5 Summer Camp Activities for Kids to Avoid Boredom

Let’s be real—“I’m booooored” is the last thing any parent or camp leader wants to hear mid-summer. Whether you’re running a full-on day camp or just trying to keep your kids busy in the backyard, those long sunny days can turn into long whiny days real fast without the right plan.

The solution? A solid stash of fun summer camp activities for kids that are easy to set up, engaging, and don’t require you to have a PhD in crafting or a garage full of supplies.

We’re talking low-prep, high-fun activities that work for a variety of ages and energy levels—from creative art stations to outside games that help burn off all that post-ice-cream energy.

These are perfect for:

• Camp counselors looking for quick wins
• Parents planning summer staycations or playdates
• Anyone in charge of keeping kids happy, active, and off the screens for a minute

So whether you’re creating a themed week for summer camp ideas for kids, or just trying to survive another day without resorting to endless YouTube videos—these 5 summer camp activity ideas have your back.

Ready to dive into the fun?

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1. DIY Nature Bracelets – Art Meets Outdoor Adventure

This activity is basically part scavenger hunt, part craft project, and 100% fun. It gets kids outside, keeps them busy collecting, and finishes with a creative keepsake they can actually wear and show off to their friends.

It’s one of those summer camp activities for kids that combines outside exploration with creative expression, and it’s a total win for both parents and counselors.

What You’ll Need:

• Masking tape or duct tape (the wide kind works best)
• A pair of scissors
• Nature! (leaves, flower petals, grass, tiny twigs, seeds, etc.)

How It Works:

1. Tear off a strip of tape and wrap it sticky-side-out around each child’s wrist like a bracelet.
2. Head outside and let the kids gather natural treasures to stick onto their bracelets. Encourage them to get creative with textures, shapes, and colors.
3. Once they’ve filled the bracelet, press down gently to secure everything and trim any overhanging pieces.

Voila! A beautiful, wearable reminder of their outdoor adventure.

Why It’s Awesome:

✔ Combines art activities for kids with outside activities for kids
✔ Encourages exploration, observation, and appreciation of nature
✔ No fancy supplies needed—just tape and whatever you find outside
✔ Works for a wide age range and can be repeated with different themes (color hunt, leaf-only, flower power, etc.)

2. Water Balloon Spoon Relay – Classic Camp Chaos (The Good Kind)

Nothing says summer camp fun like running around with water balloons and praying they don’t burst mid-sprint. This twist on the classic egg-and-spoon race is an absolute crowd favorite, and it's guaranteed to get laughs, competitive energy, and a bit of refreshing splash.

Whether you’re at a day camp, hosting a backyard bash, or just trying to beat the heat, this is one of the best summer camp games for kids—hands down.

What You’ll Need:

• Plastic or metal spoons (larger ones for younger kids)
• Water balloons (filled and ready!)
• Cones, chairs, or anything to mark start and finish lines
• Towels… because yeah, it’s gonna get splashy

How It Works:

1. Split kids into teams or have them go one at a time.
2. Each child must carry a water balloon on a spoon from one end of the course to the other—no hands allowedto hold the balloon!
3. If the balloon drops, they either start over or pick it up, depending on how chaotic you want it to be.
4. First team to complete the relay wins bragging rights and maybe a popsicle. 🍧

Why It’s Awesome:

✔ Perfect for burning energy and getting kids moving
✔ Combines coordination and balance with total silliness
✔ Easy to adapt for different ages—use smaller balloons/spoons for older kids
✔ Works as part of a summer camp theme week (like Water Day or Olympic Games)

Safety Tip:

Make sure the race is on grass or a soft surface, so no one slips on wet pavement.

3. Campfire Story Stones – Creative Storytelling Without Screens

If you want a screen-free, imagination-powered activity that works just as well at a picnic table as it does around a pretend “campfire,” this is the one.

Story stones are a fun and tactile way to inspire storytelling. Kids get to craft their own story prompts, then use them to create endless tales, skits, or even comic strips. It’s one of those creative activities for kids that sparks language skills, artistic expression, and group fun—all at once.

What You’ll Need:

• Smooth stones or pebbles (grab a bunch from the garden or craft store)
• Paint pens or acrylic paint + brushes
• Paper towels, water cups, and aprons if needed
• A small cloth bag or basket to store the finished stones

How It Works:

1. Have each child decorate a few stones with simple images—like a sun, a tree, a dragon, a pizza, a rocket, a dog, etc.
2. Once the paint is dry, place the stones in a basket.
3. Kids take turns pulling out stones and using the pictures to build a group story—either one line at a time or as solo storytellers.
4. Want to level it up? Let them act out the story or draw it as a comic.

Why It’s Awesome:

✔ Blends art activities for kids with language development and social interaction
✔ Can be tailored to any summer camp themes for school age (jungle adventure, outer space, fairytales, etc.)
✔ Easy to reuse throughout the summer—just mix up the themes or add new stones
✔ A great quiet-time or rainy-day option

4. Animal Tag – Classic Game with a Wild Twist

Tag is a summer camp staple, but Animal Tag takes things to a whole new level of hilarious. It’s part outside activity, part silly improv game, and totally unforgettable for campers of all ages.

This version adds imagination and movement to the usual game of tag by assigning each player an animal they must act out while running. Think hopping like a frog, waddling like a penguin, or slithering like a snake—it’s pure chaos (the good kind).

What You’ll Need:

• A safe outdoor space with plenty of room to run
• A hat or bowl with animal names written on slips of paper
• A great sense of humor (mandatory)

How It Works:

1. Each child draws an animal from the hat before the game starts.
2. When the round begins, everyone must move like their animal—no regular running allowed!
3. One child is “It” and must also follow their animal movement while tagging others.
4. Once tagged, a child is out (or switches animals—you decide how wild you want to get).
5. The last player standing becomes the new “It” for the next round.

Why It’s Awesome:

✔ Combines physical movement with creativity and giggles galore
✔ Keeps kids engaged longer than traditional tag (because, let’s be honest, giraffe tag is way more fun)
✔ Ideal for day camp activities or backyard birthday parties
✔ Can be themed with camp weeks—safari week, ocean week, jungle week, etc.

Tip for Younger Kids:

Give them a visual cue—like a printed animal card—so they remember how to move if they forget mid-waddle.

5. Friendship Bracelets – The Forever Camp Classic

No summer camp is complete without at least one session of bracelet-making magic. Whether it’s a simple braided cord or a full-blown beaded masterpiece, friendship bracelets are the kind of keepsake that campers actually treasure.

This activity works great indoors or outdoors, solo or in a group, and fits beautifully into summer camp themes for school-age kids like “Kindness Week,” “Color Day,” or even “Camp Spirit Week.”

What You’ll Need:

• Embroidery floss, yarn, or colorful string
• Beads, alphabet letters, charms (optional, but fun!)
• Safety pins or tape to secure ends while working
• Scissors (supervised if needed)
• Optional: printed cheat sheet of braid patterns

How It Works:

1. Let kids choose 2–4 colors of string or floss.
2. Help them start with a basic knot and braid, twist, or knot a simple pattern (YouTube tutorials work wonders here).
3. Add beads or initials if they want to personalize their bracelet.
4. Once done, tie it on a friend’s wrist and make a wish. ✨

Why It’s Awesome:

✔ Encourages fine motor skills, patience, and creativity
✔ A screen-free, relaxing activity that gives kids something they’re proud of
✔ Ties beautifully into lessons about friendship, teamwork, or kindness
✔ Can be reused as a daily quiet time or “free choice” station

Bonus Idea:

Turn it into a bracelet swap—every camper makes one to give and one to keep. It’s the camp version of pen pals! 💌

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✨ Final Thoughts: Summer Camp = Endless Possibilities

From crafts to do when you're bored to outside activities that keep kids moving, these 5 ideas are your go-to boredom busters for any day camp, backyard summer setup, or rainy-day indoor moment.

✅ Quick Recap of the 5 Summer Camp Activities for Kids:

1. Nature Bracelets – Creative + outdoor fun
2. Water Balloon Spoon Relay – Classic chaos, zero boredom
3. Story Stones – DIY art meets storytelling magic
4. Animal Tag – Burn energy + unleash imagination
5. Friendship Bracelets – Calming, crafty, and full of heart

No screens, no fuss—just good old-fashioned fun, with a fresh twist.

👉 Want more ideas? Check out:
More Kid-Friendly Travel & Camp Ideas on the Blog

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