Hogwarts Wizard Camp: Activities that Bring the Book to Life!
- Emily Boyd
- Jun 19, 2019
- 10 min read
Updated: Jun 4, 2023
It was a Tuesday morning and my hands were covered with green slime (also known as Troll Boogies). I was hoping all this liquid starch I poured into the glue would eventually solidify into goo. Who knew being covered in boogers could be SO MUCH FUN?
Harry Potter Camp was a blast thanks to Emilee Johnston and the amazing kids I worked with in the camp! Here is a list of the activities we did together. Hopefully you will have as much fun bringing the stories to life as we did!
House Sorting Quiz
First, we printed tickets to platform 9 3/4 on yellow paper and sent it to the kids in the mail with an acceptance letter from Hogwarts as an invitation to our summer camp. We had a platform 9 3/4 shower curtain hanging in the hallway by the door that the kids could walk through after giving us their tickets. As the kids were arriving we gave them a Harry Potter house sorting quiz. One of the adults “graded” the quizzes as the other had the kids go around and introduce themselves

House Sorting Reveal
We had the kids sit in a special chair to get sorted into their houses. We used the quizzes that they took and got a plastic cup (we found it harder to see the color before hand if the cup was a dark color). We put a little food coloring at the bottom to match the house color they would be sorted into and then filled the cup with ice so the coloring was hidden. We handed the cup to the child and poured Sprite into the glass. The soda would bubble and fizz over the ice and turn the color of the food coloring at the bottom. The kids loved the reveal (and they liked drinking the Sprite too). We had a huge groups of Slytherin children when we did the reveal... remember, great wizards come from every house! Check out this blog for more information!
Wand Making
Wand making was a simple activity, but it was amazing how creative the kids got with their wands! Each kid got a dowel about the length of their forearm. They took turns using a hot glue gun (with adult supervision) to make designs and bumps on their wands. Some kids made snake heads out of glue or sheaths that looked like snakes out of paper to put their wands in when they were not using them. We had the kids draw out their design on a piece of paper while they waited for a turn with the glue gun. Once the glue on the wand dried the kids painted them. Again we were impressed with the creativity of the kids! They painted their wands all sorts of shades of brown, green, gold and silver. With the wands painted and set to dry, the kids were ready to start learning spells.
Learning Spells
We used the book of spells found on this site. We let the kids add their own spells and practice the movements with their fingers while we waited about 10 minutes or so for our wands to dry.

Wizard Duels
Once the wands were dry it was time for the Duels. We had the kids essentially play Rock, Paper, Scissors with their wands. First, we had the kids get into pairs of two. Together the kids drew a triangle and wrote three spells of their choosing (one on each point of the triangle). These then become the Rock, Paper and Scissors for the game. For example the top of the triangle could have Accio, the bottom right Avis and the bottom left Arresto Momentum. This would mean that Accio beats Avis, Avis beats Arresto Momentum and Arresto Momentum beats Accio. Once the kids have triangles that have the SAME spells written in the SAME order, they are ready to duel. They stand back to back, walk away from each other for three steps, turn around and wave their wand back and forth and count, 1, 2, 3...and call out a spell. Then just like rock, paper, scissors there should be one winner. We let the kids switch partners, but they had to switch papers with the triangles because the duel only works if you are using the same three spells. This activity was a simplified version of a more complicated dueling game we read about here.
Triwizard Cup Games (Harry Potter Minute to Win it)
For the Triwizard Cup we had two teams that each sent up representatives to play Harry Potter Minute to Win It Games. There were several blogs that had great game ideas. We used games from this website and adapted other minute to win it games we already knew with changes to make them connect to the Harry Potter Theme.

Potions Class
For potions class we used our basic knowledge of science and a few science projects we remembered from our days in school and then changed the names of the ingredients to Harry Potter themed potion ingredients. To prepare for the activity, we gathered all the ingredients and poured them in different shaped jars and bottles with labels on them. For potions class we gathered all the ingredients and poured them in different shaped jars and bottles with labels on them. Most of the ingredients were regular household ingredients except the purple cabbage juice. To make the purple cabbage juice we boiled a head of cabbage in a pot of water for about 20 minutes. It turned a dark bluish purplish color and was perfect for the potions.
Amortentia
Love Potion: Forces take to fall in love with the maker of the potion.
Instructions:
150ml Lacewing Fly Juice (Purple Cabbage Juice)
50 ml Rose Water (regular water)
1 tbsp Unicorn tears (white vinegar)
*Add ingredients in order
When you add the last ingredient this potion bubbles a little bit and turns from blue to a bright red. We told the kids to smell the potion and it would smell like what they found attractive. Most of the kids were horrified to discover they were attracted to “moldy broccoli.”
When you add the last ingredient this potion bubbles a little bit and turns from blue to a bright red. We told the kids to smell the potion and it would smell like what they found attractive. Most of the kids were horrified to discover they were attracted to “moldy broccoli.”
Draught of Living Death: Forces taker to fall into a deep sleep
Instructions:
150 ml infusion of wormwood (Cabbage Juice)
2 tbsp boomslang saliva (white vinegar)
1 tbsp pearl dust (baking soda)
*Add ingredients in order
This potion turns from a dark blue, to a dark red, and with the last ingredient turns to a greenish/teal color. The kids were instructed not to take this one because we didn’t want them to fall asleep and miss the rest of the activities.
This potion turns from a dark blue, to a dark red, and with the last ingredient turns to a greenish/teal color. The kids were instructed not to take this one because we didn’t want them to fall asleep and miss the rest of the activities.
Alihotsy Draught: Forces taker to have hysterical laughter
Instructions:
2 tsp Powdered moonstone (Baking Soda with a little food coloring mixed in)
1 tsp Troll Blood (dish soap)
150 ml Boomslang Saliva (white vinegar)
*Add ingredients in order
Do not stir
When the last ingredient is put in this bubbles and runs over. The kids had fun watching it but also panicked a little at the mess it made.
When the last ingredient is put in this bubbles and runs over. The kids had fun watching it but also panicked a little at the mess it made.
Veritaserum: Forces taker to tell the truth
Instructions:
250 ml Standard Potion water (regular water)
1 ½ tbsp Powdered sopophorous (lemonade mix)
1 tsp mandrake root oil (raspberry flavored syrup)
Add ingredients in order and stir.
Make 2 of this potion. Each partner drinks one then test it out by asking each other your deepest darkest secrets! If they divulge, you did the potion correctly.
This potion was fun for the kids because they were able to drink it afterward.
Troll Boogies Slime
Troll Boogies Slime is my favorite slime concoction because it is simple and kids can make it individually. First, I give kids a ziplock bag. I put about a fourth cup glob of glue in the bag and 2 spoonfuls of liquid starch (if you want, you can add food coloring too). Then have the kids zip up the bag and mush the mixture together. Once the glue isn’t sticking to the bags you can take the slime out and mush it with your hands to solidify it and mix it the last little bit. If the slime is too sticky, add more liquid starch...if it has too much starch, the extra starch will not mix in with the glue and you can pour it out. This slime is very forgiving and it’s fun because big groups of kids can make it individually. It also ends up looking just like troll boogies...so that’s a bonus too! Sadly, I do not have pictures of this activity. As mentioned above, my hands were covered in glue...it is not easy to take pictures and help kids with activities and projects! I take my hat off to my mother and mom’s all over who somehow have pictures and videos of our birthday parties growing up!

Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt/Escape Room
Emilee came up with this activity that combined a scavenger hunt with an escape room. All of the clues and puzzles were original ideas except one that has the link posted. For this activity, the kids received eight different clues. Each clue, led to a Hogwarts themed room or place. Once in that room, the kids had to solve a puzzle to get the next clue. Here are a few examples of the clues and puzzles:
The first clue read: “ When Harry got detention, he had to help Hagrid as part of his punishment. Go to the place where Hagrid took Harry and help Harry find all his patronuses. Once you have all patronuses, they will tell you where to go next.” The garage was labeled “The Forbidden Forest.” All over the garage were pictures of different patronuses. On the back of all the Stag Patronuses (Harry’s Patronus) were the letters: L I B R A R Y. They had to unscramble the letters to figure out that the Library was the next clue.
One of the later clues read: “ Molly Weasley has a clock with each of her family members pictures on it that tells her where she can find them. Go to the room where this clock is located. There, you will find a secret message.” In the kitchen, the kids found a blank piece of paper that read, “ “The hufflepuff colored solution will reveal the secret message.” There were 4 cups of Red, Yellow, Blue and Green solutions and a paintbrush. The kids had to use the yellow solution to reveal the “secret message,” which was the next clue. The kids loved seeing the colors change and the words pop up.
The secret message was created by mixing baking soda and vinegar together and writing the message with a Q-Tip. The yellow solution was a mixture of rubbing alcohol and turmeric powder.
One of the clues was an adapted sudoku puzzle that was found on THIS blog.
We changed the symbols to color blocks and changed the signs on the math to be a bit more simple so they didn’t have to do any negative numbers. Once the kids solved the sudoku, they had to do some math to figure out which number box contained the next clue. It was impressive how quickly the kids were able to complete the puzzle!
The last puzzle involved potions. It was nice that we did the potions lesson the day before because the kids were prepared to solve the puzzles with that knowledge. There were a bunch of different potions with different numbers on the bottom. The kids found this puzzle to solve when they got there:
Answer the questions to find the potions in order. The potions contain the code to the treasure box.
1- This potion smells like what you are attracted to
2- This potion will cause a deep sleep to come upon whomever drinks it
3- This potion is what Professor Lupin has to take regularly
4- You might want this potion if you break a bone
Once the kids solved the clues they had the numbers they needed to open the combination lock that was on the fridge. Inside, they found popsicles for their reward!
This activity was a lot of fun and the kids enjoyed using their Harry Potter knowledge to solve the clues and find the treasure.

Harry Potter Pictionary
This game is really simple. It can also be Harry Potter Charades. Just write Harry Potter words on slips of paper. Have kids take turns drawing a paper and then give them 30 seconds to draw the picture of the word on a whiteboard (or act it out). The other kids should be shouting out guesses. You can either play in teams or have the group all play together. Some ideas of words that could be written on a paper include; Fluffy the Three Headed Dog, Dobby, Aragog the Spider, Wizard, Hogwarts, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Voldemort, wand, snitch, Time Turner, Gringotts Goblin, potion, quidditch, galleon, patronus, basilisk, Harry Potter, The Sorcerer’s Stone, Dumbeldore (it was cute watching the kids draw different versions of his long beard!), owl, the Great Hall, charm, and the Room of Requirement. We let the kids get one redraw and then pick between the two choices if they didn’t know one of the words.
Care of Magical Creatures Class
We did three different animal crafts for our Care of Magical Creatures Class. I will include links to the blogs that explain the crafts and amazon links below for all the materials you would need. As you do these crafts keep in mind that the kids will be as creative as we let them. Including some different color felt for the materials or some extra sequins for bedazzlement is probably a good idea. Also, you will need good scissors and at least an hour to complete the crafts (especially if you have a big group of children). I hope you enjoy the crafts! Many of the kids in our camp said this was their favorite part!
Water Quidditch
Water Quidditch was so much fun! I was so proud of the kids for working as a team, being patient as we learned a new game together and everyone getting involved and doing their best. I decided that water quidditch needed it’s own post. You can check out the rules, materials and more by going to my water Quidditch blog post.
Honeydukes Shop
There are so many ideas out there for making your own Honeydukes store so I will leave a few links below and let you pick your favorites!
Butterbeer= Butterscotch syrup in the bottom of the cup. Cream soda, and cool whip in a can to top it off
Fizzing Wizbies= sour jolly rancher candy
Chocolate frog= Melted chocolate chips in this mold
The box was printed out from here. Cut out and glue the box together.
Licorice Wands= licorice dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles
Cauldron cakes= store bought mini brownies
I had a wonderful week hanging out with some really awesome kids and bringing the Harry Potter books to life. Now all I want to do is reread those books! Thanks for an amazing week all you Harry Potter fans who made it possible!
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Would you be winning to share all your scavenger hunt/escape room details? This sounds like a ton of fun!