Sitting around a campfire, drinking beers and telling stories is insanely fun but also participating in nighttime camping activities can fill the night with laughter and amazing memories.
So get your head torches and torches ready as you are in for a great amount of fun.
The darkness has a tendency of bringing out the mischievous side of people.We tend to like to do things we usually wouldn’t do during the day and that is because the darkness is like a blanket that hides our silliness.
This is great because of this you’re more likely to have everlasting memories filled with laughter and adventures.
Just remember it is going to be dark so be a little bit more cautious as you might not see things that you would usually see during the day.
Okay but now we got the safety site out of it let’s get into the list and get excited about fun nighttime camping activities.
Making shadow puppets
This one is really great if you do not feel like getting up from the fire but still want to use your imagination and have some fun.
Get a strong torch or use the fire and project your shadow puppets onto a tent or onto a tarp if you have one.
You can have the rest of the group try and guess what your shadow puppet is or join in.
To create the shadow puppets you can use your hands what nature has to offer that it sticks leaves and other things, you can be as creative as you want this.
Nighttime Hike
Going hiking at nighttime is great as you will experience the outdoors in a different way than you would if you went hiking during the day.
You will see different animals, hear different sounds and everything around you will look completely different. In fact, if you go over the same path during the day you might find that you will not recognise it.
Before you do decide to go for a nighttime hike make sure that you research the wildlife beforehand so as to not run into a dangerous situation.
Also, make sure that you have a spare change of batteries for your torches and don’t stray away too far from the campsite so that you don’t get lost.
If you do go on a long hike make sure to follow one path and if there is a fork in the path at any point make sure to mark the direction you came from so that it is easier for you to get back to camp.
I would say take a map and compass as a last resort, but something you will find is that navigating at nighttime is extremely difficult as you will have trouble finding points of reference in terrain.
But worst case scenario if you do get lost don’t panic, stay warm and wait for the daylight and navigate your way back to the campsite.
Learn these advanced navigation skills to make sure you can find your way back to the camp.
Star Gazing
One thing I absolutely love about camping at nighttime is a clear night sky and gazing at the stars.
The sky is unpolluted from any light sources and can really put on a spectacular show for you.
Obviously knowing constellations would make it exciting as you could search for them with your friends and families.
Luckily for you these days there are incredible apps for your phones which will show you exactly where all the constellation are.
Have a cook-off
See who the master chef of your camping trip is by having everyone cook the best meal they can come up with and then compare them
For a few simple recipes that are bound to turn heads of all your friends and family check out this set of camping recipes.
Midnight Swim
With this one, you will require a bit more caution as at nighttime you do not see most of the dangers that lurk within the water.
If it’s a lake or stream make sure that you waddle through with it first so that you make sure that there are no rocks branches of things that could get you injured if you accidentally swam into them.
Places you should not swim in are fast flowing rivers and places which are marked as dangerous spots.
Either way, swimming at nighttime with a beverage and a few friends after a hot day in the sun is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences you can have.
If you have a ball you can throw the ball at one another, you can get some floating apparatuses and float around, you can play tips and so much more.
Play Flashlight tag
This is a great game which doesn’t require much running around as it is played like hide and seek.
One person counts to a predetermined number while everyone goes and hides in the forest.
Once the person counts to the number they start searching and whoever gets lit up with a flashlight they then become the person that is in.
Draw with light
Using a set of torches and a long exposure camera you can create some incredible shots that will impress everyone.
It’s a great activity for multiple people as well as it requires everyone to communicate well and choreograph everything so that the images come out great
If you have colourful lights the pictures will come out even more amazing.
Tell Ghost Stories
You probably remember from movies or from your own experience how people used to sit around a fire and talk about scary, terrifying ghost stories.
It seemed that every time a noise would happen in the forest around you, you would think the worse and would huddle closer to everyone else.
Well, it is definitely a fun nighttime camping activity to do while sitting around the fire and enjoying each other’s stories.
For a free resource of scary campfire stories click this link Free Camping Ghost Storie
Play glow in the dark bowling
Get yourself six or more 2 L bottles of water and place a glow stick inside of the bottles.
Next line them up in a triangular shape and use a ball to knock them down.
Just make sure that you do not have any drop-offs or places where you can lose the ball.
Play Truth or Dare
A game that most likely everyone has played at least once in their lives is the good old truth or dare.
It is an excellent game to play with your friends after a few drinks as some of the stories that will come out or dares that may happen will be extremely hilarious.
One recommendation for a dare you shouldn’t do is to have someone jump over the fire.
It usually ends up with someone getting hurt
Play glow in the dark bowling
Get yourself six or more 2 L bottles of water and place a glow stick inside of the bottles.
Next line them up in a triangular shape and use a ball to knock them down.
Just make sure that you do not have any drop-offs or places where you can lose the ball.
Play Truth or Dare
A game that most likely everyone has played at least once in their lives is the good old truth or dare.
It is an excellent game to play with your friends after a few drinks as some of the stories that will come out or dares that may happen will be extremely hilarious.
One recommendation for a dare you shouldn’t do is to have someone jump over the fire.
It usually ends up with someone getting hurt
Sing Campfire songs
Get out a guitar, tune your vocal cords and sing with a bunch of friends to some new pop songs old school rock or a selection of campfire songs.
It’s an extremely bonding experience when you have everyone tuning in and is contributing.
Best of all if the beat gets your feet you can also dance around the fire.
Here is a set of campfire songs which are easy to learn and most likely you’ve heard them once or twice before Campfire Songs
Marshmallows
A camp is not complete until you have marshmallows which are roasted on a fire.
It’s amazing how these white or pink or yellow fluffy little objects can have so many different ways of being cooked.
Some prefer it completely charcoal black with the inside being melted and others love their marshmallows so much that they allow them to be cooked for 4-5minutes to get a golden brown colour but with the insides being warm, fluffy and runny.
What’s the way that you like to make your marshmallows, do you have secret tips let me know in the comments belo
Practise Night Time Photography
If you have a camera with you and enjoy taking a few snaps here and there make sure to set your exposure to long, get the tripod out and practice taking some beautiful nighttime photography.
It is incredible how much advancement we have had in cameras which take incredibly detailed and beautiful photos.
Once you take a few photos make sure to share them on Instagram using the tag #mendooutdoors.
Cards Against Humanity
This game is widely popular at parties but also at campfires as it is a simple game but can get a ton of laughs.
Best of all it is also very small to carry and everyone can get amongst it and enjoy some politically incorrect jokes.
Click here to find out more about Cards Against Humanity
Two Truths one Lie
In this game, someone says three statements about their past.
Two of them are true and one is a lie. Everyone else around the campfire tries to guess which is the lie.
This is a great way to learn about the people you’re camping with. Take turns, of course.
Never Have I Ever
Each person in the circle starts with three fingers up.
Then, you go around the circle saying something you’ve never done before.
If someone has done it before, they put a finger down. Keep going until someone doesn’t have any fingers left.
This is another fun way to get to know each other, but only play if you’re all comfortable with each other. Some questions can get personal.
Enjoying this set of nighttime camping activities? Make sure to share it so that others can enjoy it as much as you.
Charades
This is a good way to keep things active.
Just make sure your campfire is bright enough for everyone to see the person acting out the charades.
Use this resource to make sure you get the best fire for the situation How to make a Fire
Bring a Deck of cards
Cards can be used in so many ways and are by far one of the easiest nighttime camping activities that you can do.
With so many people knowing so many different types of games it’s just a matter of time for you to learn a new one which you can enjoy.
Best of all with cards they are small and easy to carry around and everyone can get amongst it.
Here is a list of card games you can play on your next camping trip Camping Card Game
Build a shelter in the dark
Have you ever built a shelter while out camping? Try to do it in the dark.
This will enhance your survival skills as it is harder to do everything when night sets in. Best of all you can get everyone on board and make a really cool hut in which you can spend time in
Additionally, to that, you could sharpen your survival skills like rope tying and other cool survival exercises
Play Camouflage
You can also play a game of camouflage which requires one person to stand stationary and countdown from 30. In that time have everyone else has to hide.
Once the person completed the countdown he opens his eyes, looks around while remaining in the same spot and lights up people with the torch.
The people who get lit up are out and have to wait to the end of the game.
If there are remaining people that still haven’t been found then the stationary person closes their eyes and yells out “food and water” and proceeds to count down from 25.
In the time everyone has to run that is still hiding and tap the person on the hand and find a new hiding spot.
Again the person opens their eyes after 25 seconds and looks around and tries finding people.
If there are more people remaining the stationary person counts down from 20 then again 15, 10 and 5 until everyone gets caught. The last person remaining wins and becomes the person that is stationary looking for everyone.
This is my set of fun nighttime camping activities that I think everyone would enjoy. If you enjoyed this article make sure to Share, Pin, comment and subscribe to my page for more amazing articles that will come out on a weekly basis
FAQ's About Nighttime camping activities
Question: What are some fun nighttime camping activities?
Answer: There are many fun nighttime camping activities that you can enjoy with friends and family. Here are a few ideas:
- Stargazing: Look up at the stars and planets in the night sky. If you’re lucky, you might even see a shooting star!
- Campfire stories: Gather around the campfire and tell stories. This is a great way to bond with your fellow campers and create lasting memories.
- Hiking by moonlight: Go for a hike in the moonlight and enjoy the peace and quiet of the night.
- Glow in the dark games: Play glow in the dark games like tag or hide-and-seek. This is a great way to get some exercise and have some fun in the dark.
- Scavenger hunt: Go on a nighttime scavenger hunt and see who can find all the items on the list first.
Question: What are some safety tips for nighttime camping?
Answer: Here are some safety tips for nighttime camping:
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. This is especially important if you’re camping alone.
- Bring a flashlight or headlamp. This will help you see your way around in the dark.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Listen for strange noises and watch out for animals.
- Stay on designated trails. This will help you avoid getting lost.
- Have a fire extinguisher or water nearby. This is in case there’s a fire.
- Don’t drink too much alcohol. This can impair your judgment and make you more susceptible to accidents.
Question: What are some things to pack for nighttime camping?
Answer: Here are some things to pack for nighttime camping:
- Flashlight or headlamp: This is essential for seeing in the dark.
- Warm clothes: It can get cold at night, so be sure to pack layers.
- Snacks: You’ll need something to eat in the middle of the night if you get hungry.
- Water: Stay hydrated, especially if you’re going to be hiking or playing active games.
- First-aid kit: This is always a good idea to have on hand, just in case.
- Bug spray: This will help keep the bugs away at night.
I hope this FAQ helps you plan your next nighttime camping trip!
