Here at Hess UnAcademy, we understand that homeschooling can be expensive. That’s why we’ve come up with these summer camp at home ideas – so you can save money by teaching your kids at home without missing out on all the fun!
For years, families have been enjoying their own at homeschool summer camps but ever since the excitement of 2020, the number of families who have looked into summer camp at home DIY ideas has just skyrocketed.
Add on the crazy inflation we’re experiencing, and parents are looking for every opportunity possible to save more money.
There are many benefits to considering holding your own at home summer camp.
Whatever your motives are, I’m here to help get your started on the right track.
This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.
Easy Navigation
How Can Hess UnAcademy Help With Your At-Home Summer Camp Plans?
Today I’m going to share with you a complete list of STEM-themed homeschool summer camp ideas to use in your summer schedule. There are enough ideas to get you through two weeks worth of a STEM-themed camp.
In addition to the STEM theme (which my kids are into), I’ll also be sharing a ton of other themed ideas that should get your brain rolling.
And of course, at the bottom of this post, I’ve got a free homeschool summer camp printable that includes 9 weeks worth of themed summer camp activities. You’ll get fun activity ideas for every day of the week, and a new theme every week for 9 weeks. Absolutely free!
Want to get it now? Click here for your free printable!
So prepare yourselves because this post is your one-stop shop for the greatest summer ever!
Why Consider At-Home Summer Camp?
Summer camp is considered to be an integral part of growing up.
Whether you are homeschooling or public schooling, summer camp can be a treasured summertime memory for kids of all ages. And chances are, there’s a summer camp theme for your kids, no matter their interests.
There are camps for young scientists, camps for sports enthusiasts, camps for young astronauts, and even camps for young musicians. I myself have some very fond memories of my summers at band camp.
So with all the great summer camp options out there, why would you consider a summer camp at home? Get ready for the best summer ever!
Cost
Well, for one thing, there is cost. The summer camp experience tends to be a costly one, especially when you have more than one child. With an at-home summer camp, cost is completely up to you! It can even be free if you have all the materials on hand.
Flexibility
Additionally, there is a certain flexibility that comes with having your own summer camp. You can pick your own schedule and even the time you start when you are only dealing with you and your own family.
Customization
Finally, holding a DIY camp means all of the activities will be catered to you and your own family, which means the learning activities will be right on par with what your kids’ levels and what they are interested in.
This summer, families all over are discovering the benefits of a DIY summer camp, and today, I’m here to help you discover these joys and benefits too.
Things To Consider When Holding Your Own DIY Summer Camp at Home
Holding your own summer camp is not as hard as it sounds, but there are definitely a few things you’ll want to decide on before you get started.
- How many kids will be involved? Will you open this up to neighbors or just your own family?
- What are the ages of the kids involved? Are they all roughly around the same age or do you have a large age range?
- What theme are your kids interested in? Will you do one specific theme with varying learning activities that go along that theme? Or will you do a general summer camp theme with different themes every day?
- Will your summer camp be educational in nature, or will it just be something to keep your kids occupied for a few hours?
- How many days can you commit to keeping this up? 1 week? 2 weeks? Something else?
- How many hours per day do you want to devote? Or will you not worry about specific hours and just go with an overall goal of the day?
- Will you include themed snacks/lunches or will campers need to eat before or after the day’s activities begin?
The good news is holding your own summer camp leaves you so much room for flexibility that you don’t really need to decide on all of these before you get started, and you are even welcome to change up some of them as the days go by.
The most important part of holding a DIY summer camp is that you decide on an overall goal (learn something new, have fun every day, keep kids occupied, etc) and focus on that. Everything else will fall into place.
Now I’m going to share with you what our family did for our STEM-themed summer camp. Don’t want a STEM-themed camp? That’s okay! There are more DIY summer camp theme ideas at the bottom of this post.
10 Days Worth of STEM Summer Camp Activities
Here are 10 days worth of STEM home Summer Camp for you to try.
- Learn about chemistry and physics with a DIY Soda Mentos Rocket
- Enjoy some Rock Candy Science (tip – start this activity at the beginning of your first week as it takes time to grow)
- Explore physical reactions and freezing points with some Tin Can Ice Cream
- Learn about physics with some Toothpick Bridges
- Dive into the scientific method with some homemade slime
- Learn about light refraction with a Homemade Spectroscope
- Explore some chemical reactions with some Exploding Sidewalk Chalk
- Learn about gardening and the great outdoors with some DIY Seed Bombs
- Practice math and patterns and Teach Kids To Crochet
- Experiment with simple machines using this Chomping Cardboard Dragon STEM Craft
More At-Home Summer Camp Theme Ideas
More simple and fun at home summer camp theme ideas include:
- Take some fun classes on a virtual class on an online platform such as Outschool.
- Cooking/Baking Camp – Teach kids to cook and practice making fun and delicious treats every day. the Kiwico Yummy Crate is a great resource for this type of camp, or use another cooking box for kids.
- Water Camp – Enjoy a fun water activity every day! Swimming, sprinklers, water guns, water balloon games, etc. Get creative!
- Math Camp – Find fun activities that include math practice. Play some math board games or grab some printable math worksheets.
- Science Camp – Kind of like STEM camp, but less engineering and math and more of a focus on science experiments. This would be fun for kids of all ages! Home Science Tools has some great kits you can use.
- Nature Camp – Get outside every day and learn about/enjoy nature! Ideas include going hiking, enjoying a backyard scavenger hunt, or going for a walk.
- The Great Outdoors – Kind of like nature camp, but this goes a step farther. Learn about plants and animals that are native to your area. Consider going camping (including backyard camping)!
- Space Camp – Enjoy a space-themed activity, craft, or treat every day. Consider a trip to the astronomy center or go stargazing. Or enjoy these solar system activities for kids.
- Sports Camp – Every day, play a new sport as a group. Which sport do your kids like best? Make sure you try some obscure sports you’re less familiar with!
- Dance Camp – Learn the culture behind a new dance every day, and make sure you learn some new steps too. Examples include Cha Cha, Ballet, Tango, Waltz, Hip Hop, etc.
- Reading Camp – Make a goal to read a certain number of pages or minutes per day and then work every day to meet your goal! Come up with your own summer reading program and issue prizes when goals are met.
Alternate idea: read books that have accompanying movies and enjoy a new one together every day. - Art Camp – Enjoy a new art project every day! Follow a specific theme or do any art project you want. I’ve got a list of STEAM Art Projects here if you need some ideas. Camp crafts are tons of fun and provide kids with souvenirs.
- Lego Camp – Build a new Lego project every day!
- Board Game Camp – Learn a new board game every day for a week or two. This idea can be pricey but can also create some lasting memories. Check out this list of educational board games for kids if you need ideas for new board games.
Remember, when it comes to at-home summer day camp theme ideas, the sky is quite literally the limit! Google and Pinterest are your friends in this. Pick a theme and compile a list that works for you and your family’s circumstances.
But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with our free printable!
Free Printable At Home Summer Camp Theme Ideas
Are you looking for more at home summer camp ideas? Grab this free summer camp themed printable.
It includes 9 weeks worth of themes as well as a 5 fun activities to go with every theme. If you’re looking for an entire summer’s worth of themed fun but don’t want to have to come up with the ideas on your own, you are going to love this printable.
Enjoy, and happy learning! I hope you have a lot of summer fun.
Related Posts:
Virtual Summer Camp Resources
The Ultimate List of STEM Activities for Kids
Summertime STEM Activities
- Free Printable Valentine Multiplication Worksheets - June 4, 2025
- Free Printable Martin Luther King, Jr. Word Scramble - June 4, 2025
- Digital Math Curriculum | Pros, Cons, and Options - June 4, 2025