Toy Shop Camp '26

Step aside, toy store, our makers are taking over. In this hands-on week of creativity and invention, campers become toy designers, builders, and inventors, crafting one-of-a-kind playthings from imagination to reality. Using real tools and a mix of materials: wood, fabric, recyclables, and more. On the last few days of camp, we will collaborate to create a child-run pop-up market. Kids will learn about design, craftsmanship, safety, business, marketing, and more, all while having a blast.

Here’s what’s in the Toy Shop this week:

Day 1: Board Games Kick off the week by designing and building your very own board game! Create the rules, design the game board, craft custom pieces, and test your creation with friends. Strategy, imagination, and a little friendly competition. What could be better?

Day 2: Rolling Toys Build rolling wooden toys with working wheels: cars, animals, robots, or anything that zooms! Sand, paint, and finish your design so it’s ready to go on an adventure.

Day 3: Stuffies Stitch, stuff, and personalize your own soft dolls or plush creatures using simple sewing techniques and tons of creativity.

Days 4 and 5: Toy Shop Team up with your fellow inventors to set up a kid-run Toy Shop where you’ll showcase (and even “sell”) your creations in a playful pop-up shop made just for your inventions. We’ll have play money, and each maker will create enough toys to buy and sell to their fellow campers.

By the end of camp, every maker will leave with a collection of handmade toys, new building and design skills, and the pride of saying, “I made it myself!”

• Additional Options: Donate to our scholarship fund (no tax write off, but all the warm fuzzies)