Light up the night, gather the kids, and start the s’mores because it’s time to sing-a-long to these campfire songs! Don’t know these catchy classics? Listen up, dance about, and jump in once you get the groove.
1. 99 Bottles of Pop
This one is an oldie but a goodie. Quite simple and just slightly repetitive, don’t be shy once you get the hang of it; belt out “99 Bottles of Pop”! From “You take one down and pass it around…” to “If one of these bottles should happen to fall…”, choose your twist or combine them for hours of entertainment, or headaches.
2. “SpongeBob SquarePants Theme Song”
“Our C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E S-O-N-G song, and if you don’t think we can sing it faster then you’re wrong”. These are the famous words of one Mr. SpongeBob SquarePants. Your kids are definitely familiar, if not extremely well versed in this song and as he says “it’ll help if you just sing along”. So, parents, listen up and prepare to be taught a thing or two about the speed and skill required to sing like SpongeBob because no one wants a Squidward!
3. Down by the Bay
Now, what would your mother say if you were down by the Barnegat Bay at Sea Pirate Campground and didn’t sing along?! You have to be quick on your feet with this one, as it requires rhyming on the fly. “Down by the Bay” is a clever classic that can provide hours of laughs at the ridiculous, and shockingly creative, tunes your kiddos create!
4. Home on the Range
While you may not be on a range per say, you sure will feel at home at the campground and you may just see some deer! This may inspire your sing-a-long with “Home on the Range”. A patriotic and uplifting tune, this is a summertime jam.
5. She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain
Warning: While it is an easy sing along, “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” is one that could be stuck in your head for weeks. Don’t be afraid to clap your hands and stomp your feet and sing along with the beat! Add your own lyrics for an entertaining night.
6. B-I-N-G-O
Not only it is a fun game to play around the fire, you can sing along as you go to “B-I-N-G-O”! Everyone is familiar with the tale of the farmer and his dog. What better way to start your camping activities with fun games, snacks, and sing alongs!
7. The Ants Go Marching
The kids go marching two by two around the camp, hurrah, hurrah! The parents get to lay back and relax, hurrah, hurrah! And of course, “The Ants Go Marching”, around the campfire, through the grasses, and all about hopefully they aren’t avoiding the rain. But if they are avoiding the poor weather, have no fear there is plenty of fun indoors!
8. Chicka Boom
I said a boom chicka boom, I said a boom chicka boom, I said a boom chicka rocka chicka rocka chicka boom! With all different styles like Valley Girl, Janitor, and Star Wars, your kids can let their creativity shine with their musical skills in this jam. Boom Chicka Boom can go on with no end in sight, so sorry parents but you have to encourage the kids!
9. Down by the Banks
Down by the banks of the Sea Pirate campground, where the kids go jumping from bank to bank, with a hip, hop, hippity, hop…when your voice is strained from belting out all the tunes switch to this lively chant. Sit cross-legged around the fire with their right hands resting on top of the person on their right’s left hand, as you chant you hit the hand of the person next to you. Add you own style or stick with the basics, everyone knows their own verses of “Down by the Banks”!
10. Baby Shark
A fitting song and dance based on Sea Pirates’ Location, “Baby Shark” is a cute, repetitive song that will have your little fishes swimming circles around the fire. This chant is a spin on the classic ominous tune of a shark looming, its catchy and fun for your little minnows!
11. Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts
For the less squeamish campers, the tune Gopher Guts is quite entertaining. A song that has circulated around summer camps for years, many states have their own versions. New Jersey has two version based on your location so choose the one you like and hop your stomach can hold onto those s’mores after singing this one.
12. A Song That Gets on Everybody’s Nerves Song
For the rugrats who just want to torture their parents, the “Song That Gets on Everybody’s Nerves” is a popular choice. It repeats forever and it is as simple, and annoying, as it sounds. The fire will be put out real quick if this song makes an appearance.
13. Break it Down
And last but not least, this will get the whole family up and breaking it down as the fire burns low and the s’mores run out. “Break it Down” is a fun chant with some moves that call on all campers to come up with a way they break it down.
Telling stories, laughing, eating, and making memories is all part of camping but the most unforgettable is the songs and dances each camper brings to the fire. Finding the right song doesn’t matter as much when surrounded by friends but having a great song elevates the whole night!
