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22 Best Summer Day Camps in Chicago

Chicago has some great summer camps for kids coming up in 2023. Photo courtesy of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Camp
Chicago has some great summer camps for kids coming up in 2023. Photo courtesy of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Camp
3/5/23 - By Bonnie Broeren

Looking for summer camps in Chicago? Here's a list of our favorite Chicago summer day camps.

Summer is just around the corner, which means it's time to find a great summer camp for your kids. Whether you need summer camp so you can work or you just want to get your kid out of the house and into a structured activity with friends, there are lots of options available for Chicago summer camps this year. These camps offer a range of activities, and for kids who  are into sports, science, theater, or just want to have fun—you're sure to find the perfect summer camp.

We also have a list of free and affordable camps, or you can also find our complete Chicago Summer Camp Guide here, including camps based on specific interests or for different aged kids.

 

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Summer day camps provide structure and fun in the off-school months. Photo courtesy of Bennett Day Camp
Summer day camps provide structure and fun in the off-school months. Photo courtesy of Bennett Day Camp

Awesome Summer Camps in Chicago

Merit School of Music

Joy Faith Knapp Music Center
Merit’s offerings include group classes, private lessons, ensembles, and summer camps—with options for all ages, instruments, and experience levels. Kids can choose from a range of instruments including guitar, piano, voice, violin, trumpet, and percussion. READ MORE

WAITLIST Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Camp

Lincoln Park
Kids ages 4-9 can enjoy indoor and outdoor nature and science activities at Lincoln Park's Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's fun and educational camps. Themes for the full day camps include Sustainable Stewards, Outdoor Explorers, Nature Detectives, and Animal Architects. Camp focuses on nature and science education utilizing the Nature Museum’s outdoor and indoor spaces. READ MORE

Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Explore the grounds of this 1,700-acre living museum, home to more than 4,000 plant species. There are 16 miles of hiking trails to explore or nine miles of biking trails. With over 100 summer camps for kids 3.5 to 14, children learn to be conservation and environmental scientists, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts. READ MORE

KidzToPros Summer Camp

South Loop, Elmhurst, Wilmette, and Glenview
Explore, learn, and thrive at KidzToPros STEM, sports, and art summer camps for kids in pre-K to 8th grade. KidzToPros provides the perfect opportunity for kids to develop valuable skills in a fun, creative, and safe environment. READ MORE

Galileo Summer Camp - Chicagoland

Evanston, Wicker Park, LaGrange, Lincoln Park, Winnetka
Camp Galileo combines traditional summer camp excitement with lasting, innovation-igniting learning for kids in grades K-10. With locations in the city, North Shore, Northwest Suburbs, and Western Suburbs, the camp has themes that include Outer Space Odyssey, Super Hero Adventure, Secret Safecrackers, and Pinball Whiz-Kids. READ MORE

Steve and Kate's Camp

West Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Pilsen, and Oak Park
Steve and Kate's Camp provides a wide range of activities for campers ages 4-12, including everything from sewing to sports to music. In addition to the main area of interest, campers also get a weekly special-- a showstopper like a giant inflatable or a live show like a magician. Each camp ends with  Friday Pieday–where campers & staff can celebrate the end of the week with a whipped cream pie to the face. READ MORE

School of Rock Music Camps

20 Chicago area locations
School of Rock offers music camps and workshops perfect for musicians of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals. Kids can learn to rock at camps with themes ranging from Rock 101 to songwriting or select a special camp based on a genre or musician. READ MORE

CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp

Uptown
CircEsteem offers children ages 6-16 the opportunity to explore the Circus Arts, including trapeze, acrobatics, clowning, juggling, stilt walking, gym wheel, rolling globe, tightwire, rolla bolla, aerial silks, and mini-trampoline.  READ MORE

Kidstreet Camps at Lillstreet Art Center

Ravenswood
Lillstreet Art Center provides Kidstreet Camps for kids who are interested in developing their artistic skills, including drawing, clay, mixed media, and more. This summer's half-day camps feature themes like Acrylic Painting, Art like an Egyptian, Art of the Graphic Novel, and Cosmic Creations. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park
Chicago's free zoo in Lincoln Park gives Midwestern families a place to visit a diverse set of animals in a unique park setting. The zoo also offers family and adults-only events, and a Summer Conservation Camp for kids grades PreK-4. READ MORE

Kids Science Labs

South Loop, Lincoln Park, Northbrook, Wheaton, Roscoe Village
Campers ages 4-12 can explore everything from Science in the City to Adventures in Space at Kids Science Labs' summer camps. At the South Loop Center, special camps extended day sessions are offered for campers who need to stay until 5 p.m. READ MORE

Decoma Day Camp

Northbrook
Decoma Day Camp has been making summer special for Chicago kids ages 2.5-13 for over 50 years. Rates include door-to-door bus service, free before and aftercare, daily hot lunch, and all camp activities. Specialty Camps like Tennis, Golf, and Riding Camp are available for additional fees. Shortened day camps are available for 3 or 5 days a week for kids ages 3-5. READ MORE

Kids STEM Studio

West Loop, Lincoln Park
Campers in grades 1 through 7 can explore engineering, technology, robotics, and more through hands-on tinkering and experiments at Kids STEM Studio.  Each day of camp includes a half day of technology and a half day of engineering, along with an outdoor recess. READ MORE

The Little Gym of Chicago's A Perfect Start

Lakeview
Parent-child classes at the Little Gym incorporate movement, music, and social skills, while teaching numbers, colors, and letters in a friendly, action-oriented format, where kids get to tumble, climb, and explore on mats and play structures. Kids ages 4 months to 3 years can participate with a grown-up. READ MORE

YMCA of Metro Chicago Day Camp

Multiple locations in the Chicago area
Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at more than 15 YMCA locations throughout the Chicago area. Themes range from culinary to LEGO to survival skills. Camps start at $150 for a three-day camp and $290 for five-day camp, and families can apply for financial assistance. READ MORE

Big City Day Camp

Lincoln Square
For “city kids” who thrive on “city adventures,” Big City Day Camp offers a summer full of discovery and exploration. Campers spend time telling stories, crafting art projects, learning yoga poses, singing songs, and swimming. For kids entering grades K-8. READ MORE

Hi-Five Sports Club Summer Camp

West Loop
Campers ages 4 through 13 can learn about teamwork, hard work, and playing fair while playing their favorite sports at Hi-Five. All kids participate in every sport, from basketball to lacrosse to soccer, and kids enjoy fun field trips each week. READ MORE

Fit City Kids Chicago

Lincoln Square
Kids ages 4-12 have a full day of fun of games, arts and crafts, obstacle courses, team building, free play, and so much more with the coaches and staff. Each week has a theme and after camp care is available. READ MORE

Bennett Day Camp

West Loop
Bennett Day Camp provides an enriching atmosphere where campers can develop self-identity and leadership skills. Campers ages 4-18 take part in field trips, team sports, music, arts, scientific discovery, and water play.  READ MORE

Baker School Summer Discovery Camp

Wilmette
PK-5th grade campers will spend the day exploring and learning related to the weekly theme and having fun together doing arts and crafts, outdoor movement, and enjoying summer play. At Baker, summer camp is more than a getaway for kids. It’s an adventure. READ MORE

Oasis Summer Day Camp Chicago

Winnetka and Highland Park
Campers ranging from 4 to 12-years old can widen horizons, form new friendships, take safe risks, and discover new strengths. Daily activities include art, improv performances, and science classes. Kids also take field trips in addition to taking part in community service projects. READ MORE

Chicago Park District Day Camp

Parks throughout Chicago
The Chicago Park District will offer summer day camps for Chicago residents ages 6-12. Camps will include sports, arts, fitness, and outdoor activities with the ideas of civic engagement, environmental awareness, and inclusion woven throughout the camp experience. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Newberry Math & Science Academy
Steve and Kate's Camp - West Loop
The Little Gym of Chicago
Iris & Steven Podolsky Family Center
Baker Demonstration School
Oasis Day Camp Winnetka