Summer Camp Crafts: Project Ideas and Teaching Tips

For more than 20 years my husband and I lived at a year-round camp and retreat center. One of my responsibilities was organizing craft programs for our campers. Below are camp craft ideas and planning tips I used over the years.

Summer camp season is on the way, and many of you—or your kids—may be taking part in some form of camp this year. If you’re helping run the camp craft program, this guide explains how I choose craft projects and supplies, and offers simple, kid-friendly craft ideas you can use at day camps and sleepaway camps.

                     {Plaster Mould Camp Crafts}

Tips and Tricks for Planning Easy Summer Camp Crafts Campers Will Love

Here’s my step-by-step approach to planning camp crafts that are fun, affordable, and appropriate for different age groups.

1. Research — I collect ideas year-round and evaluate them with these questions in mind:

~ What age group is this best for?

~ Can it be completed in about an hour, or broken into a few one-hour sessions?

~ What is the supply cost per camper?

~ Would this be fun for campers and leaders to make?

{Washer Necklaces}

I use the internet and craft blogs as inspiration and pin promising ideas to a board for later review. When it’s time to choose projects, I return to that collection and discard anything that doesn’t meet the criteria above.

2. Buy supplies efficiently — Shopping for craft supplies can be done several ways. Ideally, compare prices and watch for sales, but sometimes you need to buy quickly. I usually start at dollar stores for basic items, then visit big-box stores like Walmart or Target, and finish at a craft store like Michaels for specialty materials. You’ll often find the best prices at general retailers, while dedicated craft stores stock items you won’t find elsewhere.

        {Watercolor art}

3. Be selective — Choose crafts that are manageable and minimize stress. A project that looks cute on Pinterest—like custom tie-dye pillow covers—may turn into a logistical headache when you factor in time, cost, and mess. If a craft will cause more stress than joy, set it aside for another time.

{Beach Rock Mosaic Mirror}

4. Train other leaders — I enjoy teaching crafts, but running multiple classes a day for several days requires help. We recruit enthusiastic young adults each summer and run a short orientation once supplies arrive. Teaching gives them responsibility and helps them learn classroom management and cleanup—skills that are essential when supervising messy activities.

Over two decades of running the craft shop, I’ve seen how crafting brings out campers’ individuality. With the same materials and instructions, every finished project is unique. Crafts boost creativity and confidence as campers discover they can complete something beautiful with their own hands.

Easy Summer and Day Camp Craft Ideas

Below are popular, tried-and-true camp craft ideas that work well for mixed-age groups and are easy to scale for groups of different sizes:

• Painting plaster molds — Simple to prepare and great for decorators of all ages. (See plaster moulds project.)
• Beach rock mosaic mirrors — Use collected stones or store-bought beach rocks to create textured frames.
• Easy watercolor paintings — A forgiving medium for beginners that yields beautiful results quickly.
• Painter’s tape and sticker resist watercolor art — Uses tape and alphabet stickers to create negative-space designs.
• Washer necklaces and metal stamping — Affordable jewelry projects that personalize keepsakes.
• DIY Sharpie mugs — A lasting, practical craft where campers decorate mugs with permanent markers.

Share Your Favorite Camp Craft

I’d love to hear what works for you. If you teach camp crafts, please share your favorite projects and any tips in the comments. Many of my best ideas came from other craft leaders, and learning from each other keeps programs fresh and fun.

Interestingly, many camps report that craft activities are among the most popular options with campers, often chosen over other activities on the schedule. Crafts are an excellent way to encourage creativity, teach new skills, and give campers a tangible memory to take home.