Parenting & Family
Summer Camp at Home: 7 Ideas That Will Keep the Family Engaged and Entertained
With summer camp cancellations reshaping summer 2020, many people are looking for fun things to do at home with their families. We’re all just trying to make it these days, so planning a summer’s worth of activities might seem daunting. To help, I’ve collected seven fun family activity ideas to get you started.
Kubb Game
This game is highly addicting and deceptively simple. Two teams of four stand on opposite ends of the yard and toss wooden dowels at blocks trying to knock them down. When you knock down a block on the opposing team’s side, they have to throw it to your side. When it lands, you stand it up and it adds to the amount of blocks the opposing team has to overcome. It’s half tug-o-war and half ring toss or corn hole. Oh, I should also mention there’s a large piece in the middle with a red crown on it, which is the equivalent of an eight ball in billiards. If you knock it down, you lose. Kubb should be at the top of your list of things to do with family at home.
Londero Large Kubb Solid Beechwood Outdoor Game Set
KiwiCo Tinker Camp
KiwiCo is a leader in fun family things to do at home. If you haven’t heard of them, they make STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) kits that are built for kids of all ages. But the kits aren’t just for kids. We ordered one for our daughter and had just as much fun building it as she did. KiwiCo has special offerings they call Tinker Camp Packs, which have 5 days worth of kits and activities for the whole family to enjoy. You can also sign up for a free KiwiCo camp that gives you access to four free activities and lessons available June 22.
Tie-Dye Kit
Tie dye is a fun family activity my mom would break out when we had extended family in town. It’s pretty easy for first-timers if you’re new to the process. All you need is a kit, buckets and white or light-colored t-shirts for the whole family. You do need a little patience, but in the end everyone will have a custom shirt to remind them of their summer camp at home.
Washer Toss
Washer toss is another backyard game that makes for a fun family activity at home. In this game, you toss a colored washer towards a target and try to rack up the most points. It takes a lot of skill, so I’d suggest tallying a running score throughout summer to track your family’s progress.
Triumph Tournament Outdoor Washer Toss Game
Backyard Olympics
If you’re building a DIY summer camp at home, you have to have some sort of group physical challenge like a relay or…backyard Olympics! This kit has more than 40 games to help you make the most of summer 2020. It comes with a finish line, chalk, jump ropes, bean bags and even trophies.
Backyard Games Olympic Sports Day Kit
String Art Craft Kit
Sometimes you need to get inside and beat the summer heat. That’s where this string art craft kit comes in. It has a tropical theme and helps you build a cool flamingo or a pretty pineapple, all from scratch. You set pins on the templates and wrap string around each pin to create your masterpieces. It’s pure, simple fun.
Super Soaker
Some of my best summer memories involved Super Soaker fights with the whole neighborhood. They are tons of fun for kids and adults alike. And, they’re really affordable, especially if you’re buying several at once. You can even set up a socially distant Super Soaker fight with another rival family on your block. They’ll thank you for delivering a little nostalgia and a whole lot of fun.
These are just a few examples of fun things to do at home with family, but the ideas don’t stop there. Search on Rakuten for more backyard games or indoor activities you can tackle this summer and earn Cash Back at the same time for your purchases. If you’re not a member, now is the time to join. It’s quick, easy and free, plus you’ll get a Welcome Bonus just for joining.
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