Do your kids love summer camp? Do they wish for it all school year long?
Maybe they don’t have to wait for next summer. Even when school’s in session, there’s still room to have a little fun.
Wondering how to make meaningful memories during those days between winter holidays? What about over that February school break? How about on any old wide-open winter weekend afternoon? Or, on that unexpected snow day?
On days like those, are your kids bored, and looking at you for things to do?
Or, are they glued to their screens? Sick of telling them that television or computer time is over, only to give in when they start moping around, and you find that you don’t have another activity to suggest?
We’re here to help. These classic summer camp activities are also awesome DIY projects to try with your kids at home this winter. Read on for 7 activities that are sure to bring back the fun.
Summer camp activities you can do at home
Paper snowflakes
Live somewhere snowy? Wish you did?
Paper snowflakes are a classic wintertime craft.
Each one turns out a bit different, just like the flakes that fall from the sky. So give your kids paper, some scissors (kid scissors, if they’re younger and newer to scissors!), and watch their personalities come through in their snowflake making.
They make the most wonderful window art. So make sure each kid makes many. Then, get decorating!
Indoor picnic
Because who doesn’t miss picnic-ing during winter?
Let your kids pick the menu, and have them help you prepare the picnic, too – from finger sandwich and cookie making to packing it all up inside a basket.
Where in the house will your indoor picnic be? What will you do with the space to make yourselves feel transported?
What will you wear to the indoor picnic? Don’t miss an opportunity to play dress up.
And who’s invited? Will Teddy Bear be joining you, or maybe Dolly? Can you make room round your picnic blanket for both? Even for a real life friend or two?
Ice cream social
Who says it has to be summer to eat ice cream?
Be the coolest parent on the block, when you invite your neighbors and their kids over for a make-your-own sundae party smack dab in the middle of winter. Everyone could use that sort of pick-me-up, right?
Let your kids help you plan the event. Can they come up with a theme? Can they draw up a shopping list, and go along for the trip to the store? What if you gave them a budget and they had to make the math work? You might be amazed how much math they’re willing to do for ice cream and some quality time with friends.
Remember: everyone helps set up and clean up, or there’s no ice cream.
Sugar creatures
While we’re talking about sweets and treats…
Pick up some candy at the store, or use some of the leftover candy toppings from that ice cream social, for an afternoon of sugar creature making.
How creative can you get? Can you create creatures never dreamed up before? Can you write a story about them, then?
Really encourage their imaginations to run wild, and see if you don’t find yourself misty-eyed while you watch your children as their imaginations work.
Tabletop game tournament
Feeling antsy? Too cold to send the kids back outside?
Get out all that energy in some healthy tabletop game competition. Learn about sportsmanship and strategy. Try checkers. And there are so many games you can play with a couple decks of cards.
Don’t have a tabletop game (or one you like) in your home? Maybe you know a neighbor who does. You could help that parent plan this tournament, and invite them to help you plan something you can host at your home another time. Or, you could get your family a (new) tabletop game or two or three for the winter holiday of your choice.
Homemade playdough
Sure, you can buy playdough at the store. But where’s the fun in that?
Your kids can help you make the playdough before they play with it. It’s more of an adventure for everyone this way. Some kitchen science, then some art making. Really, who could ask more of an engaged winter afternoon between parent and child?
Choose an object, maybe from your house, and then see if you can sculpt it? Who can make the sculpture that looks most like the object? Who can make the sculpture that has the most creative and original take on the object?
Okay, now find another object…
Or, invent an object, and sculpt that.
Bird houses and seed feeders
Looking forward to spring, and the return of the birds? Want to discover what birds stuck around for the winter?
Get some bird houses and acrylics from your local craft store, and get painting.
Get some bird seed mix, gelatin, cookie cutters, and string, and get baking.
Make your bird family so very happy – with a colorful place to perch, and some delicious seed to snack on, whether this winter or when the return with the spring.
Did you know you had a bird family? This would be a great activity to pair with learning about the birds that frequent your neck of the woods and when you can expect to see them.
Now you know…
Summer camp activities don’t have to stop with the end of summer camp season. Help quench your kids’ summer camp thirst with summer camp activities at home this winter and keep up the valuable lessons of summer camp activities all year long.
Feeling super ambitious?
Get some of your kids and their friends together, and start a weekly activity group to get everyone through those long winter months. Have the other parents pitch in so you can afford the supplies for crafts, games, and snacks.
You know you miss your days as a camp counselor.
What, you’ve never been a camp counselor? Well, now’s your chance.
Maybe the other parents want to play counselor, too. Maybe the group gathers at different homes as winter unfolds.
So get something off the ground, and trust others will follow. You’ll probably start something great – something your kids will always remember.
In other news…
It’s never too early to be thinking about summer camp. So, find a camp near you, and get signed up as soon as you can.
Got questions about summer camp?