How to Entertain Kids During Summer - Camp at Home

Camp at Home - Fun Summer Activity

Camping at home is a fun activity for kids and a great way to entertain kids during summer. Build a campsite on your porch or deck, in a spare bedroom, or in the backyard. This fun activity creates a place kids can call their own and parents know where the kids are and what they are doing. Here are ideas of how to create a camp at home.

Instructions

1. Entertain Kids With a Campsite on the Porch or Deck

   • The porch or deck is a perfect spot to set up camp. It is a defined area that can be decorated to resemble an actual campsite.
   • Pitch a tent and use the patio furniture to create living quarters.
   • Have a pool in the yard for the kids to play in and hang a clothes line on the porch to hang wet suits and towels.
   • Drape an outdoor string of lights on the railings to add ambiance to the camp site.
   • See Step 4 for activities to plan when you camp at home.

2. Entertain Kids - Camp at Home in the Backyard

   The backyard is the most realistic place to set up a camp at home. Think about what a regular campground looks like and go from there.
   • Pitch a tent. If you do not have a tent, use a couple of tables and drape blankets over them.
   • Put a few lawn chairs just outside the entrance of the tent for socializing.
   • Any type of water feature would add to the fun. A pool, sprinkler, or running the hose down the slide on the outside play set.
   • Have the kids put refreshments in a cooler. Ensure that they pack the appropriate tableware such as plates and eating utensils.
   • Provide flashlights for the late evening and, if the campsite is going to be slept in overnight, provide the appropriate sleeping bags, pillows, and bug spray.
   • See Step 4 for camping activities.

3. Entertain Kids During Summer - Campsite Indoors

   If the weather is inclement the hearty campers still go camping. Choose an area where the camp site will not be in the way such as a spare bedroom, one end of the living room, or the basement.
   • Have an area for sleeping such as a tent or draping blankets over items to create a shelter.
   • Rainy days happen at the campgrounds, too, so this is the perfect time to pull out the new game, coloring books, or other entertainment your child has not seen before. Playing with something new in their private campsite will make the experience memorable.
   • Other camping features such as a cooler full of food and drinks will add to the camping ambiance

4. Activities for Camping at Home

   Camping is a fun family activity and does not need to be confined to the weekends. Set up camp wherever there is room and add these camping activities to make this summer fun activity for kids something they can do several times throughout their summer vacation.
   • Kids pack a back pack with a few changes of clothes, a swim suit, and beach towel.
   • This family activity can include nature hikes or scavenger hunts. When inside have a selection of videos and books about kids clubs or being part of nature.
   • Have items on hand for crafts. Encourage the kids to find interesting objects from the outdoors and use them to glue on to paper plates. Use these plates to hang inside their tent to personalize and make the tent their own. Another idea is to provide the base materials for a sign, have the kids name their camp site, and make a name sign to hang where everyone can see it.
   • Camping is not camping without a camp fire. Before bedtime join the campers for a campfire. Cook hot dogs on a stick or roast marshmallows and make s'mores.

Tips & Warnings

• Invite neighborhood kids, friends from school or other activities, or camp out with cousins or relatives the same age. This summertime fun activity for kids opens up a world of creative possibilities. Let the kid's imaginations take over to make camping at home a fun experience.

Resources

• How to Create Summer Fun Activities for Kids - Going Green