Grandma Summer Camp Ideas

Like all fun camps my Grandma Summer Camp includes physical activities, games, crafts, field trips and adventure. Strategic planning will allow us to manage Grandma Camp on a budget without losing any of the fun factor. 

This summer I planned our first Grandma Summer Camp to create memories and save the children from the dreaded summer boredom! We moved closer to our grandchildren late last summer just before they started back to school.

HOW LONG IS GRANDMA CAMP

My Grandma Summer Camp will lasts for two months, June and July while the children are on summer break from school.

You could plan a Grandma Camp for only one or two weeks, whatever time frame suits your situation. The key is to make a plan. We won’t actually have but a couple days each week together as they have a busy summer planned. 

Grandma’s don’t only give the best hugs, we plan the most fun too! Our Grandma Camp this year includes:

• Crafting in my craft room
• summer reading trips to the library
• outdoor adventurous field trips at state parks
• bowling
• kids summer movies
• at least one picnic!

MAKE A PLAN

Be sure to clear your plans and activities with the children’s parents before telling the grandchildren about it.

Also See: 60 Things I Learned In 59 Years

Summer Reading

Summer Reading is a must for children with a couple months out of school. It helps to avoid brain drain. We are taking advantage of the free  Local Library Summer Reading Program! There are prizes involved!  Registration is required at your local library to qualify for the prizes.

Also See: Free Summer Reading Programs

Plan Field Trips

There are a variety of places to take the Grandchildren on field trips they will all enjoy. 

Summer Kids Movies. Check your local theaters for their Summer Kid Show Series when admission and snacks are super cheap. These field trips will be added to our late summer plans when indoors is better due to extreme heat here in the south. 

Museums

Do a search for Free Museums in your state and select one or two within driving distance of your home. Museums with free admission are typically those with historical memorabilia so it will be a learning experience.  If you live in Georgia, I have this list of Georgia Museums with Free Admission which is updated every year.

State Parks

State Parks have family friendly events year round. During the summer months they add even more events geared to children. There are lots of outdoor activities including skills classes to choose from. We will be visiting two state parks this summer.

National Parks

Check here for National Parks near you. National parks will also have events and activities scheduled throughout the summer for children of all ages. We are fortunate to have a National Park near enough that I was able to register the youngest grandchildren for a fun one day Children’s Workshop event. They are already excited and looking forward to the activities and crafts involved. 

Kid’s Bowl Free

One of the first things I did for Grandma Camp preparation was to get my grandchildren registered for the Kids Bowl Free program! You can play two games per day every day all summer! 

Crafts

Plan your craft projects toward the age of your grandchildren. Mine are old enough now to let them do most projects with minimal supervision. They love anything which involves paint and glue! 

One craft project which they have already started is making a Bubble Station using an empty detergent dispenser.  Even though I know they will want to take it home with them, I want to sit it on my front porch and blow bubbles myself every evening when we have our porch sitting time. Maybe they will let me do that for a couple of days before they take it home. People of all ages enjoy blowing bubbles into the wind.

Cursive Writing Practice

My grandchildren requested that I help them perfect their cursive writing skills this summer. Our school system introduces cursive writing in the second grade and then moves on. They are not required to write in cursive and it is not encouraged. That is a topic for another time. I was thrilled that they wanted to learn how to write a word and then a complete sentence in cursive!

After a quick internet search I was able to print a complete cursive learning guide. Then I made each of them a notebook to keep up with their work sheets. They will put their papers into their notebooks all summer so they can compare their improvements at the end of the summer. Hopefully we can progress enough to write letters to a relative who lives far away in cursive and have them write back just before school starts back. 

Food!

Of course there is food! Grandma’s have the best snacks, right! I have made plans to teach them to make a couple of simple recipes they will be able to remember and make for themselves later. Of course it is summer so there will be watermelon involved!

Our Grandma Camp this year involves crafting, cooking,  trips to the movies, visiting State and National parks, library trips, summer reading, of course play time, snuggling on the sofa watching movies at home and anything else which pops up on our radar!

Visit my blogging friends below for more summer family fun ideas!

How To Install A Ring And Hook Game @Intelligent Domestications

Fairy Garden Fun for Kids @Two Chicks And A Mom

Tropical Shrinky Dink Charms and Pins @My Pinterventures

DIY Painted Rocks That The Kids Will Love To Make @Our Crafty Mom

DIY Sharpie Mug Bird Feeder @Glitter On A Dime

How To Turn Admission Tickets Into A Bookmark@Craftify My Love

DIY Giant Backyard Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe Game @DIY Adulation

Book Themed Outdoor Play Ideas for Kids@The Moments At Home

5 Easy Ways to Have Fun with DIY Bubbles This Summer @Hunny I’m Home DIY

Grandma Camp @Intelligent Domestications

Easy Kids Obstacle Course Ideas @Cookies, Coffee And Crafts

How to Make a Fun Kids Swim Towel @Dazzle While Frazzled

Polymer Clay Charms @Domestic Deadline

Nerf Battle Paint Splatter T-Shirts @The Inspiration Vault

How to Make Easy Farmhouse Planter Herb Markers @Raggedy Bits