Introduction on camping drinking games
Camping trips are the perfect opportunity to unwind, relax, and have fun with friends. While hiking, campfires, and stargazing are often part of the experience, adding a few drinking games to the mix can take your camping trip to the next level. Whether you’re celebrating a weekend getaway or simply enjoying time in nature, camping drinking games are a great way to create fun memories and get the party started.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best drinking games to play while camping, along with tips for staying safe and responsible in the great outdoors.
Note: Please remember to drink responsibly.
Always stay hydrated, know your limits, and never drink and drive, especially in a wilderness setting. Respect the environment, fellow campers, and the wildlife around you.
Why Play Drinking Games While Camping?
Drinking games add a fun, social dynamic to your camping trip, allowing everyone to bond, laugh, and let loose. Here are a few reasons why these games are great for outdoor adventures:
- Icebreakers: If your camping group includes people who don’t know each other well, drinking games can help break the ice and spark conversation.
- Social Fun: Drinking games often involve group participation, keeping the mood light and fun, especially when you’re winding down from a day of hiking or exploring.
- Versatile Setting: Camping offers the perfect backdrop for a relaxed vibe. The natural surroundings, campfire ambiance, and fresh air make drinking games even more enjoyable.
The Best Camping Drinking Games
1. Beer Pong
What You Need: Plastic cups, ping pong balls, a table (or flat surface), beer or other beverages
Beer Pong is a classic drinking game that can easily be adapted to camping. Set up 6 or 10 cups in a triangular formation on each side of the table (or any flat surface), fill them with your beverage of choice, and take turns tossing ping pong balls into the opposing team’s cups. If the ball lands in a cup, the other team has to drink and remove that cup from the game. The team that eliminates all of the opposing team’s cups first wins.
For a camping twist, you can even use a picnic table or the ground as your playing surface.
2. Flip Cup
What You Need: Plastic cups, a table, beverages
Flip Cup is another popular party game that’s perfect for larger groups. Divide players into two teams and line up on opposite sides of the table. Each player has a cup filled with a small amount of their drink. The game starts with the first player on each team drinking from their cup, placing it on the edge of the table, and flipping it upside down by flicking the rim. Once the first player successfully flips their cup, the next player on their team starts.
The first team to finish flipping all their cups wins. It’s a fast-paced game that’s great for creating excitement around the campfire.
3. Kings (Ring of Fire)
What You Need: A deck of cards, beverages
Kings is a versatile card-based drinking game that’s easy to play with just a deck of cards. Spread the cards face down around a central drink (such as a can of beer or a bottle). Players take turns drawing a card and following the rules associated with each card. The rules can vary, but here’s a common set:
- Ace: Waterfall – Everyone starts drinking, and no one can stop until the person before them does.
- 2: You – Choose someone to drink.
- 3: Me – The person who drew the card drinks.
- 4: Floor – Everyone touches the floor, and the last person to do so drinks.
- 5: Guys – All guys drink.
- 6: Chicks – All girls drink.
- 7: Heaven – Everyone raises their hand, and the last person to do so drinks.
- 8: Mate – Choose a “mate” who drinks whenever you do.
- 9: Rhyme – Say a word, and everyone takes turns saying a word that rhymes with it. The first person who can’t think of a word drinks.
- 10: Categories – Pick a category (e.g., types of animals), and players take turns naming something in that category. The first person to hesitate or repeat drinks.
- Jack: Make a Rule – The person who drew the card makes a new rule that everyone must follow for the rest of the game.
- Queen: Questions – Ask a question to another player, and they must respond with a question. Whoever fails to ask a question or responds with a statement drinks.
- King: Pour some of your drink into the central drink in the middle. The person who draws the last King must drink the concoction.
Kings is a game of creativity, social interaction, and surprise, making it a favorite for camping groups.
4. Never Have I Ever
What You Need: Your imagination, beverages
Never Have I Ever is a simple but revealing game that’s sure to spark conversation and laughter. Players take turns saying something they have never done, starting with “Never have I ever…” For example, “Never have I ever gone skydiving.” Anyone who has done the activity must take a drink.
The game is a fun way to learn new things about your friends and can lead to some hilarious (and surprising) confessions. It’s ideal for playing around the campfire.
5. Drunk Jenga
What You Need: A Jenga set, beverages
Drunk Jenga is like the traditional block-stacking game but with a drinking twist. Write different challenges or dares on each Jenga block. As players take turns pulling blocks from the tower, they must complete the challenge written on the block or take a drink. Some ideas for challenges include:
- Take two drinks
- Give a drink to someone else
- Tell an embarrassing story
- Sing a song
- Swap seats with another player
The game gets more challenging and hilarious as the tower becomes unstable and players get tipsy!
6. Fuzzy Duck
What You Need: Beverages
Fuzzy Duck is a simple but tricky word game that’s sure to get players laughing. Players sit in a circle, and one person starts by saying “Fuzzy Duck.” The next person continues with “Fuzzy Duck,” and this pattern continues around the circle. At any point, a player can say “Does he?” which changes the direction of play, and now everyone says “Ducky Fuzz” as the phrase.
If someone messes up or hesitates, they have to drink. The game gets harder the more players drink, often leading to tongue-tied moments and lots of laughs.
7. Two Truths and a Lie
What You Need: Your imagination, beverages
Two Truths and a Lie is a fun and revealing game that works well with drinks in hand. Each player takes a turn stating three things about themselves: two true statements and one lie. The other players must guess which statement is the lie. Anyone who guesses incorrectly must take a drink.
This game is great for groups who want to get to know each other better and can lead to some interesting revelations!
8. Horse Races
What You Need: A deck of cards, beverages
Horse Races is a fast-paced card game where players bet drinks on which “horse” will win. To play, lay out four aces (the horses) at the start line. The rest of the deck is shuffled, and one card is drawn at a time. If the card drawn matches one of the ace suits, that “horse” moves forward.
Players bet on which ace will reach the finish line first, and the winner gets to distribute drinks to the other players. It’s a simple game that adds some excitement and competition to the camping evening.
Tips for Safe and Responsible Drinking While Camping
Drinking games are meant to be fun, but it’s important to stay safe, especially in a camping environment where you might be far from help. Here are some tips for enjoying your camping drinking games responsibly:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water alongside alcoholic beverages to avoid dehydration, especially if you’re spending time in the sun.
- Pace Yourself: Take your time and avoid over-drinking. The goal is to have fun, not to get overly intoxicated.
- Know Your Limits: If you feel like you’ve had enough, don’t hesitate to sit out a round or switch to non-alcoholic drinks.
- Snack Regularly: Keep snacks nearby to help absorb alcohol and maintain energy levels.
- Keep it Clean: Dispose of your trash properly, especially cans or bottles, and make sure not to leave anything behind that could harm the environment.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Camping environments can have uneven terrain, open flames, or wildlife, so be mindful of where and how much you drink.
Conclusion on camping drinking games
Camping drinking games can add a lot of fun to your outdoor adventure, offering opportunities to laugh, bond, and relax with friends. From classic games like Beer Pong and Flip Cup to interactive card games like Kings, there’s something for everyone. Just remember to play responsibly, respect your surroundings, and, most importantly, enjoy the moment.
So next time you’re camping with friends, pack your favorite beverages, and get ready for an unforgettable night of camping fun!