When I was a teenager, I was always the one to whip out a game when we were outdoors – either hanging out in the park or on camping trips. Games are a great way to build friendships and to create memories that last!

I’ve put together this guide to the most fun outdoor games for teens that I know. I’ve split them into three sections depending on what sort of game you are looking for: Outdoor games (sitting around or verbal games), active outdoor games and finally, activities and card games.

You might also want to check out:

• How to stay warm when camping
• How to pack a hiking backpack like a pro

Best Outdoor Games for Teens that will have you in fits!

I’m going to start with my classic go-to games. The ones that will leave everyone laughing and re-telling stories for the rest of the day. None of these games are massively active, and they don’t require any specialised equipment. So you really can play them anywhere outdoors!

#1 Werewolves

Ideal for a minimum of 9 players, no equipment required.

Have you ever seen the TV series Traitors? This is the original game that inspired the series and is a lot of fun as an outdoor game for teens – especially if sat around the campfire or hiding out of the rain in a tent.

In this game, one person assumes the role of the leader (they control the game but don’t play so you’ll want to switch this person around if you play more rounds). With everyone’s eyes closed, the leader touches two people’s heads, designating them as werewolves. The werewolves open their eyes to identify each other and then close their eyes again. The leader then selects an additional person as the informant, who opens their eyes. The werewolves raise their hands, signalling to the informant without revealing their identities.

The rest of the participants are villagers.

While everyone’s eyes are closed, the werewolves secretly choose a villager to be “murdered” by quietly pointing to who they’d like to murder while all the villages sit with their eyes closed.

The leader then instructs everyone to open their eyes before announcing the murder victim. The villagers must then discuss and deduce the werewolves’ identities. The informant can offer assistance without directly revealing names, aiming not to disclose their role (as otherwise, the Werewolves will be quick to murder them next!).

Once the villagers make a decision by going around the circle and doing a vote – naming the person they want to banish – the chosen person either confirms being a werewolf or reveals they inadvertently killed a fellow villager. Once murdered or banished, you are out of the game but get the joy of watching on.

The cycle continues as everyone closes their eyes, allowing the werewolves to select another target. The game concludes when both werewolves are eliminated, in which case the Villagers have one. Or there’s a werewolf left at the end, meaning they have one.

#2 Fruits

Ideal for a minimum of 5 players, no equipment required.

This game is perfect for ongoing entertainment throughout an evening or a weekend camping trip. It allows players to participate at their own pace, dipping in and out throughout the day to catch each other off guard.

Here’s how it works: Each player selects the name of a fruit for themselves. The player in action must successfully say another player’s chosen fruit three times (e.g., ‘apple, apple, apple’) before the target can say it just once. If successful, the named player becomes the active one; otherwise, they remain in play and must attempt again with the same or a different fruit.

Players will quickly discover that fruits with longer syllables pose a greater challenge, so it might be fun to switch each player’s fruits periodically (or not if you want to be mean!). The game teaches participants to seize opportunities when others are distracted in tasks or conversations. Enjoy the fruity fun!

#3 Animal Noises

Perfect for a group of 6 or more, and no equipment is required.

Here’s another uncomplicated yet entertaining game that teens can play outside. It’ll have your group in stitches. All you need is a good understanding of each other’s names.

Here’s how it works: One person is blindfolded and positioned in the middle. The rest of the group walks around the blindfolded person in a circle, or if you prefer, have someone spin them until they’re disoriented.

The blindfolded person yells, “Stop,” and everyone freezes or is halted by the designated ‘spinner.’ They then randomly point to someone in the circle and call out the name of an animal.

The selected person must then imitate the sound of that animal. If the blindfolded person correctly guesses who made the noise, they switch places; otherwise, the game continues.

#4 Who Am I

Ideal for a minimum of 4 players, this game requires only post-it notes as equipment.

A classic choice that suits the ambience of a campfire, “Guess Who” serves as a perfect icebreaker for groups still getting to know each other or for those who may be less outgoing.

Participants each wear a post-it note on their forehead with the name of a famous person or object. Alternatively, you can have one person at a time with a post-it note. The challenge is for them to ask yes or no questions to deduce their assigned identity.

The game continues until all players successfully identify their assigned person or object. For added variety, you can also play a round where everyone takes on the role of an object.

#5 Nighttime Ghost Hunt

Minimum 8 players. Equipment needed: 2 sleeping bags and 2 tents.

Divide the participants into two teams, each equipped with a tent serving as their designated base. The teams retreat into their tents, where a member is secretly chosen to morph into a ghost by concealing themselves under a sleeping bag.

Under the veil of darkness, the ‘ghosts’ emerge, each on a quest to unravel the identity of the other team’s ‘ghost’ hiding beneath the sleeping bag. Players can employ various tactics such as pocking or trying to make the other person laugh (so they can guess who they are by the sound of their voice), excluding the direct unveiling of the sleeping bag.

A successful guess of the other ghost results in the guessed person joining the team of the one who made the correct identification. The game reaches its culmination when one team manages to recruit every member from the opposing team.

#6 The Twenty Question Challenge

Ideal for a minimum of 4 players, the 20 Questions Challenge requires no additional equipment, making it a convenient and engaging choice for a campfire setting. It’s a variation of the “Who Am I” game mentioned earlier.

The first player initiates the game by selecting a person or object and stating, “I’m thinking of a person” or “I’m thinking of an object.”

Subsequently, each participant takes turns posing questions about the chosen person or object, restricting queries to those answerable with either a “Yes” or a “No.” A maximum of 20 questions is allowed for each round.

The player who correctly guesses the person or object gets the opportunity to choose the next one. If no one guesses correctly, the same player continues for the next round.

#7 The Floor is Lava

There are two variations of this game you can play outdoors. The first is to set up an obstacle course using any equipment you have lying about plus logs and tree stumps to create a course that needs to be navigated by everyone. Of course the floor is lava so if your foot touches the ground, you’re out of the game.

Alternatively, split your friends into 2 teams and give each team 2-4 bin bags (depending on how many are playing and how hard you want the challenge to be. Now, envision the floor as lava, and the challenge is for everyone to collaborate and traverse to the end zone without touching the floor. The teams must creatively employ their lava-proof bin bags to achieve this task, deciding on tactics such as a collective journey or taking turns.

Best Active Outdoor Teen Games

Make the most of being outdoors with your teenage friends by choosing one of these fun active games to play. They are all easy to pick up and don’t require a huge amount of skill.

#8 Baloon Soccer

Supplies needed are balloons, a few tennis balls and Goals (can be marked out using jumpers or sticks). Minimum 6 players required.

Experience the joy of Balloon Soccer, a classic game suitable for any number of players! Set up the excitement by marking out two goal lines. Form two teams, positioning them on their respective goal lines, and position a balloon in the middle. The challenge unfolds as teams aim to manoeuvre the balloon across the opponent’s goal line using tennis balls. You can have as many tennis balls as you like in play, but when a player is holding the ball they aren’t allowed to move.

#9 Capture the Flag

This is one of the best outdoor games for teens – combining teamwork and creative problem-solving skills. And a lot of fun. You’ll need a big outdoor space like a field or woods.

Each team conceals their “flag” (which can be any item) on their side of the designated playing space.

The visibility of the flag is key, ruling out digging or climbing yet offering ample room for strategic placements. The objective is for each team to seize the other team’s flag and successfully transport it back to their side. You need to have a designated area for each team (i.e. if you cross the centre line, you are then in the other team’s base).

Opposing teammates must enter the other team’s base and doge being captured. If they are caught – by being tagged by the opposite team – they must stand still like a statue until one of their own teammates frees them with a touch.

There needs to be some strategy amongst the teams. Who will stay and protect the flag, and who will try to steal the other team’s flag? The team that gets the opposing team’s flag first wins.

#10 Prisoner Ball

Gather a crew of at least 12 players for a thrilling and competitive twist on dodgeball – introducing Prisoner Ball!

Mark out a field with two squares adjacent to each other, one designated for each team. As teams face off, armed with a single ball in play, the objective is to imprison opponents by striking them below the neck. The ball must not hit the ground to count and bounces or catches do not register.

Players turned prisoners retreat behind their adversaries’ territory, positioned just on the backline – unable to lurk on the sides. They can launch the ball from behind, and if they manage to catch an opponent, they regain freedom and return to their area.

Strategize with inter-passing among players and prisoners allowed. The side of a player-turned-prisoner gets the next throw once reaching the prison. Beware! Crossing into the opposing team’s area lands you in prisoner status.

Victory is claimed when all members of one team find themselves behind bars.

#11 Rounders

I have a LOT of fun memories playing rounders as a teenager. This really is one of the most fun outdoor games for teens. You’ll need at least 12 players and a rounders set. I can recommend this one.

The objective of the game ‘Rounders’ is for two teams to compete, each striving to score more runs, or rounders, than the opposing team.

Typically, each team should have at least 6 players, allowing one person next to each post, along with a bowler and backstop when fielding. While rules permit 15 squad members, no more than 9 should be on the field simultaneously.

The game begins with one team batting while the other fields and bowls. The bowler delivers the ball to the batter, who hits it anywhere on the pitch. The batter runs to as many posts as possible before the fielders return the ball to touch the post the batter is heading towards.

Teams take turns playing two innings, with all players having a turn at batting. An innings concludes when all batting players are either out or on a base, leaving no one to face the next ball. Scoring in rounders involves three methods: reaching the 2nd or 3rd post scores half a rounder, reaching the 4th post in one hit scores a full rounder, and a runner reaching the 4th post on a no ball scores 1 rounder.

When a batter runs the track, they must maintain contact with the post using a hand or bat. Stumped out by a fielder at the next post is possible if contact is lost. Batters can use two hands when batting but must hold onto the bat while running. Each batter receives one good ball bowled to them.

A no ball occurs when the ball is delivered above the head, below the knee, bounces on its way to the batter, is wide or straight at the batter’s body, or if the bowler’s foot is outside the square. A rounders game is usually played over two innings, and the team with the most rounders after both innings wins.

#12 Water Baloon Throw

Minimum two players are required, and you’ll need water balloons and a bucket or container to store them in.

Fill an ample quantity of water balloons and arrange them in a capacious bucket. Participants pair up, with one water balloon designated for each duo. Facing their teammate a few feet apart, players embark on the challenge.

The objective is to delicately toss the water balloon between teammates, aiming for a seamless exchange without any unfortunate bursts. With each successful catch, the adept player takes a small step backwards. As the game progresses, participants naturally find themselves at a greater distance, intensifying the challenge and fun.

I’d recommend using these REUSABLE WATER BALLOONS as they are more environmentally friendly but also mean that you can use them again and again. Good old water balloon fight anyone?!

#13 Boat Races

Minimum 10 players. Equipment needed: None

Teams assemble in a line, constituting their ‘crew,’ with members facing backwards and hands securely placed on the shoulders of the person in front. A designated ‘cox’ stands at the back, facing forward, and issues crucial directions to the team, which are not allowed to turn their heads backwards.

As the race kicks off with the command “Go!”, crews sprint to a marker roughly 50 meters away, circumvent it, and swiftly return. The first team to successfully complete this maritime circuit emerges victorious.

A key rule emphasizes that teams must maintain their physical link (hands-on-shoulders) throughout the race. Any violation prompts the offending team to retreat to the starting line, re-establish the link, and commence their quest anew.

For an added layer of excitement, consider introducing obstacles along the course, testing the crews’ adaptability and strategic prowess. Dive into the Boat Race challenge, where the thrill of the race meets the strategic finesse of navigating obstacles.

#14 Ten Passes

Minimum 6 players. The equipment needed is only a ball.

This is one of the easiest outdoor games for teens to pick up on the list! Experience the thrill of teamwork with the “Ten Passes” challenge—an uncomplicated yet exhilarating game perfect for a teen game.

Form two teams from your group. Team members engage in a seamless passing of the ball among themselves, ensuring it never touches the ground or gets blocked. The first team to successfully complete ten consecutive passes without interruption emerges victorious.

Feel free to set up a designated playing area, although it’s not strictly necessary. If the players get good, make the game harder by making it ‘fifteen passes’ instead of ten.

Best Outdoor Activities and Card Games for Teens

Pack up the car or your bag with the below activities and card games that are ideal for teens looking for outdoor games to play!

#15 Nerf Howler

My Nerf Howler literally goes with me every time I’m outdoors with friends. It’s fun and addictive, and you can make up loads of different games playing with this ball, such as Piggy in the Middle. BUY HERE

#16 Giant Outdoor Jenga

A classic game for when you’re outdoors and look for a fun activity. This set will last you a life-time and is great to take along on camping trips, beach days or garden parties. BUY HERE

#17 Cards Against Humanity

One of the most popular card games for teenagers. It’s rude and funny and perfect for playing while sat around a campfire. BUY HERE

#18 Hoop Throw

Another classic game that will give you hours of fun. Set this up outdoors and challenge your friends to see who has the best throw. BUY HERE

#19 Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens is the best outdoor card game for teens because it’s so compact (so easy to carry), is quick to pick up and utterly addictive. I love playing this game while on camping or hiking trips. BUY HERE

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I hope you found my list of the best outdoor games for teens helpful.

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