26 Summer Camp Activities for Nonstop Fun

Your summer campers have gone swimming ten times in ten days. What are you going to do the rest of the summer?

To keep kids entertained and active all summer long on teen tours or at summer camp, you need a variety of fun activities and challenging games.

Great camp activities build community spirit and keep campers returning each summer. In this article, we cover 26 fun activities for a great summer.

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1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is a popular outdoor summer camp activity that encourages campers to explore the great outdoors. Younger kids can search for easy-to-find items like leaves or rocks, while older campers can identify more complex things like specific plants or birds.

A group of students learn together on a playground.

Scavenger hunt participants in South Korea on a mission to win.

Explore the landscapes of Belize with a nature scavenger hunt. Learn more about our outdoor programs.

2. Scavenger Hunt with a Twist

So, what’s the twist?

This version of the traditional summer camp scavenger hunt takes the nature scavenger hunt up to 11, and adds extra challenges, such as riddles or puzzles, to make it more exciting. It’s a great way to engage campers and encourage teamwork while keeping things interesting.

Use trivia questions to level the playing field between little ones and older kids at camp.

3. Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses test a camper’s agility, coordination, and perseverance. Teams of kids work together to complete various physical challenges.

This is a fun, physically demanding activity perfect for all age groups. The first team to cross the finish line cheers for the other team. The last person across the line gets a screaming chorus of love from all the other children on both teams.

>>> READ MORE: Summer Camps for Teens – Ultimate Guide

4. Crafting Friendship Bracelets

Crafting friendship bracelets is a creative summer camp activity for campers. Using colorful threads, kids can make bracelets for themselves and friends. If it’s good enough for Swifties, right?

This craft is simple enough for younger kids while still offering freedom for older campers to experiment with more intricate and elaborate designs.

Friends exchange friendship bracelets on a sunny day.

Celebrate your squad with colorful friendship bracelets.

5. Water Balloon Dodgeball

Water balloon dodgeball is a fun summer camp twist on the classic game of dodgeball. Campers are divided into teams and throw water balloons at each other, aiming to avoid getting soaked.

It works great on hot summer days.

>>> READ MORE: 100+ Summer Ideas for Teens: Fun, Creative and Engaging Activities

6. Water Balloon Fights

Speaking of things to do on hot days at summer camp, water balloon fights are a classic summer camp activity that gets everyone laughing and soaked.

Campers can play in teams or individually, aiming to hit their opponents with water-filled balloons. Make sure to tell them that we are all one summer camp family and to avoid throwing them at the other kids’ faces.

7. Campfire Storytelling

Campfire storytelling is a cherished part of summer camp. Campers gather around a fire to share spooky stories and creative possibly embellished personal anecdotes.

Students are annoying smores at a camp fire.

Campfire stories make great summer activities.

>>> READ MORE: 14 Fun Facts About Summer Camps

8. Making Bird Feeders

Making bird feeders combines creativity and nature. Campers can craft feeders using simple materials like peanut butter and bird seed, which they can then hang around camp.

9. Tie-Dying

Tie-dying is a summer camp activity where campers create colorful shirts using fabric dye. This allows campers to experiment with different patterns and colors.

Tie-dying is perfect for kids of all ages and results in a souvenir they can wear all summer. If you’re really lucky, they’ll make one for you too.

>>> READ MORE: Summer Camp Counselor Jobs

10. Life-Sized Board Games

Life-sized board games take classic games like chess or checkers and make them larger than life. Campers become the pieces and play on a giant board, adding an element of physical activity to the game.

This summer camp activity is ideal for team building, but you’ll need lots of people to play. As an alternate, you can have the campers design their own board and combine creativity with gameplay.

>>> READ MORE: How to Travel With Your Team

11. Field Trip Adventures

Field trips take campers outside of the usual summer camp environment to explore new places. Popular trips include visits to museums, zoos, grocery stores, and nature parks.

A field trip to the grocery store, you say?

Summer camps don’t need a ton of bus rides and logistics to be fun. Give your campers a shopping list and enjoy the air conditioning. It might even help with summer camp activity #16 below.

>>> READ MORE: Complete Guide to Convenience Store Food in Korea

12. Camp Newspaper Creation

Journalism may be dead, but a summer camp newspaper gets kids into creative writing. Campers can take on roles as reporters, editors, or photographers, documenting their experiences and the camp’s daily events.

The first person to sell ad space in the camp newspaper wins.

13. Life Skills Challenges

Public Health course in the Caribbean program where students have hands-on experiences.

Public Health course in the Caribbean program.

Life Skills Challenges encourage campers to build practical life skills that will serve them throughout their lives. The goal is to help campers grow into confident, independent individuals by tackling each of the 35 essential skills.

Each skill is introduced through fun, hands-on activities and real-life challenges, with teens reflecting on their progress and how these skills will impact their future. Through this challenge, campers gain a deeper understanding of the practical skills they’ll need as they transition into adulthood.

14. Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag is a competitive outdoor game where teams try to capture the other team’s flag while protecting their own. This game is perfect for kids who love outdoor adventures and working together.

15. Hula Hoop

Hula hoop is a fun way to incorporate physical activity into summer camp. Campers compete to see who hula can hoop the longest or who can do the most tricks.

Hula hoop tricks to teach at summer camp

  • Waist hooping
  • Hooping in lasso: A simple move that doesn’t require much coordination but adds fun to your flow.
  • Passing the hoop: This trick is fairly simple and allows for easy transitions between other moves.
  • Lift up from waist: A straightforward way to transition the hoop from your waist to another position.
  • Z-spin: A little more challenging because it introduces spinning, but it’s still manageable for beginners.
  • Horizontal isolation down: This involves smooth transitions and requires a bit more hand control and body coordination.
  • Hula hoop hand toss: Tossing and catching the hoop requires precision and timing, making it a bit trickier.

16. Cooking classes

Three students learn French cooking with fresh ingredients.

Rustic Pathways summer camp students learn French cooking techniques during their trip exploring Paris.

Campers learn basic cooking skills by preparing meals or snacks, teaching teamwork, responsibility, and creativity. From simple sandwiches to campfire treats, kids gain valuable skills for the future.

A fun twist: host a Day Camp Iron Chef where contestants make their favorite food for the judges. Campfire cooking lessons also allow kids to prepare meals over an outdoor flame, combining hands-on learning with the enjoyment of nature.

>>> READ MORE: The best Three Summer Programs for Foodies

17. Nature Walks

Nature walks offer campers a chance to explore the natural world while learning about local wildlife and plants. When you’re space is limited, take a walk in your backyard. Look down and explore. You might be surprised what you find.

Take nature walks through the landscapes of Costa Rica. Discover our camp programs.

18. Creative Arts Classes

Creative arts classes allow campers to explore their artistic talents through drawing, painting, and other forms of creative expression. These classes help develop creativity and fine motor skills.

Students paint while getting to know each other on a summer program.

Get to know your new buddies over arts and conversation.

>>>READ MORE: Types of Summer Camps for Teens

19. Camp Talent Showcase

The camp talent showcase is a core part of the summer camp experience. It’s a chance for campers to show off their talents.

The talent show is an opportunity for campers to showcase their skills. Whether it’s singing, dancing, art projects or telling jokes, kids can express their creativity in front of their peers. This activity helps build confidence and encourages campers to support their friends’ performances.

20. Night Games (Under the Stars)

Night games like flashlight tag and hide-and-seek are a great way to add excitement to the evening. Playing games under the stars gives kids a chance to bond with friends.

A group of people plays Bananagrams while sitting on the table.

The summer camp staff and students played Bananagrams and other games.

21. Free Play Time

Ok, so a list of summer camp activities includes free play. What gives?

Kids live so much of their lives with structure. How about a little unstructured time for a change?

Free play time gives kids the opportunity to unwind and engage in their own chosen activities. Whether they’re exploring the camp, playing with new friends, or just relaxing, free play is essential to the camp experience.

>>>READ MORE: Top-Rated Summer Camp Movies

22. Themed Camp Costume Days

Themed costume camp days, like Pirate Day or Superhero Day, are great ideas to add a twist to the camp schedule.

Campers can dress up, participate in themed games, and enjoy activities that match the day’s theme. Vote on the best costume and the group can award a prize to the winner.

Costumes don’t have to be expensive.

>>>READ MORE: Summer Camp Cost Guide

23. Camp Memory Wall Project

The Camp Memory Wall Project allows campers to contribute their artwork, photos, or written memories to create a lasting reminder of their time at camp.

This project helps kids reflect on their experiences and creates a sense of connection with their camp community.

A group of four teenagers reflects on their experiences. The sun sets in the background.

Reflect on what you learned and experienced at summer camp.

24. Building with Junkyard Goods

Building with junkyard goods is a summer camp activity that builds creativity as campers repurpose old materials to create something new.

Don’t limit yourself to the junkyard; visit a Goodwill store or use the opportunity to chat with people in the neighborhood and repurpose a bunch of their old stuff to build something new. Better yet, team up with a local organization or organize a neighborhood collection drive to bring the community together and make the project even more meaningful.

>>>READ MORE: Best Guide to Summer Volunteer Programs

25. Balloon Pop Relay Races

Balloon Pop Relay Races are a fun and energetic summer camp game where kids race to pop balloons by sitting on them.

This camp activity not only brings laughter and energy but also promotes cardiovascular physical activity and friendly competition.

26. Ninja Warrior Course

A Ninja Warrior Course challenges campers to test their strength, agility, ninjutsu and endurance through a set of physical obstacles.

This activity encourages kids to push their physical limits and support one another, making it a great team-building experience for summer camp.

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