardy-style quizzes are always fun, and they allow campers to choose topics that they’re strong in. Make sure you have the music!
Math Bingo
Have numbered bingo cards given out, but read out equations rather than the numbers themselves!
Science Jeopardy
The Jeopardy theme works especially well with science questions, either with “name the answer” or having multiple choices.
Spelling Bee with Prizes
Hosting an age-appropriate spelling bee is always fun, especially when there are prizes on the line!
History Challenge
How well do your campers know their history? Make your own quiz, or find one on Kahoot or a similar platform.
Geography Treasure Hunt
Use geography-themed questions to find “treasure” or a map or globe!
Creative Writing Contest
Having your campers come up with short stories is a great way to get to know them and to have them exercise their creativity.
Artistic Expression Showcase
You can also have an art contest! Set a specific challenge, or let campers choose their own theme.
Quick Icebreakers for New Campers
Getting to know a bunch of new people can be tense at first! Break down barriers with these icebreaker games:
Two Truths and a Lie
Each camper says two true facts about themselves and makes up a lie, then everyone guesses which is which!
Human Bingo
Hand out printable bingo cards with common traits on them (who is left-handed, likes basketball, etc.), and have your campers mingle and ask each other questions to try and get bingo!
Name That Tune
Play a clip of a well-known song and have everyone guess the tune!
The Great Candy Pass
Hand out at least two pieces of wrapped candy to each of the campers, who will be sitting in a circle.
You then read out a list of funny, getting-to-know-you yes-or-no questions. If the camper answers yes to the question, they need to pass a piece of candy to the person on their right.
The person with the most candy at the end wins! (Make sure to keep some extra in case someone misses out, though that’s unlikely to happen.)
Would You Rather?
Ask age-appropriate “Would you rather?” questions to get the giggles flowing!
Memory Circle
Have each person state their favorite thing (sports team, food, or something related to the camp) in a circle, but each person has to list the things that came before them as well. Make sure to mix up the order!
Interview Your Neighbor
Have campers interview each other in pairs, then introduce the other person! Have some questions on hand to supply if they can’t think of any.
Guess Who
Have campers mingle and learn things about one another, then play Guess Who with the traits they’ve learned!
The Name Game
Like in Memory Circle, each camper has to list what came before them. However, in this case, it’s their peers’ names and a trait or fun fact about them!
Tips for Ensuring Safety While Playing
Making sure everyone can play safely is the number one priority! In physical games, make sure it is not getting too rough and that there is plenty of rest, sun protection, and hydration. Be sure to stay especially vigilant if you’re near a body of water.
For all games, it is important to emphasize fair play and inclusion to ensure every camper has a good time!
Final Words
There are so many game options to choose from—more than 54 just in this article, in fact.
No matter where or when your camp is, there are definitely summer camp games you can add to make it even more of a blast!
FAQs
How do you modify games for different age groups?
In general, make games simpler for younger groups (shorter, fewer rules) and more complex for older campers. You should also be more safety-conscious for younger groups when playing physical games.
Can these games be adapted for small groups?
Yes, most of them can! Some of the summer camp games require teams, and others can be played with just one or two people; simply select and modify to suit your group size.
How can camp counselors ensure fairness during team games?
Setting rules that enforce turn-taking and making sure to pick the teams randomly are great first steps! However, it’s important to monitor the games to make sure everyone is playing fairly.
What are some indoor game supplies every camp should have?
You can go pretty far with a couple of balls, art supplies, and your imagination! However, board games, cards, and a projection screen or whiteboard are also great additions.
Are there games specifically for team-building?
Almost any game that requires campers to work together towards a common goal will encourage team-building! Encouraging competition in groups or as one unit (rather than individually) is a great way to achieve this.
How can one integrate educational elements into standard summer camp games?
You can easily integrate educational elements by using quiz questions, themed bingo, or educational scavenger hunts! Educational questions can even be worked into physical games like relays.