29 Christmas In July Camp Activities | Fun Games, Crafts & Ideas for Kids
Christmas in July is one of the most exciting themes for summer camps because it combines festive holiday traditions with warm-weather adventures. Campers love decorating cabins, making creative crafts, playing holiday games, enjoying outdoor activities, and exchanging small gifts—all while soaking up the summer sunshine. Whether you’re organizing a day camp, church camp, scout camp, vacation Bible school, or backyard camp, a Christmas in July theme keeps kids engaged with memorable experiences.
This collection of 29 Christmas in July camp activities includes crafts, games, outdoor adventures, team-building challenges, and simple gift ideas that campers will love. Most activities use affordable supplies, making them ideal for camps of every size.
Why Plan a Christmas in July Camp Theme?
A Christmas in July camp theme brings excitement to the middle of summer while encouraging creativity, teamwork, and friendship. Campers enjoy the unexpected combination of Santa, ornaments, tropical decorations, and outdoor adventures. It also provides opportunities for group crafts, friendly competitions, and meaningful acts of kindness that help create lasting camp memories.
1. Christmas Cabin Decorating Contest
Turn Cabins Into Holiday Hideaways
Give each cabin simple decorations like garlands, paper snowflakes, string lights, tropical flowers, and handmade ornaments. Campers work together to create the most festive cabin.
Gift Idea: Mini trophy or personalized ornament for the winning team
2. Christmas Ornament Craft Station
Create Handmade Keepsakes
Campers decorate wooden ornaments, clear ornaments filled with glitter, or seashell ornaments to take home.
Gift Idea: Ornament storage box
3. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Search for Hidden Holiday Treasures
Hide ornaments, candy canes, Santa hats, and holiday-themed clues around the campgrounds.
Gift Idea: Small prize bags filled with stickers and candy
4. Water Balloon Snowball Fight
Summer Version of a Winter Favorite
Replace snowballs with water balloons for an exciting outdoor game.
Gift Idea: Colorful reusable water bottles
5. Camp Christmas Tree Decorating
A Creative Group Activity
Decorate an artificial tree or create one from branches using handmade ornaments.
Gift Idea: Personalized camp ornament
6. Christmas Cookie Decorating
Sweet Camp Tradition
Campers decorate sugar cookies with colorful icing and festive sprinkles.
Gift Idea: Cookie decorating apron
7. Sand Snowman Contest
Holiday Fun at the Beach
If your camp has access to sand, challenge teams to build creative sand snowmen.
Gift Idea: Beach toy set
8. Christmas Relay Race
Active Outdoor Competition
Include Santa hat races, gift box stacking, ornament balancing, and candy cane challenges.
Gift Idea: Christmas medals
9. Holiday Campfire Stories
Cozy Evening Activity
Gather around the campfire to read Christmas stories or tell holiday memories.
Gift Idea: Holiday storybook
10. DIY Christmas Wreath Craft
Handmade Camp Decoration
Use paper plates, ribbons, construction paper, and faux greenery to create colorful wreaths.
Gift Idea: Craft supply kit
11. Secret Santa Exchange
Encourage Kindness
Campers draw names and exchange inexpensive handmade or purchased gifts.
Gift Idea: Personalized friendship bracelet
12. Christmas Bingo
Easy Group Entertainment
Play bingo using Christmas-themed images instead of numbers.
Gift Idea: Holiday pencils or erasers
13. Candy Cane Spoon Relay
Fast-Paced Team Game
Balance candy canes or ornaments on spoons while racing teammates.
Gift Idea: Small candy gift bags
14. Christmas Karaoke
Musical Camp Fun
Sing favorite Christmas songs mixed with summer tunes.
Gift Idea: Holiday microphone toy
15. Pinecone Christmas Tree Craft
Nature Meets Creativity
Paint pinecones green and decorate them with tiny pom-poms and stars.
Gift Idea: Mini craft box
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16. Christmas in July Talent Show
Showcase Camper Skills
Invite campers to perform songs, dances, magic tricks, comedy, or holiday-themed acts.
Gift Idea: Participation ribbons
17. Decorate Camp T-Shirts
Personalized Camp Souvenirs
Use fabric markers or paint to design Christmas in July camp shirts.
Gift Idea: Custom camp tote bag
18. Holiday Photo Booth
Capture Camp Memories
Create a backdrop with Santa hats, palm trees, inflatable gifts, and tropical decorations.
Gift Idea: Printed group photo
19. Ornament Toss Game
Carnival-Style Fun
Throw rings onto decorated cones shaped like Christmas trees.
Gift Idea: Holiday stickers
20. Frozen Hot Chocolate Station
Refreshing Summer Treat
Serve blended chocolate drinks topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Gift Idea: Reusable insulated cup
21. Christmas Craft Challenge
Team Creativity Contest
Provide random craft supplies and let each group build the most creative holiday decoration.
Gift Idea: Craft ribbons
22. Reindeer Obstacle Course
Outdoor Adventure
Campers crawl, jump, climb, and balance through a festive obstacle course.
Gift Idea: Mini plush reindeer
23. Christmas Trivia Competition
Test Holiday Knowledge
Ask questions about Christmas movies, songs, traditions, and famous characters.
Gift Idea: Small notebooks
24. Holiday Nature Walk
Discover Camp Beauty
Collect pinecones, leaves, sticks, flowers, and stones to use in later crafts.
Gift Idea: Nature journal
25. DIY Christmas Gift Bags
Make Something Special
Campers decorate paper gift bags with stamps, markers, ribbons, and stickers.
Gift Idea: Fill with treats before heading home
26. Christmas Charades
Fun Group Game
Act out Christmas movies, songs, decorations, or holiday traditions while teammates guess.
Gift Idea: Christmas-themed keychains
27. Camp Christmas Picnic
Outdoor Holiday Meal
Enjoy sandwiches, fruit, cookies, lemonade, and festive decorations under shady trees.
Gift Idea: Personalized picnic cup
28. Christmas Lantern Walk
Magical Evening Adventure
Give campers LED lanterns and enjoy a guided evening walk while singing Christmas songs and looking at decorated camp areas.
Gift Idea: Mini flashlight or lantern
29. Christmas in July Camper Gift Bags
End Camp with a Memorable Surprise
Prepare gift bags filled with personalized ornaments, friendship bracelets, stickers, snacks, reusable water bottles, mini notebooks, candy, sunglasses, and a handwritten thank-you note from camp leaders. These thoughtful keepsakes help campers remember their Christmas in July adventure long after camp ends.
Gift Idea: Personalized Christmas in July keepsake bag
Tips for Organizing Christmas in July Camp Activities
Plan a variety of activities that balance crafts, games, outdoor adventures, and quiet moments. Younger campers often enjoy simple projects like ornament making and cookie decorating, while older campers appreciate team competitions, scavenger hunts, and talent shows. Rotate activities throughout the day to keep everyone engaged and energized.
Decorate common areas with colorful banners, tropical flowers, string lights, Santa hats, and handmade decorations created by campers. A festive atmosphere makes every activity feel even more exciting.
Budget-Friendly Camp Supplies
Many Christmas in July camp activities require inexpensive materials that can be purchased in bulk. Stock up on construction paper, markers, glue sticks, popsicle sticks, ribbons, pom-poms, acrylic paint, paper plates, balloons, craft foam, pinecones, stickers, and reusable water bottles. Recycled materials such as cardboard boxes, paper tubes, and mason jars also work well for many craft projects.
Shopping after the winter holidays is another great way to save money on ornaments, decorations, wrapping paper, and other seasonal supplies for next summer’s camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Christmas in July camp activities?
These are holiday-themed games, crafts, outdoor adventures, and team-building activities designed for summer camps, day camps, church camps, scout groups, and family gatherings during July.
What age groups enjoy Christmas in July camp?
Christmas in July activities can be adapted for preschoolers, elementary-age children, teenagers, and even adults. Simply adjust the difficulty level of crafts and games to match the participants’ ages.
What supplies are needed for Christmas in July camp?
Basic supplies include construction paper, glue, markers, ribbons, paint, ornaments, balloons, craft sticks, string lights, pinecones, cookies, icing, reusable water bottles, and simple prizes.
What are good camp gifts for Christmas in July?
Popular camp gifts include personalized ornaments, reusable water bottles, friendship bracelets, notebooks, sunglasses, craft kits, tote bags, keychains, stickers, and handmade keepsakes.
How do you make Christmas in July camp memorable?
Combine creative crafts, active games, outdoor adventures, festive meals, themed decorations, music, group photos, and personalized camper gifts. Ending camp with a keepsake bag and celebrating everyone’s participation creates lasting memories that campers will treasure.
