Transform Family Night With These Camp-Wide Event Inspired Themes
At WinShape Camps, we believe in crafting moments that campers will remember for a lifetime—moments filled with over-the-top fun, epic adventures, friendships, and most importantly, life-changing experiences. One of the highlights of every summer? Camp-Wide Events! These are the larger-than-life activities that campers (and staff) can’t stop talking about—where imaginations run wild, and campers step into new worlds for a few magical hours.
But here’s the best part: You don’t have to wait until next summer to bring the magic of camp events home! With a bit of creativity, you can transform your living room, backyard, or even the kitchen into your own Family Night Event!
So, what would it look like if your living room became a place of exploration and discovery? Or if your backyard became a battlefield of paint, color, and laughter? With just a few adjustments, you can turn an ordinary family night into a night of extraordinary adventure!
Below, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite Camp-Wide Events from this summer, along with some simple tips to help you bring these moments to life in your home. But first, let’s talk about two key elements that make every event special at camp—and will help you recreate the same magic for your family night.
Essential Elements of an Extraordinary Event
Be Silly 🤪
At camp, we love a good costume! Every event has a theme, and that theme is brought to life by our staff stepping into fun and wacky characters. There’s no need to buy a full costume or speak in a fancy accent (though we won’t stop you!). Real magic happens when you fully commit to the world that you’re creating. The more YOU get into it, the more fun your kids will have.
At camp, campers have the most fun when they see their counselors letting loose—so don’t be afraid to be a little goofy yourself!
Transform the Space ✨
When setting up for an event, we are always thinking, “How do we make this familiar space look like a new world?” And you can do the same at home!
The chances of you transforming your living room beyond your kid’s recognition may be challenging, but small changes still make a big difference. For this one evening, what can you do to create an environment that whispers, ‘Something amazing is about to happen‘?
Transformation Tips:
- Rearrange the furniture
- Decorate! (Use streamers, tablecloths, or props – whatever you have on hand!)
- Create a themed playlist to set the mood
- Put a standing graphic or video loop on the TV
3 Family Night Ideas from the Camp-Wide Events Archives
Now that you’ve got the basics, it’s time to bring the adventure home! Below are three Camp-Wide Events from this past summer at WinShape Camps, along with tips for making them work in your own space. Whether you tackle one or all three, we hope these ideas spark some memorable moments for your family!
Slip N' Splatter
Fair warning—this event is messy, but sometimes a mess will bring out the best laughs. Leave your finest duds behind and get ready to make a colorful mess! On this night, camp is your canvas, and you are the artist. Every part of this night is an opportunity to create! Station 1 | Water Balloons: Fill water balloons with either water or paint. And go crazy!Station 2 | Paint Slip n' Slide: Place a tarp down in your yard (try to angle on a hill), choose a paint color, and load it up!Station 3 | Art Canvas: Prop up a large empty canvas and come up with a unique way of painting it. (i.e. paintball slingshot, darts at paint balloons, splatter paint, squirt bottle painting, etc.)Station 4 | Messy Twister: Set up a twister board and on each color spot, add a spot of the corresponding paint color.Station 5 | Photo Booth: Paint a sheet with the name of your event and hang it between two trees.Station 6 | Face Painting: All you need here are some paint and perhaps a folding table and chairs!Station 7 | Snack Station: Could include Gushers, colorful Rice Krispies, Fruit Loops, Rainbow Goldfish. Just get creative!
Museum Madness
For this event, kids get to step into a 'Night at the Museum' where exhibits come to life! Imagine you're a T-Rex looking for bones, an astronaut trying to launch a rocket, or a cowboy ready to climb up on a bull.Station 1 | T-Rex Dig: Hide “fossils” (or anything resembling bones) around the house— between the couch cushions, on bookshelves or even in the yard! Supply a timer and a "fossil map" (a simple checklist works), and let them hunt for the missing pieces.Station 2 | Rocket Launch (Astronaut's Challenge: Gather paper, markers, and tape. Work together or individually to create a rocket (or paper airplane) that flies the furthest!Station 3 | Cowboy Lasso: Turn your backyard into a rodeo! Grab a rope and set up objects in your back yard (chairs will do the trick)! For an added challenge, create a scoring system where further targets earn more points!Station 4 | Time Capsule: Wind down by having the kids create their own time capsule - a fun way to capture memories from their family night at the museum. Gather supplies like jars, and stickers. Let the kids decorate their time capsules and write notes or drawings that represent their favorite moments from the night.
Bloom
This event is for the girlss! So, get your flowery PJ’s on, and get ready for a night full of laughs, snacks, and the sweetest memories. Station 1 | The Spa: Set the ambiance with soothing tunes, and give your kids a chance to get a facial, a fancy hairdo, or have their nails done!Station 2 | Flower Pillows: Make your own designs on pillowcases with fabric markers, and stencils! Station 3 | Friendship Bracelets: Nothing shouts 'Besties!' quite like friendship bracelets. All it takes is beads, string, and some scissors!Station 4 | Charcuterie: Lay out some meats and cheeses and a flowery power drink (a mix of sprite and pink lemonade)
We hope these ideas feel achievable for your family! Whether you choose one event or all three, remember that the magic of camp doesn’t have to stop at the end of summer. You can bring the same joy, creativity, and transformation your children experienced at camp into your home. Ask your kids what they loved most about these events and let them help you plan the family night of their dreams!
Above all, have fun, get a little silly, and make memories together as a family.
