Tent pitched, cool box stocked, campfire crackling — now all you need is the right way to pass the time. Drinking games are the secret ingredient for balmy summer evenings when the hours just fly by. The best part: the best camping drinking games need no equipment, no power and no table — just a few people round the fire and a taste for laughs. Here are the best camping drinking games without equipment, with full rules, plus tips on what to watch out for outdoors.
What makes a good camping drinking game? A game that works without gear, a flat surface or a power socket, and that you can play round the campfire or at the camping table. Talking, memory and guessing games are ideal — they only need the group itself, so you can play them spontaneously and they fit the relaxed camping vibe perfectly.
💡 By the way: that's why we built the wooden mini skis — combined with a glass and a binding, they become the original wearable ski. More on that below ↓
Campfire Drinking Games Without Equipment
By the fire, once it gets dark, that's when the best stories come out. These games need nothing but you:
The Round-Robin Story
- One person starts a story with a sentence, the next continues it with exactly one sentence — round the fire, in turn.
- Whoever takes too long to think, loses the thread, or starts laughing takes a sip.
- The more absurd the twists, the better — round the campfire, this is how the strangest adventures come to life.
Never Have I Ever
- Taking turns, everyone says a sentence starting with "Never have I ever …" (e.g. "Never have I ever overslept in the tent and missed the sunrise").
- Anyone who has actually done the thing takes a sip.
- When camping, this is the fastest way to learn a whole new side of your travel companions.
Categories
- One person names a category (e.g. "things people forget to pack for camping", "tent brands", "barbecue food").
- Taking turns, everyone names an example without repeating one. Whoever runs out of ideas or takes too long drinks.
Sharing a Shotski and a quick product explainer for the modular … – @apresallstars
Good to know: the wooden Mini Skis only show their full charm with a glass and a binding — then they become the original wearable ski.
Memory & Guessing Games for the Camping Table
I'm Packing My Bag (Camping Edition)
- The classic in drinking-game form: "I'm packing my backpack and I'm taking …" — everyone repeats the list and adds one more item.
- Whoever forgets an item or says the list in the wrong order drinks. After a few rounds, this is a guaranteed laugh generator.
Buzz — the Number Game
- Taking turns, count upward. On any number containing a 7 or divisible by 7 (7, 14, 17, 21 …), say "Buzz" instead of the number.
- Whoever slips up or hesitates drinks — and the later the evening gets, the harder it gets.
Who Am I? by the Campfire
- Everyone gets a name whispered to them (a celebrity, a character) or written on their forehead, and has to guess who they are by asking yes/no questions.
- Every time you get a "no", you take a sip and it's the next person's turn.
Classics with Minimal Equipment
If you've packed a handful of cups or a deck of cards, you can also play the big classics at the camping table:
Beer Mat Flipping
- Everyone places a beer mat (or a postcard) halfway over the edge of the table, flips it up and tries to catch it out of the air.
- The more mats you catch in a row, the more sips you get to hand out. Anyone who misses drinks themselves.
Higher or Lower
- A deck of cards, stacked face down. Taking turns, everyone guesses whether the next card is higher or lower than the current one.
- Whoever guesses wrong takes a sip and it's the next person's turn — simple, quick and ideal for quieter moments.
Camping Drinking Game with the Ski Roulette
If you'd rather not argue over "who has to drink?" every single time, let chance decide instead. The Mini Ski Roulette is the sturdy, power-free answer to spin the bottle: give it one spin, and whoever the pointer lands on either draws a task or downs their shot. Perfect for camping, because it's compact and fits in any backpack.
Camping Drinking Games for the Hike & on the Go
Camping is often also about movement — and even on a hike or on the way to the lake, you can play without stopping:
Hum-Along Guessing
- One person hums the melody of a song, everyone else tries to guess along.
- Whoever guesses right gets to hand out a sip at the next stop; whoever guesses last drinks themselves.
The Number Plate Game
- Using the letters from a passing number plate (or road sign), everyone in turn has to form a funny sentence.
- Anyone who can't come up with a sentence owes a penalty sip at the next stop.
Two Truths, One Lie
- Taking turns, everyone tells three things about themselves — two are true, one is made up. The group guesses which one is the lie.
- Whoever guesses wrong drinks. A perfect way to pass long stretches and a great way to get to know your fellow campers better.
Tips for Enjoying Drinking Games While Camping
- Unbreakable over glass: at the campsite, cups and gadgets made of wood or plastic are the clear winner — no risk of shards in the grass.
- Enough water: summer heat and alcohol don't mix well. Drink plenty of water in between.
- Consider your neighbours: quiet hours apply at the campsite — keep the noise down after a certain time.
- Keep an eye on the fire: don't get carried away round the campfire, and always keep open flames supervised.
- Play alcohol-free too: every game works just as well with a spritzer or juice — so everyone can join in.
Even More Drinking Game Inspiration
You'll find plenty more rules over at Drinking Games Without Equipment and The Best Drinking Games. If the camping party moves to the beach, the drinking games for the beach are a great fit.
FAQ
Which drinking games work well for camping?
Games without equipment like the Round-Robin Story, "Never Have I Ever", Categories, "I'm Packing My Bag", Buzz and "Who Am I?". They only need the group itself and fit perfectly round the campfire.
Which drinking games work completely without equipment?
Talking, memory and guessing games like "Never Have I Ever", Categories, Buzz and the Round-Robin Story need no gear at all — ideal when you have no table and no power while camping.
What should you keep in mind with drinking games while camping?
Use unbreakable cups instead of glass, drink enough water in the summer heat, respect quiet hours at the campsite, and handle the campfire safely. And always offer an alcohol-free option.
What's a good drinking gadget for camping?
Sturdy wooden gadgets like wearable Miniskis or a Mini Ski Roulette. They need no power, they're unbreakable and they fit in any backpack.
Can these games also be played alcohol-free?
Yes, every camping drinking game works just as well with a spritzer, juice or water. The fun comes from the game and the group round the fire, not from the alcohol.
Which game is best for getting to know people while camping?
"Never Have I Ever" and "Who Am I?" bring out the most surprising stories in no time and are perfect when you're sitting round the campfire with new people.
Related articles:
Drinking Games Without Equipment ·
The Best Drinking Games ·
Drinking Games for the Beach