58 Summer Camp Ideas for Kids: Create the Ultimate Camp Experience at Home
Luci McQuitty HindmarshGive Them A Summer To Remember!
Want to give your kids an amazing summer camp experience without the hefty price tag? This giant list of 58 summer camp ideas will help you transform your home, garden, or local park into the DIY summer camp your kids will talk about for years to come.
As parents, we often feel the pressure to sign our children up for expensive summer camps to keep them entertained during the school break. Between registration fees, supplies, and transportation costs, traditional summer camps can quickly strain your family budget.
Meanwhile, many kids end up missing out on the authentic camp experience - making new friends, developing independence, learning new skills, and connecting with nature— because they're stuck at home scrolling through TikTok or playing video games.
But creating your own summer camp at home offers exactly what commercial camps provide:
- structured activities
- skill-building opportunities
- genuine outdoor adventures
With that in mind, here are 55 summer camp ideas that will help you create an incredible camp experience right in your own backyard or neighbourhood. These ideas are perfect for family camps, neighbourhood co-op camps, or even just making ordinary summer days feel special.
Best of all, they'll have your kids so immersed in camp life that they'll hardly notice they're developing new skills and creating memories along the way.
Top tip: I've created a free summer schedule planner printable to help you organise your DIY camp activities and schedule. Don't forget to grab your free copy at the end of the post.
55 Awesome Summer Camp Ideas for Kids
Use this comprehensive list of summer camp activities and themes to create an unforgettable DIY camp experience that rivals even the most expensive professional camps.
1. Campfire Storytelling
Set up a small fire pit (or use flameless LED candles for safety) and gather around for classic camp stories and songs. Toast marshmallows for s'mores to complete the authentic camp experience.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
2. Camp T-Shirt Making
Start your camp experience by letting each camper design and decorate their own camp t-shirt using fabric paints or iron-on transfers. These become great souvenirs of their summer adventure.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
3. Nature Explorer Camp
Create a mini science camp where kids learn to identify local plants, collect specimens, and keep a nature journal. Provide magnifying glasses and field guides to enhance the experience.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
4. Outdoor Cooking Lessons
Teach basic outdoor cooking skills like making foil packet meals, cooking with dutch ovens, or preparing simple dishes on a camping stove. Even young children can help prepare ingredients.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+ (with supervision)
5. Astronomy Night
Turn bedtime into an adventure with a backyard astronomy session. Use star charts or astronomy apps to identify constellations, and tell the mythological stories behind them.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
6. Camp Olympics
Organise a mini Olympics with events like sack races, egg-and-spoon races, and long jump. Make simple medals from cardboard and ribbon for all participants.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
7. Wilderness Survival Skills
Teach basic survival skills like building a shelter with tarps and rope, basic first aid, or how to use a compass. Kids love feeling capable in the outdoors.
- Suitable for kids aged 7+
8. Arts and Crafts Station
Set up a dedicated craft area with supplies for nature-inspired projects like pinecone bird feeders, pressed flower bookmarks, or painted rock paperweights.
- Suitable for kids aged 3+
9. Outdoor Movie Night
Hang a white sheet in the garden and use a projector (or even a laptop) to create an outdoor cinema experience. Provide blankets, pillows, and homemade popcorn for the full effect.
- Suitable for kids of all ages
10. Scavenger Hunt Camp
Create elaborate scavenger hunts with clues that lead kids around the neighbourhood or local park. For younger children, use picture clues instead of written ones.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
Useful reading: Camping scavenger hunt ideas for family fun
11. Tent Pitching Lessons
Teach kids how to set up a tent properly—a fundamental camping skill. Even if you're just setting up in the backyard, the experience builds confidence and independence.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
12. Camp Talent Show
Encourage campers to develop acts for an end-of-camp talent show. Singing, magic tricks, jokes, or dance routines all make for entertaining performances.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
13. Tie-Dye Workshop
Create vibrant tie-dye t-shirts, pillowcases, or bandanas. This classic camp craft is always a hit and produces wearable souvenirs.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
14. Orienteering Challenge
Set up a simple orienteering course using a homemade map and compass. Hide "treasure" at various checkpoints for kids to find.
- Suitable for kids aged 7+
15. Camp Cooking Competition
Divide kids into teams and challenge them to create the most delicious or creative camp meal with limited ingredients. Judge categories like presentation, taste, and creativity.
- Suitable for kids aged 8+
16. Nature Photography Workshop
Teach basic photography skills and send kids on a mission to capture interesting natural subjects. Even smartphone cameras work great for this activity.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
17. Friendship Bracelet Making
This classic camp craft teaches patience and fine motor skills. Provide embroidery floss in various colours and simple pattern guides for beginners.
- Suitable for kids aged 7+
18. Outdoor Yoga and Meditation
Start the camp day with gentle stretching and mindfulness exercises. Kids benefit from learning these calming techniques they can use throughout life.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
19. DIY Musical Instruments
Create instruments from natural and recycled materials, then form a camp band. Drums from empty containers, rain sticks from cardboard tubes, and shakers from seed-filled bottles all work brilliantly.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
20. Camp Newsletter
Set up a "press centre" where kids can write articles, draw comics, and take photos for a daily or weekly camp newsletter to share with family.
- Suitable for kids aged 7+
21. Water Olympics
On hot days, organise water-based competitions like sponge relays, water balloon tosses, and sprinkler games. Don't forget to provide towels and sunscreen!
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
22. Bug Hotel Building
Teach kids about insect habitats by creating bug hotels from natural materials like pinecones, hollow stems, and bark. Place them in the garden to attract beneficial insects.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
23. Outdoor Theatre
Help kids write and perform their own play or puppet show. Use a clothesline and sheets to create a simple stage, and find props around the house.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
24. Camp Science Lab
Set up simple science experiments that demonstrate natural phenomena. Volcano models, seed germination studies, and solar ovens are all easy to create with basic supplies.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
25. Knot-Tying Workshop
Teach practical knots used in camping and sailing. Start with simple knots like the square knot and bowline, then progress to more complex ones.
- Suitable for kids aged 7+
26. Obstacle Course Challenge
Design and build an obstacle course using household items like hula hoops, pool noodles, and cushions. Time each camper and see if they can beat their personal best.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
27. Camp Pen Pals
If you're running a neighbourhood camp, pair children with pen pals from another street or area. They can exchange handwritten letters about their camp experiences.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
28. Birdwatching Expedition
Provide binoculars and bird identification guides, then lead a quiet walk to spot local birds. Keep a camp bird list of all species spotted.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
29. Outdoor Art Gallery
Set up easels or clipboards outdoors and encourage landscape painting or drawing. Host a gallery opening where each artist can explain their work.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
30. Camp Sing-Along
Teach classic camp songs and create new ones together. Record a camp anthem to remember the experience.
- Suitable for kids of all ages
31. Gardening Camp
Plant quick-growing vegetables or flowers in containers or garden beds. Children can take responsibility for watering and care throughout the camp duration.
- Suitable for kids aged 3+
Here is a quick guide from the Royal Horticultural Society on how to collect and save seeds.
32. Outdoor Maths Games
Make maths fun with outdoor counting games, measurement activities using natural materials, and geometry challenges using sticks and string.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
33. Cardboard Box Fort Building
Collect large cardboard boxes and let kids design and build their own camp headquarters. Provide duct tape, scissors, and markers for customisation.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
34. Mini First Aid Course
Teach age-appropriate first aid skills like applying plasters, treating minor scrapes, and recognising when to get adult help. Role-play different scenarios.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
35. Camp Newspaper Challenges
Divide into teams for newspaper engineering challenges—building the tallest tower, creating a bridge that holds weight, or making protective packaging for an egg drop.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
36. Shadow Puppet Theatre
Create a simple shadow screen using a sheet and torch. Show kids how to make hand shadows and create puppets from cardboard for storytelling.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
37. Outdoor Reading Nook
Set up a comfortable reading area outdoors with pillows, blankets, and a selection of books. Schedule daily quiet reading time for everyone to recharge.
- Suitable for kids of all ages
38. DIY Weather Station
Build simple weather measurement tools like rain gauges from plastic bottles and wind socks from carrier bags. Record daily weather observations in a camp log.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
39. Camp Cooking Class
Teach simple recipes that kids can make themselves, like trail mix, fruit kebabs, or no-bake energy balls. Focus on healthy options that fuel outdoor activities.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
40. Outdoor Games Tournament
Organise a tournament of classic outdoor games like capture the flag, kickball, or rounders. Create a tournament bracket and track progress throughout camp.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
Here is my roundup of 10 prop-free outdoor games, including Freeze Tag, that can keep kids happy and occupied for hours.
41. Nature Journaling
Provide notebooks and coloured pencils for daily nature observations. Encourage detailed drawings, weather notes, and personal reflections about camp activities.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
42. Pinecone Bird Feeders
Create simple bird feeders using pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed, then watch who comes to eat.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
43. Recycled Materials Boat Race
Challenge kids to build small boats using only recycled materials, then race them in a paddling pool or stream. Test which designs float best and move fastest.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
44. Camp Fitness Challenge
Create a fun fitness routine with different stations like jumping jacks, hula hooping, and running in place. Track improvement throughout the camp.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
I am a regular user of the FitOn yoga sessions. Some of the simple ones would work really well for kids.
45. Outdoor Music Jam
Bring instruments outside (or use the homemade ones from activity #19) and have an impromptu music session. Record a camp song as a keepsake.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
46. DIY Camp Badges
Create a system of achievement badges for different skills learned at camp. Use felt circles and iron-on adhesive to make badges that can be displayed on camp t-shirts.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
47. Outdoor Escape Room
Design a simple escape room experience using lockboxes, puzzles, and clues hidden around the garden. Work together to solve the mystery.
- Suitable for kids aged 8+
48. Camp Time Capsule
Decorate a weatherproof container and fill it with mementos from camp—photos, written memories, and small objects. Bury it to be opened next summer.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
49. Outdoor Dance Workshop
Teach simple choreography or create a camp dance routine together. Film the final performance to share with family.
- Suitable for kids aged 4+
50. End-of-Camp Awards Ceremony
Celebrate each child's unique contributions to camp with personalised awards. Focus on positive character traits and special moments rather than competition.
- Suitable for kids of all ages
51. Geocaching Adventure
Turn your campers into modern-day treasure hunters with a geocaching expedition. Download the free geocaching app and search for local caches hidden in your area. It's like a high-tech treasure hunt that gets kids exploring their neighbourhood in a whole new way.
- Suitable for kids aged 7+
52. Camp Iron Chef Challenge
Divide into teams and provide each with a "mystery ingredient" they must incorporate into their camp meal. Judge dishes on presentation, taste, and creativity. Even simple sandwiches become exciting when there's a competition element!
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
I've included this game in my roundup of outdoor party games for kids.
53. DIY Slip and Slide
On hot days, create a backyard water slide using plastic sheeting, baby shampoo (gentler than washing-up liquid), and a garden hose. Add pool noodles along the sides for safety bumpers.
- Suitable for kids aged 5+
54. Citizen Science Project
Join an actual scientific research project through platforms like Zooniverse or SciStarter. Kids can help count wildlife in photos, transcribe historical documents, or track weather patterns—real science from your camp!
- Suitable for kids aged 8+
This is a useful guide to fossil hunting for beginners.
55. Upcycled Fashion Show
Challenge campers to create outfits or accessories from recyclable materials like newspaper, plastic bags, or cardboard. Host a runway show where everyone presents their creations.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
56. Leaf Rubbing Art
Create art by placing leaves under paper and rubbing over the leaves with crayons. Watch the video for a quick guide on leaf rubbing.
- Suitable for kids aged 3+
57. Outdoor Mural Painting
Secure a large canvas or sheet to an outdoor wall or fence and create a collaborative camp mural. Each child can contribute to the masterpiece.
- Suitable for kids aged 3+
58. Backyard Treasure Map Creation
Have kids design detailed treasure maps of your garden, local park, or neighborhood using aged paper (tea-stained for that authentic look). Then they can take turns hiding small treasures and using each other's maps to find them. This combines geography skills, creativity, and problem-solving with the thrill of a treasure hunt.
- Suitable for kids aged 6+
Free Summer Schedule Printable
Ready to put all of this juicy intel into action? Download our free printable summer schedule for kids and you can all start planning in the outdoor fun.
Simply pop your email address in the form below and the schedule will be winging its way to your email inbox.
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