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Campfire Stories for Kids and Adults: 15 Scary and Funny Tales to Tell

People telling campfire stories

Nothing beats winding down your day at camp than cosying up around a campfire. Staring into the flames and watching the colours dance before your eyes can really get the imagination going. It’s an ideal atmosphere to spark creativity, and it sets the scene perfectly for an evening of campfire stories and songs.

Some people are born storytellers. Pre-written content only acts as an unnecessary constraint on their imaginations, and they can bust out campfire stories at will. Good stories, too. But for the rest of us, a little storytelling guidance can go a long way.

So, whether you’re entertaining the kids with funny campfire stories, trying to spook the living bejesus out of your friends with scary campfire stories (check out our Halloween camping guide for more ideas!), or hoping to simply create a calm environment before bed with a thought-provoking campfire story, we’ve got you covered!

I asked campers and outdoorsy folk from all around the world to share their favourite campfire stories with us. So I hope that, as well as getting some inspiration for your next camping trip, you’ll also learn stories from other cultures to your own.

15 campfire stories to scare, intrigue and entertain!

Get the fire lit and the corn popping, and sit back under your favourite camping blanket for an evening of campfire stories that will leave you crying, laughing, contemplating or scared stiff!
People sitting around a campfire

Cody Meirick

A scary campfire story: Me Tie Doughty Walker

Recommended by: Cody Meirick – director and producer of Scary Stories documentary and ex-Scout leader

Me Tie Doughty Walker

This scary campfire story is best told calmly, with a slow build. The recurring words get closer and closer and then the story ends with a loud scare!

There was a haunted house in the middle of the woods, just near here, where every night, a bloody head fell down the chimney – at least that’s what people said. Nobody would dare stay there overnight. But a rich man decided to offer two-hundred dollars to whoever would do it. A local boy, in need of some extra bucks in his pocket, this boy said he would try, but only if he could have his dog with him. So it was all settled.

The very next night, the boy went to the house with his dog. To make it more cheerful (and a little less spooky), he started a fire in the fireplace. Then he sat in front of the fire, mesmerised by the dancing flames, and waited with his dog by his side.

For a while, nothing happened. But a little after midnight, he heard someone singing softly and sadly out in the woods. The singing sounded something like this: “Me Tie Dough-ty Walker!” “It’s just somebody singing,” the boy told himself, but he was frightened. Then, as if by some magical spell, his dog answered the song. Softly and sadly it sang: “Lynchee Kinchy Colly Molly Dingo Dingo!” The boy could not believe his ears. His dog had never uttered a word before!

A few minutes later, he heard the singing again. Now it was closer and louder, but the words were the same: “Me Tie Dough-ty Walker!” This time, the boy tried to stop his dog from answering. He was afraid that whoever was singing would hear it and come after them. But his dog paid no attention and again it sang: “Lynchee Kinchy Colly Molly Dingo Dingo!”

A half-hour later, the boy heard the singing again. He was already in a panic, but now the voice came from the backyard, and the song was the same. “Me Tie Dough-ty Walker!” Again the boy tried to keep his dog quiet, but the dog sang louder than ever: “Lynchee Kinchy Colly Molly Dingo Dingo!”

Soon, the boy heard the singing again. Now it was echoing loudly down the chimney: “ME TIE DOUGH-TY WALKER!” The dog sang right back: “LYNCHEE KINCHY COLLY MOLLY DINGO DINGO!” Suddenly, a bloody head fell out of the chimney. It missed the fire, and landed right next to the dog. The dog took one look, and fell over, dead from fright. The head slowly turned and stared at the boy. It opened its mouth and…. (dramatic pause for effect!)…..“AAAAAAAAAAAH!” (shouted as loud as you can to make everyone jump!!)


Ravi

A funny and scary campfire story: The Tale of the Robber Bear-on

Recommended by: Ravi Parikh – CEO of campground reservations company

The Tale of the Robber Bear-on

This is my favorite story to tell while camping and kids especially tend to get a kick out of it. It’s a suspenseful campfire story but definitely kid-friendly. It’s a good story to tell to teach kids about the importance of food safety in the mountains, too!

When I was nine years old, my family and I went on a camping trip to a notoriously haunted campground in the mountains of northern Colorado. Dark stories by firelight told of a group of teenagers who’d gone camping and only half returned, and when the others were rounded up and brought back to civilization, they were ghost-pale and mumbling about seeing the ghost of an old west robber baron.

So you can imagine how frightened I was to wake up in the dead of night to the long metal clanking of some horrible ghostly chains! When I climbed free from my tent and went to investigate, I saw a huge dark figure hunched over the campground dumpsters. It slowly turned at my approach, and before me was the ghastly figure of . . . a black bear!


Benoit

A scary campfire story: Camping in Bigfoot Country

Recommended by: Camden Benoit – backpacking enthusiast and CEO and Founder of Sustainably Off-Grid

Camping in Bigfoot Country

An eerie campfire story that might make you think twice about camping alone in the “birthplace of Bigfoot!”

Let me set the scene: I was hiking the Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail, where it never seemed to stop raining. About halfway through my trip, I hiked past a local that welcomed me to the “birthplace of Bigfoot.” I honestly didn’t think twice about it, as I am a relatively scientific type of guy and don’t get easily spooked.

The night I met that man, I camped alone for the first time on my trip. I was alone in a beautiful clearing surrounded by tall evergreens. I did the usual: made dinner, hung my food, got in my tent, and tried to read a little. That night, I kept waking up hearing noises. I wouldn’t describe the noise like an animal, but almost like a human that had slowly gone wild. There were rustles, moans, cries, and what sounded like someone stomping around.

After what seemed like an endless night, with very little sleep, I woke to find multiple piles of rocks stacked in odd formations – obvious that someone spent time arranging them. They weren’t there the night before when I made dinner or went to bed. To say the least, I quickly packed up and hiked to the nearest town.


Molly

A spooky and funny campfire story: The Viper

Recommended by: Molly Foss – avid camper and co-owner of Camping Critterz

The Viper

When camping with preschoolers, the goal is to tell funny stories that might be a little bit spooky but not scary. Our current favorite spooky / funny campfire story for kids is The Viper.

SnakeA young man inherited a house from his uncle and moved in right away to start fixing it up. While he was unpacking his things, the phone rang. A strange voice said “I am the Viper, I’ll be there in 3 weeks!” and hung up. The young man thought it was odd, but figured it was a wrong number.

Days went by and the man got settled into the house and started the repairs. The phone rang again with the same voice saying “I am the Viper, I’ll be there in 2 weeks!” The man said “Who is this?” but the caller hung up.

The man ignored the call and started fixing up the huge old house. The phone rang again a week later and the man answered it yelling “Who are you?” But the voice on the other end only said “I am the Viper and I’m coming to your house in 1 week!”

The man was scared and called the police, but he was told there was nothing they could do. So he sat tights and hoped that the calls would stop. A week later there was a knock on the door. The young man was expecting a delivery but as he peeked out the door he saw an older gentleman standing on his front step..

A little nervous from the starge calls he’d been receiving, the young man yelled out “WHO ARE YOU???”

“I am the Viper” the old man stated, “I’m here to vipe and vash your vindows!”


ruth and cowboy hat

A scary campfire story: Tailypo

Recommended by: Ruth Hartman – owner, chef and storyteller at Coffee Creek Ranch

Tailypo

This is a classic campfire story that has been told at our ranch for years. As your guests gather around the blazing campfire in a circle you begin your story as you start walking around the fire. It’s a bit too scary for little kids, but older kids and adults will enjoy the suspense.

Once upon a time in the big woods, there was a man, and this man had three dogs named Uno, Ino, and Cumptico-Calico. This man, he went off to hunt for his dinner one evening and saw something running away from him. In a bid to catch something, anything, for his dinner, the man managed to cut off its tail before it got away. WACK! He brought it back to his one room cabin without questioning what sort of beast the tail was from.

In this room he had his bed, a window and a fireplace, where he put this tail in a stew he was cooking. Once the stew was ready, he called his dogs Uno, Ino, and Cumptico-Calico, who came busting up from under the porch. He ate the stew, which was juicy and delicious, and gave the rest of it to the dogs, who were very grateful for such a flavoursome treat. Then he put his dogs out to sleep under the porch.

Tired from his day out in the forest, he climbs into bed early. But at around midnight he is woken by a faint noise. He sits up and listens more closely… “Who has my tailypo? Who has my tailypo?” His heart quickens. But he hears nothing more, until suddenly it gets louder: “Who has my tailypo? Who has my tailypo?” And louder still… “Give me back my tailypo?”

He starts to panic and so he calls his dogs…Uno, Ino, Cumptico-Calico, who come busting out from under the porch to protect him from whatever this thing is. Now he hears it again, really loud like it is in the room: “Who has my tailypo? Who has my tailypo? Give me back my tailypo?” With his dogs barking loudly at his side, the petrified man pulls the covers over his head and hopes it will go away. He listens again… there is nothing.

Just as he starts to relax, he feels something crawling on his bed, getting closer and closer and closer. He pulls the covers even tighter over his head… “Give me back my Tailypo!”

Then the storyteller suddenly jumps at some unsuspecting person around the campfire, grabs them and says “YOU have my Tailypo!”


Mike

A scary and funny campfire story: Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Recommended by: Mike Scarpignato – RV camping enthusiast and RV blogger

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

This campfire story a little scary at the end for really young kids but the fright at the end is as funny as it is scary for slightly older kids.

It was late summer, a couple of years ago, and the carnival was in town. So my friend and I went to ride the rides, gobble up some cotton candy, and soak up the festival atmosphere. As we wandered around, sipping on our cold soda, we noticed a fortune teller booth nestled between some food stands. With nothing much else to do, we thought it would be fun to have our palms read. Why not, hey? My friend went first and was told she was going to lead a healthy, happy life.

Then it was my turn to have my palms read. The mysterious fortune teller took my hand and after peering at it for a couple of minutes, she looked at me very strangely. In a cautious yet curious voice, she asked me if I was fond of dogs. I told her I loved dogs, but asked what that had to do with anything. So she continued tracing her fingers over my palms as she told me that in a previous life I had been a dog, but I had been treated poorly by my owner. In fact, I had been kept tied up with a heavy chain. She said I tried so hard to escape that my collar bone broke because I was pulling on the collar so hard.

I paid my money and left the fortune teller’s tent swiftly, feeling flustered and very aware of my collar bone. But what’s really weird, is that I have had a lump on my collar bone for as far back as I can remember. There was no way that the fortune teller could have known that. Go ahead, you can feel the bump right here…

At this point, get one of the kids around the campfire to feel your collar bone and when they do, turn and pretend to bite their hand while barking and growling loudly!


Peter

A serious campfire story: Chii and The Shadow Game

Recommended by: Peter Joseph Head – keen camper and celebrator of Japanese culture

Chii and The Shadow Game

This is a story from Japan that is quite sad, but beautiful. It is taught to elementary school children throughout the country there, as a way of teaching kids about the war. I’ve told it around the campfire several times, and it never fails to bring out a tear or two and get family members hugging each other.

Once, there was a little girl called Chii who lived in Japan, and learnt a game called Kageokuri from her father.

Her dad told her “you play Kageokuri by looking at a shadow and counting to ten. Then you turn to the sky, and you see the shape of what you were looking at outlined above you!”

She often played the game with her family. They even played it the day her father was deployed to go away to war. The four of them formed a line, looked at their shadows, and then turned to the sky where they saw their own outlines projected there.

Chii kept on playing the game with her mother and brother while her father was away, until fighter planes started appearing above her city and it was no longer safe to play outside.

One night she was awoken by an air raid siren. Her family ran outside to find fires burning all around. People were running every which way, her mother pleaded with her and her brother to stick together, but somehow Chii got separated from her mother.

Not knowing what else to do, Chii slept under a bridge with some strangers.

In the morning she found the place where her house had been. In the wreckage she waited, telling herself: “I just have to be patient. I am sure my family will come”.

She waited for what seemed like many, many days.

One morning she woke from sleeping amidst the wreckage with a bright light on her face. She heard a voice. It was her father’s voice saying “you play Kageokuri by looking at a shadow and counting to ten”.

Chii stared at her own shadow. Her father’s voice said “1,2,3”, she heard her mother’s voice join in “4,5,6”, and her brother’s “7,8,9”. When the voices reached ten, she looked to the sky and saw their projected 4 perfect white shadows. She felt herself becoming light, see through, as if she was becoming one with the sky. Before she knew it, she saw her father, mother, and brother running towards her.

In this way, many decades ago, a little girl’s life became one with the sky. But even to this day, if you choose to look long at your shadow, count to ten, and then turn your eyes upwards, you can see her waving back down to you, playing kageokuri.


Milana

A spiritual campfire story: Connecting with Nature

Recommended by: Milana Perepyolkina – bestselling author and storyteller

Connecting with Nature

This is a spiritual story that that encourages us to live in harmony with nature

We sat around the fire telling stories, and on that night I heard from a wise old woman the very story I am about to tell you. It happened a long, long time ago. It happened, I am absolutely sure. Or perhaps it didn’t…

Roma (Gypsies) had just begun their journeys through foreign lands. A taboro (a group of families) moved along a long drom (road) in search of a new place to stay. As the night drew in, the road took them through a dark dense forest. It was frightening to be in the forest during the new moon when you couldn’t see anything and you never knew when a dangerous animal or a gang of robbers might attack you.

This particular taboro made a camp on the edge of the forest with the tents set up very close together and everyone gathered around the yag (fire), laughing, singing, chatting.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of branches cracking. It must be someone attracted by the fire making his way through the dark forest, they thought. Roma froze in silence and turned their heads towards the sound. They squinted to see what was out there in the darkness and what they saw startled them… Ah! An old man appeared in front of them.

He greeted the Roma and asked for permission to warm up next to the fire. Once they had calmed themselves, they welcomed the old man to have a seat around the fire. They fed him a bowl of mushroom soup and then a strong cup of tea. First, feed the guest, then ask the questions.

Who are you? Where are you coming from and where are you going?

“Thank you for your hospitality, thank you for food and warmth. I am the Father of the Forest, Veshitko Dad,” said the old man. “I have something to ask you. Roma travel from place to place, you go through thick forests. Are you not afraid?”

“We are very much afraid,” they replied. “But what are we to do but to live well with the fear?”

“Here is what I’ll ask you,” said the Father of the Forest. “Would you like to learn to understand the whisper of leaves, the language of trees, wild animals and birds? Would you like to feel not fear in a dark forest, but to be surrounded by protection?”

“Is there anyone who doesn’t want that?” exclaimed Roma.

“Then it shall be done. But I ask something in exchange. Don’t cut down my trees and don’t kill wild animals and birds. Do we have a deal?” Said-done. Roma agreed and as naturally as waking up from a long sleep, from that time forward they began to understand the language of trees. They communicated with wild animals and birds. They felt safe and could sense even when they could not see.

I’m telling you, this is how it happened. Or not.


Lee

A silly campfire story: Little Larry Lizard

Recommended by: Lee Haile – professional storyteller at Hill Country Adventures

Little Larry Lizard

This is one of the silliest campfire stories around! It’s full of funny tongue-twisters and is very kid-friendly. To tell it well, you’ll need to practise first!

Little Larry Lizard liked Linda Lue Lizard. She was his gal pal. His girlfriend, but mostly just the friend part. Little Larry Lizard liked Linda Lue Lizard because they both liked to lay in the sun at lunch licking on liquorish. And, Little Larry’s daddy’s name was Leonard.

Leonard was a long lizard. Lots of folks liked to call him “Lanky Leonard.” Little Larry’s momma’s name was Lucy. Lanky Leonard thought Miss Lucy was a luscious lady. Larry had a little sister named Lori, but everybody called her Lolli because she licks lollipops! Lizard lollipops, you know the kind with flies and stuff in them.

Little Lolli, Little Larry, Miss Lucy and Lanky Leonard lived in a log cabin on lonely lookout mountain. Sometimes Little Lolli would tease Little Larry. She would say things like, “Little Larry, Linda Lou wishes you’d kiss her.” And Little Larry would turn livid and lash out at Lolli. Now, Lanky Leonard would sometimes accuse Little Larry of being lazy because he liked to lay around.

One time, Little Larry and Linda Lue were laying in the sun when up raced Ronni Roadrunner. Ronni Roadrunner was a self-righteous rascal and he raced everywhere he went at a rapid rate. If there’s one thing that really riled up old Ronni Roadrunner, it was listlessness. And one thing he couldn’t stand were lazy lizards. Ronni Roadrunner rationalized every time he was to eat a lazy lizard, the whole world would be better off – especially him. So, when old Ronni Roadrunner raced up and was ready to reel in Linda Lue, Larry Lizard leaped up larger than life and landed right on Ronni Roadrunner’s head and he licked his left eyeball.

Ronni Roadrunner reacted and got distracted. Little Linda Lue scurried over and laid underneath a leaf and Little Larry climbed up, grabbed a handful of feathers and yelled, “Don’t look Linda Lue! I’m fixing to terrorize this brush turkey!”

Little Larry climbed down and licked Ronni Roadrunners’ right eyeball. Ronni Roadrunner thought that was revolting. He began to shake his head and snap his beak to get at Little Larry. Little Larry climbed a little bit closer… When Ronni Roadrunner opened up his mouth, Little Larry Lizard reached in and grabbed old Ronni Roadrunner’s bright red tongue. He pulled it out and Ronni Roadrunner snapped his beak shut… right onto his tongue!

When Ronni Roadrunner realized what he did, he reeled, and he roared and ran off ranting like a raven back to the ragweed. And Little Larry leaped off to where Linda Lue was laying, and he gave her a lingering hug!

When Little Larry and Linda Lue got back to lonely lookout mountain, Little Linda Lue told everybody about what Little Larry had done. Little Lolli even looks up to Little Larry now!

And so, this is my tale of how Little Larry Lizard saved his true love Linda Lou and how he licked Ronni Roadrunner fair and square.


Dan Carpenter - Bio Headshot

A silly and funny campfire story: Are You a String?

Recommended by: Dan Carpenter – ex-Scout and prepper

Are You a String?

One of the funniest campfire stories I heard my scoutmaster tell over the campfire, was silly, stupid, and uber kid-friendly. I have no idea why any of us thought it was so funny, but I remember laughing till my sides hurt at the time, and to this day, it still makes me chuckle to think about it.

A tired piece of string had been traveling in the wilderness for days. He had struggled up craggy trails, passed through lush woodlands, seen thrilling vistas and slept under breath-taking starlit skies.

As his journey was nearing its end, he passed by the only bar he’d seen. Not wanting to forgo the opportunity to slake his thirst with an ice cold beverage, he opened the door and stepped inside.

As the string approached the bar, the bartender looked at him and said “You have to leave, we don’t serve strings here!” Dejected and disheartened, the string turned around and walked out.

Not one to fail for lack of trying, the string stood outside thinking for a moment. Then he hastily fluffed up his hair, looped himself a few times and walked back in.

When the bartender saw him the second time, he was puzzled. Although he had changed his appearance slightly, he still looked generally the same. Glaring down at him, the bartender demanded, “Are you a string?!” to which the string replied, “Nope, I’m a frayed knot.”


Keegan

A spooky campfire story: The Campsite Photo

Recommended by: Lewis Keegan – camping enthusiast and promoter of learning

The Campsite Photo

This is one of the most chilling and scary campfire stories out there. It’s not a good choice for little kids, but it’s a great one to scare older kids (and adults!) when out camping.

One time, a group of hikers went up a mountain and decided to go on an overnight camping trip. Before they walked the trail, they had been warned by the guide not to spend the night on the mountain because unexplainable things have happened there. But the campers just laughed at the old man and shrugged it off.

They proceeded with their hike, and when the night was fast approaching, they decided to set up camp and start their campfire. They spent the evening exchanging stories. Some were funny, some were scary, and some seemed almost impossible. After one silly story too many, they decided to call it a night and the four campers snuggled up inside their tent.

Morning came after a surprisingly restful sleep. Over breakfast, one of the campers decided to check out their photos from the previous day. When he got to the last image, he froze and went completely white. What he saw shocked him so deeply that he started shaking.

His friends rushed over to see what was wrong, and there they saw a photo of all four of them sleeping inside their tent the night before. None of them had taken the photo. But what chilled them the most was the fact that their tent was shut from the inside and secured shut with a small padlock. There was no way that the tent could have been opened from the outside without damaging the tent.

Numb with fright, the group packed up and left immediately. They never went back to that mountain ever again. And they never talked about it with each other again.


Caroline

A funny campfire story: The Ghost of Gosforth Park

Recommended by: Caroline Brown – outdoor enthusiast and blogger at Kids of the Wild

The Ghost of Gosforth Park (or the name of whatever campground you’re staying on)

This is a campfire action/copying/trick story traditionally done around a Scout or Guide campfire (as told by Caroline, aged 10) but it works really well with family and friends too.

campfire-stories-ghostFor it to work, at least one person should know the below instructions and explain basically to the other participants, at least one or two of which need NOT to have seen the story acted before.

Start with a line in front of the campfire of at least four people standing close together, almost touching shoulders.

The person who knows the trick stands at one end of the line and says, “I saw the ghost of Gosforth Park today.”

The person next to them then asks, “Oh, really? What did he do?”

Person one states, “He went like this..” [Performs action – sticks out left arm and KEEPS IT HELD OUT]

The second person then tells the third “I saw the ghost of Gosforth Park today” and the third responds “Oh really? What did he do?” The second then performs the action and it continues down the line.

The final person tells the first person they saw the ghost, the first person asks what the ghost did, the arm movement is repeated and so all members of the line are standing with their left arm outstretched.

The first person starts again with the same statement, “I saw the ghost..” etc. This time the action is sticking the right arm out so all participants end up with both arms outstretched.

The third action is to squat, with both arms still outstretched.

The final action, performed by the first person is to push the next in line so that hopefully all participants fall over like dominoes, not in the direction of the fire!!

Happy camping!


Stuart author

A gently spooky campfire story: A Monster In The Woods

Recommended by: Stuart Conover – published speculative fiction author and Cub Scout dad

A Monster In The Woods

This is a variation on the classic monster in the woods campfire story that is told at my son’s Cub Scout campouts. It’s toned down to be a bit better for the younger Cubs who aren’t quite ready for the full-on scary monsters just yet!

One summer, a group of kids went on a hiking trip in the mountains. They packed their bags, put on their hiking boots, and set off into the wilderness.

As they hiked through the forest, they noticed strange tracks on the ground. They were huge footprints, unlike anything they had ever seen before.

“What could have made these?” one of the kids asked.

“I bet it was Bigfoot!” another kid exclaimed.

Everyone laughed, but they couldn’t shake the feeling that something strange was going on. They kept following the tracks, wondering what they would find.

That night, they set up their tents and built a campfire, and then sat around roasting marshmallows and telling stories.

As the night went on, they started to hear strange noises coming from the woods. At first, they thought it was just the wind, but the sounds kept getting louder and more distinct. It sounded like something big was moving through the brush, making the branches snap and the leaves rustle.

The same kid from earlier once again claimed that “It was Bigfoot!”

This time, the laughter was a bit more nervous.

As the noises got closer and closer, the kids huddled closer together, not sure what to do. Suddenly, a huge, hairy figure appeared out of the darkness and stood at the edge of the campfire’s light.

The kids screamed and ran for their tents, but the figure just stood there, watching them with its glowing eyes. It was Bigfoot!

Instead of roaring, Bigfoot waved and pulled out a bag of marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate.

The kids were amazed. Here they had been afraid of Bigfoot, and he was there to bring them s’mores!

When it was time for them to go, Bigfoot gave them each a hug and a gift to remember him by. The kids left the mountains feeling grateful and amazed, knowing they had just had the adventure of a lifetime.


Rachel author

A kids’ campfire story: The Magic of Friendship: A Pegasus Tale

Recommended by: Rachel Fink – Mom of 7 kids and owner of Parenting Pod

The Magic of Friendship: A Pegasus Tale

This magical tale is best told to young kids around a campfire to add to the atmosphere. It’s gentle and sweet and is a great way to teach the importance and power of real friendship.

Once upon a time, in a village surrounded by green hills and forests, there were a group of friends who did everything together. They had a blast exploring the great outdoors, climbing trees, and chasing butterflies.

One day, while they were on a hike through the woods, they saw a horse with wings. Her name was Pegasus and she was hurt and couldn’t fly. The friends knew they had to help her, so they took care of her injuries and gave her food and water. They also found out that Pegasus had gotten separated from her herd and was all by herself.

The friends decided they couldn’t leave Pegasus alone in the woods, so they set out on a journey to take her back to her herd. They traveled through mountains and valleys, forests, and fields.

As they journeyed through the wilderness, they heard strange noises and saw shadows moving in the trees. They knew they were being watched, but they didn’t know by what. Suddenly, a pack of wolves started chasing them!

The friends knew they had to be quick if they wanted to escape. They encouraged each other to keep going and used their skills and brains to avoid the wolves. One of them led the group through a patch of thick forest, and another made a smoke signal to ask for help.

Just when they thought they were in deep trouble, Pegasus and her herd showed up! The horses chased away the wolves and the friends were able to escape. They made it back home safe and sound, all thanks to the bravery of Pegasus and the strong bond of friendship between them.

The friends learned that friendship is the most powerful force in the world and it can help them overcome any obstacle.


royd author

An environmental campfire story: Rex the Waterfall Bear

Recommended by: Royd Hatta – writing coach and founder at Beyond The Box Learning

Rex the Waterfall Bear

This simple campfire story tells an important message about looking after our precious planet. It is suitable for young kids and is ideal to be told around the campfire at the end of a day out hiking.

I saw your HARO request and I had to send this story from one of our Story Camps.
In highly interactive (read loud) writing camps, we often break the ice by doing a campfire story exercise. It encourages kids to listen in and contribute. This story is one that I made up but was inspired by the many stories kids would make in our monthly Bay Area Young Writers Meetups, and story classes.

One day, Nita was out hiking in the mountains with her dad and her teddy bear, Rex. When Nita grew tired, Rex slipped from her hands.

He tumbled down, flipping, tearing his cotton stomach, and rolling into a stream. When he looked up, he saw Nita crying. Her dad shook his head.

Rex knew their tent was near the stream below, so he had an idea. Just follow the stream.

As Rex floated along, the stream turned into a rushing river with billowing mist and a roar that shook his ears.

“Stop!” screeched an eagle perched on a tree. “That waterfall drops far below!”
“I must get to the campsite!” said Rex.

“Are you the animals who throw trash?” asked Eagle, his beak pointing at empty bottles on the riverbank.

“Not us!” said Rex.

“Humans trash our land! I won’t help!”

“Not all humans!” said Rex, looking around. “I can show them the trash here. Will you help me?”
Eagle shook his head.

Rex stuffed a plastic bottle into his tummy opening and grabbed another to float on. He jumped into the water and began to float towards the waterfall. Soon the water pulled him and he fell over the side!

“EeeeeEEEK!” screamed the Eagle. She swooped down, her talons grabbing Rex. They sailed over the raging falls.

Eagle glided down to the bottom and dumped Rex into the calm side of the river.

“Thank you, Eagle!”

“Make them clean up!”

Rex nodded as he held onto the plastic bottle, splashing with his paws until he was at a river bank.

When Nita saw Rex, she ran over, hugged him, and squeezed all the water out of him.
Nita’s dad pulled the bottle out of Rex’s tummy. “We have some cleaning up to do,” he said.
Rex smiled.

The End!


Whether you’re out to scare your friends, educate your family or simply provide some funny and silly entertainment on your next camping trip, we hope you’ll find something appropriate in our list of campfire stories.

About the author

author-joey

Joey is based in Cornwall, UK, and runs Cool of the Wild. She can’t get enough of being outdoors – whether that’s lounging around the campfire cooking up a feast, hitting the trail in her running shoes, or attempting to conquer the waves on her surfboard – she lives for it. Camping is what she loves to do the most, but has also spent many hours clinging to the side of a rock face, cycling about the place, cruising the ski-slopes on her snowboard, and hiking small mountains and big hills.

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