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Best Art Summer Camps for Long Island Kids

Drop into a summer art lab at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
Drop into a summer art lab at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
4/10/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

For kids who want to explore and expand their creativity, art summer camps on Long Island go beyond cutting and pasting. Whether your child is an experienced artist or a true beginner, you're sure to find a summer day camp program that fits your needs.

For the artistically inclined, you can also check out our rundown on summer music camps on Long Island, as well as our post on art classes on Long Island. 

For more camp options, be sure to check out our Long Island Summer & Vacation Camps Guide.

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One River School offers art and digital design classes. Photo courtesy of the school
One River School offers art and digital design classes. Photo courtesy of the school

Best Art Summer Camps in Nassau County

Camp Tech Revolution

Garden City
Camp Tech Revolution at NYIT offers a summer camp curriculum in 35+ subjects, including coding. The focus here is on hands-on, experiential learning, and tech-centered learning that also includes the arts, such as graphic design and filmmaking. READ MORE

Long Island Academy of Fine Art

Glen Cove
Children in grades K-12 can join classes and workshops throughout the summer at the Long Island Academy of Fine Art. Teens over 16 can join the portfolio development and adult classes, and it’s also possible to create a customized intensive program during the summer term. READ MORE

Hofstra Summer Camps

Uniondale
The largest university-based summer camp program on Long Island, this program provides campers with full access to state-of-the-art classrooms, computer and science labs, professional-grade athletic fields, and air-conditioned indoor facilities, including an Olympic-size pool.  READ MORE

One River School of Art + Design

Woodbury, Manhasset (opening summer 2023), and Port Jefferson
One River School of Art + Design summer programming includes street art, iPad painting, learn-to-draw classes, cosplay costume design, and more. The program allows teens and kids to select from a wide range of studio art, digital art, and design experiences that cater to students aged K-12. READ MORE

Nassau County Museum of Art

Roslyn
This art museum offers year-round programming for families, rotating exhibits and a lush outdoor area with art installations. Drop in opportunities for art-making varies on weekends and school breaks for families as well. READ MORE

LuHi Summer Programs

Brookville
Offering dance (grades 2-12), fashion design (grades 4-9), performing arts (grades 5-10), visual arts (grades 6-10) and kickline, pom, and dance (grades 2-12), LuHi Summer Programs mixes a curriculum of culture with the tradition of a summer day camp. READ MORE

Gold Coast Arts Center

Great Neck
Workshops, classes, and camps at Gold Coast Arts Center span a variety of mediums, including art, robotics, chess, theater, and more. The summer arts camp also offers classes in a wide range of arts, including woodworking, robot mechanics, musical theater, and ceramics.  READ MORE
Usdan Summer Camp has dance programming. Photo courtesy of the camp
Usdan Summer Camp has dance programming. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Art Summer Camps in Suffolk County

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

Wheatley Heights
Catering to grades K-12, the Usdan experience is unique among arts summer camps in the region, as it combines the rigor of artistic practice with the playfulness of a classic summer camp, with places to swim, play sports, and practice yoga and archery. Usdan brings world-class teachers and visiting artists to teach and collaborate with campers. READ MORE

Art League of Long Island

Dix Hills
Since 1955, generations of Long Islanders have been inspired to learn, create, and showcase artwork at the Art League of Long Island. Visual arts classes in a myriad of mediums and styles are open to ages 5 to 95+ year-round. The Summer Art Adventure Program for kids and teens offers fun and creative activities based on exciting themes and famous artists. READ MORE

Gallery North

Setauket
Gallery North is an art space that offers exhibitions as well as education, art classes, and camps. A summer program, home-school sessions, and parent-and-child classes are also offered. READ MORE

Pawcasso Art Studio & Pet Boutique

Westhampton Beach
Pawcasso offers family paint events, classes, birthday parties, and mini art camps for kids. All mini camps run Monday-Thursday and students work on a wide array of projects through painting, drawing, mixed-media, and more. READ MORE

East End Arts

Riverhead
East End Art School offers enriching art camps, art classes, lessons and party options that include art, theater, music, and dance. Full-day camps are open to all children from ages of 5-14, and half-day camps are available for ages 5-10. Each camp concludes with an art show and performance for camper’s families.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Jaime Sumersille
Jaime Sumersille, a mom of two boys in Bellmore, has been writing for Mommy Poppins for over a decade. She’s always exploring Long Island’s beaches, parks, and new attractions, and loves sharing those experiences on the site. Jaime enjoys adding her family’s perspective to Mommy Poppins’ mission.
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