We all know the campfire is the central hub of camping. Day or night, everyone gathers for warmth and enjoy the ambiance of the flames. But oftentimes, the kids and adults get bored at just sitting there watching the flames dance in the night. So, we’ve put together a compilation of fun campfire activities and things to do around the campfire that will spark giggles and laughter all while keeping their attention around the campfire

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10 Fun Things to Do Around the Campfire

Campfire Activities to Keep Kids of ALL Ages Engaged

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“Camp chairs circled around the campfire. Everyone’s huddled around with their favorite drinks with their faces aglow. For as long as the logs are burning, the trials of hectic life are forgotten.”

Roasting Marshmallows & Making S’mores

Having an antsy 6 year old grandson, trying to keep him sat around the campfire for more than 5 minutes is a major feat.

That’s when we bring out the marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers! Then it’s game on making some delicious S’mores!

I mean, who can resist that sweet gooey warm sandwich treats!? Even the adults love to make them!

Seriously, I don’t know what’s more fun, watching the kids make them or us eating them!

✰✰ RELATED ✰✰    How to Make Perfect S’mores on Your Camping Trip

Campfire Cooking

Just like the cowboys and pioneers did centuries ago, grilling and cooking over the campfire still is one of the most fun things to do around the campfire.

Because no matter who ya talk to, food just taste so much better cooked over a fire or hot bed of coals.

So go ahead, pack your cooler full of burgers, hotdogs and sausages, steaks and chops, fresh fish filets, and even some fresh veggies!

And if you’re cooking for the gang, dutch oven meals are always an all-time favorite! From amazing soups and stews to chili and sloppy joes, they’re super easy to make and enjoyable especially on those cooler campouts.

✰✰ RELATED ✰✰  Why Cast Iron Cooking on Campfires is a GOOD thing! *Myth Buster*

✰ CAMPING PRO TIP✰ For a little adult-only campfire cooking fun, roast your weenies and fluffy bunnies with some  sexy hot dog and marshmallow roasters! Also Check out these fun and easy-to-use campfire cooking tools

Make Pudgie Pies

Speaking of campfire cooking, if you’ve never had a pudgie pie, you don’t know what your missing!

Also called mountain pies or pie iron pies, they are simple meals you and your campers can make without dirtying up your RV or camp kitchen.

Breakfast burritos, hot pockets, hot sandwiches or dessert pies using simple ingredients and a campfire pie maker will surely be a hit!

✰✰ RELATED ✰✰  15 Best Pie Iron Recipes to Make on Your Next Camping Trip

Play and Sing Campfire Music

Listening to the strumming of a guitar around the campfire is so relaxing. But, if you have a group of campers who all play their own instruments, you could form your own duet, triplet or quartet!

The great thing about campfire songs is you don’t be a perfectionist. It’s all about having fun and making memories around the campfire.

And, even better if you know how to play tunes on your guitar, banjo, fiddle or ukelele that other campers can also sing to.

Even so, there’s great campfire songs that don’t require instrument. Of course, the old 99 bottles of beer on the wall is always a favorite, there’s also plenty of other interactive songs to sing around the fire.

Share Campfire Stories

When everyone’s gathered around the campfire, general chatter eventually turns into some pretty creative fireside stories.

Whether it’s a rehearsed event or sharing spooky tales, storytelling is amongst the most favorite things campers of all ages love to do. Of course, no campout is complete without hearing the good ole dad jokes too!

✰✰ RELATED ✰✰  How to Become a Great Campfire Storyteller

Tell Scary Tales & Urban Legends

As we all know, campfires are also the perfect venue for sharing fictitious scary tales!

How about that story about the ax murder or the boogie man in the woods? All a part of making your camping experience with friends or family even more memorable.

Even though those scary stories never really happened, the tales seem to get bigger, better and even scarier. It’s all in the imagination and creativity of the storyteller.

And while the kids may wince through the gory gory parts, they just beg for more!

However, before sending all the youngsters, young and old, off to their tents or RVs, just give that reassuring “that really never happened” so they don’t all of a sudden develop a case of insomnia.

Make Magic Fire!

The first time we took our grandson camping, he was fixated at watching the flames. Then, when he wasn’t looking, I secretly tossed in a little magic into the fire when he wasn’t looking.

All of a sudden those orange flames turned into dancing blues, greens, reds and purples! His eyes grew wide in wonder. Of course, we never did tell him how we magically made the campfire turn different colors.

Campfire Games

Campfires aren’t just for fireside chats, spooky campfire stories and sing-alongs.

The campfire is the center hub of gathering the troops for an evening of fun. It’s also the perfect place to play fun games to get your campers interacting with each other.

Two of our favorite campfire games is Fluffy Bunny (or Chubby Bunny) and Charades. But, there’s plenty of other fun games on your camping adventures.

✰✰ RELATED ✰✰  Top 10 Outdoor Games to Take Camping

Light Up the Sparklers

I mean, who doesn’t love sparklers!? Kids love ’em and even adults love ’em! When the kids light ’em up, it’s fun time to watch the excitement in their eyes.

Also, it’s the ideal time to take some great smartphone photos to share later or post on your social media pages.

Now, if you’re handy with your DSLR camera, you can get some great shots of campers making letters and shapes using sparklers (under strict adult supervision, of course!).

But, make certain you clean up all the sparkler metal sticks and dispose of them properly the next morning. Please don’t leave them for someone to step or drive over to get a flat tire.

This is all about being a good steward of the environment by leaving no trace and practicing responsible campfire safety.

✰✰ RELATED ✰✰  LEAVE NO TRACE: Pack in Pack Out Rules of Camping

Stargazing

Camping and stargazing is a match made in heaven.

Just push out your zero gravity chair and lay back to enjoy the night sky! 

Point out to your campers some of the constellations. With a little imagination, show your little campers how they can imagine connecting the dots (stars) to make their own shape or animal.

Your older campers can learn about the Milky Way, planets and stars using a star and constellation phone app.

Check out these great night sky tools to help identify stars and constellations!

✰✰ RELATED ✰✰   How and Where to Find Dark Sky Camping Locations

Wrapping up our fun campfire activities and things to do around the campfire

As mentioned earlier, the campfire is the central hub of making great camping memories. Bonfires are the ultimate gathering place for romance, sharing, laughter and peace while enjoying the outdoors! 

Campfires are great ways to make friends, tell stories, play games, cook, unwind and helps leave all your troubles back home.

There’s just something about the campfire setting and the fire’s glow and warmth that makes everyone look forward to camping. 

So, c’mon baby, light that fire!

Check out Canadian Prepper’s video on “6 Easy Campfires Everyone Should Know for Survival and Recreation”:

Check out these helpful camping articles

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10 Best Portable Grills to Take Camping

Outdoor Camping Gear for Small RVs & Campers

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