Summer camps are one of the best memories any child could ever have. Those sun-kissed days are filled with exciting activities that spark imagination, foster friendships, and create lifelong memories.
If you’re looking for summer camp activities for kids, we have a few ideas in mind! From thrilling outdoor explorations to engaging arts and crafts, your kids will have a summer they won’t forget.
Host a Talent Show
A talent show is a fantastic summer camp activity for kids that encourages them to showcase their unique abilities while boosting their confidence and fostering a sense of camaraderie.
Whether it’s singing, dancing, telling jokes, or displaying artistic talents, each participant gets a chance to shine.
Remember these tips to make the most of your talent show:
- Be inclusive of all skill levels.
- Offer guidance and support.
- Maintain a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
- Mix different types of acts.
- Encourage creativity.
- Emphasize the value of the experience itself.
Hosting a talent show is a wonderful opportunity for kids to grow and express themselves in a supportive environment.
Make Friendship Bracelets
Creating friendship bracelets is a wonderful activity for kids at summer camp. It’s not just about making bracelets – it’s about creating lasting memories and special keepsakes. These bracelets remind your kids of the great times they had and the friends they made.
You can make it easy and convenient using bracelet-making craft kits, like Purple Ladybug’s Liquid Glitter Bracelets. These kits have everything the kids need to make friendship bracelets, and each pack makes 6 glitter bracelets for only $11.99.
Making friendship bracelets lets kids be creative and bring home a unique souvenir from camp to show off to their friends.
Tell Stories and Toast Marshmallows
Gathering around a campfire for storytelling and toasting marshmallows is a classic summer camp activity. Sharing stories by the flickering flames create a cozy and exciting atmosphere.
To make the experience even better, you could have a theme for the stories, like adventures or mysteries. Roast the marshmallows until golden brown and squish them between graham crackers and chocolate for a delicious s’mores treat. You can even have a marshmallow roasting contest to see who can make the perfect s’more!
This activity is a great way for kids to bond, make memories, and enjoy delicious treats together.
Decorate Water Bottles
Getting creative by decorating water bottles is a unique summer camp idea that serves a double purpose! As kids stay active during the day with all the exciting summer camp activities, staying hydrated is a must – and having their own uniquely decorated water bottles makes it even more enjoyable.
You can use water bottle decorating kits like Purple Ladybug’s Decorate Your Own Water Bottle. Each kit has everything they need, like colorful stickers, designs, and easy instructions. Your kids can make their water bottles unique and fun while also taking care of themselves by drinking enough water.
Do Gem Art
Let the kid’s creativity shine by arranging colorful gemstones into patterns, like mermaids, turtles, trees, flamingos, and more. You can buy gem art kits online, like Purple Ladybug’s SunGemmers window art suncatcher kits.
Your kids can stick their masterpieces on the windows, and when the sun comes in, the colors sparkle and dance around the room. It’s a fun way to show off your kids’ creativity and keep them happily occupied throughout the day.
Do a Scavenger Hunt
Doing a scavenger hunt is an exciting and enriching summer camp activity that kids of all ages absolutely love. It brings a sense of adventure and teamwork, making the camp experience even more memorable.
When organizing a scavenger hunt, consider choosing a theme, creating clues and riddles, adding prizes and rewards, and mixing up various challenges. For example, some games can be physical, while others require creativity and problem-solving.
You can also try a nighttime scavenger hunt using flashlights or glow sticks to switch things up. This adds an element of mystery and fun when exploring the camp under the stars.
Play Puzzle Games
Doing puzzle games before bedtime at summer camp is a calming and enjoyable way for campers to unwind. Purple Ladybug’s Color In Puzzles is the perfect craft kit for this activity. It’s a unique puzzle that lets kids color the puzzles before they take them apart and assemble them.
As they color and assemble, it encourages focus, creativity, and cognitive skills. Puzzle games provide a peaceful transition to a restful night’s sleep as the day’s excitement winds down.
The sense of accomplishment from completing puzzles promotes a positive bedtime routine and helps campers wake up refreshed and ready for new adventures.
Ninja Warrior Course
A Ninja Warrior course is an exciting and dynamic summer camp activity combining physical challenges and skill development. This activity fuels your kids’ sense of adventure and cultivates teamwork, resilience, and personal growth.
To organize a Ninja Warrior course, include a range of obstacles, like climbing walls, rope swings, and balance beams. However, prioritize safety by ensuring sturdy equipment and supervision by trained staff.
Encourage collaboration by grouping campers into teams, fostering a supportive environment where they cheer each other on and celebrate achievements. This thrilling activity promotes physical fitness and instills valuable life skills in your kids.
Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is a classic and exhilarating summer camp game that encourages teamwork, strategy, and friendly competition.
To play, divide the kids into two teams and assign each team a “home base” with a flag. The objective is to sneak into the opposing team’s territory, capture their flag and return it to your team’s base without getting tagged by opponents.
Here are a few tips to make Capture the Flag even more fun:
- Create special zones that offer extra points or unique challenges.
- Designate secret pathways for added strategy.
- Introduce “medic players” who can tag their teammates into the game.
- Play at dusk to nighttime using glow sticks to add a magical element to the game.
Have a Picnic
Organizing a picnic during summer camp is a wonderful way to combine outdoor dining with socializing and relaxation. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Bring easy-to-pack foods like sandwiches, wraps, fruit, and snacks.
- Pack reusable utensils, napkins, and eco-friendly containers to minimize waste.
- Find a picturesque spot like a meadow, lakeside, or under a shady tree.
- Play games like frisbee, scavenger hunts, or a nature walk to entertain everyone.
- Bring sunscreen, insect repellant, and a blanket for comfort.
Having a picnic lets kids connect with nature and appreciate the outdoors. Sharing a meal outdoors fosters social bonding and camaraderie among campers. It also encourages healthy eating habits and mindful consumption as your kids savor the flavors of their chosen meals.
Build a Bird Feeder
Building a bird feeder combines creativity and nature appreciation. Making one from materials like pinecones, popsicle sticks, or recycled containers sparks imagination and teaches kids about caring for wildlife.
To make a simple pinecone bird feeder, spread peanut butter on the cone and roll it in birdseed. You can also make a popsicle stick house by gluing sticks together to form a platform for seeds.
For easy viewing, hang the feeders in trees, balconies, or near windows. As kids observe and identify visiting birds, they embark on a rewarding bird-watching adventure, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.
Gardening
Getting your kids involved in gardening and planting at summer camp is an amazing idea!
Kids naturally love getting their hands in the soil and watching things grow. It’s a wonderful way to teach them about giving back to nature and the responsibility of taking care of plants.
They’ll learn firsthand how their food goes from being planted to ending up on the dinner table. Gardening shows them the effort that goes into producing the food we eat every day.
It’s a practical skill that can stay with them for life. Not to mention, it’s a chance for them to enjoy the outdoors, connect with the environment, and have a blast while learning valuable lessons.
Play Water Balloon Dodgeball
Engaging in water balloon dodgeball is a blast for kids during summer camp. This activity combines the excitement of dodgeball with the refreshing fun of water balloons. Players need to dodge, dip, and dive to avoid getting hit by a water balloon thrown by the other team.
To play, split the kids into two teams on opposite sides of the play area. The goal is to eliminate players from the other team by hitting them with water balloons. To make it even more enjoyable, set up safe zones where players can take cover, use colorful balloons for added visibility, and encourage teamwork by strategizing and coordinating balloon throws.
It’s a fantastic way for kids to cool off, stay active, and have a splashing good time!
Make Rock Candy Geodes
Creating rock candy geodes is a cool and educational activity that older kids love. By following a simple tutorial, your kids can learn about crystallization, saturation, and the magic of how crystals form.
The process involves creating a sugar solution and letting it gradually crystallize around a string or seed crystal. Over time, the crystals grow, forming intricate patterns that mimic the geodes.
This activity ignites curiosity about scientific principles and promotes patience and careful observation.
Host an Olympics
Organizing a camp Olympics is a fantastic way to bring together the spirit of friendly competition and camaraderie.
Incorporate a mix of familiar individual sports like the hundred-yard dash, swimming races, and maybe even a mini-golf challenge. Don’t forget to include team sports like basketball, soccer, and relay races to encourage teamwork and cooperation.
To make it even more memorable, consider hosting an opening ceremony where campers create flags and march in a parade accompanied by music and cheers. After the games, gold a medal ceremony to celebrate everyone’s efforts.
Distribute fun awards for categories like Most Spirited or Best Team Player to recognize everyone’s contributions.
Camp Olympics allows campers to channel their energy, develop new skills, and build lasting memories of friendly competition and shared experiences.
We’d love to hear your unique ideas for summer camp activities! What fun ideas do you have that we can add to this list? Feel free to share in the comments below!
