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For those seeking a useful way to spend their time during social distancing—or anyone simply interested in forging a deeper connection with their homes—HB has launched Home Love, a series of daily tips and ideas to make every minute indoors more productive (and gratifying!).
If you know me, you know that going to sleep-away camp was easily the highlight of my childhood, saying "one time at [band] camp" is still a staple in my everyday conversations (for better or for worse), and the majority of my most treasured friendships are from camp—even some fifteen odd years later. And while summer camps may not be in full swing this year, there are tons ways to recreate the classic activities at home for your kids. Besides, the whole camp spirit is all about making the best of things and having fun, rain or shine. Whether you want to take part in these fun games and ideas on a loop all summer long or you're just looking for something to occupy the kids this weekend, the following 25 activities inspired by summer camp are sure to keep the fun flowing.
Field Games
When you want to tire everyone out.
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Capture the Flag
Here's a classic! If you have a family or household large enough to play in teams of two or three, then there's no excuse no to organize a game of capture the flag.
Scream Race
Okay this one is sort of weird and I can't even remember the official name of the game, but it's too good not to include. It's really just a glorified race. Basically, one person sprints as far as they can while screaming at the top of their lungs (you can pick a word or it can just be "ahh") and as soon as they run out of breath, they have to stop and sit down. Whoever makes it the furtherest without taking a breath wins!
Olympics
Assign all the participants a country and then create different challenges, from swimming pool laps if you have one to messy games like egg toss and simple things like 100 yard dashes.
Team Sports
Get a game of kickball, volleyball, or socking going.
Sack Race
You can either keep it classic with a straight up potato sack race or turn it into a relay race with other challenges, like egg-in-a-spoon and hula-hooping.
Arts & Crafts
For anyone who prefers the quiet, meditative activities like beading and lanyard-making, these are for you.
Nature Photography
Make your daily walk or hike a little more exciting by turning it into a photography session. If you have a printer, print out their masterpieces so you can display them or create a scrapbook.
Jewelry Making
Order some beads and yarn to make friendship bracelets with. You could get fancy and order some earring supplies, too, for the advanced crafters.
Tie Dye
It's messy, so make sure you lay down some old newspaper or something. Here's a good guide that'll help you do it with you've already got lying around the house.
Drawing and Painting
Do some still life paintings and portraits in the yard. Get a journal so they can freehand and brainstorm in it. you could also use old magazines to collage.
Make Soap
Order kits or customize your own with essential oils.
Outdoor Adventure
A.k.a. the quintessential camp activities.
Hiking
Find a trail near you and make a day of it. Don't forget to pack accordingly (snacks included)!
Camping
Go "camping" in the backyard. Teach your kids (or learn for yourself) how to pitch a tent—if you don't actually have one, just drag some sleeping bags outside instead—build a campfire, tell ghost stories, and fall asleep under the stars!
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Set up some clues outside in your own backyard or throughout the neighborhood. You could also give it a theme (like nature fun facts) to make the even even more memorable.
Star Gazing
Go someplace with a good view and make sure it's a clear night with plenty of cool astrological events. Don't gorget binoculars!
Gardening
Whether you only have the space to create a little herb garden in the kitchen or you already have a full-blown garden in your backyard, it'll be a fun activity to get the kids involved in.
Waterfront Fun
Just because you don't have lake access doesn't mean you can't get in on the waterfront fun.
Balloon Toss
Fill a bunch of water balloons with water and play balloon toss—start super close together and every time you toss and catch it successful, take a step back until he balloon breaks. You could also play water balloon dodgeball, if you dare.
Tubing
If you're lucky enough to have boat and water access, a day of tubing never disappoints.
Kayaking
A little lower key than sailing or waterskiing, but still a fun outdoor, waterfront activity.
Slip 'n' Slide
Order a slip 'n' slide and let the games begin. If you'd rather not buy something new, just turn on the sprinklers and let the kids play in them.
Hose Limbo
Like regular limbo, only this time the stakes are a little higher!
Anything Goes
The best camp activities always defy categorization...
Talent Show
Give everyone the day to prepare for their talent (some ideas include magic tricks, singing, dancing, telling jokes, instruments, etc.) and then make a "stage" in the living room for the big performance.
Cooking Class
Make something together, whether you whip up an afternoon snack like pizza bagels or bake a fun dessert.
Improv
Whether you want to play group Freeze, Heads Up, or something a little more advanced like Bus Stop (more on the rules of the game here), this will get everyone loosened up and silly.
Campfire
From making s'mores to telling spooky camp stories, this fun tradition can be enjoyed around an outdoor fire pit or even just a fireplace (or candle!) indoors if you have limited options.
Outdoor Movie Night
What is summer camp without a fun evening activity? Follow our guide to throwing an outdoor movie night in your own backyard, driveway, or even just a porch.
Recreate Summer Camp at Home
Wham-O Vintage Slip-N-Slide
Picnic Time Brolly Beach Umbrella Tent
Fire Island Wakefield Gas Fire Pit
Ticket Chocolate DIY S'Mores Kit
DMC Embroidery Yarn Pack
Kara Aitken Scary Stories for Kids
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Hadley Mendelsohn is the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House. When she's not busy writing about interiors, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, researching ghost stories, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again. Along with interior design, she writes about everything from travel to entertainment, beauty, social issues, relationships, fashion, food, and on very special occasions, witches, ghosts, and other Halloween haunts. Her work has also been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, Man Repeller, Matches Fashion, Byrdie, and more.
