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Popular Preschool Summer Camps Near Chicago for Your First Time Camper

Pedalheads uses summer camp to teach preschoolers how to ride a bike. Photo courtesy of Pedalheads Bike Camps
Pedalheads uses summer camp to teach preschoolers how to ride a bike. Photo courtesy of Pedalheads Bike Camps
4/7/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Summer camps near Chicago are essential for parents. They keep kids engaged and give parents much-needed time for work or a break from the daily summer grind. And while there are plenty of summer camps near Chicago for school-aged kiddos, what about preschoolers?

Whether they're about to head to a classroom for the first time or need something to break up their day, preschoolers benefit from summer camps, too. They'll meet new friends, explore a new skill or sport, and spend time with grown-ups who aren't related to them—something that'll happen frequently once they head to school.

We've rounded up popular summer camp options throughout the city and suburbs that offer academic enrichment and physical activities to build endurance and encourage active play. If you need other fun things to do with preschoolers in the summer, check out the best indoor playspaces for kids, 25 of the best things to do with kids in Chicago before they turn five, and the best parks and playgrounds in Chicago for kids. 

 

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Photo courtesy of World Camp at Lycée Français de Chicago
Photo courtesy of World Camp at Lycée Français de Chicago

Preschool-Friendly Camps in Chicago

Smart Love Summer Camp

Palmer Square
Ages 2-4
Kids can enjoy half-day weeklong camps, with an option for extended care, each with a different theme ranging from Discovering Dinosaurs to Chicago Sightseers to Cool Chefs at this Palmer Square preschool. Camps also include a seed-to-table gardening experience in the school's fenced yard, garden, and greenhouse. READ MORE

eX S.T.R.E.A.M. Summer Adventure Camp

North Center
Ages 2-6
Using its CARES preschool curriculum, Children's Lighthouse North Center creates a summer Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics program for its youngest learners. Programs follow a weekly theme and kids are provided with organic meals and snacks throughout the day. Children's Lighthouse is near several Chicago parks and has a patio overlooking the North Branch of the Chicago River, giving kids lots of chances to enjoy the outdoors.  READ MORE

Pedalheads Bike Camps - Chicago

Various locations throughout the North Side and Near North Suburbs
Ages 3 and up
Pedalheads is a learn-to-ride bike camp known for helping kids get off training wheels and riding on their own. The popular week-long day camp combines a fun group setting with specialized equipment, tailored lessons, and incredible instructors to build confidence and get some of the most tentative kids biking without help. READ MORE

The Little Gym of Chicago's A Perfect Start

West Lakeview
Ages 3 and up
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

Morgan Park Academy Summer Camps

Morgan Park
Ages 3 and up
Kids can find their niche with these interest-based summer camps at Morgan Park Academy. Preschoolers can enroll in half or full-day programs; elementary and middle school kids can pick different topics from Minecraft to cooking to nature for each of four periods throughout the day. READ MORE

Catherine Cook School Summer Camp

Old Town
Ages 3 and up
Preschoolers, kindergartners, and first graders can sign up for one or all three of the two-week summer sessions of summer day camp at Catherine Cook School. Camps have different themes including Cougar Tech Academy and Mighty Cougar Sports Camp. READ MORE

Camp GEMS

Downtown
Ages 3 and up
Using the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework already in place for the school, GEMS Academy offers a summer program for kids in preschool through fifth grade. In addition to challenging academic activities, kids will enjoy arts and crafts and outdoor time. The Camp GEMS team consists of educators who are highly trained and passionate about education READ MORE

Kids' Work Summer Camp

Roscoe Village
Ages 3-8
Kids' Work focuses on individuality and creativity for kids in its Roscoe Village/North Center location. Yoga, dance, and music, along with fun arts and crafts, give preschoolers plenty to do between organic catered snacks and meals. READ MORE

All Aboard Learning Express Summer Camps

Sauganash
Ages 2-5
Lots of fun and even some learning are on tap at All Aboard Learning Express Summer Camps in Sauganash. Parents can choose two, three, or five days per week, with a different theme each week.  READ MORE

Jewish Council for Youth Services Day Camp

Wicker Park
Ages 0-4
JCYS Sunflower Day Camp has different themes for preschoolers every week and includes outdoor activities, crafts, and music. Kids will walk around the Wicker Park neighborhood, fingerpaint, explore different foods, and learn about the colors of the rainbow. Parents can choose two, three, or five days a week.  READ MORE

World Camp at Lycée Français de Chicago

Ravenswood
Ages 3-11
Run by experienced teachers and instructors, World Camp offers countless daily opportunities for fun and learning all summer. Kids can learn a new tongue at language immersion day camps in Arabic, French, German, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. Children from over 80 local and international schools meet to form new friendships and have fun together. READ MORE
Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool offers summer camp. Photo courtesy of Bright Horizons
Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool offers summer camp. Photo courtesy of Bright Horizons

Preschool-Friendly Camps in the Chicago Suburbs

Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool - Chicago

Multiple locations throughout the city and suburbs
Ages 6 months and up
Bright Horizons has more than 1,000 child care centers in the United States, with many in the Chicago area offering summer programs for preschoolers. The centers' Summer Explorations program includes an action-packed day of age-appropriate science experiments, nature explorations, creative arts, and more for kids ages three to five. READ MORE

Impact Dance Studio Summer Camp

LaGrange and Countryside
Ages 2-8
Kids can find a themed dance camp to match their interests at this west suburban dance studio with locations in LaGrange and Countryside. Preschoolers ages 2-4 might like the Frozen II or Disney Tots-themed weeks, while kids ages 3-6 can explore Trolls, Encanto, and Bluey-centered camps. READ MORE

Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Ages 3.5 and up
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

Banner Day Camp: Banner Beginnings

Lake Forest
Ages 3 and up
Kids can get away from the city to far west suburban Lake Forest for days filled with sports, aquatics, imaginative play, and adventure at this four- or eight-week day camp for kids age 3 and up. Meals are included and the camp offers bus service from many areas of the city and northern suburbs. Sign up for three or five days a week of age-specific fun. READ MORE

Summer Adventures in Learning

Des Plaines
Ages 3-5
This academic camp for preschoolers and elementary schoolers in Des Plaines encourages academic, social, and physical development. The morning focuses on school readiness, and kids can eat lunch at camp before an afternoon of sports and aquatics-based activities. READ MORE

Grand Adventure Summer Camps

Western Springs and Burr Ridge<
Ages 3-5
The Western Spings and Burr Ridge Locations of Grand Avenue Preschool offer summer camp for 3-5 year olds. The two-week camps have lots of fun themes including Green Thumbs, Treasure Hunters, 3..2...1... Blast Off, and Wacky Water Play.  READ MORE

Hummingbird Summer Academy

Westmont
Ages 2-7
This academic-focused preschool program teaches zoo phonics, Wilson Reading, sensory integration, handwriting without tears, and a social thinking curriculum. Led by therapists, Hummingbird's programs teach critical skills such as relationship-building, perseverance, and problem solving READ MORE

Decoma Day Camp

Northbrook
Ages 3-13
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

Seton Montessori Summer Camp

Clarendon Hills
Ages 3-10
Seton Montessori Early Childhood Campers spend their day exploring the school's beautiful outdoor environment through games and art, as well as learning in the Montessori classroom. Day camps are available for kids ages 3-10. READ MORE

Creative World Montessori Summer Camps

LaGrange
Ages 3-7
Kids ages 3-7 can enjoy a summer of fun and learning at Creative World Montessori Summer Camps. Half- day, full-day and flexible day options are available in these camps that focus on making friends, STEM subjects, creativity, and water play. Kids will also enjoy field trips during each two-weeks session. READ MORE

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