Christian Campfire Games

Campfire games at Christian camps encourage fellowship and wholesome play. Games are clean and sometimes play off Christian themes. Christian kids will enjoy playing these games as they build memories with one another in an uplifting environment. The key is to keep the spirit of friendship and positive attitudes, whether they win or not.

Everyone gathers in a circle or group so they can face one another. Kids close their eyes and a leader says, “1, 2, 3, Look!” On “look”, everyone opens their eyes and looks at one other person of their choosing. If two people are looking at each other, they’re eliminated. If not, they close their eyes and the leader counts again. Continue counting until only two people are left.

This is a singing game that starts slow and goes faster and faster and louder and louder. The song goes, “I am a C (clap, clap), I am a C-H (clap, clap), I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N (clap, clap) and when I have C-H-R-I-S-T in my H-E-A-R-T then I will L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y.” Divide kids into groups to see who can sing it the fastest, loudest or longest.

This game can be played with children in a circle or in rows. Children will count around the circle, or down the rows, with each person saying one or two numbers on their turn. The person who has to say “10” is out, and the next person begins the cycle again by saying “one.” Keep counting until you have a winner.

Children gather on one side of the campfire. Choose one child to be the king. Place word strips in a box. Words include “kindness,” “caring,” “gratitude,” “charity,” “compassion,” “forgiveness,” and so on. Children take turns drawing a word, approaching the king and saying “Knock, knock.” The king answers “What word do you have?” The child then lists a specific way he lives that attribute, such as, “My sister was sad because she broke her favorite toy. I cheered her up and offered to play a game with her. That was kindness.” The king then says, “You are admitted to my kingdom,” and the child sits on the opposite side of the fire. Keep playing until everyone is in the kingdom.

The children list animals in Noah’s ark for this memory game. Children sit in a circle or in rows and the first person says, “I’m going on Noah’s ark and I’m bringing two cheetahs.” The next person says what the first person brought and adds something else to it, such as “I’m going on Noah’s ark and I’m bringing two cheetahs and two otters.” The game continues around the circle, with children reciting the list in order and adding their own animals. If a child makes a mistake, she's out of the game.