Camp Mommy: The One Summer Tradition My Kids Love Most
Every summer, my kids get one special week they look forward to more than any other: Camp Mommy.
It’s the one week on our calendar with no other camps, no Vacation Bible School, and no packed schedule. Instead, I plan the activities myself. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and filled with memory-making moments that have become some of our family’s favorite traditions.
Believe it or not, this is the only camp my kids actually request every single year. Sorry, kids—it’s only one week! But somehow, it always ends up being the highlight of summer.
What Is Camp Mommy?
Camp Mommy is exactly what it sounds like: a DIY summer camp planned by Mom.
For one week, I intentionally set aside time to create fun experiences for my kids. Some activities happen at home, some involve local adventures, and none of them need to be extravagant. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection.
Over the years, Camp Mommy has evolved quite a bit. I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and that maybe letting the kids fully plan the week isn’t always the best idea. But no matter what, we always end up with great memories and plenty of laughs. And honestly this year, the only way we’re making it happen this year is splitting the week into one day a week over several weeks! We do what we have to do to make it happen.
Our Favorite Camp Mommy Activities
1. DIY Day (Craft Day)
This is always a favorite.
We head to Hobby Lobby with a small budget—usually around $20 per child—and each kid chooses an activity rather than a toy.
Past projects have included:
- Learning to sew
- Building a terrarium
- Creating a play set
- Making homemade Jolly Rancher lollipops
It’s messy, creative, and usually takes over my kitchen table for the day, but it’s always worth it.
2. Water Balloon Fight
Some traditions never get old.
A giant water balloon fight is a Camp Mommy staple, and my kids especially enjoy the opportunity to soak Mom. It’s simple, inexpensive, and guaranteed fun.
3. Serve the Community
One of my favorite Camp Mommy days involved making treats and delivering them to our local police officers and firefighters.
Not only did the kids get to say thank you, but we also ended up getting a tour of the fire station. It was a meaningful experience and a great reminder that even young children can learn the joy of serving others.
4. Movie Day
Summer movie programs are one of my favorite parenting hacks.
Many theaters offer discounted morning showings during the summer, making this an affordable outing and a perfect escape from the Texas heat.
5. Zoo Day
We’re zoo members, which makes this a budget-friendly option for our family.
Some years we spend the entire day exploring. Other years, especially when Houston temperatures are soaring, we stick to indoor exhibits and call it a success. Either way, the zoo is always a hit.
6. Chick-fil-A Lunch Date
For younger kids, you can’t go wrong with a Chick-fil-A playground lunch.
The kids get time to play, Mom gets a moment to sit, and everyone leaves happy. My oldest may be starting to outgrow it, but my younger kids still think it’s the best.
7. Bring Dad Into the Fun
Last year, we recruited Dad for part of Camp Mommy week.
He joined us for breakfast and took the kids to a local playground. You could also plan a lunch date with Dad or stop by his office for a quick visit. The kids love it—and I think Dad secretly does too.
8. Library Day
It honestly never gets old! My kids love a great library visit and most allow multiple books to be checked out at a time. Free fun, y’all.
Houston Camp Mommy Favorites
If you’re local to Houston, here are a few places that have become Camp Mommy favorites for our family.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
We love our museum membership because it turns what could be an expensive outing into an easy adventure.
The kids usually get to choose one special exhibit, and the planetarium is always at the top of the list.
Hermann Park Splash Pad
This is one of our favorite free activities.
The splash pad has sand, which makes it even more exciting for little ones. We usually arrive early, then spend time feeding ducks and turtles nearby before heading home.
Space Center Houston
We visited Space Center Houston last year and highly recommend it for a fun day of summer adventure. If you’re planning a visit, arrive early and purchase tickets ahead of time to make the most of your day.
One thing we’d do differently? Plan the Mission Control Tour in advance. Those spots can fill up quickly, and it’s something we wish we had added to our visit. The Rocket Park Tour, however, was easy to do—we simply hopped in line and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Mom Tip: Pack plenty of snacks and lunches to save money and keep everyone fueled throughout the day. We brought most of our food but still treated ourselves to a few fun snacks on-site. It’s a full day of exploring, so come prepared!
Waugh Drive Bat Bridge
This was one of the biggest surprises for our family—we had an absolute blast! If you’re looking for a unique Houston activity, head to the Waugh Drive Bat Bridge around sunset during the summer months.
Each evening, thousands of bats fly out from under the bridge, and it’s pretty incredible to watch. My kids thought it was the coolest thing, and honestly, so did we.
Mom Tip: Arrive about 20–30 minutes before sunset, bring bug spray and a few snacks, and make an evening of it. It’s free, easy, and a fun way to experience something a little different in Houston.
You Don’t Have to Be Supermom
Whenever I talk about Camp Mommy, people often tell me I sound like a supermom.
The truth? I’m not.
Camp Mommy is simply my way of being intentional with my kids for one dedicated week each summer.
For me, it’s easier to protect one special week than to feel pressure to create magical moments every day all summer long. Years ago, I tried doing a separate week for each child. It was wonderful, but it wasn’t realistic while running a business.
This version—one shared week for everyone—is our happy middle ground.
And honestly, having the world’s best assistant helping keep my business running makes a huge difference.
Why Camp Mommy Matters
As a photographer, I’m constantly reminding families how quickly childhood passes.
I spend my days documenting milestones, celebrations, and everyday moments that become treasured memories years later. Camp Mommy is my reminder to step into those memories myself.
The activities don’t have to be expensive.
The schedule doesn’t have to be perfect.
The goal is simply to be present.
One intentional week. One summer tradition. A whole lot of memories.
Planning Your Own Camp Mommy Week
If you’ve been looking for a simple way to create meaningful summer memories, consider starting your own Camp Mommy tradition.
Keep it simple. Keep it affordable. Keep it fun.
The kids won’t remember whether every activity was Pinterest-worthy. They’ll remember the time you spent together.
