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Ropes courses, kayaking, afternoon crafts: These are the things that make summer feel like summer when you’re young. But with many camps canceled and beaches and playgrounds expected to remain closed amid the pandemic, kids will be hunkering down at home—not in a rustic cabin along a tree-dotted lake. That’s where Camp KiwiCo steps in. 

Created by cult-favorite brand KiwiCo, every day of the four-week-long, at-home program is structured around a fun theme, with videos, creativity challenges, and downloadable printables. The content for each age group is free, but parents can supplement the activities with a crateful of materials ($25 to $30) and DIYs that go along with the topic (think: colorful chemistry projects and stomp-powered rockets). “We recognize that it will be a challenging time for parents to keep their kids entertained and learning,” says founder Sandra Oh Lin, who has been coming up with creative ways to engage her 13-year-old, 11-year-old, and 3-year-old while sheltering in place (there’s been a lot of adventurous bike rides and homemade desserts in the mix).

Sign-ups for Camp KiwiCo start today, and the program kicks off on June 22. Each day is meant to keep kids busy for approximately four hours. “One of the themes I know my children are most excited about is arcades,” says Lin. The afternoon begins with a history lesson on the science behind constructing an arcade game and an optional crate, then kids can build their very own pinball machine. End the day with a campfire and s’mores, and they won’t feel like they’re missing out. 

It’s hammer time: Follow @reno_notebook for easy rental updates, clever DIYs, and tips to nail your next project.