Summer time is a wonderful time! If you listen closely, you’ll hear the campfire spirit is calling. Whether you’re staying local or just love the magic of camp vibes, we’ve got fun packed, memory making activities that bring the best parts of summer camp right to your home.
Bring summer camp wherever you are with these playful crafts and activities. Grab some camp themed snacks, bring out your sun screen and bug spray, and get ready to craft, laugh, and maybe even get a little messy!
As parents we sometimes think we can’t give our kids these experiences at home and that’s what I’ll share with you below. You will learn all the creative, simple and fun activities your family can enjoy together.
What are some learning lessons kids can experience while bringing summer camp to their home?
Kids learn how to work together! They practice patience when a craft takes longer than expected or a marshmallow doesn’t toast just right. The biggest lesson though? Your littles will discover how fun it is to create, explore, and try new things without needing it to be perfect.
How can Summer camp themed crafts turn into big confidence boosters?
Kids see what they’re capable of during all of their wins. Summer camp is filled with board games, relay races and sticky crafts. They will feel proud showing off their creations, especially when they did most of it themselves. Competing in games, races and sharing stories makes your littles feel like they can do anything!
What kind of memories will be made during at home Summer camp activities?
From deep belly laughs to masterpieces everyone will remember for years to come. Let’s not forget the challenge between friends and family during board games where everyone is out to win. The silly skits, campfire stories and crafts that go wrong will bring laughter that will be brought up the following days and at their high school graduation.
Those memories just can’t beat! It’s not about the fancy supplies or locations, it’s that special summer feeling everyone will keep even when they’re grown.
Why is unstructured fun important during summer?
Unstructured fun during the summer allows littles to unwind, reset and best of all- just be kids! Let them be loud, messy, curious, and wildly imaginative. When there’s no strict schedule, creativity gets to lead the way. Easing away from the strict schedule lets creativity lead the way and this is when the best ideas (sometimes messes) happen!
Our Favorite Summer Camp Ideas & Activities
If you’ve been torn between Summer camp or activities at home, let me tell you- you can have both! Bringing Summer camp home gives everyone the freedom of choosing their favorite activities. Take these activities inside, to your backyard, the park or truly wherever you are headed!
Let’s jump into the adventures.
Water Balloon Dodgeball
Water balloons ROCK to begin with. Water balloon dodgeball sounds like another level of summer time fun. This activity will be great for families, kids around the neighborhood or on play dates.
Check out how to play Water Balloon Dodgeball here!
Friendship Bracelets
What’s the point of going to summer camp if you don’t leave with matching bracelets? Well, now your littles will have DIY bracelets from their summer camp at home!
This is a great activity to share with their friends, family or others in the neighborhood and community. Jazz things up and add some adorable charms or some classic letter and rainbow beads.
Summer Pen Pals or Community Letters
Let’s take it back old school and show our kids how mail even works. I found this fantastic list with multiple ways to connect your littles with pen pals. From international friends to service members protecting our country.
If you want to keep the communication in your community, work with a local nursing home, fire department, or hospital to write letters to.
This is a beautiful way to get your kids involved and have a summer long project. Who knows, this may become year round for your family! Get the entire neighborhood involved!
Swimming Games
Basketball Hoop, Inflatable Cross Ring Toss Game and Inflatable Cactus Ring Toss
Inflatable Pool Float Set Volleyball Net & Basketball Hoops
Grab some fun items for their pool adventures. These activities are excellent for your littles that are wanting to make their pool days even more fun. Create challenges or just enjoy some some extra fun in the water.
Tug of War
This will create some competition in the house. Another great idea is rounding up the kids throughout your family or neighborhood and going all out. Tug-a-war will become the highlight of everyones summer.
Don’t worry mom and dad, you can play too! Whether it’s you again the kids or parents vs parents- you can have fun too.
Walking S’mores
Smore’s are always a yes in our house but let’s say we are looking for a way to mix things up. Walking anything will bring a twist into typical food and snacks.
Mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and teddy grahams on the go will rock everyones day!
Tie Dye Fun
I mean, come on! What is summer without a tie dye project? Tie dye everything and I mean everything! Hats, shirts, pillow cases, backpacks, you name it. Here’s a cool Tie Dye Kit to get you started.
Board Games
Here are my top 3 favorite board games.
Giant games really hit the spot especially when being outdoors. Hungry Hippos are a childhood classic that will have everyone competing to be the hippo that eats the most. What more could you ask for during your summer camp at home?
Rock Painting
Simple yet fun and of course, full of memories! Let your littles get creative with their rock or create a rock that everyone paints. This will give them a theme to follow.
Like most summer fun, there are no rules! We are making memories. If you’re looking to stock up on some acrylic paints, these are my some of my favorites.
Garden Paper Craft
Not only can your kids create cute flower pots but you can also plant some seeds. This is science, art and summer wrapped into one. Start off with decorating your pots and then head to the store and pick out seeds that will grow best in your area.
You just created a summer long project and responsibility.
Outdoor Relay Races
If there is anything you choose from this list, relay races are a MUST! If you are missing an item or trying to find an all in one, this pack is perfect for everything. 3 legged race, potato sacks, bean bag toss and more. Nothing says summer camp more than relay races.
Well, relay races follow by smore’s of course!
Build a Bird House
Milk cartons are a genius way to build a DIY bird house. There are plenty of items you can utilize as a bird house and have fun building. Another great idea for a summer long project and responsibility. Have your littles check on the feeder daily to bird watch and refill with food when needed.
If you are wanting a pre-made option, check out these wooden bird houses. This pack includes 12 individual bird houses.
Puppet Crafts
Tired of the same old puppets? Don’t worry, you are covered. Check out all of these different puppets made out of different items. Build as many as you can and have a huge show at the end of the week/end of the summer.
Another great and affordable activity for multiple kids to enjoy.
Popsicle Stick Smiley Sun Craft
What’s a season without a good popsicle stick activity? Here’s a sweet smiley sun craft everyone will love. Customize with different faces, colors, etc.
DIY Paper Lanterns
I love this craft for summer camp themed! If your littles (and you) enjoy making these, create multiple and hang them around the living room or outside from trees for decoration. Keep the summer camp energy flowing throughout your home.
Camp Fire Stories
We love a silly, spooky and creative camp fire story. Not sure how to start one? Want your littles to have a jump start and feel confidfent with theirs? Here are some camp fire story starters!
Movie on the Lawn
Start this project on Monday with the end goal of a move night on Friday. Grab those leftover boxes and put them to use. Kids can use those and build their own “bed” to hang out in.
DIY beds, outdoor cars, even blow up beds will make this the perfect summer camp night at home!
Backyard Obstacle Course
It’s time to get moving and grooving with an obstacle course. Use those outside toys for a wild course. Hoola hoops, wooden planks, jump ropes, water balloons- you name it… use it! This can be something you do weekly.
Challenge the kids to create a course for their friends and parents. I have a feeling this will be a core memory.
Indoor Obstacle Course
Too hot outside? Needing something quick to throw together? Grab blankets, couch cushions, balances beams, and anything else you can. Build an indoor obstacle course for some move around fun.
Summer Camp Bingo (Free Printables)
Make your littles feel that summer camp vibe with these adorable (and free) Bingo card printables. The whole family or the neighborhood kiddos can get involved too!
Kids Cooking Class
Let the kids in the kitchen with you and put on a cooking class. Decide a fun meal or dessert to make together- from scratch! They will think this is strictly fun but you will also know you are teaching them life lessons.
Backyard Picnic
Take your breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack or even dinner outside. Grab some blankets, grab the food and head out for some fresh air. Make it festive with some Summer camp styled food such as smores, finger sandwiches, fruit kabobs and create your set up as simple or campy themed as you’d like.
Sometimes we feel like we need every day of Summer to be extravagant but trust me, you will be surprised how the BEST memories are in the simple times. Your kids are eager to enjoy the sunshine with those who they love.
You don’t need cabins or camp counselors to make summer unforgettable. With just a little imagination and crafts you have around the house or an online order away, you’ve got everything you need for camp magic at home.
Here’s to marshmallow fingers, giggles, and the kind of summer memories that smell like sunscreen and s’mores!
