Create a summer theme: Audrey Monke, camp director for 36 years and author of Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults, recommends picking a summer “theme” that represents your family’s core values that you would like to focus on this summer. The theme can be shaped around skills you want to develop, like “gratitude,” “service,” “kindness,” “innovation,” or “friendship,” to name a few.
Create activities around your theme: Audrey suggests developing activities that resonate with the theme. For instance, if your theme is gratitude, you can help your child start a gratitude journal, share what you’re grateful for at dinner, or create a family gratitude bulletin board.
Have a family campfire: Continuing in the camp-at-home theme, have a five- minute “family campfire” meeting nightly to share something positive. For example, “What did you do today that was kind?” Another example is playing “Rose, Thorn, and Rosebud,” where you share one good thing, one frustrating thing, and one thing you’re looking forward to.
Practice flexibility: Negotiate time on and off with work, partners, caregivers, family, and friends. Keeping a work/life balance is difficult, so flexibility is key in maintaining schedules (and sanity!).
Check out our list of summer camps for 2023 here!
If your family’s summer theme is activism or innovation, why not expose your children to leaders who helped change the world? Wonder Crate encourages kids to dream big by sending them books and activities based on the Who Was series of books. Themes are based on innovators, artists, sports heroes, Black heroes and activists, or you can choose a combo. Kids will get a book and an art activity, and parents will get an accompanying guidebook.
AGE: Wonder Crate Jr. is recommended for ages 5–7 and Wonder Crate is recommended for ages 8–12.
GOOD FOR: Kids seeking inspiration and families wishing to teach kids about history and activism.
COST: $35.95 per month
If your family’s summer’s theme is “explore,” Little Passports can show your child the world from home. Each month, you'll receive a box of crafts and puzzles that include “hands-on activities, stories, and souvenirs that spark curiosity and connection.”
AGE: Crates come in three age categories: 3–5, 6–8, and 9+
GOOD FOR: Kids who enjoy arts and crafts projects and learning about other cultures.
COST: Starts at $24.95 per month.
As parents, it’s a challenge to plan art projects and shop in advance for what might be needed. This summer, you can let the We Craft Box do the work for you. Filled with art supplies, stories, and materials based on a monthly theme, your kids will find much to do and at their own pace. Each box has enough supplies for two crafters.
AGE: 3–9 years old
GOOD FOR: Kids who enjoy coloring, cutting, and creative projects.
COST: $34.99 for month to month, or prepay for several months to lower the price.
DreamGYM offers a wide array of doorway-mounted swings, trapeze bars, rope ladders, and therapy nets to create an in-home door-frame gym. This is a great option for working in cooperation with your child’s occupational therapy sessions or for promoting in-home exercise and self-regulation. Choose from many combinations to create the right setup for your family.
AGE: Ages 3 and up
SPECS: Up to 220 pounds, fits door frames 26”–36″ wide.
GOOD FOR: Kids needing sensory stimulation, strength-building, self-regulation, occupational therapy, and help with proprioception.
COST: Ranges from $107.97 to $227.97
Designed by a preschool teacher with a background in child development, Messy Play Kits offer subscription boxes full of sensory activities. Each kit contains three to five different themed activities with “science projects, art activities, and sensory experiences.” There are many options available with ingredients to create themed sensory bins.
AGE: Ages 3–8
GOOD FOR: Kids who crave sensory stimulation, need fine motor skill enhancement, have tactile defensiveness, or just love getting messy.
COST: Monthly subscriptions for play kits and sensory bins are $44 per month or $45.95 for individual boxes.
Curated by a pediatric occupational therapist, Sensory TheraPlay Boxes contain a monthly collection of fun toys that occupational therapists use during their sessions. The items help with anxiety management and promote self-regulation. Each box contains five to seven sensory toys. Examples of items include “putty, aromatherapy dough, textured tactile toys/fidgets, craft activities that promote fine motor skills, light-up toys, unique stress balls, and more.”
AGE: Boxes are generally aimed at ages 5–9, but are good for all ages. There is also a box designed specifically for teens and adults.
GOOD FOR: Kids with sensory processing needs who can benefit from increased tactile input.
COST: $42 per month, or prepay multiple months to lower the price.
