Summer Camps in Chicago - Tips to Manage Your Camp Enrollment

How to Manage Summer Camp Last Minute Registration

Summer break is approaching, and many parents are not able to plan 6-9 months in advance, which inherently leads to some Summer Camps in Chicago on a waiting list, or rose, without access to the best camps.

When thinking about managing your Summer Camps in Chicago Waitlist Registration, here are a few tips.

Summer Camp registration is often hectic, and since Covid-19, many camps may have fewer available spots. That means that customers may experience being on a waitlist, which makes for an unfriendly summer. We want to help you know how to reserve a spot on the waitlist easily, and how we will communicate with you about available spots. Here is a quick video on how to reserve your waitlist spot:

1. Stay Organized and Keep Track of Important Dates

Being on a waitlist doesn’t mean you’re out of options. It’s essential to stay on top of deadlines and updates from the camp. Make a note of when you applied, the expected timeline for waitlist decisions, and any follow-up dates. Setting reminders on your phone or using a calendar can help ensure you don't miss an email or phone call from the camp.

Pro Tip: Some camps might update waitlist status on a rolling basis or have deadlines to confirm a spot if one opens up. Keep your contact info up to date so you don’t miss an opportunity!

2. Stay Flexible and Have a Backup Plan

While it's ideal to secure a spot at your first-choice camp, having a backup plan can alleviate some stress. If the waitlist doesn't work out, consider enrolling your child in another camp — maybe a different location, type, or even one you hadn't previously considered. Be open to new experiences; summer camps are a great way for kids to explore different activities, make new friends, and try something new.

Pro Tip: Many camps offer a mix of day camps and overnight camps. If your child is waitlisted for an overnight camp, you may still find a great day camp option that works well.

3. Reach Out and Stay Engaged

It’s okay to contact the camp periodically to check your child's status on the waitlist. However, approach this in a professional and respectful manner. Let the camp know that you’re still interested, and be polite and positive. Camps will appreciate hearing from families that remain engaged — it shows your commitment and interest.

Pro Tip: Express your flexibility and enthusiasm about the camp's program, as sometimes camps may prioritize families who are genuinely excited about attending.

4. Explore Alternative Camps

If your first choice is on a long waitlist, consider expanding your search to other camps that still have availability. Look into camps that are less well-known or those that are just starting up. They may offer unique programs and experiences, and you might discover something your child loves just as much.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget about virtual camps! Some online programs can be a fantastic alternative if your child prefers a more flexible summer schedule, or if they want to explore new skills like coding, art, or cooking from home.

5. Prepare for Next Year

If you're facing a waitlist this year, take the opportunity to plan ahead for next summer. Camps typically open their registration process several months in advance, sometimes as early as the fall or winter. Sign up for newsletters or email alerts, follow the camp on social media, and set reminders to register as soon as enrollment opens. The earlier you can commit, the better your chances of securing a spot for next year.

Pro Tip: Some camps, like Kids Science Labs may even offer early-bird registration discounts or perks for families who sign up early.

Please know that every year people do actually get into camp from the waitlist, and you can check updates periodically your account. You can register for Chicago Summer Camps at Kids Science Labs and beat the waitlist blues, by going to SUMMER CAMP, or call us at 773-798-2012 and we would be happy to help find a spot for your brilliant young scientist.

Top 32 Easy Science Experiments for Kids for DIY Fun At Home or Away

Top 25 Easy Science Experiments for Kids using Materials you already have

Kids all around the country are curious, and its our responsibility to engage and help their discovery. But since not every home has the world class Kids Science Labs inventory room, chalk full of science goodies for kids, we wanted to build a list of easy science experiments for kids using materials you already have in your kitchen or that you can grab from any convenience store. Enjoy the list and email us at support@kidssciencelabs.com if you have any questions.

1. Skittles Rainbow Diffusion

Our students love colors, so in this experiment kids can explore color, sugar, and the difference between a solid (food coloring powder) and a liquid (water). A fun and colorful science experiment! Arrange Skittles around the edge of a plate or really using the first initial of your first name, then pour warm water in the center, Have kids count to 27, so the physical reaction can take affect and watch as the colors of the Skittles diffuse into the water, creating a beautiful rainbow. This simple experiment demonstrates the process of diffusion and the way water molecules move through different colors.

2. Diaper Jelly Absorption Science with InstaSnow

If you are like me, you may have an old diaper sitting around. Well, that diaper uses a polymer called sodium polyacrylate, as a super absorbent crystal. Your kids won’t realize it, but a full diaper can hold 20oz of water, which is crazy! This experiment uses the super-absorbent crystals from a diaper and InstaSnow powder to show how absorbent materials can hold large amounts of liquid. Place the diaper crystals in a bowl, add water, and watch as they absorb and expand, forming a gel-like substance that mimics snow!

3. Baking Soda + Lemonade Volcano

Combine baking soda and lemonade (or lemon juice) to create a fizzing, erupting volcano effect. The acidity of the lemonade reacts with the baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas, which creates a bubbly eruption. It's a fun, easy way to demonstrate acid-base chemical reactions, without having to use the stale old “vinegar + baking soda”. Also, for real fun , ask kids to name other citrus drinks that may work and compare the chemical reactions from each.

4. Balloon Inside a Balloon Trick

Find two latex 9 - 12 inch party style spherical balloons, preferably with a light color (white or yellow) and a dark color (blue or purple). Place the darker balloon inside the light balloon, while they are both uninflated. Carefully inflate the interior balloon as you normally would, but only blow it up about 1/3 full (4 inches in diameter). Watch as the light exterior balloon expands alongside the inflated balloon, illustrating air pressure and elasticity in action. Be sure to tie a knot for the dark balloon so it retains its air. Next, for kicks and giggles, inflate the exterior balloon watch as kids are astonished to see a balloon inside a balloon. Ask them for idea on how to pop the interior balloon without popping the exterior balloon.

5. Oobleck Made Easy

Mix cornstarch and water to create Oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid. The solution is resistant to sheer forces (moving fast), so oobleck acts like a solid when squeezed but flows like a liquid when left alone. This fun experiment helps kids understand states of matter and viscosity.

6. Oil + Water Density Stack of Liquids

As most parents know, not every liquid is the same. All liquids have characteristic properties, such as its Density, which is how much mass for a unit of volume (D = M / V). Pour various liquids like oil, water, and honey into a tall glass to create layers that are stacked based on their characteristic density. It’s important that the liquids do not mix, so orange juice and apple juice won’t work. Since liquids have different densities, and you'll see the layers form. This experiment is a great introduction to the concept of density and works the same way that dense rocks typically sink when you throw them in a pool of water.

7. Breaking Water Tension with Soap, Water, and Pepper

Sprinkle pepper on the surface of a bowl of water, then dip a soap-covered q-tip into the water. The pepper will scatter as the soap breaks the surface tension of the water, demonstrating how soap affects water molecules.

8. Mustard Slime

Mix 2 ounces of mustard with 1 teaspoon of,baking soda. Mix and slowly count to seven stiring a popsicle sticks and watch as yellow slime that’s both fun and easy to make. This experiment demonstrates how different substances interact to create materials with unique properties. We advise doing this slime in the kitchen in the sink.

9. Ketchup Slime

Like mustard slime, ketchup can be used to create a slime-like texture when combined with baking soda. It's a gooey, fun way to teach kids about viscosity and how different ingredients can affect the texture of substances. Ketchup and Mustard both include vinegar, which is why this slime is so “explosive” and looks like a mushroom cloud. We advise doing this slime in the kitchen in the sink.

10. Milk and Food Coloring Experiment

Pour milk into a shallow dish, add a few drops of different food coloring, and then dip a cotton swab soaked in dish soap into the milk. The soap causes the food coloring to swirl around, demonstrating how soap molecules interact with fat molecules in the milk.

11. Elephant Toothpaste

This classic experiment uses hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and yeast to create a massive foam eruption, mimicking a toothpaste explosion. It’s a great example of a rapid chemical reaction that produces oxygen gas.

12. Make Biggest Bubbles with Sugar and Dish Soap

Mix sugar, water, and dish soap to create the biggest and strongest bubbles. The sugar helps reinforce the bubble's surface, making it last longer and grow bigger. Perfect for indoor and outdoor fun! Watch teachers at Kids Science Labs also use pipecleaners to design the largest bubble in Chicago’s South Side.

13. Plasma Ball and Light Bulb Tricks

A plasma ball can demonstrate electrical conductivity and ionized gas. You can also try lighting a light bulb with static electricity by using the ball. These tricks offer a hands-on approach to understanding electricity and light.

14. T-shirts Absorb Water Trick

Wet a T-shirt with water and place it on a dry surface. Ask kids to observe how much water is absorbed and discuss the materials in the T-shirt that help it retain moisture. It’s a great introduction to the concept of absorption and textile properties.

15. Float a Marker Science Trick

Fill a glass with water, place a marker on top, and slowly add drops of water to the surface. The marker will float due to the surface tension of the water. This simple trick is a good way to explore surface tension and buoyancy.

16. Make Some Slime Worms with Sodium Alginate

Combine sodium alginate with calcium chloride in a fun experiment that lets kids create slimy "worms" that float in the water. This experiment demonstrates how certain chemicals react to form a gel-like substance.

17. Mix Up Some Fluffy Slime

Create fluffy, light slime by mixing shaving cream with glue and a little baking soda. The texture is soft and fluffy, and kids will love stretching it. It’s a great way to explore the properties of different materials and chemical reactions.

18. Make A Bouncy Ball with Corn Starch

Mix cornstarch, baking soda, and a little water to create a bouncy ball that kids can play with. This simple experiment shows how different ingredients can be combined to create something with new, interesting properties.

19. Creative Ideas with Cardboard Boxes

Transform cardboard boxes into various experiments, like a homemade rocket, maze, or pinhole camera. Kids can design, build, and explore new ways to use everyday materials in creative science experiments.

20. Build a Chair From Cardboard

Kids love making things but bet you didnt’ know that your child or classroom can make a real chair that they can sit own using simple paper cups and a flat piece of cardboard. Watch this video to see exactly how to do it usinga age old technique from your friends at Kids Science Labs.

21. Create Colorful Chalk with Plaster of Paris

Mix Plaster of Paris with food coloring to create colorful, custom chalk pieces. These chalks can be used for outdoor drawing, while also teaching kids about chemical reactions and molding.

22. Light Diffraction with Pencil in Water

Fill a glass with water and insert a pencil on the interior of the cup. Ask kids to observe how the pencil looks "bent" when viewed through the water. Water has a different density than air, and thus light moves at a slightly different speed through the material, causing the weird distortion to the human eye. This simple trick helps kids understand light refraction and how light bends as it passes through different materials.

23. Chemical Reactions with Milk and Lemon Juice

Combine milk and lemon juice to create curds and whey, demonstrating an acid-base chemical reaction. Little MIss Muffet, sat on her Tuffet, eating her curds and whey….This experiment shows how acidic substances can change the properties of liquids, creating solid masses like cheese.

24. Inflate a Balloon with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Mix vinegar and baking soda in a bottle, then quickly attach a balloon to the top. We often recommend adding two teaspoons of baking sode to the balloon first, and then placing the lip of the balloon over the bottle of vinegar and pouring it in. The reaction creates carbon dioxide gas, which inflates the balloon. This is a fun way to teach kids about gas production and chemical reactions.

25. Make Fizzing Super Soap

Combine baking soda and vinegar with dish soap to create a foamy, fizzing reaction. This experiment combines chemical reactions with bubbles for extra fun and learning.

26. Learning Difference Between Hand Sanitizer and Soap

Test the effectiveness of hand sanitizer versus soap by washing hands with each and observing the difference. This is a great way to teach kids about hygiene, germs, and the importance of washing hands properly.

27. Mentos and Diet Coke

Drop a Mentos candy into a bottle of Diet Coke, and watch as the soda erupts in a fizzy, explosive reaction! This famous science experiment demonstrates the rapid release of carbon dioxide when the candies react with the soda.

28. Lessons with Hydrophobic Sand

Use hydrophobic sand, which repels water, to demonstrate how some materials can be water-resistant. Kids will love watching the sand stay dry, even when submerged in water. It’s a fantastic way to introduce material properties and science concepts.

29. Making DIY Playdough

Making playdough at home is a fun, hands-on activity for kids. Mix flour, salt, water, and oil and baking powder to create a malleable dough for endless creative projects. It also teaches about mixing and consistency.

30. Using Prisms and Light

Experiment with a prism to separate light into the colors of the rainbow. This simple experiment teaches kids about the spectrum of light and the physics behind how light can be split into different colors.

31. Experimenting with Light Absorption

Use various materials like black paper, foil, and clear plastic to demonstrate how different surfaces absorb and reflect light. It’s an engaging way to explore how materials interact with energy.

32. Experimenting with Sound Absorption through Materials

Set up a sound experiment by placing materials like cotton, wood, and plastic between a speaker and a listening device. This teaches kids about sound waves and how different materials absorb sound at varying rates.

Other Resources for At-Home Experiments from Kids Science Labs YouTube Channel and Other Curated Sources

For more fun and educational science experiments, check out the Kids Science Labs YouTube Channel, where you can find a variety of hands-on activities and experiments to do at home. These resources offer step-by-step guides for kids of all ages, encouraging curiosity and scientific exploration.

What would happen if I used shampoo soap in our dishwasher? Chicago STEM Camp Kids want to know...

How to Get Kids Excited about Science Summer Camps in Chicago?

Summer break is approaching, and there are so many choices. As parents, we want to give our kids the best opportunities to explore professional careers in medicine, engineering, science, and the arts, so STEAM camps make a lot of sense for Summer Camps in Chicago.

Do we have to wait until high school to help kids master Chemistry? .

The short answer is No. Chemistry is just simply understanding the relationship between materials, by understanding their properties. Even toddlers do chemistry, and in our Summer Camps in Chicago and Seattle STEM Camp, we are preparing kids for the future.

Chemistry doesn’t always make a mess, it cleans them too! Some things mix and some things don’t. Soap is a surfactant that helps things mix and it is the superhero that helps us clean. Ironically, there are literally over 1,000 types of soap, each that has its own features from thickness to order and grease fighting ability. In this camp, we explored the results and outcomes of hands-on science, by mixing and creating our own unique soaps, designed to meet the needs of rugged kids everywhere! Soap is a chemistry innovation for everyone!

In inspiring kids to think about how chemistry is used in our daily activities, our students investigated:

• the key purpose of soap, and how surfactants like soap allow otherwise immiscible liquids like oils and water to mix

• why one soap solution (laundry detergent) does not work as a hand soap, because they have very different properties

• why both hand sanitizer and soap kill germs, but only one of them actually has the power to clean and separate things from the surfaces of our skin

• how the selection of different ingredients can drastically modify the features of any liquid or bar soap

We love hands-on science, design, and innovation at Kids Science Labs and encourage every member of our community to take advantage of your member benefits, including discounts on future parties and camps, exclusive content, and becoming part of KSL Academy. Email us at support@kidssciencelabs.com or call at 773-798-2012 for more info!

Teaching students how to fix the stability of their broken toys is real engineering!

Design Time Live introduces engineering in Summer Camps in Chicago

With summer fast approaching, parents are trying to find the best opportunities to help kids explore their world. With their award-winning PowerScience Program that begins in PreK and extends through middle school, Kids Science Labs offers a unique ability to teach real Engineering to Kids in its Chicago Summer Camps

Designing the best Summer Camps for Kids should start with fascinating yet simple questions that motivate kids critical thinking?

At Kids Science Labs, our winter camp academy students are taught how to solve problems using design thinking and on this day, we focused on tinkering with stability of our toys. Every kid we know has either accidentally broken a toy, or purchased a poorly manufactured toy that broke too fast and no longer can simply stand up. Rather than have them ask their parents to buy more, we want to teach our community fo problem solvers how to design on their own. This all starts with the basic principle of stability. what does it take to make an object stand up, and how can I adjust an action figure our doll, such that it continues to maintain its balance and center of gravity when I move it around.

In our Chicago Summer Camps, we often start with a simple task…can you make the following 12oz white cup, stand up, using tape and random-sized bubble tea straws? This problem solving task is a favorite of our students, as it looks so easy, but its actually quite a challenge as they have to learn and use symmetry, by taping the straws at the precise location, such that their legs are equal length from the cup. We iterate this design challenge with various other straws, and then we ask kids to do again using weighted cups, where we increase the challenge with glass marbles that make the stability that much harder.

STEAM Camps in Chicago should not just do demonstrations, or assemble kits, as kids need to do real engineering design and explore their creativity. By testing stability in this way, it helps kids understand how they can use basic materials to actually repair and redesign their toys to work better for them. IT also provides a core iterative experience that helps them learn how to design and engineer their own stable action figures, with features that are designed especially for them.

Stable Action Figures - Examples of our Young Scientist Designs