Looking for camp games for large groups? If you happen to be a camp leader, camp counsellor, or another person who gets to go out camping with a large group of people, you know how difficult it can be to keep the kids or youth entertained. Camp games are fun and engaging enough that they don’t require screens or electricity to guide them; even the youngest campers will be able to pick up on how to play most of the games you teach them. That being said, some campers are old enough to be looking for more advanced activities than ring-around-the-rosy, or Simon says. Here is a list of 9 camp games that kids will love.
1. Pinata (Old but Classic)
Supplies Needed: blindfold, candy, bat/stick, paper plate (optional), string (optional)
How to Play: You can make or purchase a pinata in advance. If you choose to just use a paper plate, bring some tape and candy for the kids to decorate it themselves.
Have each camper take turns being blindfolded while everyone else tries to break open the pinata. If you want, give each scout a stick or other safe weapon (like a pillow) for them to hit with. This game might be better suited for a day camp, although who doesn’t love candy.
2. Cat and Mouse
Supplies Needed: Giant Parachute
How to Play: This is another type of tag-like game that’s great for large groups. One camper is the cat, while the others under the parachute are mice.
The game starts with everyone sitting around the parachute holding it. A few people (depending on group size, usually 3-4) should be chosen as mice. The mice will then go under the parachute and crawl around (on hands and knees) as everyone sitting around begins to flutter the parachute. The cat is then chosen to go on top of the parachute (on hands and knees). The object for the cat is to tag those under the parachute, and the object of the mice is to not be tagged. Because of all the parachute fluttering, it can be difficult for the cat to see exactly where the mice are. This is a great fun game for all ages.
3. Red Light, Green Light
Supplies Needed: None
How to Play: This is another activity that’s good for large groups. One person is picked to be the “it” player who stands with their back facing everyone else, about 20 feet away.
On “go,” the person who’s it turns around, and everyone else takes off running. They can run wherever they want, but if the person who’s “it” says “red light,” all players must freeze where they are; if they take another step, they’re out and have to go back. On “green light,” everyone can move freely again.
The person who’s it tries to tag as many people as they can until the time limit is up or someone else gets tagged. Once that happens, you choose a new person to be “it,” and play continues.
4. Freeze Tag
Supplies Needed: None
How to Play: Freeze tag in the simplest terms is done by designating someone to tag other participants who must freeze where they were tagged.
When the person who is it tags someone, they must stand still with their legs spread a little farther than shoulder-width apart. Other participants can “unfreeze” them by crawling through their legs. But if they are tagged, they must also stand up and wait to be unfrozen. The game ends when everyone is tagged.
Depending on the number of people, you can have multiple people who are it. Alternatively, you could also say that anyone who has been tagged twice is now also it.
5. Human Knot
Supplies Needed: None
How to Play: A favourite of many is the Human Knot. The object of the game is to fix the “knot” created by your arms and hands.
Separate the group into two even teams. Form a circle with everyone standing and looking at each other. Now have players reach into the circle and grab someone else’s hand who is not directly beside them. This is done with both hands, and then a leader will yell, “go!” Teams must now race to untangle the knot of arms and hands they have created but can’t let go of the hands that they are holding, or they are disqualified.
6. Distance Relay Race
Supplies Needed: All you need are items about the same size and weight, like rocks or shoes, to use as markers for a distance course. You can set up cones to mark out a pathway that’s either short or long, but make sure it’s safe for whoever will be running the relay.
How to Play: One person is given an item, like a rock or shoe, and they have to run to the first marker. They drop off that item at that marker and then pick up the next one until they get back to their starting point with all of the items. Equal amounts of players from each team need to do this, and then they switch. It is a simple concept but can make for exciting results.
7. Crazy Horseshoes
Supplies Needed: Horseshoes and whatever crazy items you can think of.
How to Play: You play this game just like regular horseshoes, but teams have different requirements when throwing horseshoes. For instance:
- campers must have an oven mitt on when throwing
- A camper must be blindfolded before throwing
- You have to use your off-hand
- You must use your foot to throw the horseshoe
- You have to stand far away
This is a super fun and creative way to make horseshoes a more interesting game for multiple people, whether playing or watching.
8. Dodgeball
Supplies Needed: You only need a dodge ball and two teams. The more players you have on each team, the better. You can also vary how many people are on each team to make it fair for everyone.
How to Play: Dodgeball is played by dividing your large group into two teams. A centerline is established for the play area. Teams line up on opposing lines of the centerline. The balls are placed in the middle (on the centerline). A leader yells “go,” and teams run to try and get the balls in the middle. You are out if you are hit by a ball either in the air or on the ground. If you catch an opponent’s throw in the air, they are out, and a teammate of yours comes back in. You play until one team is eliminated.
9. Keep Up
Supplies Needed: A giant ball of some kind (usually one that isn’t as floaty)
How to Play: Divide your large group into multiple teams and name them (or just two teams depending on the size). Have all players stand around the leader, being sure to mix players from different teams. The leader then holds the large ball and calls out a team name, and throws the ball into the air in any direction. Players from that team must grab the ball and keep it up before it hits the ground. The team that kept it up then gathers in the center with the ball and calls another team before they throw it. Here is an example.
What do you think of these Camp Games for Large Groups?
Are you going to add these games to your camp or church retreat? Which game is your favourite? We’d love to hear your suggestions for camp games with large groups in the comments below!
