No Summer Camp? Here Are Tons of Ideas to Keep the Kids Busy
Ideas for kids who love outdoor activities
When the weather is good, there is nothing better than playing outside. Here are a few ideas to amp up the fun in your own backyard.
Ideas to get you started
- Make camping at home a thing with these tips and tricks for hosting an epic campout in your own backyard.
- Encourage your kids to burn up some energy and let loose with awesome obstacle course ideas.
- Try some of these fun old-school back yard activities such as sponge bombs, DIY slip and slide, critter studies and more.
- Summer camp can feel like one endless party, so why not replicate the outdoor party atmosphere with an outdoor movie night, complete with old-school games and camping treats. Watch classic summer camp movies together and play some fun campfire games.
Tips for success
Be prepared for rain and days when they can't spend the whole day outside. Encourage them to read, journal or listen to a podcast if they complain about being bored. There are so many resources out there, you just need to find the one that captures their imagination.
More resources
It's always a good time to invest in some fun, new equipment, such as a slip and slide or tree-climbing footholds to make your backyard feel like an adventure playground.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in July 2021 and updated in 2023.
