A performance to liven up the campfire
How do you like to enjoy a campfire?
It’s nice to relax while watching the flames or chat with your friends, but it’s also fun to put on performances or play games together!
In this article, we’ll introduce some activities you might want to try during a campfire.
Along with skits, songs, and dances, we’ll also share plenty of easy games that everyone can enjoy—be sure to use them as a reference!
Performances to liven up a campfire (1–10)
They say the same things and do the same things.
“Say the same, do the same” is a fun game that engages both body and mind.
The leader says, “Say the same, do the same!” and then calls out one of left, right, forward, or backward.
Players follow the leader’s instruction.
For example, if “forward” is called, you jump forward while saying “forward.” The game offers various versions and difficulty levels, such as “Say the opposite, do the opposite” and “Say the same, do the opposite.” Please enjoy adjusting it to the players’ ages.
It fell, it fell.
This is the “Ochita Ochita” (Falling, Falling) game, which is also often used as a recreation activity in kindergartens and nursery schools.
Everyone sings, “What fell?” and then reacts based on the answer: for “apple,” put both hands out in front; for “fist,” put your hands on top of your head; for “thunder,” hide your belly button, and so on.
You can add your own twists too—like making a sour face for “pickled plum,” or striking a wish-making pose for “shooting star”—and enjoy it with a free, creative spirit.
Doing it around a campfire, in that out-of-the-ordinary atmosphere, makes it even more exciting than usual.
Piyo-Piyo-chan
Let me introduce “Piyo-Piyo-chan,” a recommended activity for campfire games.
It’s played by splitting into a parent bird and the piyo-piyo chicks.
Adults take the role of the parent bird, and the children become the piyo-piyo chicks.
It starts with the call-and-response, “Piyo-Piyo-chan!” “Yes?” Then the parent bird says, “Can you do this and that?” while moving their body.
The piyo-piyo chicks reply, “We can do this and that!” and imitate the parent bird’s movements.
If they can copy the moves without making mistakes, they succeed!
Rock-Paper-Scissors Train
In scenes where people gather around a campfire, you often have a mix of ages, right? In those situations, a game using rock-paper-scissors lets anyone join easily.
You pair up and play rock-paper-scissors; the loser lines up behind the winner.
Repeat this to form an ever-longer line—simple rules.
The person at the front at the end is the champion, so preparing a prize could make it even more exciting.
The more participants you have, the longer—and more entertaining—the line looks.
Child of Abraham
With its unique lyrics and a gentle, easy-to-remember melody, “Abraham’s Children” is an unforgettable hand-clapping song.
Try singing and playing it with all your energy around the campfire.
When the song reaches the parts that call for physical reactions, exaggerate your movements and go big.
As the number of body parts to move keeps increasing—by the time you get to “your bottom!!” and finally “spin around!!”—everything gets delightfully chaotic, which is exactly what makes it so much fun for the kids.
Haizuka
It’s a dance where participants circle around a central campfire while singing.
It’s said to originate from a pre-battle ritual of Indigenous peoples in Canada, and the stirring sense of exhilaration is quite striking.
The movements and the song are very simple, so it’s easy for anyone to learn, which is part of the fun.
It’s nice to build a sense of unity among participants by moving steadily to the music, but it might also be interesting if the leader suddenly picks up the pace midway through the song.
Wink Killer
A game where you enjoy bluffing using winks.
First, choose the culprit by drawing lots or similar.
The culprit winks at someone when they make eye contact; if only that person notices, they drop out and the game continues.
You keep enjoying the mind games until either someone other than the target accuses the culprit, or everyone except the culprit has been eliminated.
In a dim setting, like gathered around a campfire, winks are harder to spot, which raises the difficulty and makes it more fun.