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Teen performers. Photo courtesy of CircEsteem
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Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
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St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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Rides, a children's museum, and more on Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
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Ride high on Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America.
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An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
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Tiny Picassos can enjoy different activities every day at the Art Institute’s Family Room. Photo by Maureen Wilkey, for Mommy Poppins
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Starved Rock State Park
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Chicago has many great swim schools in the area. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Swim School
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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Love Bug Dance photo courtesy of the Dupage Childrens Museum
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Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
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Free and Affordable Summer Camps In Chicago

Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum
Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum
2/11/24 - By Bonnie Broeren

Looking for free summer camps in Chicago? Look no further—we have a list of affordable and free summer camps in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Even though it's February, the time has come for parents to figure out how to keep kids busy, happy, and entertained for the whole summer. Summer camp is a great way to help kids burn off energy, spend time outdoors, and make lifelong friendships... but you gotta do it without breaking the bank. No need to panic: We've rounded up affordable and free summer camp options throughout Chicagoland. 

Parents and caregivers should sign up for summer camp as early as possible to take advantage of early-bird discounts offered by most organizations. Also, many summer camps award scholarships or help with financial assistance. If there is a camp your child is interested in, it’s worth checking to see if they offer scholarships and/or financial assistance.

There are tons of different types of Chicago summer camps. Find the right one using our Chicago Summer Camp Guide.

 

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After School Matters is a summer apprenticeship program for teens. Photo courtesy of After School Matters
After School Matters is a summer apprenticeship program for teens. Photo courtesy of After School Matters

Free Summer Camps and Activities in Chicago

Girls Who Code Chicago

Virtual
Girls Who Code offers a free, 2-week virtual ​introductory computer science ​program ​for​ high school ​girls. Each week, girls​ are introduced to ​computer​ ​science​ principles ​through​ ​real-world​ ​projects in​ ​art​ ​and​ ​storytelling, ​web​ ​development,​ ​and more. ​ READ MORE

After School Matters

Multiple locations
After School Matters partners with organizations throughout Chicago to provide apprenticeships to high school students in a number of disciplines, from the arts to STEM to sports. Teens can even earn a stipend for their work as they get a glimpse into how their futures might look.  READ MORE

Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago

22 locations
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago's 22 locations offer fun and educational six- to eight-week summer camp programs for kids ages 5-18 that are either affordable or free. Or kids can sign up for Summer Brain Gain, weekly modules to help combat learning loss in a fun and interesting way. Teens can also apply to volunteer to help at Boys & Girls Club summer camps throughout the city. READ MORE
Soccer camp fun! Photo courtesy of Blue Moose Sports Camp
Soccer camp fun! Photo courtesy of Blue Moose Sports Camp

Affordable Summer Camps in Chicago

Chicago Park District Day Camp

Multiple locations
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

Camp Naper Summer Day Camp

Naperville
Learn about local history, STEM topics, sports and more with Naper Settlement's weekly day camps. Kids entering grades 1-6 can pick from themes like Blast From the Past, STEM in Space, Around the World, or Pioneer Camp, or choose Camp Everything for a little bit of a lot of different themes. Three day camps are $200 per week; five-day camps start at $230. READ MORE

Blue Moose Sports Camp

Western Springs and Plainfield
Kids can explore a variety of different sports by signing up for two-hour sessions with Blue Moose Sports Camp. Selecting one, two, or three sessions a day, kids can learn about soccer, badminton, kickball, lacrosse, and more. Each 2-hour session is $100 per week. Full-day campers are limited to 25 kids per week. READ MORE

DuPage Children's Museum Tinkering Camp

Naperville
Kids use real tools and materials to make launchpads and rockets, flying devices, musical instruments and more at these weeklong half-day camps at the DuPage Children's Museum. Kids will be in small groups with other children in the same age group-- 4-7 or 8-11. Camps start at $225 per week with discounts for museum members. READ MORE

ROC ED Summer Enrichment Program

South Holland
Avoid summer learning loss with an affordagle option from River Oak Community Education & Development Corp. The program features indoor and outdoor activities aimed at learning, character, and physical health. Kids in grades K-8 can sign up for the whole summer or just the weeks they need. Each week costs $100; get 20% off the eight-week program if you pay in full before June 1. READ MORE

Unicoi Art Studio Summer Camps

Roscoe Village
Providing art activities for kids in Chicago since 1999, Unicoi's mission is to draw the imagination out of every child. The studio's half-day camps give children ages 4-12 a chance to experience art, outdoor time, and play time. The flexible schedule allows parents to sign kids up one day at a time or for entire weeks. Each day includes 1-2 art projects as well as trips to the park. Half-day camps start at $175 per week. READ MORE
Little girl learning about reptiles. Photo courtesy of The Field Museum of Natural History
Little girl learning about reptiles. Photo courtesy of The Field Museum of Natural History

Summer Camps in Chicago with Scholarships or Financial Assistance Opportunities

The Field Museum of Natural History

Museum Campus
The Field Museum's Field Explorers Summer Camp offers students in Kindergarten through eigth grade a chance to experience subjects like modern or prehistoric animals, anthropology, the natural world, and scientific illustration in and around the museum's exhibits. Scholarships are available to reduce or cover the cost of camp for qualified students. The deadline for scholarship applications in March 4, 2024. READ MORE

YMCA of Metro Chicago Day Camp

15+ Chicago area locations
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

Creativity Camp at Hyde Park Arts Center

Hyde Park
Kids ages four to ten can enroll in these mixed media arts camps to focus their creativity on visual and performing arts. Select a one-week or two-week session of full-day camps. Each session is unique, so kids can sign up for more than one. Campers over age 10 can select a special topics camp, like Ceramics, Stop Motion Animation, or Sketchbook Drawing. Camps are $800 for two weeks or $425 for one week. Need-based scholarships are available. READ MORE

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