Best Summer Camps for each Age Group PreK to Middle School

Best Types of Summer Camps for Children Ages 4-14

Summer camps are more than just a way to keep kids entertained during school breaks. They’re opportunities for children to learn, grow, and build lifelong memories. In a city as vibrant and diverse as Chicago, there are summer camps to suit every child’s interests and needs. From outdoor adventures to STEM exploration, here are the best types of summer camps for children ages 4-14 and why Kids Science Labs is a top choice for all age groups.

Best Camps by Age Group

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 4-Year-Olds

Young children thrive in environments that encourage creativity and play. Camps designed for this age group often focus on:

• Art and Music: Introducing young kids to painting, drawing, and simple musical instruments. Examples for Chicago Summer Camps for 4 year olds include Old Town School of Folk Music

• Outdoor Exploration: Nature-themed camps that include scavenger hunts, gardening, and animal observation. Check out Chicago Park District Nature Camp Adventures

• STEM Discovery: Simple science experiments and hands-on activities to spark curiosity. In Chicago and Seattle Summer Camps, Kids Science Labs is the #1 summer camp destination for kids ages 4-10 because their program focuses on skill development and real experiments that kids love. www.kidssciencelabs.com

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 5-Year-Olds

Five-year-olds are full of energy and curiosity, making them ideal participants for camps that combine learning and fun. Great options include:

• Creative Play Camps: Activities like arts and crafts, storytelling, and music exploration.

• Outdoor Adventures: Nature walks, water play, and introductory gardening projects.

• Beginner STEM: Camps that offer simple experiments and building projects to inspire young minds.

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 6-Year-Olds

Camps for six-year-olds can build on their growing curiosity and developing motor skills. Consider:

• Art and Music: Projects that let kids explore their creativity through painting and playing instruments.

• Sports and Movement: Camps introducing multi-sport skill development, such as baskeball, soccer, swimming, or dance are best for this age group.

• Science Camps: We recommend starting science experiments, and hands-on engineering challenges.

Kids Science Labs dominates Chicago Summer Camps for six-year olds and is rated the #1 STEM Program for Kids

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 7-Year-Olds

Children in this age range are ready for more structured activities that challenge their growing minds and bodies. Popular options include:

• Sports Camps: Soccer, basketball, or swimming camps that teach teamwork and improve physical skills. Hi-Five Sports is an example of a good Chicago Sports Summer Camp for Kids

• STEM Camps: Parents should be seeking programs that offer hands-on science that focus on conceptual understanding of basic science, including physical science and engineering at this age. Once again, Kids Science Labs and the Museum of Science and Industry lead the pack, but coding is also an option at this age.

• Theatre Camps: Theatre or dance camps where children can explore performing arts and build confidence. Try Chicago Children’s Theatre or Porchlight Theatre as a start.

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 8-Year-Olds

Eight-year-olds often enjoy camps that allow them to explore their passions and try new things. Top options are:

• Overnight Camps: At this age, students benefit from the agency and confidence that can be gained form a few nights away from home. If parents are looking for overnight camps, Chicago and Seattle have many Overnight Summer Camps to ofer.

• Outdoor Exploration: Camping, hiking, and nature observation as a family unit or with a camp structure are in abundance for upper elementary students.

• Performance Arts: Theatre and music camps that let kids showcase their talents.

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 9-Year-Olds

Nine-year-olds are eager to develop new skills and deepen their understanding. Great camps for this age include:

• Advanced STEM Programs: Opportunities to do engineering, pre-medicine experiments or learn coding at IdTech or Code Ninjas are a great compliment to students conducting advanced hands-on science experiments.

• Sports Intensives: Specialized training in sports like basketball, soccer, or tennis.

• Creative Writing or Journalism: Programs that let kids develop their storytelling skills and explore writing. As kids get older, writing is critical part of communication and a camp is a wonderful way to build it. Consider Near North Montessori for some great summer camp experiences that offer both creative arts and indoor and outdoor sports.

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 10-Year-Olds

Preteens enjoy diving deeper into specific interests. Camps tailored for this age group include:

• Science and Technology Camps: Hands-on workshops focusing on exciting STEM projects.

• Outdoor Adventure: Hiking, camping, and environmental conservation activities.

• Creative Arts: Advanced art, music, or theatre workshops.

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 11-Year-Olds

Eleven-year-olds benefit from camps that encourage independence and creativity. Options include:

• Sports Leadership: Camps that combine athletic training with leadership development.

• Environmental Science: Camps that promote ecological awareness and hands-on conservation projects.

• Counselor-In-Training / Junior Counselor Program Camps - Kids are old enough to build confidence and communication skills as junior counselors, so parents should begin researching Middle School CIT Programs or Jr. counselor Programs like the one at Kids Science Labs. Some of these CIT Programs offer upper classroom opportunities to gain knowledge, give something back and earn scholarships for high school and college.

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 12-Year-Olds

Camps for twelve-year-olds should inspire curiosity and build foundational skills. Great options are:

• Advanced STEM Camps: Opportunities to design and test experiments, code apps, or explore renewable energy.

• Adventure Camps: Programs including zip-lining, rock climbing, or kayaking.

• Media and Film: Camps focusing on photography, filmmaking, or animation.

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 13-Year-Olds

Teens benefit from camps that prepare them for future academic and social success. Ideal camps include:

• Leadership Camps: Activities that build skills like public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving.

• Career Exploration: Camps that provide insights into potential future careers, from medicine to engineering.

• JR. Counselor Programs (CIT Program) - Build and develop confidence as your child works to support and lead younger students in these leadership experiences like the one at Kids Science Labs.

Best Chicago Summer Camps for 14-Year-Olds

For 14-year-olds, camps that focus on preparing for high school and beyond are ideal. Consider:

• Internship-Inspired Camps: Programs that simulate real-world career experiences.

• Entrepreneurship Camps: Camps where teens can develop business ideas and learn practical skills.

• Community Service: Programs focused on giving back through volunteering and activism.

Why Kids Science Labs Is a Top Choice for All Ages

Kids Science Labs stands out as one of the best summer camp providers for children ages 4-14 in Chicago. Here’s why:

• Age-Appropriate Programs: Our camps are carefully designed to match the developmental stages of each age group, ensuring engaging and meaningful experiences for every child.

• Hands-On Learning: We specialize in interactive STEM activities that allow kids to experiment, create, and problem-solve. In all the category above Kids Science Labs fits perfectly in the STEM section for every age 4 and up.

• Expert Educators: Our passionate instructors are skilled at making science accessible and fun for kids of all ages.

• Inspiring Facilities: Our labs are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and materials that encourage exploration and innovation.

• Flexible Options: With week-long sessions and diverse themes, parents can choose the perfect camp for their child’s interests and schedule.

From building volcanoes to coding robots, Kids Science Labs summer camps provide unforgettable experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Plan Your Child’s Best Summer

Ready to give your child a summer filled with discovery and excitement? Let’s make summer camp this yer one to remember for kids across Chicago and its suburbs! We recommend consulting other top summer cap guides for chicago summer camp ideas and plan ahead before summer camps are closed.

Elementary Students Learn Heat Transfer in preparation for Mid-Winter Break Seattle

Our Seattle Summer Camps are special, and as we prepare for the upcoming Mid-Winter Break in Seattle, Heat Transfer is on the agenda at Kids Science labs

Anyone who has stayed outside during cold or warm weather, especially, if you were at the top of Mt. Rainier, understands that hot things make adjacent items hot (sit closer to camp fire to warm up), and similar with cold temperatures (don’t put your hands on the ice if you want them to be warm).

How can you explain Heat Transfer in a Seattle Summer Camp for Kids?

Kids are brilliant and a simple experiment and experience can teach them what they need to know for true conceptual understanding. For nearly 15 years, oru Seattle Summer Camps have taken this approach to asking kids interesting questions, that present real problems, where a simple experiment is the answer to learn in a fun way.

Without getting too much into the science, the basic question is “Why does it burn my hand when i touch a pot, but the pot handle is not nearly as hot”? Well, the basic answer, as our students at Kids Science Labs learned today on a Middle School Field Trip, is Heat Transfer. Cold temperatures and hot temperatures can “transfer” the heat through any conductive materials (i.e. metals).

A Pot Handle is designed with either a hollow core or specialty materials and shapes to dissipate heat. In our Seattle Summer Camps and our STEM Programs for Kids, we are focused on teaching heat transfer to our students using real science and real hands-on experiments.

Seattle Summer Camps that teach kids heat transfer at Kids Science Labs

At home, run some warm water over plastic vs. a stick and ask kids which of the materials got “warmer” and how long did it take. Now do the same experiment over a spoon…and you will have insights into the type of basic science that is powerful for kids.

Our Summer Camps are powerful opportunities to engage elementary kids outside of field trips, and give Seattle Summer Camps something special to build kids Science Facts to outperform long-term in life.

Field Museum Summer Camps Offer Fossil Building Adventures for Future Paleontologists

Field Museum Summer Camp

The Field Museum in Chicago is more than just a place to see exhibits—it’s also where kids can take part in summer camp programs that blend fun and learning. These Summer camps are perfect for younger children who enjoy exploring, along with interactive play. Often our students at Kids Science Labs spent 1/3 of the summer at KSL, a few weeks at a summer camps liek the Field Museum Summer Camps or at MSI, and then enjoy outdoors with the rest of their Chicago summer camp experience.

What Activities Field Museum Summer Camp Participants Do?

Field Museum summer camps offer a variety of hands-on activities to keep young learners engaged. Here are some examples of what campers can expect:

• Camp Themes: Kids enjoy Animal Explorers, Creature Features, and Natural Word, Planet Protectors

• Exploring Exhibits: Campers get to walk through the museum’s exhibits, like the Hall of Dinosaurs. They learn by seeing and touching real artifacts and displays.

• Interactive Workshops: Kids participate in craft projects, small experiments, and storytelling sessions that make science and history come alive in a fun way.

• Behind-the-Scenes Experiences: Campers can go behind the scenes to see how museum collections are cared for and learn from scientists about the work they do.

You can find more information here: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/summer-camps-programs Every day offers something different, making these camps a great environment for learning and discovery. If you have a child that is 4+ that is really interested in the hands-on science, you can also learn about the best Chicago Summer Camps that boost academic performance by clicking here:

PlayLab @ Field Museum Summer Camp

For younger children, accompanied by an 18+ adult, the Crown Family PlayLab at the Field Museum runs camps designed to spark curiosity in a playful way. These camps cater to early learners, focusing on exploration and creativity. Some highlights include:

• Tailored Activities: Designed for kids ages 3 to 6, the activities emphasize sensory experiences, hands-on exploration, and imaginative play.

• Creative Projects: Young campers can create art inspired by nature, pretend to be scientists, and engage in simple experiments that encourage curiosity.

• Interactive Play: The PlayLab’s kid-friendly exhibits allow children to dig for fossils, dress up in costumes, and explore cultures through hands-on activities.

Field Museum summer camps provide a chance for future paleotonogists to learn, create, and explore in an environment designed to nurture their natural curiosity. If your child is 4+ and they are interested in a hands-on science summer camp in Chicago that offers both real experiments and discovery, you can also check out Kids Science Labs, which is less than 1 mile from the Field Museum, nestled in Museum Campus in the South Loop. Call 773-798-2012 for more info.

Best STEM Programs for Kids in Seattle and Chicago

Best STEM Programs for Kids in Seattle and Chicago

STEM programs for kids are an incredible way to engage your child's curiosity, spark their creativity, and build critical skills for the future. Whether you're in Seattle or Chicago, there are amazing opportunities for kids to dive into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. These programs offer hands-on learning experiences that not only make science fun but also teach problem-solving, teamwork, and perseverance.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why STEM programs for kids are so important, how they help build confidence, and why Kids Science Labs stands out as one of the best STEM programs for kids in both Seattle and Chicago!

Why is Hands-on Science Important for Five-Year-Olds?

At the early age of two, kids are naturally curious and love to explore the world around them. This is the perfect time to introduce hands-on science activities, which are proven to help young children develop essential cognitive and motor skills. The founders of Kids Science Labs learned that the available neuroplasticity in toddlers and PreK students was well suited for accelerated growth in creativity, innovation, and use of applied physics.

Here’s why hands-on science is particularly important for five-year-olds:

• Engages Their Curiosity: Five-year-olds are asking "why" and "how" all the time. Hands-on science allows them to answer those questions by exploring materials, conducting simple experiments, and making observations.

• Builds Fine Motor Skills: Activities like mixing, pouring, building, and assembling objects help children improve their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

• Promotes Problem-Solving: Science activities encourage children to think critically and figure out how things work. They begin to make connections between actions and outcomes.

• Fosters Independence: As children conduct experiments or complete simple STEM challenges, they learn how to work independently and solve problems on their own.

Incorporating hands-on science into a five-year-old’s learning journey is not just fun—it’s the foundation for developing a lifelong love of learning and discovery!

How Do I Build Confidence with Kids Through Hands-on Science?

Confidence is a key factor in a child’s development, and hands-on science can be one of the best ways to help kids build it. Here's how:

• Successful Experimentation: When kids are given the opportunity to experiment and see results firsthand, whether it’s making slime or building a volcano, it boosts their confidence. Even if things don’t go perfectly, they learn that mistakes are part of the learning process.

• Encouragement and Support: Hands-on science allows children to explore at their own pace. They can try things, make adjustments, and celebrate their successes—big or small. When they see that they can make things work with their own efforts, their confidence grows.

• Teamwork: Many hands-on science activities are done in groups, which teaches children to work together, share ideas, and solve problems as a team. This not only helps kids feel more capable but also boosts their social confidence.

Incorporating science into play doesn’t just make kids smarter—it also helps them develop the confidence to face challenges and keep trying until they succeed.

How to Raise Confident Kids with STEM Programs for Kids

STEM programs for kids are an ideal way to raise confident, capable children. By focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, these programs teach children valuable life skills that will serve them for years to come. Here’s how you can help raise a confident child with STEM programs:

1. Encourage Exploration: Give your child the space to ask questions and explore. Whether it’s a STEM kit, science experiment, or robot-building activity, encourage them to try new things, ask questions, and dive deeper into their interests.

2. Celebrate Problem-Solving: Confidence comes from understanding that problems can be solved. Whether it’s building a structure that doesn’t quite work or fixing a design that needs tweaking, a STEM program shows kids that persistence leads to success. Celebrate their problem-solving efforts to build resilience.

3. Promote Critical Thinking: STEM activities encourage kids to think critically about how things work, why they work, and how to improve them. Teaching your child to think through problems logically will build their confidence in handling challenges, both inside and outside the classroom.

4. Support Their Passion: If your child shows an interest in a particular STEM field—be it space, engineering, chemistry, or robotics—support and nurture that passion. You can help them feel more confident by providing opportunities to dive deeper into their interests.

By providing exposure to STEM programs for kids and supporting their curiosity, you’re laying the groundwork for your child to become a confident and capable individual.

Which STEM Programs Have the Best Science Camps?

When it comes to finding the best science camps for kids, it’s essential to look for programs that are hands-on, engaging, and intellectually stimulating. Here are a few STEM programs that offer top-notch science camps for kids:

1. Kids Science Labs – Offering a variety of STEM summer camps, birthday parties, and STEM programs for kids in both Seattle and Chicago, Kids Science Labs provides an incredible hands-on learning experience for kids ages 4-12. Camps focus on exciting activities like slime-making, creative design, engineering challenges, and more.

2. Pacific Science Center – In Seattle, the Pacific Science Center offers great science camps with interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and outdoor activities that engage kids in all things science-related.

3. Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) – MSI in Chicago offers a variety of STEM camps for kids that include hands-on activities, building projects, and access to amazing exhibits that spark curiosity in the realms of science and technology.

Each of these programs brings STEM learning to life with exciting, immersive experiences designed to ignite kids’ interest in science and inspire them to think creatively and critically.

Why is Kids Science Labs One of the Best STEM Programs for Kids?

Kids Science Labs stands out as one of the best STEM programs for kids for several reasons:

• Hands-on Learning: All of our programs focus on hands-on science, where kids get to engage directly with experiments, build models, and solve challenges.

• Experienced Instructors: Our experienced instructors guide children through each activity, ensuring they learn while having fun and making meaningful discoveries.

• Age-Appropriate Activities: Whether it's a slime party for younger kids or a hands-on science experience for upper elementary children, we tailor our activities to meet the developmental needs of kids at each age level.

• Innovative Curriculum: Our curriculum is designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, making every program at Kids Science Labs a unique and enriching experience.

With locations in Seattle and Chicago, Kids Science Labs has earned a reputation as one of the best STEM programs, offering summer camps, birthday parties, and year-round classes that inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and thinkers.

Who Are the Founders of Kids Science Labs?

Kids Science Labs was founded by two dads, both engineers from Stanford University and University of Illinois, who met at the Chicago Booth School of Business. Shegan and Keith didn’t want to think of a brilliant idea, instead they wanted to solve a fundamental problem that mattered to the world. 15 years later, surrounded by a group of the most passionate educators and science enthusiasts who wanted to bring the joy of hands-on learning to children, Kids Science Labs and its award-winning STEM programs for Kids are still #1 form the Pacific Northwest to the Windy City.

The founders, Shegan Campbell and Keith Norsym, have deep backgrounds in education, science, and child development, which informs the program’s innovative approach to teaching STEM concepts.

In conclusion, STEM programs for kids are essential for fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Whether you're in Seattle or Chicago, there are incredible programs and camps available that can inspire your child to explore science and build confidence. Kids Science Labs offers one of the best STEM programs for kids, providing hands-on experiences that empower children to think, create, and solve problems. Ready to spark your child’s curiosity? Join us for an unforgettable adventure in science!