What games do you play in summer camp?

There are a huge variety of activities that can be done during summer camp, including games, camp crafts, art projects, and more. Depending on weather or choices that children make to fill their time at summer camp, kids should be able to choose between both indoor and outdoor activities. You can have kids decide what activities they want to spend each day at camp, or you can make those decisions for them and have a schedule laid out for each child depending on the age group. 

• Outdoor Activities and Games

There are a plethora of games to keep any child busy and active during camp. Some iconic activities include capture the flag, kickball, tug-o-war, scavenger hunts, water balloon fights, and many more. Happen to have a body of water or pool on your campsite? Kids can get the best exercise possible through swimming, and there are many other activities like kayaking, fishing, paddle boating, and more to keep children active and cool in the blazing sun. No matter what you choose to keep kids active and recreating, they will surely have the time of their lives. 

• Indoor Activities and Games

Whenever the weather isn’t ideal, there are also fun indoor games and activities that can be utilized to pass the time at camp. Card games and board games are a great way to encourage social play and for kids to build up thinking and strategizing skills. Got any children that have a love for the arts? Including arts and crafts can also be a great way for kids to socialize, improve confidence and self esteem, and have a fantastic outlet for self-expression and managing feelings.

No matter what you provide as recreation and fun at summer camp, children will find a way to have a blast and express themselves through the activities and games they play and get immersed in.

Some more specific ideas to get kids active at summer camp include: 

• Canoeing 

A staple of outdoor summer camps everywhere, canoeing will see children securely fastening their life jackets and rowing a canoe with a single-bladed paddle in order to propel themselves forward and through the water. Canoeing on a lake or pond can be a relaxing, low-energy activity, but whitewater canoeing can add another layer of fun. Whitewater canoeing is characterized by the whitewater rivers in which the activity is typically practiced, where the currents range from slightly moving with ripples to fast-moving, potentially dangerous currents. Regardless of the body of water in which kids choose to canoe, they’re sure to have a great time while doing so. 

• Picnicking 

Perhaps one of the most underrated summer camp activities is picnicking. Far from simply taking a regular meal and eating it outdoors, picnicking is a great summer camp activity since it allows children to organize and pack their own assortment of food and drink, find the perfect spot to lay down their blanket, and take in the outdoor atmosphere as they chow down on the food they brought. Picnicking is also a great social activity, especially if 2-4 children collaborate on what to include in the meal. Sandwiches and cheeses are popular picnic foods, but one should encourage kids to get creative on how they construct their basketed meal. 

• Stargazing

An activity as old as time itself, stargazing is an ideal way to use the nighttime hours before kids go to sleep. Generally speaking, the further away from the city one is, the easier it will be to look up and observe the celestial bodies of our solar system; however, one should also ensure that the night in which one chooses to stargaze will have good weather and that the sky will have minimal cloud coverage. This way, whether kids choose to use a telescope or their own two eyes to scope out the constellations, they’ll be able to stare up at the cosmos to their hearts’ content. 

• Hiking

Hiking is a natural activity for young outdoor enthusiasts who fill summer camps. Due to tripping hazards and the potential presence of nocturnal critters, hiking is an activity that’s best done during the day to maximize safety. When it comes to locations to hike through, hiking paths are a good place to start; however, one area of concern would be to ensure that the path is clear of any debris or loose sticks. While hiking, make sure to alert children of tree roots, buried rocks, or other potential tripping hazards. 

No matter what you provide as recreation and fun at summer camp, children will find a way to have a blast and express themselves through the activities and games they play and get immersed in.