Summer Camps in Chicago That Parents Rave About

Summer Camp Chicago Parents Love

Summer camp is an exciting experience for kids that offers a unique blend of fun, learning, and personal growth. In a city like Chicago, the options for summer camps are vast, providing families with many choices for day camps and overnight camps that can meet a wide variety of interests and needs. From arts and science to sports and leadership development, finding the right fit for your child is essential for making their summer both enjoyable and enriching.

As you start looking for camps near me, it’s helpful to know which programs are popular and highly rated by other parents. In this blog, we’ll highlight four summer camp Chicago parents love, focusing on camps that boost confidence, nurture creativity, and develop leadership skills in kids.

Summer Camp in Chicago Can Boost Confidence, Like Kids Science Labs for Kids 4-12

When it comes to building a child’s confidence, summer camps that offer hands-on, engaging activities are key. Kids Science Labs, a popular camp for children ages 4-12, focuses on sparking curiosity and igniting the imaginations of young scientists. This camp allows kids to explore STEM topics through interactive experiments and projects that encourage problem-solving and teamwork. By working on real-world science projects, kids develop a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their abilities.

Parents appreciate the variety of programs Kids Science Labs offers, with options like robotics, chemistry, and engineering, making it a great choice for children who are curious about the world around them. If you're looking for a fun and educational summer camp Chicago experience that will keep your child engaged and learning, Kids Science Labs is a fantastic option.

Consider a CIT Program for Leadership Development in Kids 12-15 Years Old for Summer Camp in Chicago

If you're looking for a camp that focuses on leadership development for your pre-teen or teen, consider a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program. CIT programs offer older children an opportunity to build valuable leadership skills while working alongside camp staff. These programs typically focus on teaching teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and responsibility—skills that are essential for future success both in and out of school.

Many summer camps Chicago offer CIT programs, providing a great way for kids ages 12-15 to transition from camper to leader. Whether it's through mentoring younger campers or helping organize camp activities, your child will gain self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. Look for camps near me that provide CIT options and give your child the chance to grow into a leader this summer.

Steve & Kate’s Camp Has Many Locations

For families looking for flexible, creative, and engaging summer camp experiences, Steve & Kate's Camp is a great option. With multiple locations across Chicago, this camp focuses on giving kids the freedom to explore their own interests. Whether your child is into arts and crafts, coding, or sports, they can design their own day at camp by choosing from a variety of activities.

What sets Steve & Kate’s Camp apart is its focus on autonomy and self-expression. Kids are encouraged to follow their passions and develop new skills, all while having fun and making new friends. The camp’s emphasis on creativity and independence makes it a great choice for parents seeking a summer camp Chicago experience that prioritizes individualized learning and personal growth.

Museum of Science & Industry Has a STEM Camp

The Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago offers one of the best STEM camps for kids in the area. This camp is ideal for children who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math. Participants engage in hands-on activities that tie into real-world applications of STEM concepts. They’ll explore everything from robotics to space exploration and learn through exciting experiments that spark their curiosity.

Parents love the Museum of Science & Industry’s STEM camp because it provides a structured yet exciting way for kids to dive deeper into subjects that will prepare them for future academic success. It’s perfect for families looking for a summer camp Chicago experience that focuses on both fun and learning.

Hi-Five Camp Is One of the Best Sports Camps

For families with children who love sports, Hi-Five Camp is one of the best options in Chicago. Known for its well-organized programs and dedicated coaches, Hi-Five Camp offers a variety of sports for kids, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more. What makes Hi-Five unique is its emphasis on developing not only athletic skills but also teamwork and sportsmanship.

Whether your child is new to sports or has been playing for years, Hi-Five Camp provides a supportive environment where they can improve their skills and have fun. With a focus on physical activity, leadership, and social interaction, Hi-Five is an excellent choice for parents searching for camps near me that prioritize fitness and friendship.

Check Out the Day in The Life Schedule to Learn More About a Camp

To truly understand if a summer camp Chicago is the right fit for your child, it’s helpful to check out the camp’s schedule. Many camps offer a "Day in the Life" schedule on their website, giving you a detailed look at what a typical day at camp looks like. This allows you to get a sense of the activities, downtime, and overall structure of the camp.

By reviewing a camp’s daily schedule, you can ensure that your child will be engaged in activities that match their interests and energy level. It’s also an opportunity to see how well the camp balances structured activities with free time, allowing your child to have fun while learning and growing.

With so many incredible summer camp Chicago options available, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your child’s interests and needs. Whether you’re looking for a science-focused camp, a sports camp, or a program that nurtures leadership skills, there’s something for every child in Chicago’s thriving summer camp scene. We encourage parents,, as you search for camps near me, be sure to consider these four camps that parents rave about—each offering unique and enriching experiences for kids of all ages.

Best Science Experiments for Children Ages 2-10

Best Science Experiments for Children Ages 2-10

Science is a fantastic way to spark curiosity and inspire children to explore the world around them, under the supervision of qualified adults and the professionals at organizations like Kids Science Labs.

From toddlers to pre-teens, hands-on experiments help kids learn through play and discovery. Below, we’ve compiled a list of age-appropriate science experiments for children ages 2-10 that are both fun and educational.

Disclaimer: We love science. However, all information below is for information purposes only. Children should not perform science experiments without adult supervision. Be safe always and never do anything in a way that it may cause damage to your house, home, person, or pets.

Science Projects for Two-Year-Olds

1. Color Mixing with Ice

Freeze water dyed with primary colors (red, yellow, blue) into ice cubes. Let your child explore mixing them in a clear bowl of warm water to watch new colors emerge.

2. Sink or Float

Fill a tub with water and provide small items like toys, corks, and coins. Ask your child to guess if each object will sink or float, then test it.

Science Experiments for Three-Year-Olds

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano

Using a small container, add baking soda and a few drops of food coloring. Pour in vinegar and watch the colorful eruption.

2. Bubble Snakes

Wrap a sock around the open end of a plastic bottle, secure it with a rubber band, dip it in soapy water, and blow through the mouthpiece to create a bubble snake.

Science Experiments for Four-Year-Olds

1. Magic Milk Experiment

Pour milk into a shallow dish and add drops of food coloring. Touch the surface with a cotton swab dipped in dish soap to see the colors dance.

2. Balloon Rocket

Tape a straw to a balloon, thread it onto a string stretched between two chairs, and release the balloon to watch it zip along the string.

Science Experiments for Five-Year-Olds

1. DIY Lava Lamp

Fill a clear bottle with water, oil, and food coloring. Add a tablet of Alka-Seltzer and watch the colorful blobs rise and fall.

2. Exploring Shadows

Use a flashlight to cast shadows with different objects, teaching about light and shadow.

Science Experiments for Six-Year-Olds

1. Growing Crystals

Dissolve salt or sugar in warm water, pour it into a jar, and let it sit undisturbed. Crystals will form as the water evaporates.

2. Simple Circuit

With a small battery, wires, and an LED bulb, create a simple circuit to teach the basics of electricity.

Science Experiments for Seven-Year-Olds

1. Slime Making

Combine glue, water, and borax solution to make stretchy, gooey slime. Experiment with adding small amounts glitter, or texture beads for customization. Be careful to read all labels and avoid using toxic or unsafe activator liquids that are undissolved as they could be harmful to small pets and toddlers.

2. Cloud in a Jar

Add hot water to a glass jar, spray hairspray inside, and seal the top with ice. Watch a cloud form inside the jar.

Science Experiments for Eight-Year-Olds

1. Egg Drop Challenge

Challenge your child to design a contraption to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height.

2. Rainbow in a Glass

Layer liquids of different densities (honey, dish soap, water, oil) in a clear glass to create a colorful rainbow.

Science Experiments for Nine-Year-Olds

1. DIY Sundial

Teach time-telling by marking shadow positions of a stick in the ground at hourly intervals.

2. Paper Bridge Strength Test

Experiment with folding techniques to see how much weight different paper bridges can support.

Science Experiments for Ten-Year-Olds

1. DIY Periscope

Using cardboard and mirrors, build a periscope to learn about reflection and optics.

2. Balloon-Powered Car

Build a car using a small box, straws, bottle caps, and a balloon to understand propulsion.

Best Places for Your Kids to Perform Science Experiments

If you’re looking for a hands-on learning environment for your child to explore science, Kids Science Labs is the ultimate destination and has the #1 STEM Program for Kids in Seattle and Chicago. Their expert educators and creative learning environments are designed to ignite curiosity and build real confidence in problem solving. .

Kids Science Labs staff lead kids in Chicago Summer Camps to perform all the experiments above to a higher level with useful and relevant discussion that is age appropriate. You also should know that Kids Science Labs also offers kids birthday parties in each of their beautiful Chicago and Seattle centers that allow for your child to have a fun, educational summer.

Since 2010, Kids Science Labs has had the #1 STEM Program for Kids, offering classes for each major age group that differentiate difficulty levels and the depth of conceptual understanding to make sure that each age group has a valuable experience.

At Kids Science Labs, kids can answer questions like “How do you make slime stretchy?” in a fun, hands-on way that combines learning with excitement. Whether it’s through our STEM camps or birthday parties, we offer an experience that leaves kids inspired and eager to learn more. 

Other great places to explore science include:

1. Science Museums – Interactive exhibits that make science fun.

2. Local Libraries – Many host free science workshops for kids.

3. Community Centers – Often offer seasonal science programs.

4. Nature Centers – Combine science with outdoor exploration.

Give your child the gift of discovery and creativity. Book a class, camp, or party at Kids Science Labs today and watch their love for science grow! Book Here.

Top Summer Camps that also provide Gifted STEM Programs for Kids

Top Summer Camp Chicago

Summer in Chicago is a time for kids to explore, learn, and have fun. For parents, finding the right summer camp can be a challenge, especially with so many options available. Whether you’re looking for an affordable program, a specialized camp, or an unforgettable science experience, we’ve got you covered. Here are our top 5. 

1. Kids Science Labs: At Kids Science Labs, we focus on providing a unique summer camp experience where kids explore their scientific curiosity. With weekly themes, our camps are packed with interactive experiments and creative problem-solving. In 2025 our camps rotate every 4 weeks as a part of our Engineering University, and the camp titles are Our world according to Physics, Gadgets and Inventions, Design Time Live!, and Chem Busters. You can learn more about our popular and engaging camps here on our website. 

2. Chicago Park District: Affordable day camps offering activities like sports, arts, and swimming in local parks.

3. YMCA Camp: A trusted favorite with programs focusing on teamwork, physical activity, and community building.

4. All About Dance Summer Camp: Perfect for kids who love to move, featuring dance classes and creative choreography projects.

5. Altitude Chicago Summer Camp: For adventure enthusiasts, this camp includes activities like trampoline games and physical challenges.

Affordable Summer Camps in Chicago

Finding a high-quality summer camp that fits your budget can be tough. Fortunately, Chicago offers a variety of affordable options without compromising on educational value and fun. Many local organizations, including community centers and schools, provide:

• General Day Camps: These camps offer diverse activities, including sports, crafts, and games, at reasonable prices.

• Special Interest Camps: Some camps focus on art, music, or nature and often have sliding scale fees or scholarships available.

At Kids Science Labs, we’re proud to offer engaging, educational science camps that are competitively priced. Our week-long sessions are designed to maximize value for families, providing hands-on learning experiences that kids love and parents appreciate.

Why Science Camp is Worth It

Science camps offer much more than just experiments and labs. Chicago Science Camps, like those at MSI< Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, and Kids Science Labs, nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, all while being incredibly fun. Here are a few reasons why science camps are a great investment in your child’s summer:

1. Hands-On Learning: Kids don’t just listen—they experiment, build, and create.

2. Real-World Skills: Camps often focus on teamwork, communication, and innovation.

3. Inspiration for the Future: Exposing kids to STEM fields early can spark lifelong interests and even influence career paths.

4. Fun and Friendship: Science camps combine education with play, ensuring kids form lasting memories and friendships.

Why Kids Science Labs is the rated as one of the best Summer Science Camps in Chicago

Kids Science Labs is more than just a camp—it’s a place where kids’ imaginations come to life and they build growth mindsets in students to solve real problems with real science. When you think about your Chicago Summer Camp choice, here are a few reasons why you should at least consider a few weeks at Kids Science Labs

• Engaging Curriculum: Each week has a unique theme that challenges kids to think critically and creatively. From designing eco-friendly cities to exploring space science, every session is packed with excitement.

• Expert Educators: Our Teachers and counselors are passionate about making science accessible and inspiring for kids of all ages.

• Hands-On Fun: We focus on experiments and activities that encourage kids to ask questions, test ideas, and learn through discovery.

• Beautiful Facilities with Adjacent Green Space: Our labs are fully equipped with tools and materials to support an engaging STEM experience.

• Flexible Registration: Unlock most other Chicago Summer Camps, Kids Science Labs allows parents to register for 1 week, or all 12 weeks of summer, with flexible and affordable memberships for families. With multiple sites across Chicago, there’s a higher chance that you will find a Kids Science Labs Summer Camp near me.

At Kids Science Labs, we believe that every child is a natural-born scientist and curious about the world around them. Our camps are designed to tap into that potential and make summer an unforgettable season of exploration and discovery.

CONSIDER WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY, ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCES, AND THEN ENJOY YOUR SUMMER PEACE, WHILE YOUR KDIS ARE LOVING CHICAGO SUMMER CAMPS

Don’t let summer pass by without giving your child an amazing experience. Check out other top summer camp guides to find the perfect camp for your little scientist. With hands-on activities, expert instructors, and a focus on fun, you can find what you are looking for in a chicago summer camp and just be ready to make this summer the best one yet!

Why do Hurricanes spin the way they do? - Weather and Climate Summer Camps for Kids

Easy Science Experiments for 6 year Olds

Kids are curious and their questions matter. All day they are asking about what they observe, wondering how things work, and applying their curiosity to our world in exciting ways. For example, my six year old asked me yesterday on the way to school “ Why can’t you drive faster on the side streets”, which just was a beautiful observation that led to a interesting conversation on risk, safety, and noise pollution.  KSL Parents know that all of our classes that we teach start with an engaging question that is asked by a child, and only then do we experiment, discover, and use creative design to apply science principles to innovating things like chairs made of cups or night lights made of LED’s for our student population, starting at age 2.  Our parents have been asking us for years to blog on the same cool science that we do in class each week and provide a forum for our students to ask their questions. So here you go, some hopefully useful news to engage your own curiosity as parents and help you to engage your kids in the car with some discussion. Enjoy!

Why Do Hurricanes Spin That way -

There has been a lot of news recently on Hurricanes, with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria reeking havoc on in the U.S. South and coastal islands.  One child asked us “Why do hurricanes spin that way”? It is a really an interesting topic and fundamental question. Many people know that most hurricanes originate in warmer climates, and that they involve fast moving winds, so let’s start by just figuring out what the problem is?  

Teaching Hands-on Science about Earth’s Features Helps Elementary SChool Kids Learn Science

The main problem is that the earth is constantly moving, and its environmental conditions are constantly changing and evolving. It is this movement and the changes in the environment that end up creating a basic weather phenomenon, wind. We can’t even talk about hurricanes without talking about wind. If we know that the earth has air, the question really starts with why that air starts to move in the first place. Air, like most other natural phenomenon, wants to be in the least disruptive place, so whenever there is high pressure, it moves away towards low pressure. It is this basic movement of air from high pressure zones to lower pressure zones that creates what we call wind.   So when you see a lot of wind, it usually means that a very high pressure zone has moved in and the air is running away from it to find the nearest low pressure zone (peace).  This of this like a letting a balloon go, the air shoots out because inside it is stuffed in (high pressure) and it is trying to get out to the low pressure.  

Even Kids Can learn about Forces in Seattle Summer Camps

Anything requires force to move, so wind is simply air that is in motion, moving away from high pressure zones to low pressure zones. Our students in our Seattle Summer Camps wanted to know, so Imagine you were sitting at the top of a slide, but haven’t moved yet. Then some big kid comes along and pushes you, whether you like it or not, you are moving. The bigger and harder the push, the faster your body is going down the hill. This example if important, because gravity and the environmental conditions (wetness, heat, etc) are also big effects in producing lots of wind, just like being pushed down a slide. 

Phew! So now that we are all on the same page that wind is just the earth pushing air around us, because there are strong forces (differences in high and low pressure generates force), lets get to the real question that this kid is having. 

Engineering for Kids - How Hemispheres work

Scientists will tell you the basic science that hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere typically rotate counterclockwise and in the Southern Hemisphere they rotate clockwise. But why? Well, to a child, it is like watching anything that spins, the air around it is going to move in the direction of motion of the object spinning. Since the Earth moves or spins to the right, the strong winds that are experienced by a hurricane are typically moving in that same direction. Regardless of whether the hurricane is moving north or south, it is spinning to the right because the earth is pushing it that way. 

What is the Coriolis Effect? - Easy Scence ExPeriment for Kids

If wind is the basic motion of air from high pressure to low pressure that is happening all the time everywhere on the planet, then its motion is almost always curving to the right, because that is the direction of the earth. There is a technical name for this called the Coriolis Effect, but that is not necessary to talk about to kids, just put that in your pocket for your next cocktail party!  So when you are in the Southern Hemisphere (south of the equator), and traveling north, the earth is going to push the wind to the right as that is the direction of its spin, which creates a clockwise spin for any hurricanes moving north through the southern hemisphere. If however, you are in the northern hemisphere and traveling south, the earth is still pushing you to the right, however the motion that results is counterclockwise. To show this to your kids, just have them draw a line with an arrow pointing downward on a piece of paper and then slightly bend the arrow it to the right and see that it starts to move into a counterclockwise rotation. Now draw the opposite line with an arrow pointing upward and slightly bend it to the right to see that it starts to move into a clockwise rotation. If your child is drawing the line, just slightly push her finger to the right while she is drawing and the circular motion will start to look like a clock moving in the wrong direction if you keep pushing their finger. 

That, our friends, is what creates the basic motion of a Hurricane in each of the hemispheres. Typically, Southern originating hurricanes moving north are clockwise and Northern originating hurricanes are counterclockwise as shown below. 

Counterclockwise Motion - Curious Kids in our Chicago Summer Camps Want to know how it Affects the Wind

Now that we understand that wind is just the resulting motion of air from high pressure to low pressure, and that hurricanes spin clockwise or counterclockwise almost entirely based on their origin and the rotation of the earth (Coriolis Effect), we can begin to talk to our kids about environmental conditions. A Hurricane needs food to grow big and strong, and the food that hurricanes love the most are water, warmth, and strong differences in pressure. When the wind starts to move over water, it is called a Tropical Depression, which is basically strong enough to feel (up to 38mph), but doesn’t cause major damage most of the time. When the wind feeds on water that is evaporating, warmth, and pressure difference, the wind gets stronger and can build into a Tropical Storm (winds 39-73mph).  A tropical storm causes damage, but it not nearly as bad as what happens next, which is a Tropical Hurricane (winds > 74mph). 

How Does the Eye of a Hurricane Work? An Easy Science Experiment for Kids

A basic hurricane has a low pressure center (peaceful in the middle), with ridiculously strong winds immediately boring this low pressure EYE and winds that decrease in strength as you move further away from the eye of the hurricane.  There are hundreds of tropical storms a year, and only some of them have the right mix of wind and pressure conditions that they develop into Hurricanes (Category 1 - Category 5). Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones are all the same thing, they just originate in different zones. 

When discussing with kids, there is a basic experiments that can do to demonstrate their power at home.  The first is to grab an empty two liter bottle and fill it with water. Put a tiny bit glitter or cinnamon (colorful spice) into the bottle and fill it up. Then, just turn it over and watch the water flow out, as you observe it, the glitter or cinnamon won’t do anything.  Next, repeat the experiment, but as you turn the 2 liter upside down, give it a tiny circular spinning motion, which will start a vortex (higher speeds of motion) and the kids will see that the glitter is now moving violently in a circular motion and the water will pour it twice as fast. This helps kids see that circular motion effects an increase the rate of water being dumped and simulate the naturally occurring rotation effects on wind as the earth moves.  If you happen to have small solid object that will fit into the water, it makes for a really interesting observation as the spinning vortex will whip that object around the 2 liter as the vortex pushes everything down! 

Learning How Wind Works -And how its related to Hurricanes?

Ok, so wind is simply motion of air that is caused by differences in pressure, the earth spins to the right, hurricanes develop over time under the right conditions of warmth, water, and pressure, that are sustained, and if you know the hurricane develops in the south or the north, you can reasonably predict whether it will be spinning clockwise (destination Northern Hemisphere from Southern Hemisphere). That’s cool. So what is all this recent media business on whether Hurricanes are getting worse. Well, it turns out, that climate change suggests that our climate is getting warmer. The basic principle is that since the oceans are getting warmer, then the evaporative movement of water will be forming more storm clouds, which will experience higher pressure differences, which will create faster movement of wind, which will increase wind speeds with circulation motion, which will result in stronger hurricanes. :) A Category 5 Hurricane can raise water levels up to 20 feet, which is why there is so much flooding during a hurricane. Water is literally being pushed by the wind over long distances and it piles up onto the shore or in other instances leaves beaches with dry ocean beds.

We could talk about this topic forever, but we will start with some basic problem solving. We can’t really control mother nature, so Hurricanes and Storms will happen. However, if you look at how you theoretically stop them, there are three basic methods:

• Cool The Air

• Remove the Water

• Disrupt the flow of Air with large objects/deflectors (friction is the force that slows things down as we are learning over the next two weeks at Kids Science Labs)

When speaking to kids, we can’t really talk about complexity, as they just are not that interested in that deep level of detail. The basic reason that Hurricanes Spin the way that they do, is that the earth is spinning to the right, and all hurricanes have wind that is being pushed to the right. It just matters whether the hurricane is traveling to the South or traveling to the North, that causes the hurricane to be Clockwise (Destination Northern Hemisphere) or CounterClockwise (Destination Southern Hemisphere). Some of your kids may want to know more, and if so, just bring them to Kids Science Labs because we do this stuff all day. We are the place to bring the curious child to be engaged and learn about how the world works!  

If your child has a question that involves science, please let us know and we will address it on Facebook or via a new feature of “I Have A Question”, a regularly occurring blog explaining basic science to kids around the world. Just email your question to “stem@kidssciencelabs.com” and our team of passionate teachers, engineers, and parents will gladly get back to you.