Free Time at WyldLife Camp: 25 Fun Things To Do with Middle Schoolers

At WyldLife camp, you want to make the most of every moment – including free time and all those times before and after meals, club and events. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Bring and play games like Throw Throw Burrito, Happy Salmon, or Exploding Kittens.
2. Ask fun questions like, “If you could have a super power, what would yours be?” or “If you could only eat at one fast food restaurant for the rest of your life, what would you choose?”
3. Challenge another cabin to a game of wiffle ball, matball or soccer.
4. Create a scavenger hunt for your cabin. Bring disposable cameras to let kids document the search. (Need ideas? Try GooseChase.)
5. Include your entire area in a “Goofiest Jump” or “Biggest Splash” Contest at the pool. Offer a slushee for the winner. 
6. Paint fingernails, braid hair or let kids give leaders crazy makeovers.
7. Use soccer balls and hula hoops to create and play a game of Footgolf.
8. Practice fake falls together. (Not your area of expertise? Teach kids how to juggle, do magic tricks, or do your favorite dance move.)
9. Play an all-area game of Newcomb – leaders versus kids.
10. Build a marble run in the sand or dirt and race marbles.
11. Teach kids how to play Around the World at a Ping Pong table or Horse on a pool table.
12. Set a camp record together (most times down the slide, most half-court shots made, etc.)
13. Play a game of Fishbowl – a good one for a rainy day when you’re staying inside.
14. Hide candy or something else your kids will love. Then give kids a list of treasure hunt clues to find it.
15. Bring decks of cards and plastic spoons to play some epic games of Extreme Spoons.
16. Challenge another cabin from your area to a game of Capture the Flag.
17. Encourage kids to try something new together – Frisbee golf, canoeing, or diving.
18. Bring grown-up coloring books and colored pencils. Get creative over good conversation.
19. Ask kids to teach your leaders a TikTok dance. Let kids give scores for which leader does it best.
20. Play tic-tac-toe or other games with sidewalk chalk.
21. Bring and play Mad Libs. (Keep it in your backpack and play while waiting in line.)
22. Spend the last afternoon trying to do every (non-ride) free time activity offered for at least 10 minutes. Decide what to include: volleyball, basketball, pool, snack shop, gaga ball, 9-square.
23. Play a game of Spud using rolled up socks as the ball.
24. Meet as many summer staff and work crew as possible. Challenge another cabin to see who can get the most autographs and fun facts from summer staff and work crew.
25. Ask “Would you rather” questions like “Would you rather have 30 butterflies appear out of nowhere every time you sneeze or an angry squirrel appear every time you cough?”
    

BONUS: Don’t let kids nap during free time. (You’ll thank us later.) When kids nap in the afternoon, they’re less likely to sleep at night.