Summer camp is an ideal setting to make memories that last a lifetime. One of the best ways to ensure your kids have an unforgettable experience is with a jam-packed roster of rollicking camp activities.
However, it’s not always easy to come up with fresh ideas to keep kids entertained and engaged. For some inspiration to fill long summer days, here are six summer camp activities for kids that are sure to foster growth, connection and fun!
#1 The Human Knot
The Human Knot team-building game is many campers favorite summer camp activity. Not only does it promote cooperation and collaborative problem-solving, but it’s also sure to generate some laughter along the way.
Here’s how to do it:
- Have campers stand in a giant circle.
- Then, have each camper reach out and grab two hands across from them.
- Now, see if the kids can untangle themselves into a perfect circle.
This game is excellent for day one of camp when kids are just starting to get to know one another. It ensures that even the shy kids get a chance to (literally!) reach out.
To make it even more special, set a timer and tie another human knot on the last day of camp—they’ll get to compare their times and see how much growth they’ve experienced since their first day!
#2 Blind Artists
If a stormy day hits and the kids are cooped up indoors, plenty of creative and fun activities can still inspire bonds between campers.
Blind Artists is a team- and imagination-building exercise unlike any other. Here’s how to do it:
- Break campers into pairs. Blindfold one participant, and give the other a piece of paper or drawing utensil.
- Have the blindfolded camper describe an image from their imagination for the artist camper to draw.
- Give the pairs 2 to 6 minutes to draw their blind masterpiece, and have the blind artist remove their blindfold when time is up.
Whether the results are spot-on or out of this world, campers will gain skills in communication and creativity. And of course, there’s bound to be a lot of laughter with this one. This is a great activity for younger campers as well!
#3 Nature Bingo
When a gorgeous day calls for an outdoor expedition, this Nature Bingo will teach kids to keep their eyes peeled for the marvels our planet has to offer.
This activity requires a bit of preparation:
- Create bingo cards for each camper (for larger groups, create 5 to 10 bingo cards and separate kids into teams). For shorter games, each bingo card can have 3 rows and 3 columns.
- Add different animals, flowers, trees, insects and other nature items to each box.
When it’s time to go exploring, hand out markers and take the kids on a nature hike or park walk. During your adventure, see how many items they can find. The first kid or group to mark each square yells “Nature Bingo!”
#4 All Hands on Deck Mural
This is a fun summer camp activity that allows all campers to get involved in creating a masterpiece. Communal art projects can work to get every kid involved, no matter how creatively inclined they are!
For this activity, you’ll need:
- A large canvas, sheet of paper or cloth
- Non-toxic finger paints
Here’s how to do it:
- Have campers dip their hand in paint, stand in a circle and “stamp” their palm print onto the mural.
- Then, have the kids walk in a clockwise motion until they’re standing in front of someone else’s palm print.
- From there, have each camper turn their new friend’s palm print into an animal, design or imaginary character of their choice.
Keep going until the mural is filled to campers’ satisfaction. Then, hang it on the wall to display all camp long!
#5 Educational Obstacle Course
You may have done an obstacle course before, but have you ever done one for your brain?
The Educational Obstacle Course weaves together physical activity and brain teasers to inspire out-of-the-box thinking and keep kids active.
Here’s how to do it:
- Set up stations indoors or outdoors where kids have to solve a riddle, puzzle or STEAM experiment. Depending on what your camp has on hand, they could solve a math problem, complete a physical challenge or excavate dinosaur remains from an impromptu archaeology site. Get creative!
- In teams or as single players, kids start at a station and move clockwise after they’ve completed a puzzle.
By incorporating physical activities alongside educational ones, you’ll keep kids’ bodies and minds moving in unison.
#6 “Fortunately, Unfortunately”
At camp, the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Whether you gather around a campfire or play this game to lull wide-eyed campers to sleep, it’s a wonderful way to teach kids the power of positive thinking.
Here’s how to do it:
- In a single sentence, have one camper start with a scenario that begins with the word “fortunately.”
The next camper in the circle continues the scenario starting with the word “unfortunately.” - Have the campers alternate one by one around the circle—you’ll wind up with a ridiculous, laugh-out-loud tale that promotes participation and seeds new friendships.
#7 Scavenger Hunt Adventure
A scavenger hunt is one of the most exciting fun summer camp activities that gets kids moving, thinking and working together. Whether it’s a camp-based challenge or a themed hunt, this activity is adaptable to any environment and is sure to become a favorite summer camp memory.
This activity encourages kids to engage with their surroundings, discover hidden treasures and solve clues, all while fostering teamwork and cooperation.
How to Organize a Scavenger Hunt:
- Choose the Location: Whether you’re in a rec area, cabins or open space, choose a location rich with items to find. For a themed hunt, you can set camp-related tasks, such as finding objects around the camp or completing fun challenges.
- Create Clues: Tailor clues to the kids’ age and interests. For younger kids, use simple pictures or rhyming riddles to guide them to their next location. Older campers can follow more complex clues or puzzles that require problem-solving. You can even add physical challenges along the way, like “Hop on one foot for 10 seconds” or “Find the tallest tree in the park.”
- Divide into Teams: Split the campers into small teams to encourage collaboration and camaraderie. They can work together to find the items on their list. If you want to add a competitive edge, offer small rewards to the team that finishes first or finds the most items.
- Provide a List: Give each team a list of items they need to find, or better yet, create a treasure map that leads them to different locations. The more creative and detailed the list, the more fun they’ll have crossing off items.
- Add Challenges and Surprises: Mix it up by adding challenges that go beyond just finding objects. For example, kids could be tasked with taking a picture with an item or performing a mini task once they find it. This keeps the hunt dynamic and interactive.
Keep Kids Active and Engaged at Camp Galileo
If there’s one thing kids bring to the table, it’s a fresh perspective—at Camp Galileo, we help them use their curiosity and enthusiasm to become the innovators of tomorrow. From building friendships to discovering new passions, these fun camp activities help kids gain skills, have fun and create lifelong memories. Whether they’re making friendship bracelets or embarking on a scavenger hunt, every moment is an opportunity for growth.
From kindergarten to 8th grade, Camp Galileo provides kids with hands-on, educator-led STEAM activities, outdoor adventures and more. We also provide a Counselor In Training program for 8th-10th graders at select locations.
Take a look at our programs in 70+ locations throughout the United States. Explore our summer camps in Seattle, Colorado, Chicagoland, and California, or find a camp near your family today.
Located in Southern California? Be sure to check out our Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles summer camps! We have Camp Galileo locations across many communities. For families in Northern California, we have summer camps in San Francisco, The Peninsula, South Bay and East Bay.
Sources:
- Fletcher Jenna. “4 Ways to Foster Your Child’s Creativity”. Psych Central. 14 September 2022. https://psychcentral.com/health/ways-to-support-your-childs-creativity.
- The Game Gal. “Fortunately, unfortunately”. The Game Gal. 3 December 2011.
https://www.thegamegal.com/2011/12/03/fortunately-unfortunately/.
