Best Card Games to Take Camping
Card games are the unsung heroes of the camping kit bag.
They weigh almost nothing, pack into a tiny space, work just as well inside a tent on a rainy afternoon as they do around the campfire, and keep children of almost every age genuinely entertained.
If you are not already packing cards on every camping trip, you should be.
Here is a guide to the best card games for camping, from classics that need nothing but a standard deck to purpose-made games worth adding to your collection.
Why Card Games for Camping are Perfect
- They are versatile, a standard 52-card deck opens up dozens of different games.
- They are social, requiring everyone to put their phone down and pay attention to each other.
- They work in any weather, making them perfect when it is raining and the tent is starting to feel small.
Card Games You Can Play With a Standard Deck
A standard deck of cards is all you need to get started, making these games super accessible and affordable for all!
Snap
The simplest card game and genuinely exciting for young children.
Fast, loud, and endlessly replayable, is there anything else needed in the world, other than that?
Go Fish
Players ask each other for cards to complete sets of four.
Simple enough for children aged four and up, engaging enough for older ones.
Rummy
Players draw and discard to build sets and runs.
Perfect for children aged seven or eight and up, and good for longer evenings when you want something with more substance.
Sevens
Also known as Fan Tan. Players build sequences out from the sevens in both directions.
A great game for mixed ages because the strategy is simple but the game is competitive.
Old Maid
Players try to avoid being left with the odd queen.
Very simple, very funny, and works brilliantly with young children who have not yet mastered keeping a poker face.
Cheat
Also known as I Doubt It.
Players take turns laying cards face-down claiming to play in sequence.
Anyone who suspects a cheat calls it, if right, the cheater picks up the pile; if wrong, the caller picks it up.
Hilarious with children who love bluffing.
Purpose-Made Card Games for Camping Worth Packing
Want to go a little further? There are many purpose-made card games for camping that require specially bought cards.
These are well worth investing, and offer a completely different dimension to just standard card deck games.
Dobble
A brilliantly simple matching game, every card shares exactly one symbol with every other.
Works for children as young as four, takes two minutes to learn, and lasts about fifteen minutes per game.
Uno
The classic family card game. Colour and number matching with action cards that change the direction of play.
Simple rules, games can go pleasingly long, and the final round always generates genuine tension.
Sushi Go
A card-drafting game where players pass hands of cards around the table, picking one each turn to build the best sushi combination.
Quick to learn, plays in about fifteen minutes, and works for children aged eight and up.
Exploding Kittens
Built around avoiding the exploding kitten card while playing action cards to shift risk to other players.
Fast, funny, and designed for ages seven plus. Children love it.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
A rapid-fire pattern recognition game where players slap the pile when the card matches what is being said.
Very quick to learn and children find it completely hilarious.
Tips for Camping Card Games Kids Will Love
Keep cards in a zip-lock bag or small waterproof pouch to protect from damp and wind.
Play on a flat surface, a camping table is ideal. Have a torch or lantern positioned so everyone can see their hand for evening games.
For more ideas on keeping children entertained, visit our camping games for kids section, our family camping tips for trip planning, and the Camping With Kids homepage.
