Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Christine Mooney on

Toddlers have their own soft space to play at the National Children's Museum. Photo by Jason Dixson Photography courtesy of the museum.

When the weather is bad and the kids need to burn some energy, head to one of these top indoor playgrounds and play spaces in the DC area.

While getting kids out of the house to blow off steam is a must for everyone's sanity, it's not easy on cold, hot, or rainy days. But there are lots of indoor playgrounds in DC and beyond that allow kids to crawl, run, jump, climb, and play to their hearts' content—without causing a storm inside your house. Many of these indoor playgrounds include extra perks like free WiFi, cafes, fun classes, and more.

Here are 21 of the best indoor playgrounds and play spaces in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit with kids on those bad-weather days. For more ideas for indoor fun near DC, from awesome trampoline parks to amazing indoor water parks, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC.

Best Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Atlanta

Elsa Simcik's picture Submitted by Elsa Simcik on

Kids can spend the day playing in the park at one of several camps across Gwinnett County. Photo courtesy of Gwinnett Park and Recreation

Finding affordable summer camps in Atlanta can feel like trying to find a unicorn. But unlike unicorns, these summer camps are out there! Check out our list of affordable summer camps in Atlanta — helping parents get the most out of their buck and helping kids have an awesome summer.

For this article, we've capped "affordable" summer camp cost at $225 per week or less for 2024. Luckily, Atlanta's suburbs and counties have awesome parks and recreation departments that offer parents lots of affordable camp options. 

STEM Summer Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Your kids will love the fun STEM topics and themes at Snapology in White Plains. Photo courtesy of the camp

Are you looking for a ​STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) summer camp in Westchester or the Hudson Valley? Look no further, as there are plenty of camps in the region that teach important technology skills while also offering a fun summer experience for your kid. 

If your kid has an interest in coding, robotics, or even just building with Legos, they are sure to have a blast at the STEM camps we've rounded up below. For more outdoorsy kids, we have also included STEM camps with a focus on natural science, as well as camps that offer traditional camp activities in addition to STEM learning. 

Find more fun camps in our Camps Guide for Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids and Camp Directory. You can search the Directory by the type of camp you are looking for, your child's age, and the area you live in. 

Best Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Orlando

Submitted by Charlotte B on

Jump into fun at the City of Winter Park summer camp!

Summer will be here before we know it, and that means its time to start looking at Orlando summer camp options for the kids! We've rounded up budget-friendly summer camps in Orlando and Central Florida (for the purpose of this article, we've capped the camp cost at $200 per week or less). There are so many fun summer camps near Orlando, so don't let hefty costs get in the way of a memorable summer camp experience for kids!

Top Sports Summer Camps in Los Angeles: Soccer Summer Camps, Baseball Camps, and More

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Get your game on at sports summer camps. Photo courtesy of Saken Sports Camp

Sports summer camps in Los Angeles are perfect for kids to hone their sports skills, get some outdoor exercise, and test out the waters in new sports. 

Sports summer camps not only give your kiddos a leg up on the competition, but they also can give your kids the confidence they need to excel in activities outside of sports and learn teamwork. Beyond that, sports summer camps bring fantastic friendships and lasting memories. Find which sports camps in Los Angeles are the right fit for your family by reading below. 

Want more camp ideas? Discover the best summer day camps in LA, hang ten at surf camps for little groms, and more. Find plenty more summer camp options in our Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide. 

Best Sleepaway Summer Camps near Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on

Camp DeWolfe is located on 26 acres of woodland and beachfront property on Suffolk County's north shore. Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer camps on Long Island usually offer arts, sports, and team-building fun, but sleepaway camps also provide extra independence that many kids relish. With many great options on Long Island and in surrounding areas, there are plenty of sleepaway camps to pick from for summer 2024. 

For more on Long Island summer camps, check out our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for camps by age, town, and type.

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in New Jersey for Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

At Tenafly Nature Center Camp, kids experience the natural world. Photo courtesy of the nature center

After a busy school year, kids deserve a stress-free summer of adventure, and now's the time to explore summer camp options. We've rounded up 17 summer day camps in New Jersey that are easy on the wallet but heavy on summer fun. Many of these affordable summer camps let you register by the week or even the day, so you don't have to commit to an entire summer. Other options, like 3-day weeks and half-day summer camps, help to keep costs down. Before- and after-care is available at some of these inexpensive summer camps in New Jersey as well.

The following are some of the most affordable summer camps in New Jersey, and as a bonus, booking soon might help you score cost-saving early bird specials. For more on summer camps in New Jersey, bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town. 

Pages