As the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to start planning for bonfire season! Bonfires are a great way to spend time outdoors with friends and family, and what better way to add some extra fun than with games?
If you’re in high school, you’re probably looking for games that are both exciting and appropriate for your age group. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the 15 best bonfire games for high school age.
1. Cornhole
Cornhole is a classic game that’s great for all ages, including high school age. To play, you’ll need two boards with a hole in the center, and eight bean bags (four of each color). The boards are placed 27 feet apart, and the object of the game is to toss your bean bags into the hole on the other board.
Players take turns tossing their bean bags, and points are awarded based on where the bean bag lands. If it lands on the board, it’s worth one point, and if it lands in the hole, it’s worth three points. The first player to reach 21 points wins.
2. Kan Jam
Kan Jam is a fun and active game that’s great for high school age. To play, you’ll need two Kan Jam goals and a frisbee. The goals are set up about 50 feet apart, and the object of the game is to toss the frisbee into the goal.
Players take turns throwing the frisbee, and points are awarded based on where the frisbee lands. If it hits the side of the goal, it’s worth one point, and if it goes through the slot on the front of the goal, it’s an instant win.
3. Spikeball
Spikeball is a newer game that’s gaining popularity among high schoolers. To play, you’ll need a Spikeball net and a ball. The net is set up on the ground, and the object of the game is to hit the ball onto the net so that the other team can’t return it.
Players take turns hitting the ball, and points are awarded based on which team can’t return the ball. The first team to reach 21 points wins.
4. Ghost in the Graveyard
Ghost in the Graveyard is a fun and spooky game that’s great for high school age. To play, one person is chosen to be the ghost, and everyone else hides. The ghost has to find the other players, and when they do, they yell “ghost in the graveyard!” and everyone has to run back to the starting point.
If the ghost catches someone before they make it back to the starting point, that person becomes the ghost for the next round. The game continues until everyone has had a chance to be the ghost.
5. Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is a classic game that’s great for large groups of high schoolers. To play, you’ll need two teams and a flag for each team. The flags are placed at opposite ends of the playing area, and the object of the game is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your own side.
Players take turns trying to capture the flag, and if they’re caught by an opposing player, they have to go to “jail.” The game continues until one team successfully captures the other team’s flag.
6. Water Balloon Toss
Water Balloon Toss is a fun and refreshing game that’s great for hot summer nights. To play, you’ll need a bucket of water balloons and a partner. Players stand across from each other and toss the water balloon back and forth, taking a step back each time they successfully catch it.
The game continues until one team’s water balloon breaks, and the other team wins.
7. Mafia
Mafia is a fun and social game that’s great for high school age. To play, everyone is given a card that tells them if they’re a townsperson or a member of the mafia. The game is played in rounds, and each round has a day phase and a night phase.
During the day phase, everyone discusses who they think is in the mafia and votes on who they want to eliminate from the game. During the night phase, the mafia chooses one person to eliminate from the game.
The game continues until either all of the members of the mafia are eliminated, or the mafia is able to eliminate all of the townspersons. It’s a game of strategy, deception, and deduction, and it’s always a hit at bonfires.
8. Red Rover
Red Rover is a classic game that’s great for high school age. To play, two teams line up across from each other, holding hands. One team yells “Red Rover, Red Rover, send (name of player) over!” and the player named runs as fast as they can and tries to break through the other team’s line.
If they’re successful, they choose one person from the other team to bring back to their own team. If they’re not successful, they have to join the other team. The game continues until one team has all the players.
9. Four on a Couch
Four on a Couch is a fun and fast-paced game that’s great for high school age. To play, you’ll need a couch and four players. Each player is given a category, such as types of fruit or types of dogs.
The players take turns sitting on the couch, and the goal is to get all four players on the couch at the same time by saying a word that fits each player’s category. For example, if the categories are types of fruit, the players might say “apple, banana, cherry, grape” to get all four players on the couch.
10. Charades
Charades is a classic game that’s great for high school age. To play, you’ll need a list of words or phrases, and players take turns acting them out without speaking. The other players have to guess what the word or phrase is based on the actions.
It’s a fun and interactive game that’s great for large groups, and it can lead to some hilarious moments.
11. Sardines
Sardines is a fun and challenging game that’s great for high school age. To play, one person is chosen to be the “sardine,” and they hide somewhere in the playing area. The other players have to search for the sardine, and when they find them, they have to hide with them.
The game continues until everyone has found the sardine and is hiding with them. It’s a great game for large groups and can lead to some interesting hiding spots.
12. Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is a fun and interactive game that’s great for high school age. To play, each player takes turns telling two truths and one lie about themselves. The other players have to guess which statement is the lie.
It’s a great way to get to know each other and can lead to some surprising revelations.
13. Balderdash
Balderdash is a fun and creative game that’s great for high school age. To play, players take turns picking a word from a card and writing down a fake definition. The other players have to guess which definition is the real one.
It’s a game of creativity and bluffing, and it’s always a hit at bonfires.
14. Spoons
Spoons is a fast-paced and competitive game that’s great for high school age. To play, you’ll need a deck of cards and spoons (one less spoon than the number of players). The cards are dealt out, and players take turns passing cards around the circle.
The goal is to get four of a kind, and when you do, you grab a spoon. The player who doesn’t get a spoon is eliminated, and the game continues until there’s only one player left.
15. Would You Rather
Would You Rather is a fun and interactive game that’s great for high school age. To play, one player asks a “would you rather” question, and the other players have to choose between two options.
The questions can range from silly to serious, and it’s a great way to get to know each other better.
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So, to conclude, bonfires are a great way to spend time outdoors with friends and family, and adding games to the mix can make it even more fun. From classic games like Cornhole and Charades to newer games like Spikeball and Kan Jam, there’s something for everyone on this list.
So grab some snacks, start the fire, and get ready for a night of fun and games!