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Ignite Creativity
At the beginning of my art teaching career, I worked at a local art gallery running art workshops for kids.
Each summer, I led students through various art camp experiences, from musical instruments and theatre clothing, to drawing, painting and printmaking classes.
Later, I ran summer art camps from my own studio and I can honestly say that those were some of the best art workshops I ever led.
Some of the themes included insects, self portraits and magical mosaics.
If you’ve ever dreamed of creating a summer experience that sparks imagination, builds confidence, and fills children’s days with joyful creativity, then organizing an art camp might be the perfect adventure.
Whether you’re an artist, a teacher, a parent, or someone who simply loves working with kids, this guide will walk you through every step of planning and running a successful summer art camp for children ages 5 to 12.
From choosing a format that fits your schedule, to organizing engaging projects, building a safe and welcoming environment, and ending the week with a wrap-up art show, this guide is designed to help you create a fun, memorable, and inspiring summer art camp experience for young artists.
Guide to Running a Summer Art Camp for Kids (Ages 5–12)
1. Define the Purpose of Your Camp
Before you dive into logistics and lesson plans, it’s important to think about why you want to run a summer art camp.
Are you hoping to introduce children to a variety of art materials and techniques?
Do you want to offer a relaxed creative space for kids to explore self-expression?
Is your camp meant to align with a certain theme, such as nature, famous artists, or storytelling through art?
Establishing a clear purpose will help you shape the tone of your camp and decide which activities are most appropriate for your audience.
2. Choose Your Camp Format
There are many ways to structure a summer art camp.
Some camps run for a full week, Monday through Friday, with half-day or full-day options. Others might meet once a week over the course of a month.
Think about what makes the most sense for your schedule, your space, and your campers.
Younger children may do better with shorter sessions and lots of breaks, while older children can handle longer stretches of focused creative time.
Also consider whether you’ll organize mixed-age groups or separate ages.
(Sample schedules can be found at the bottom of this guide).
3. Find the Right Space
Your art camp will need a space that’s safe, flexible, and creative.
Indoors, you’ll need tables, chairs, good lighting, and access to sinks for clean-up.
Outdoors, a shaded area or pop-up tents can work well for messy or large-scale projects.
If you’re hosting at home, a garage, covered porch, or backyard might be ideal.
Community centers, church halls, and schools also make great venues. Just be sure there’s enough room for children to spread out and move safely between activities.
4. Plan a Flexible Daily Schedule
Creating a consistent daily rhythm helps kids know what to expect and gives structure to your camp. A typical half-day camp (about 3 hours) might look like this:
>Arrival & Free Draw (15–20 minutes): A relaxed start where kids settle in and draw or color with basic supplies.
>Morning Circle or Welcome Time (10 minutes): Introduce the day’s theme or project, share a story, or play a short group game.
>Main Art Project (45–60 minutes): Dive into the featured art lesson for the day, offering guidance and allowing room for exploration.
>Snack & Break (15–20 minutes): A time for refueling and play. Consider offering a simple group game or time outdoors.
>Creative Stations or Free Choice (30 minutes): Set up small art centers with options like collage, modeling clay, or watercolor.
>Clean-Up & Reflection (15 minutes): Involve the kids in organizing materials and reflect on what they made.
This schedule can be adjusted to fit longer or shorter days, or different age groups. Full-day camps will also include lunch, extended breaks, and perhaps a second structured activity or outdoor time.
5. Choose Projects That Are Fun and Age-Appropriate
Select art projects that are engaging, open-ended, and adaptable for a wide age range. A good rule of thumb is to choose activities that focus more on the process than the product. That way, kids can enjoy experimenting and developing their own ideas.
Make sure you have options for kids who work quickly and those who take their time. Having a few “early finisher” activities ready can help the day flow smoothly.
6. Organize Materials in Advance
Planning ahead with materials can make or break the smooth running of your camp. For each project, make a list of what you’ll need and check quantities based on your number of campers.
Common materials include:
- Paint (tempera or watercolor)
- Drawing tools (pencils, crayons, oil pastels, markers)
- Paper (white and colored, various sizes)
- Scissors and glue
- Recycled materials (cardboard tubes, egg cartons, etc.)
- Brushes, sponges, and mixing palettes
- Aprons or smocks
- Baby wipes, paper towels, and drop cloths for clean-up
Label bins or trays with project names and prep materials ahead of time so setup is quick each morning.
7. Build In Outdoor and Group Activities
Art camp doesn’t have to stay indoors! Take advantage of summer weather with outdoor art stations and group projects. Some fun outdoor options include:
- Sidewalk chalk murals
- Squirt gun painting
- Bubble prints
- Nature scavenger hunts with sketchbooks
- Collaborative murals on large sheets or cardboard
- Group art games like drawing relays, mural circles, or “pass the painting” also build teamwork and laughter.
8. End the Week with an Art Show
Celebrate the week by hosting a simple art show for families.
Choose a day and time (usually the last afternoon of camp works well) and invite parents to view their children’s work.
You can display pieces on tables, walls, or string a “clothesline gallery” with clips. Let the kids take part in setting up and choosing what to display.
You might also include:
- A short speech or welcome from the teacher
- Refreshments like lemonade or cookies
- A certificate for each camper
- A group photo area
- This event helps kids feel proud of their accomplishments and gives parents a glimpse into the creative experience.
9. Collect Feedback and Reflect
After the camp ends, take time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved.
Ask for feedback from parents and assistants.
Did the schedule feel right? Were materials sufficient? Which projects were most popular? Keep a notebook or folder with notes to help improve future camps.
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Send thank-you emails and photos to parents.
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Offer a fall art class or after-school option.
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Ask for testimonials or reviews.
Sample Art Camp Schedules
Half-Day Camp
9:00 Arrival & Free Draw
9:30 Art Warm-Up Game
10:00 Main Project
11:15 Snack Break & Story Time
11:45 Finish Projects / Art Stations
12:30 Clean-Up & Art Circle
1:00 Pick-Up
Full-Day Camp
9:00 Arrival & Drawing Prompts
9:30 Morning Art Project
11:00 Outdoor Play / Snack
11:30 Art-Inspired Story or Guest Artist
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Creative Station Rotation
2:30 Free Create or Collaborative Mural
3:30 Reflection, Clean-Up & Pick-Up
Sample Weekly Theme Ideas
🌈 Element Explosion: Every day explores a new art element (line, shape, color, texture, value, space).
🎭 Art Around the World: Art inspired by different cultures (Ancient Egypt, Mexico, Australia).
🏞️ Nature & Wildlife: Outdoor drawing, making art with natural materials, or inspired by nature.
🎨 Meet the Masters: Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, O’Keeffe, etc.
✨ Mythical Creatures & Fantasy: Dragons, castles and fantasy villages.
So much more!
Promotion and Safety Considerations
Promote Your Camp
Social media: Share teaser art projects, behind-the-scenes prep, and testimonials.
Local networks: Homeschool groups, schools, libraries, art stores, Facebook groups.
Offer early bird discounts or sibling deals.
Use flyers, posters, and a simple landing page.
Safety & Admin Essentials
Forms: Registration, emergency contact, allergy info, waiver.
Insurance: Consider liability coverage.
Helpers: Teen volunteers, assistants, or parents.
Pick-up system: Sign-in/out sheets or secure codes.
