85 Summer Camp Activities For Kids (2024)

No more “I don’t know what to do”! Find out how to plan summer camp activities at home or with a group of kids. Over 80 fun activities for summer camp done for you. From science experiments to crafts, as well as building activities and sensory play. All you need to know to organize a summer camp for kids of all ages!

FUN ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER CAMP

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HANDS ON SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES

Summer can be a busy time, so we didn’t add any projects that will take a ton of time or prep to do. Most of these summer camp activities can be done easily on a budget, with variations, reflection and questions extending the activity as you have time to do so. Perfect for day camp activities!

We have organized these fun summer camp ideas into theme weeks for you. Feel free to pick and choose the themes that your kids will love the most! Activities include art and crafts, science experiments, building and making things, sensory play, cooking and more.

There are activities suitable for all ages! From toddlers to preschoolers, kindergarten to elementary kids.

Use the themes to complete one activity per day for a week. Alternatively, you could use these ideas with a group of kids and set up a few activities as stations to rotate between.

Whatever you choose, kids are sure to have fun, learn something new and develop their skills. Plus, you won’t be pulling your hair out wondering what the kids are going to do all this summer!

THE BEST SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES

Click on the links below to learn more about each of these fun summer camp themes.

Art Summer Camp Activities

Art camp is so much fun for kids of all ages! Create and learn with a whole week of colorful, sometimes messy and unexpected, totally do-able art activities.

Art projects help kids develop color coordination, fine motor skills, pattern recognition, scissor skills, as well as grow their independence.

Create summer popsicle art and ice cream art. Enjoy art inspired by famous artists with Frida Kahlo portrait and Pollock fish art project. Create a painting with a water pistol, nature paint brushes, by blowing bubbles and with a fly swatter. Yes, really! Kids will love it!

Click here for… Summer Art Camp

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Bricks Summer Camp

Bricks Summer Camp activities will be the highlight of your LEGO enthusiast’s summer! These fun science activities using building bricks are such a fun way to learn.

Build a marble run and then test it out. Use those bricks to build a dam, a zip line and even a catapult. Make a balloon car that actually moves and combine a fun fizzing chemical reaction and bricks to build a volcano.

Click here for… Bricks Summer Camp

Chemistry Summer Camp Activities

Chemistry Summer Camp is a great way to explore chemical reactions and more with kids of all ages.

These simple chemistry experiments will encourage problem-solving and observation skills. Even the youngest of kids can enjoy a simple science experiment.

Blow up a balloon with a fun fizzing chemical reaction. Find out what happens when you add vinegar to milk. Make an erupting acid lemon volcano and more.

Click here for… Chemistry Summer Camp

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Cooking Summer Camp Activities

Cooking Summer Camp activities with a science theme. Do you know cooking is filled with way more science than you’d expect! Forget the cupcakes, kids will love these easy science activities they can eat!

Make colorful candy geodes, and even an edible rock cycle. Cook bread in a bag, and top it with homemade butter in a jar. Enjoy chilly ice cream in a bag perfect for summer and more.

Click here for… Cooking Summer Camp

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Dinosaur Summer Camp Activities

These Dinosaur Summer Camp activities will take your kids on an adventure back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth! Kids of all ages will have a blast playing and learning with these dinosaur theme science activities!

Play with fizzy dino eggs, go on a dino dig, make salt dough fossils, hatch frozen dinosaur eggs, and much more.

Click here for… Dinosaur Summer Camp

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Nature Summer Camp Activities

These Nature Summer Camp activities are a fun way for kids to get outdoors and explore. There are so many wonderful things to observe and learn from right in our own backyards.

Make a bird feeder to watch birds, and build a bug hotel. Collect some leaves and learn about respiration, and more.

Click here for… Nature Summer Camp

Ocean Summer Camp Activities

Lots of us go to the beach for the summer, but what if we bring the ocean to you? This week full of ocean-themed activities makes for a fun Ocean Summer Camp for kids!

Set up a beach erosion demonstration. Find out what happens to shells when the ocean becomes acidic. Create the layers of the ocean, explore how whales stay warm in very cold water, learn about glowing jellyfish and more.

Click here for… Ocean Summer Camp

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Physics Summer Camp Activities

Introduce your science fans to physics this summer with these physics theme summer camp activities.

While physics may seem difficult, there are many science principles in physics that are actually part of our every day experience from a young age!

Make your own air vortex cannon, play music with a water xylophone and build a windmill. Experiment with a floating boat, a rising candle in water and more.

Click here for… Physics Summer Camp

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Sensory Summer Camp Activities

Let kids learn and explore with all of their senses with Sensory Summer Camp activities! Younger kids will have fun with this week’s worth of sensory activities. Summer camp ideas for toddlers to preschoolers!

We love sensory activities! Sensory play helps kids to learn through their senses, touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing, in ways they may not have experienced before.

Play with Magic Mud! Create with strawberry playdough, sparkly fairy dough or a taste-safe koolaid playdough. Get a bit messy and wet with soap foam. Get little hands playing with kinetic sand, and sand foam, and more.

Click here for… Sensory Summer Camp

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Slime Summer Camp

Slime Summer Camp is going to make summer for your kids one to remember! Kids LOVE slime and they’ll be slime experts by the end of these summer camp activities. Plus, making slime has to be one of our favorite all time science activities!

Not all slime is created equal! We’ve spent years perfecting our slime recipes and will teach you how to make and have fun with all types of slime this summer.

Enjoy light and fluffy cloud slime. Try smooth as butter slime. Add one special ingredient to crunchy slime. Play with chalkboard slime, magnetic slime and more.

Click here for… Slime Summer Camp

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Space Summer Camp

These Space Summer Camp activities will take your kids on an adventure out of this world! Obviously, we can’t travel to space. The next best step to a hands-on learning experience with space is these science and art space theme projects.

Make edible Oreo moon phases. Enjoy a fizzy moon STEAM project. Learn about the constellations you can see in the night sky. Test your engineering skills while you build a space shuttle and a satellite, and more.

Click here for… Space Summer Camp

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STEM Summer Camp

STEM activities are such an easy thing to do in summer with kids! Projects don’t have to be big, detailed, or extravagant for them to present learning opportunities that stick with kids as they learn and grow.

These STEM summer camp activities including engineering projects, science experiments and STEM challenges. Make a catapult, build a marble roller coaster and blow up a balloon with a chemical reaction. Take the spaghetti tower challenge and the strong bridges challenge, and more.

Click here for… STEM Summer Camp

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Water Science Summer Camp

What’s more fun in summer than learning and playing with water! Water Science Summer Camp is a great way to explore science and have fun with all kinds of water experiments.

Investigate melting ice, test out what dissolves in water, watch water walk, take the penny lab challenge and more.

Click here for… Water Science Summer Camp

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WANT A FULLY PREPPED SUMMER CAMP WEEK?

Plus, it includes all 12 printable mini-camp theme weeks as shown above.

Click here for your full summer camp activities pack!

85 Summer Camp Activities For Kids (2024)

FAQs

What is the youngest age for summer camp? ›

Children aged 5 and under may be ready to attend a day-only summer camp, without overnight activities. They will likely do better with summer camps that incorporate the parents into the camp as well. If your child is between the ages of 6-8, they are in the typical age range.

How do I pack my child for summer camp? ›

The Complete Day Camp Packing List
  1. Backpack. A sturdy backpack is essential to store all of your child's belongings. ...
  2. Water Bottle. ...
  3. Sunscreen and Bug Spray. ...
  4. Hat. ...
  5. Lunch. ...
  6. Bathing Suit, Towel, and Flip Flops. ...
  7. Change of Clothes and Light Jacket. ...
  8. Emergency Medication.
Jun 14, 2022

What do kids wear to summer camp? ›

Many summer camps will require one piece swimsuits, tankinis, or shorts and a shirt for girls. Boys may have less restrictions, but will most likely be required to wear swim trunks, as opposed to just underwear or street clothes.

What makes a summer camp successful? ›

To run a successful summer camp, it's crucial to keep the activities fun and interactive for your campers. Engaging activities not only capture their interest but also enhance their overall experience.

What are the weaknesses of summer camp? ›

Cons of Summer Camp
  • Can be expensive, especially for overnight camps.
  • May not provide academic enrichment or help children improve their academic skills.
  • May not be suitable for children who are not comfortable with being away from home.
  • Rarely provides study resources like summer workbooks, activity books etc.

What is the best age to send kids to summer camp? ›

In general, most children are ready to attend a sleep-away camp or day camp between the ages of seven and ten. However, every child is different, and parents should take into consideration their child's personality, maturity level, and social skills before deciding whether or not to send them to summer camp.

Is camp camp ok for 11 year olds? ›

It has a lot of adult references and swear words, so 11+ should be okay with it. But, depending on your rules, it's inappropriate for youngsters. Maybe. The characters do swear a lot.

How old are kids in camp America? ›

You'll be working in an environment with children aged between 6-16. Parents have trusted camps with the wellbeing of their children. Camp is fun, but it's hard work too. You'll have time off to explore and recharge during your time at camp (along with 30 free days to travel after camp).

Why do people send kids to summer camp? ›

Camps offer opportunities for kids to try brand new skills or activities they otherwise might never encounter. 5. They gain a new appreciation for the environment and physical activity. "The research shows spending time in nature improves concentration and creative reasoning," Randolph said.

Why do parents put their kids in summer camp? ›

Learning self-reliance, experiencing mistakes and failures, and reaching for goals are all camp experiences that help campers develop their grit, an important character trait that we've learned is critical to success in life.

Why send your child to summer camp? ›

At camp, a child experiences time away from a parent. This independent time is important in helping children develop a sense of identity. Kids learn to become more self-reliant as they explore their interests and discover their strengths and weaknesses.

What are summer colors dress code? ›

Deep Summer's best colours are usually deep, cool burgundies, soft navy, raspberry pinks and amethyst pinks. Although most Summers suit a tonal look, you may well find that bringing a degree of contrast into your outfit makes you feel your best - mix darks and lights, or a bold pink or blue in with a more tonal look.

Should I bring a suitcase to camp? ›

It doesn't matter which! Campers are free to bring a large duffel bag, a suitcase with or without wheels, a large plastic tub, or even a set of plastic drawers. There's no need to buy anything specific, whatever you have at home will work just fine, but we don't recommend large trunks because of their size.

Why is summer camp important for kids? ›

Camp teaches children many life skills in a fun and safe environment, enables to them try new things, make new friends, and succeed in ways they may not have thought possible. Your child will make long-lasting memories and develop skills that will last them a lifetime.

How do I not get homesick at summer camp? ›

The best in-camp interventions for homesick campers include:
  1. staying busy.
  2. talking with someone.
  3. remembering that you're not at camp for your whole life-just a few weeks.
  4. writing letters home.
  5. remembering all the fun activities that camp offers. and doing them!

Is it easy to make friends at summer camp? ›

With excitement all over you, making friends will come naturally and effortlessly. Some of the best types of camps to consider are drama camps, sports camps, outdoors camps, and stem camps. And this is because they are full of exciting and engaging activities that make it easy for people to bond.

How would you describe a summer camp? ›

Summer camp is a special camp that is organized in the summer season for children and teens. Also, the students come together to have fun and learn new things. These help children to try new adventures away from home in a safe environment.

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