Summer doesn't have to mean the end of healthy routines. It's the perfect time to build new ones that keep the family organized and connected while also fostering new life skills.
That's exactly why we created Camp Hearth — a series of weekly challenges designed to turn ordinary summer days into opportunities for connection, growth, and genuine fun. Each challenge is simple to follow, ties seamlessly into Hearth's features, and transforms routine tasks into family adventures.
Ready to make this summer your family's best yet? Here are all seven Camp Hearth challenges that will have your kids asking, "What's our challenge this week?" instead of "I'm bored."
Challenge 1: Rewards Badge
Objective: Create your own "summer treats" reward system for completed routines.
Summer should feel special, and completed responsibilities should feel worth celebrating. The Rewards Badge challenge encourages families to create a custom reward system where every family member gets to enjoy a summer treat for accomplishing their daily tasks and responsibilities.
How to make it work:
Think beyond typical rewards. Pool time after morning chores? Late-night ice cream runs for a week of consistent bedtime routines? The key is making rewards feel genuinely special and tied to your family's summer goals.
Use Hearth's built-in Stars & Rewards feature to track everyone's progress and let kids see their accomplishments pile up. When they can visualize their consistency, the summer treats feel truly earned. Don't forget to share your family's reward celebrations on social media — other families love seeing creative reward ideas!
Challenge 2: Chef Badge
Objective: Get the whole family involved in meal prep and cooking.
Turn your kitchen into the heart of family teamwork with the Chef Badge challenge.
Every family member becomes part of meal preparation, making cooking an inclusive, collaborative experience rather than a solo parent responsibility.
Making it happen:
Start with recipes that naturally require multiple hands — think homemade pasta where one person can roll dough while another handles the sauce, or build-your-own salad bars where everyone contributes different toppings. The goal isn't perfection; it's participation and shared ownership of family meals.
Make it a true family event from start to finish: shop together (kids can find ingredients on the list), prep together (even little ones can wash vegetables), and cook together. Hearth's Meal Planning feature makes this process smoother by organizing your shopping lists and meal schedules so you can focus on the fun parts.
Challenge 3: Schedule Badge
Objective: Set new summer routines for everyone to stick to for 7 days.
Summer is the perfect time to establish habits that set your family up for success.
The Schedule Badge challenge encourages every family member to adopt new beneficial routines and commit to them for a full week.
Creating lasting change:
Choose goals that feel achievable but meaningful. Maybe it's 30 minutes of reading for kids, a daily family walk, swimming laps at the local pool, or learning something new together like a language or instrument. The key is picking routines that genuinely improve your family's wellbeing and happiness.
Track daily progress using Hearth's Routines feature — there's something about seeing consistent checkmarks that keeps motivation high. When everyone in the family is working toward their own goals simultaneously, you create a culture of mutual support and accountability.
Challenge 4: Book Badge
Objective: Foster a love of reading by making it part of your daily summer routine.
No summer learning loss here! The Book Badge challenge makes reading feel like an adventure rather than an assignment, ensuring your kids' minds stay sharp while having genuine fun with books.
Bringing books to life:
Transform reading from a solitary activity into family adventures. Set up a tent in your family room or backyard for flashlight reading sessions — something magical happens when you combine cozy spaces with good stories. Host read-a-thons with your child's friends, creating cozy reading nooks and turning page-turning into a social activity. You can also incorporate daily reading goals with Routines.
Don't overlook your local library as a destination. Plan special library mornings where kids can explore new sections, discover books they've never seen, and soak up that quiet library atmosphere that makes reading feel important and special.
Challenge 5: Snail Mail Badge
Objective: Teach kids the value of handwritten communication.
In our digital world, there's something special about handwritten notes that kids rarely experience.
The Snail Mail Badge challenge introduces children to the joy of sending physical mail while strengthening connections with friends and family.
Making mail meaningful:
Start simple — pick a day to write and mail postcards to grandparents, cousins, or friends. Let kids choose their favorite postcards and stamps (this part is surprisingly exciting for them). The act of physically writing, addressing, and mailing something creates anticipation that texting simply can't match.
Use Hearth to set reminders for your mail days and track this new routine. You might be surprised how much kids look forward to their "mail day" and how much recipients treasure receiving unexpected handwritten notes.
Challenge 6: Travel Badge
Objective: Involve the entire family in preparing for summer vacation.
Whether you're planning a week-long vacation or just a weekend getaway, the Travel Badge challenge turns trip preparation into a collaborative family effort that builds excitement and teaches responsibility.
Sharing the preparation:
Create comprehensive packing lists using Hearth's Lists feature, then assign ownership to different family members. Kids can be responsible for packing their outfits, toiletries, or entertainment items. Make it fun by creating games around packing, like having kids choose their favorite travel outfits or compete to pack the most efficiently.
The goal is to transform pre-trip stress into pre-trip excitement. When everyone has a role in preparation, the journey begins long before you leave home, and kids feel invested in the trip's success.
Challenge 7: Entrepreneur Badge
Objective: Encourage kids to start their own small business or project.
Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore entrepreneurial thinking. The Entrepreneur Badge challenge guides children through simple business ideas that teach real-world skills while having fun and potentially earning some spending money.
Building business basics:
Help your kids brainstorm business ideas that are both fun and practical for their ages and interests. Classic options like lemonade stands, yard work for neighbors, or selling homemade crafts teach valuable lessons about planning, customer service, and money management.
Use Hearth's Lists and To-Dos features to help them plan their business operations and monitor their progress. Reward their hard work and creativity with stars and recognition—the entrepreneurial spirit is just as valuable as any profit they might make.
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Ready to get started? Pick your first challenge and begin using Hearth's features to track progress and celebrate successes. Share your family's journey on social media using #CampHearth — we love seeing how families make each challenge their own.
Your best family summer is just one challenge away. Shop Hearth Display.
