For years, children have ventured into the outdoors to learn survival, health and social skills at camp.
These camps emphasize togetherness and provide fun activities to do while simultaneously teaching kids important life lessons and skills they’ll need while growing up.
The many benefits of getting kids into the summer camp spirit have made these camps a wildly popular summer activity for decades!
Sometimes, however, summer camp isn’t a feasible option.
This year, many camps are shut down amid COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. But other times, summer camps are simply too expensive or time consuming for families to partake in.
But the good news is: you can recreate the summer camp spirit in your own backyard!
{ Guest Post by Emily }
At home, DIY summer camps are a great way to teach kids the important lessons from camp and provide structure to their long summer days without breaking the bank.
You can also tailor these camps to fit your schedule, allowing you to continue working or stay on top of errands.
Read on for tips about how to create your own DIY summer camp, including themes, games and printables to get started.
Step 1: Pick Your Theme
Whether you go traditional or pick an unconventional idea for your camp, the first step is deciding what theme to go with.
The great thing about DIY camps is that the theme can be tailored directly to your child’s interest, so you know they’ll be engaged and ready to have fun.
Traditional Camp Theme
The thought of summer camp usually conjures images of log cabins, canoes, campfires and lakes.
This tried and true method is a great way to introduce kids to summer camp and allow them to feel like they’re part of the tradition!
Activities for this theme include: tag, tug-of-war, swimming, building a campfire, climbing trees and birdwatching.
You can also download this welcome sign and coloring page activity to help create the ambiance of the outdoors in your very own home.
A Pirate’s Life Theme
For kids who dream of a life on the Seven Seas, a pirate-themed camp can help them flex their imagination muscles while getting in the outdoorsy spirit.
Allow your kids to make their own eye patches, tie on a bandana and get ready for an at-home adventure.
Activities for this theme include: crab walk races, foam sword fights, water balloon fights and a hunt for hidden treasure.
You can also download this welcome sign and maze activity to help get the ideas flowing.
Once Upon a Summer Camp
Kids love the classic tale of a fair princess and a brave knight.
Recreate this ages-old tale at home and allow your kids to step into the fairytale world they’ve been dreaming about!
Activities for this theme include: dress up, a royal relay race, a dragon’s egg scavenger hunt and face painting.
You can also download this welcome sign and fill-in-the-blank word game to give your house and DIY camp the royal treatment.
Welcome to the Jungle
Adventurous kids will love this jungle-themed summer camp. Bring the feeling of the wild jungle or adventurous safari into your home.
Activities for this theme include: pin the tail on the donkey, animal walk races, tag and scavenger hunts.
You can also download this welcome sign and scavenger hunt activity to get yourself in the wild mindset.
Step 2: Create an Itinerary
Once you’ve nailed down your theme, it’s time to pick activities and create a structure for the camp.
You can run your camp on weekends only, or during the week from 9 to 5 — whatever fits your schedule! Just make sure to keep it consistent.
Draw your own or download a printable itinerary so you can schedule your activities, then come up with a plan.
Some other activity ideas are:
- Read books aloud to each other
- Play hide-and-seek
- Collect and paint rocks
- Build a fort
- Decorate jars and plant a seedling inside
Step 3: Have Fun With It
The summer camp spirit is all about togetherness, fun and learning.
At the end of the day all your camp needs to be a success is an emphasis on connection and fun — and maybe some s’mores.
Are you planning a DIY Summer Camp at home?
Let us know in the comments below!
And thanks to Emily for writing this guest post for me.
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