Camping Charades

88 campsite moments to act out by the fire, from the first tent peg to whispering after lights out.

Camping Charades

Finding a flat spot for the tent

1 of 88

Next step The full deck of charades ideas

How it works

These camping charades are 88 moments from one trip: setting up, the fire, the trail, the lake, wildlife, camp cooking, after dark and summer camp days. As camp charades they need no table or props, only room to stand up.

Read the full guide

Eight topics, one campsite

Press Topic to match the day. On the trail and At the lake are daytime cards, such as Crossing a stream on stepping stones. After dark suits the last round before bed: Reading by flashlight, Snoring in the next tent. Summer camp days has 12 cards for a cabin group.

Easy first, Hard to finish

Easy cards are one action, such as Rolling up a sleeping bag. Hard cards turn halfway, such as Folding a pop-up tent back into its bag. The list under the deck gives an acting hint for every card.

Tips
  • After dark, stand where a lantern lights your hands, or the guessers see only a shadow.

Questions and answers

What are easy camping charades?

The Easy cards, each one action: Pitching a tent, Gathering firewood, Drinking from a canteen, Paddling a canoe and Looking up at the stars. Press Easy to deal only those.

How is this different from the summer charades deck?

Summer charades covers the whole season: beach, pool, cookouts and cold treats, with ten camp cards. This deck stays at the campsite, from the first tent peg to whispering after lights out, and repeats none of those ten.

How many camping charades cards are there?

88: 28 Easy, 44 Medium and 16 Hard, in eight topics. Pick a topic and a level to narrow the deck, or leave both open to mix the whole trip.

More tools

Browse Acting and Drawing

All 88 camping charades ideas

Setting up camp 12

  • Blowing up an air mattress Puff until dizzy, press to check, puff again.
  • Finding a flat spot for the tent Walk, lie down to test it, move a rock.
  • Folding a pop-up tent back into its bag Twist it into a circle; it springs open in your face.
  • Hammering a tent peg into hard ground Hammer, it bends, straighten it, hammer again.
  • Hanging a lantern in the tent Reach up, hook it, duck as it swings.
  • Pitching a tent Thread a pole, push in the pegs, stand back.
  • Putting on the rain fly in the wind Throw it over, chase a corner, clip it down.
  • Rolling up a sleeping bag Kneel on it, roll tight, fight it into the sack.
  • Shaking out the tent Lift it over your head and shake leaves from the door.
  • Tripping over a tent rope Walk past the tent, catch a foot, hop.
  • Unfolding a camp chair Pull it open, sit, sink lower than you expected.
  • Zipping the tent door Zip up in a big arc, then down again to get out.
Show all 88 camping charades ideas (76 more)

Around the campfire 11

  • Dodging campfire smoke Move seats, the smoke follows, move again.
  • Gathering firewood Pick up sticks into the crook of one arm.
  • Lighting a campfire Build a small cone of sticks, strike, blow gently.
  • Making a s'more Stack, squash, bite, wipe your chin.
  • Passing the marshmallow bag around the circle Take one, pass it on, take another when it comes back.
  • Poking the fire with a stick Prod a log and lean back from the sparks.
  • Putting the campfire out Pour water, stir the ashes, pour again.
  • Starting a fire with damp wood Strike match after match and get one curl of smoke.
  • Strumming a guitar by the fire Strum, sway, nod for everyone to join in.
  • Telling a story by the fire Lean in, hands wide, light your face from below.
  • Warming your hands at the fire Palms out, rub them, turn to warm your back.

On the trail 12

  • Carrying a pack that is too heavy Heave it on, tip backward, lean far forward.
  • Crossing a stream on stepping stones Arms out, hop, wobble, hop.
  • Drinking from a canteen Unscrew, tip your head back, wipe your mouth.
  • Finding north with a compass Hold it flat, turn slowly, point.
  • Following trail markers Spot one on a tree, walk on, look for the next.
  • Getting a pebble out of your boot Unlace, tip it out, lace up, feel it again.
  • Hiking up a steep hill Lean forward, hands on knees, big slow steps.
  • Hiking with a walking stick Plant the stick, step, plant, step.
  • Looking through binoculars Hold them up, turn the wheel, point and gasp.
  • Reaching the top of the trail One last big step, hands on hips, a slow turn.
  • Reading a trail map Turn the map, turn yourself, point up the hill.
  • Tying a bootlace Kneel, loop, pull tight, double knot.

At the lake 10

  • Baiting a hook Pinch something small, thread it on, make a face.
  • Casting a fishing line Swing back, flick forward, watch the float.
  • Drying off with a towel Rub your hair and shake water out of one ear.
  • Filling water jugs at the pump Work the handle up and down, carry two full jugs.
  • The fish that got away Show its size with your hands; it grows every time.
  • Getting into a kayak from the dock One foot in, it slides away, do the splits.
  • Paddling a canoe Dip on one side, switch, dip on the other.
  • Reeling in a big fish The rod bends; wind hard and lean back.
  • Rowing a boat Pull both oars, lean back, again.
  • Untangling a fishing line Pick at a knot, pull the wrong end, start over.

Bugs and wildlife 11

  • A bear scratching its back on a tree Back up to a trunk and wriggle.
  • A chipmunk stealing a peanut Dart in, grab it, stuff a cheek, dart off.
  • A frog at the water's edge Squat, puff your throat, jump.
  • A moth circling the lantern Flutter round and round something overhead.
  • A raccoon raiding the cooler Sneak up, lift the lid, wash something in your paws.
  • An owl hooting in the dark Turn your head, puff your chest, hoot without a sound.
  • Hanging the food bag out of reach of bears Throw a rope over a branch and haul a bag up.
  • Hearing a noise outside the tent Sit up, listen, shine a light, find a mouse.
  • Shaking a spider out of your boot Tip it, tap the heel, peek inside.
  • Spotting a deer at the edge of camp Freeze, point slowly, whisper to a neighbor.
  • Swatting a mosquito Listen, slap your arm, check your palm.

Camp cooking 10

  • Boiling water on a tiny stove Pump it, light it, shield the flame with your hands.
  • Catching your own dinner Cast, wait, wait longer, open a can.
  • Cooking a hot dog on a stick Turn it over the flames; it slides off into the fire.
  • Drinking cocoa from a tin mug Hold the handle, burn your lip, blow.
  • Eating beans from the can Spoon, blow, spoon.
  • Flipping pancakes on a camp stove Pour, wait, flip, catch.
  • Mixing trail mix Pour in three things, shake the bag, pick out the best bits.
  • Opening a can without a can opener Turn it over, try a spoon, try a rock.
  • Packing the cooler Layer the ice, fit the last thing in, sit on the lid.
  • Washing dishes in a bucket Dunk, scrub, shake dry.

After dark 10

  • Finding the bathroom by flashlight Sweep the beam, step carefully, jump at a branch.
  • Looking up at the stars Lie back, point, trace a shape.
  • Reading by flashlight Hold the light in your teeth and turn a page.
  • Shadow animals on the tent wall Hook your thumbs together and flap.
  • Snoring in the next tent Sleep loudly while a neighbor covers both ears.
  • Spotting a shooting star Point fast; your neighbor looks up too late.
  • Trying to sleep on a tree root Lie down, shift, shift again, drag the whole bag over.
  • Waking up to rain on the tent Open one eye, listen, touch the wet roof and wince.
  • Whispering after lights out Whisper, giggle, shush, whisper again.
  • Zipping into a sleeping bag Wriggle down and zip it up to your nose.

Summer camp days 12

  • A canoe race Paddle hard, clash paddles, spin in a circle.
  • Cabin inspection Smooth the bunk, kick things under it, stand straight.
  • The camp talent show Step up, freeze, then go for it.
  • Capture the flag Sneak in, grab it, sprint back.
  • Learning to tie a knot Over, under, through, pull; it falls apart.
  • Lining up at the mess hall Tray out, shuffle along, get one scoop.
  • Making a friendship bracelet Knot thread that is pinned to your knee.
  • The morning bugle Blow a horn; everyone groans awake.
  • Raising the flag Pull the rope hand over hand and look up.
  • Roll call at camp Tick a clipboard and count heads.
  • The swim test Tread water while someone watches with a clipboard.
  • Tie-dyeing a shirt Twist, band, dunk, unwrap, admire.

How this list was compiled: Written by the Game Night Generator editors for this page on 2026-09-30. Every card is something a person can act without props or speech on a camping trip: setting up camp, the campfire, the trail, the lake, bugs and wildlife, camp cooking, the hours after dark and days at summer camp. The deck keeps to the site's family-safe rule: nothing sexual, no alcohol, nothing about bodies, no real people, no brand names and no film, show or song titles; nothing asks the actor to go near a real fire or into water, and every card is mimed on the spot. Difficulty is an editor's judgment: Easy is one action a room names at once, Medium two or three beats, Hard a small scene with a turn. The line under each card is the editors' acting hint, not a rule. Overlap with the rest of this site was counted on 2026-09-30 with a leading a, an or the dropped: 4 of the 88 cards (5%) have the same text as a card in the site's main charades deck, such as Paddling a canoe and Rowing a boat, and no card is shared with the summer charades deck. Licence: own work