Nature Camp at Home: Weekly Themes for an Outdoor Summer You Design
Want to give your kids the joy of summer camp without leaving your neighborhood? Nature Camp at Home is your answer. With themed weeks, outdoor challenges, and simple supplies, you can turn your backyard, neighborhood park, or local trail into a screen-free, adventure-filled experience your kids will talk about all year.
Here’s how to create a summer full of fun, freedom, and nature-based learning—without a rigid schedule or Pinterest-level prep.
Why Nature Camp at Home Works
- Flexible: Do it on your schedule—a little each day or a big adventure once a week.
- Affordable: No sign-up fees, uniforms, or lunch kits required.
- Unstructured with Purpose: Kids learn through doing, exploring, and asking questions.
How to Set It Up
- Pick a theme per week (see below).
- Choose 3-5 simple activities for each.
- Let your child lead. Let go of perfection. Add snacks and sunscreen. Done.
🌍 Gear Tip: Keep a set of ONE Shirts ready to go. They’re quick-dry, sun-safe, and perfect for repeat outdoor play.
6 Weekly Theme Ideas for DIY Nature Camp
1. Bug Explorers Week
- Build a bug hotel
- Go on a backyard bug hunt
- Make a chart of bugs by color or number of legs
- Read The Big Book of Bugs or anything by Eric Carle
2. Water Wonders Week
- Build a DIY river with foil + hose
- Make sponge bombs and play catch
- Try the ice cube melting race experiment
- Visit a splash pad or creek
3. Forest Builders Week
- Create a fairy house or stick fort
- Hammer nails into stumps
- Paint rocks to leave on trails
- Learn about animal homes (nests, burrows, dens)
4. Sky & Weather Week
- Make a DIY sundial
- Create cloud journal drawings
- Watch a sunset picnic-style
- Measure rain with a jar and ruler
5. Wild Artists Week
- Use leaves to make sun prints or paint stamps
- Build nature mobiles with sticks and string
- Collect and press wildflowers
- Make nature-inspired patterns or mandalas on the ground
6. Campfire & Storytelling Week
- Make s’mores (even on a stove!)
- Create a family nature storybook
- Share animal folktales around a backyard lantern "campfire"
- Let kids lead a nature-themed puppet show
Find more camp-style outdoor activities from National Wildlife Federation.
Bonus: Involve the Kids in Planning
Let kids pick the themes, come up with challenge ideas, or decorate their own "camp" sign. It builds buy-in and makes them proud.
- Create a camp badge for each week (stickers, printables, or simple coloring).
- Keep a map of your summer adventures to look back on.
Final Thoughts: You Are the Camp Counselor Now
Nature Camp at Home isn’t about doing more—it’s about making outdoor time intentional, joyful, and memorable. With a few ideas, a lot of flexibility, and the right gear, you can make this summer your family’s most adventurous one yet.
For more outdoor activity guides, visit the Play Outside blog.
