Not sure what to do with the kids this summer break?

TikTok’s looking to help, with a new “Summer Camp” set of in-app activities that’ll guide viewers through a range of hands-on projects, which they can share with others in the app.

So it’s not an actual camp, but more a virtual conference for youngsters.

As explained by TikTok:

“Starting on June 24, we’re inviting teens and their families to discover what they love, explore new interests, and build lasting memories through creativity and learning. #TikTokSummercamp offers four hands-on, family-fun activities inspired by our community and guided by beloved creators serving as this year’s camp counselors.”

As you can see in this overview, how it works is, TikTok has recruited various creators to lead a range of activities in the app. TikTok provides a supply list for each, then users can follow along with the tutorial videos, and share their progress and/or end results with others using the relevant hashtag.

The four activities on offer are:

Slime creation
Creating a miniature beach scene
Building a telescope
Making firefly lanterns

And TikTok’s also using it as a stealth means to help parents talk to their kids about online safety:

“These activities aren’t just fun projects, they give families a reason to gather around the table, share some laughs, and celebrate small wins together. They also create natural moments for families to discuss their online experiences and set healthy digital boundaries.”

So it’s not just about converting TikTok into Nick Jnr. for interactive entertainment, TikTok’s also framing this as a means to get the conversation started about how to avoid trouble online.

Though I don’t know that either is an ideal approach for parents.

Really, despite TikTok noting “teens” as the target audience, the activities here seem more geared towards under 10s, maybe young teens at best. And as such, I don’t know that I’d want those kids to be aware of TikTok and what’s on offer in the app, let alone be using it.

Indeed, TikTok isn’t even available to users under 13, though previous analysis has shown that up to a third of the app’s U.S. user base is under 14. Which is a problem, considering the content available in the app, and the potentially harmful rabbit holes that TikTok’s algorithm can take you down.

And while the aim of this initiative is to facilitate parents collaborating with their kids, so it’s not aimed at kids directly, I’m still not sure that I’d be super keen to be opening that door so wide at such a young age.

But maybe you really like the concept, maybe your son/daughter really wants to make slime, and this could provide a more social experience, as opposed to having them isolated and grinding through Roblox activities.

It could be a thing, but I don’t know…

You can learn more about TikTok’s Summer Camp here.