When we pack up for a camping trip, there are two things I always throw in the bag: marshmallows and board games. There’s just something about sitting around the fire, playing a game together, that makes the night feel extra special. No screens, no rushing—just laughter, a bit of friendly competition, and memories that stick.
The best camping board games are the ones that don’t need much space, are easy to learn, and can handle being played outdoors (because let’s face it—wind, dirt, and kids happen). In our family, we’ve found that games for ages 8+ strike the perfect balance: simple enough for younger players to join in, but fun and clever enough to keep the grown-ups hooked too.
So if you’re looking for games that travel light but deliver big on fun, keep reading. I’ll share some of our absolute favourites for camping—games that have saved us from rainy afternoons in the tent, kept us laughing by the fire, and even turned a quiet night under the stars into a mini tournament.
Best Camping Board Games that Families love
Top Board Games for Camping
All rated ages 8 – 10+, but trust me, grown-ups will have just as much fun.
FlipToons
With its cartoon auditions and quick play, this game hits the sweet spot. Teens like the deck-building strategy, while kids laugh at the funny characters and the “movie audition” vibe.
“This is our go-to before dinner when we’ve only got twenty minutes. The kids crack up over the cartoons we “cast,” and it’s become a running family joke who gets the weirdest characters”.
Just One
This one’s all about being creative without pressure. Teens enjoy showing off clever clue ideas, while younger players love that the rules are simple and they can play right alongside the grown-ups.
“We’ve played this around the campfire and during rainy days in the tent. The best part? Even the grandparents got into it—and they’re just as competitive as the kids.”
Love Letter
It’s short, smart, and keeps everyone guessing. Teens love bluffing and trying to outwit each other, while younger kids pick it up quickly and feel proud when they “catch” an adult with the right play.
“Even the 7-year-old beat me the first time—then told me, ‘It’s all about the princess!’”
Dont Get Got
The secret missions feel like mini-pranks that run in the background. Teens especially love being sneaky, and kids get a kick out of surprising everyone with a mission no one saw coming.
“It’s the game that never really stops. We’ve had missions sneak in during hikes, over dinner, and even while brushing teeth. The boys love catching us when our guard is down.”
Why These Camping Games Work for Busy Families
Travel Game Sized and Light
“We slipped these games into our daypacks—they took up less space than my water bottle!”
Easy to Learn
“Just One was a hit on night one—we were playing before the marshmallows were ready.”
Easy Setup with Few Pieces
“After a long day hiking, the last thing we want is missing parts—so love games in pouches like Love Letter.”
Durable and Weather Ready
“A breeze never knocked them over, and water-sleeved cards survived a splash from a spilled drink, no problem.”
Keep Reading to Find out How to Play these camping board games.
Love Letter
A Bluffing Card Game
Love Letter is a compact, strategic card game where players try to get their letter to the Princess by having the highest card when the round ends — or by knocking others out. Perfect travel game for couples or small groups.
Goal of Love Letter
You are trying to get your love letter to the Princess by being the last player standing or having the highest-value card at the end of the round.
Win enough rounds (usually 3–5, depending on the number of players), and you win the game.
Love Letter Game Components
- 16 cards (each with a number from 1 to 8 and a character)
- Tokens of affection (to track round wins)
- Player reference cards (optional, but helpful)
Set up
- Shuffle the deck.
- Remove 1 card face down (so players don’t know what it is).
- Deal 1 card to each player.
- Place the remaining deck face down as a draw pile.
In a 2-player game, remove 3 more cards face up before starting.
How do you play the game Love Letter?
On your turn
- To start, draw a card (you now have 2 cards).
- Choose one card to play and complete its effect.
- The other card stays in your hand.
Ending the Round
A round ends when:
- Only one player is left (they win the round), or
- The deck is empty, and players compare cards—the highest number wins.
The winner gets a token of affection.
Winning the Game
The first player to earn enough tokens of affection wins.
- 2 players: 7 tokens
- 3 players: 5 tokens
- 4 players: 4 tokens
- 5–6 players: 3 tokens
FAQ's Love Letter
Can you play Love Letter with 2 players?
A: It works well as a quick 2-player game, though it does work best with 3–4 players.
Q: What’s the age range of Love Letter?
A: Recommended for 10+, but simple enough for slightly younger kids with help.
Q: Is Love Letter a good camping board game?
A: Absolutely, it’s a great camping board game as it’s compact—the size of a standard deck of cards in a beautiful red velvet pouch. Easy to play and teach other people.
Dont Get Got - The Outdoor Edition
No Game time - Hidden Mission Game
- 30 mins - A Weekend Camping
- 2+ Players
- 10+
Don’t Get Got is a hidden mission game where players secretly try to complete challenges (like “Get someone to high-five you”) without others catching on. The Outdoor Edition is perfect for camping, BBQs, and travel adventures
How to Dont Get Got
- Each player gets six secret missions (like “Make someone say ‘What time is it?’”).
You play in the background of normal life — no sit-down required.
If you succeed and no one catches you, you score a point. If someone questions you and asks if it’s part of the game, then it’s a fail.
- Turn your mission card to success or fail in your wallet.
First to complete 3+ wins!
My Take
I find that as soon as the game kicks off, everyone is on guard for a while. But then it blends right into whatever we’re already doing—chatting, roasting marshmallows, or just sitting under the stars.
And secretly, we’re all trying to pull off as many sneaky missions as possible without anyone catching on.
That’s what makes it such a blast. Honestly, it’s become one of our must-pack camping games because it keeps everyone laughing and on their toes the whole trip.
FAQ's Dont Get Got
Q. Is Don’t Get Got a good travel game?
A. Totally. The Outdoor Edition is small, light, and easy to slip into your bag, so it’s perfect if you’re tight on space.
Q. Can kids play Dont Get Got?
It’s best suited for ages 12+ because some missions need good reading skills and a bit of subtle trickery. That said, you can always pull out the simpler tasks if you’ve got younger players who want to join in.
Q. Is Don’t Get Got good for camping or parties?
A. The Outdoor Edition was made for exactly that. It’s a run-in-the-background game that works brilliantly with bigger groups and can last for hours without taking over your whole day.
FlipToons
Fast paced Card Game for the Camp Fire
- 15-30 mins
- 1-4 Players
- 10+
FlipToons is a fast-paced, family-friendly card game where you’re casting quirky cartoon characters for your very own film. It’s light, fun, and only takes about 15–30 minutes to play—making it perfect for camping trips, travel days, or a quick game before dinner. Released in 2025, it’s already making waves as one of the best compact games for families on the go.
How to Play FlipToons
Each round, you’ll flip cards from the market to audition new cartoon characters. Each “Toon” comes with a special talent and Fame value.
You’ll use your Fame to hire new characters, dismiss others, and build a deck that boosts your fame even higher.
The first player to score 30+ Fame in a single flip wins.
Basic Gameplay
- Flip Your Toons– Reveal 6 cards in a 3×2 grid; each is a character auditioning for your movie.
- Check Your Fame– Activate each card’s special talent and tally your Fame points.
- Market Phase– Spend Fame on up to two actions: hire a Toon or dismiss one for coins.
- Refill the Market– Replace any missing cards.
- Win Condition– First to 30+ Fame in one flip wins!
FlipToons Gameplay Video
To see gameplay, watch this YouTube video.
FAQ's for FlipToons Card Game
Q: How long does a game of FlipToons take?
A: About 15–30 minutes, depending on player count and experience.
Q: Is FlipToons good for families?
A: Yes! It’s designed for players 10+, and includes light strategy with fun cartoon themes that appeal to kids and adults.
Q: Can I play FlipToons solo?
A: Yes, the game includes a solo mode ideal for quick, portable play.
Just One
Quick to Learn - Cooperative Game
- 20 mins
- 3-7 Players
- 8+
Just One is a fast, cooperative party game where players give one-word clues to help a teammate guess a secret word — but if two clues match, they’re excluded. Great for families, groups, team-building and sitting around a camp site.
How to Play Just One
Quick Overview
In Just One, one player is the “guesser” each round, trying to figure out a Mystery word. Everyone else secretly writes a one-word clue to help—but here’s the catch: if any clues are the same, they get wiped out before the guesser sees them. The game is cooperative, fast to pick up, and always good for a laugh.
My Take
I’ll be honest—my family doesn’t exactly stick to the rules. There’s way too much banter going on:
“I’m going to write the most obvious clue.”
“Don’t pick the one starting with L—I’m using that!”
And sometimes we don’t limit ourselves to just one guess either. But that’s the beauty of Just One—it’s flexible.
For us, it’s less about the score and more about the laughs, the bonding, and the silly conversations that come out of every round. My boys love it, and I’m happy to bend the rules if it means more fun for everyone.
Gameplay
- Draw a Card & Pick a Number
The guesser draws a card (without looking) and places it on their easel facing the group. The card has five words. They choose a number between 1 and 5—this picks the Mystery word for the round.
Tip: If no one knows the word, pick another number. - Write Your Clues
Everyone else writes a single-word clue. These can be numbers (“007” for Bond), sounds (“Riiing” for Telephone), or even symbols (“$” for America).
No-nos: Variations of the word, translations, same word family, or unrelated words that sound the same. - Cancel Duplicates & Invalid Clues
The guesser closes their eyes while the others compare clues. Any that are identical or break the rules get removed. - Make the Guess
The guesser sees only the valid, unique clues and has one chance to guess the Mystery word. - Correct? Keep the card—1 point.
- Wrong? Discard it and the next card.
- Skip? Discard just the current card.
- Next Player’s Turn
The person to the left becomes the new guesser. Wipe the easels, draw a new card, and keep going.
Just One FAQ
Q. Is Just One good for families?
A. Definitely. It’s super easy to pick up and always gets everyone laughing. Perfect for kids aged 8+ and mixed-age groups. Works well with teenagers too.
Q. Can you play Just One with 2 people?
A. Technically you could, but it really shines with at least 3 players so the clue mechanic works properly.
Q. Does Just One work for players with different cognitive or communication needs?
A. Yes. I’ve played it with teenagers with ADHD and autism, and they loved it.
Because it’s based on facts and associations, they nailed the clue-giving and guessing and brought some brilliant ideas to the table.
Q. Is Just One a good game to take camping?
A. Definitely. You can balance the little easels on your knee around the campfire, or if it’s windy, just pick a card and pass it around. The box is medium-sized, but if you’re short on space, pop the cards into a plastic card case and throw the easels and pens into a snap-lock bag. Easy.
And it creates laughter and “ohhhh moments,” which is the perfect blend of relaxed mode for camping adventures.
Camping Board Games Conclusion
This is just a small taste of my current favourite camping board games. The ones here are aimed for kids from as young as 9-10 years, but trust me, adults will enjoy them too.
I’ll be adding more soon, including a post all about camping board games for adults and another focused on the best camping games for young kids—so keep an eye out for those!
In the meantime, here are a few more ideas to explore:
Card Games for Families – Always compact, easy to pack, and perfect for camping.
Tiny Games & Travel Games – Another list I’ve put together with excellent options for the outdoors.
Dice Games – Super portable and great for travel. You can even ditch the box and pop them into a snap-lock bag to save space.
Tip: If you use snap-lock bags or smaller containers to store pieces, label them. It’ll save you from mixing up parts between games—and save your sanity when you’re packing up.
As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn if you make a purchase. If so, thanks, as this helps support our board game-loving family. I want to mention, it doesn’t impact the price for you in any way.
