Mamas Facing Forward Stay Home Summer Camp was a project I developed during the isolated summer of 2020. For each theme I provide a menu of options to choose from, including: virtual learning resources, easy craft & snack ideas, simple activities, books, and movies/TV.
Trust me, whether you do it for a full week or just for a day, there’s something magical about doing a bunch of activities that all share the same theme. In fact, even though my kids will be traveling and attending regular summer camp this year, they’ve also requested some Stay Home Camp – so stay tuned for a couple of new themes!! I’ve also added “field trip ideas” to themes from past years as well.
I hope these ideas will provide your family with a little fun – while at the same time making summer a bit easier for you!!
Love, Mariah
PETS & VETS CAMP!
Below you’ll find a menu of ideas for learning, crafts, activities, books, and things to watch that focus on pets and veterinarians. I’ve tried to keep these ideas pretty simple and make use of items you may already have – while also making it fun for the kids! I’ve also included a free printable you can hang up at home while you work on this theme.
NEW! Field Trip Ideas:
- To local playgrounds with with pet features
- COLORADO: Lakecrest Park
- To the local pet store
- To the local Humane Society (see if you can volunteer)
- To the library to get more books about pets
- To the dog park with your own dog if you have one!
Things To Learn:
- How to draw (Source: Art for Kids Hub)
- Explore together online
- National Geographic Kids
Things To Make:
- Cardboard Tube Dog Marionette
- Recommended supplies: paper tubes, paint, twigs, googly eyes, glue, string, chestnuts (or similar) scissors
- Instructions: Red Ted Art
- Cat Bookmark Craft
- Recommended supplies: cardstock, scissors, glue, black pen, googly eyes
- Instructions: Tea Time Monkeys
- Cat Craft with Paper Strips
- Recommended supplies: construction paper, scissors, glue
- Instructions: Easy Peasy and Fun
- Dog Paper Roll Pencil Holder
- Recommended supplies: free printable, cardstock, paper rolls, paint, glue
- Instructions: Easy Peasy and Fun
- Egg carton goldfish
- Recommended supplies: cardboard egg carton, orange or yellow paint, tissue paper, small pom poms (or googly eyes), pink pipe cleaner, glue
- Instructions: The Craft Train
- Yarn Wrapped Bird
- Recommended supplies: scrap cardboard, yarn, colored paper, glue, scissors, sticks
- Instructions: Arty Crafty Kids
Things To Do:
- Balloon Puppy
- Recommended supplies: balloons, crepe paper, scissors, ribbon, sharpie, tape
- Instructions: The Craft Train
- Cat Face Pizza
- Recommended supplies: pizza sauce, pizza dough, shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, black olives, chives
- Instructions: Hormel
- Paw Print Snack
- Recommended supplies: crackers, pepperoni, string cheese slices
- Instructions: Nifty Mom
- Pet Obsessed Kids Yoga
- Recommended supplies: screen with internet connection
- Instructions: Cosmic Kids
- Pretend Play Vet’s Office
- Recommended supplies: free printable, kids doctor toys, flashlight, stuffed animals
- Instructions: Mess for Less
- Wash The Dog Sensory Activity
- Recommended supplies: two plastic containers, mud, bubble bath, dog and cat figures
- Instructions: Pre-K Pages
Time For A Break!
- Books to read
- A Pet For Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
- Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett
- Danny and the Dinosaur and the New Puppy by Syd Hoff
- Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey
- Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day
- Hairy Maclary’s Rumpus at the Vet by Lynley Dodd
- Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
- I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufman Orloff
- John Willy and Freddy McGee by Holly Meade
- Lola Gets a Cat by Anna McQuinn
- Pet Show! By Ezra Jack Keats
- Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
- The Blue Ribbon Puppies by Crockett Johnson
- The Dog Who Cried Wolf by Keiko Kasza
- The Perfect Pet by Margie Palantini
- The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems
- Documentaries to watch
- Movies to watch
- TV shows to watch
- Reading Rainbow
- Season 1: Episodes 1; 14
- Season 9: Episode 2
- Season 16: Episode 2
- Season 18: Episode 2
- Sid The Science Kid
- Season 1: Episodes 26; 36
- The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That
- Season 1: Episode 34a
- Season 2: Episode 8a
- The Magic School Bus
- Season 1: Episode 5
- Season 4: Episode 2
- The Magic School Bus Rides Again
- Season 1: Episode 6
- Season 2: Episode 5
- Reading Rainbow