Summer camps in NYC that kids will love

The New York Aquarium Camp offers aqua-based activities on weekdays for campers from 9am to 3pm. The camp also offers an extended care add-on that runs from 3 to 5pm. This includes fun activities, exhibit visits, and nature play exploration. Kids in grades Pre-K (must be at least four) to eighth grade can enjoy different programs that focus on sea animals like jellyfish, sea lions, penguins whales, crabs, sharks, and more! 

Location: 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York 10460
Contact: 800-433-4149, nyaeducation@wcs.org
Price: $325+
Grades: Pre-K-8

If you’re a parent to a young animal lover, then you can’t go wrong with the Bronx Zoo Summer Camp option. There are educational and fun experiences for kindergarten through twelfth grade—and programming for toddlers (with a parent or caregiver present), too. Offerings include Kinderzoo, Little Vets, Junior Scientists, and more. Camp options begin at three days and go up to two weeks. The zoo also offers extended care for children.

Location: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, New York 10460
Contact: 800-433-4149, bzeducation@wcs.org
Price: $225+
Ages: 2-18

Camp Corlears focuses on giving kids space outdoors to play, learn, and laugh with their friends. The Chelsea elementary school offers a camp for ages 3 to 4 that’s available as both a half-day camp and a full-day camp. Your kid can also join the day camp for ages 5 to 6 or the specialty camp for ages 7 to 11. Children will be inspired by nature and their own artistic creativity to join in a vibrant and welcoming community. One thing that sets Camp Corlears apart is that if kids are enrolled in the school, they can receive a discount on camp that is scaled to their equitable TEAM tuition level.

Location: 324 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10010
Contact: 212-741-2800
Price: $643.50+
Ages: 3-11

If a summer full of sports or arts and crafts doesn’t seem like the right fit for your kid, then try the National Museum of Mathematics’ MoMath Summer Camp. Don’t worry, the campers don’t just work on math problems all day. It’s just as fun as any other camp. The camp separates the group by age-related programs. Epsilons are rising first through third graders, Deltas are rising fourth through sixth graders, and Gammas are rising seventh through ninth graders. There are five mathematical-themed camps that kids can choose from. 

Location: 225 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Contact: 212-542-0566; info@momath.org
Price: $1,300+
Grades: 1-9 

McBurney YMCA has a traditional day camp as well as a swimming camp and kinder camp, but it also offers a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) themed camp for those aged 6 to 10! Kids will participate in innovative and imaginative activities every day. While having fun, they’ll be working their creative muscles, problem-solving, working with others, and learning STEAM skills. When not engaging in STEAM activities, they’ll be having fun with traditional camp activities that get them active in physical fitness.

Location: 125 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011
Contact: 212-912-2300; mcburneyycamp@ymcanyc.org
Price: $805+
Ages: 4-12

92 Y is a classic choice when it comes to sending your kid to camp in NYC. The campers will get transported to its beautiful 50-acre Rockland County campgrounds for a summer full of activities that will even make adults jealous. Horseback riding, martial arts, robotics, rock wall climbing, filmmaking, and cooking are among some of the activities available to the campers. Rockland County is six miles from the Bronx, so kids can be scheduled to get picked up at a city bus location.

Location: 1395 Lexington Avenue (between 91st & 92nd street) New York, NY 10128
Contact: 212-415-5500
Price: $3,650+
Grades: K-9

When it comes to Asphalt Green’s summer day camps, there are two locations to choose from. The Upper East Side and Battery Park City locations will provide an abundance of activities that will surely satisfy any camper. If a day camp isn’t the right fit, mini-camps, swim camps, and soccer camps are also offered. Their Summer Day Camp runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Tuition includes all activities, field trips, daily lunch, and snacks.

Location: 555 E 90th St, New York, New York 10128
Contact: 212-298-7900, camps@asphaltgreen.org
Price: $6,900+
Ages: 4.5-13

Great soccer players aren’t born—they’re made. Even Cristiano Ronaldo and Megan Rapino had to start somewhere, right? If you spot greatness in your kid (or if they just really like kicking a ball around), Downtown United Soccer Club is a place where they’ll thrive. The day camp offers a full-day option for older campers and a half-day option for younger campers. Having been around for more than 25 years means that they know how to teach kids skill work, ball mastery, coordination, and movement.

Location: P.O. Box 20211, New York, NY 10014
Contact: info@dusc.net
Price: $425+
Ages: 3-13

The West Side Y has so many options for kids and each year is a different theme. This year’s is “A Colorful Summer,” which will be envisioned through fun arts and crafts and programming. It’s all about teamwork, physical activity and inclusivity. This Y has camps for all ages, up to 12. They offer an early childhood camp, swim camp, kinder camp, and day camp for kids. Members receive a slight discount and financial assistance is available. 

Location: 5 West 63rd Street, New York, NY 10023
Contact: 212-912-2609; wsycamp@ymcanyc.org
Price: $910+
Ages: 3-12

Parents can choose between various 14th Street Y Camp options. One option, the New Country Day Camp, is perfect for kids who want to participate in a variety of activities ranging from science to athletics. It’s located right in the middle of the 75-acre Staten Island Greenbelt. Kids in grades K-8th grade are free to choose to camp outside of Manhattan. While the New Town Day Camp is located at 14th Street Y facilities in Manhattan are strictly for children ages 2-5. They also offer the New Country Pride Camp for LGBTQ+ youth ages 5-13. All three-day camps pride themselves on teaching kids creative arts, science and technology, and sports and games in a fun and inclusive space.

Location: 344 East 14th Street, New York, NY 10003
Contact: 646-395-4356
Price: $1,525+
Ages: 2-13

Your child will learn first-hand about nature at Queen’s Botanical Garden Camp. Living in New York doesn’t always offer a lot of greenery, so this is a chance for your child to learn about planting, playing, and observing in what’s dubbed an “urban oasis,” where people, plants, and a variety of cultures are celebrated through gardens and educational programs. Your camper will come home from camp knowing more about the natural world than when they started at the beginning of the season.

Location: 43-50 Main St Flushing, New York 11355
Contact: 718-886-3800, kidsprograms@queensbotanical.org
Price: $135+
Ages: 2-13

City Sail is Hudson River Community Sailing’s week-long sailing and STEM camp where kids can enjoy their summer break on the river. The camp recommends two weeks to start, so kids have the opportunity to learn basic skills, and then reinforce those skills. If you’re concerned about your kidding sailing in adverse weather, don’t be. They will not go on the water if there are dangerous conditions (sustained winds above 20 knots or imminent lightning/thunder). If there’s inclement weather, the campers will focus on land-based activities and games until conditions improve. They’re bound to have fun no matter what! Plus, scholarships are available. 

Location: West 26th Street & 12th Avenue, Pier 66, New York, NY 10001; 348 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10034
Contact: info@hudsonsailing.org
Price: $695+
Ages: 9-17

When it comes to Mill Basin Day Camp, the options are endless. The camp offers five different programs: Pioneers for the youngest campers, Adventures, Stars, Explorers, and Teen Camp. Kids are split up into age-appropriate groups and led by multiple teachers and counselors, depending on the specific group’s needs. Mill Basin prides itself on offering innovative programming and careful staff selection to make sure that your child has the best possible summer experience.

Location: 5945 Strickland Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11234
Contact: 718-251-6200
Price: $3,000+
Grades: 3K-8

If your little camper is looking to get their hands dirty, then send them to Play:ground. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to reimagining urban life as a place where children can freely explore, play, and create. “The Yard” is a place where kids play in hidden nooks, muddy paths, and kid-built structures. There’s a place for kids to work with tools, building materials, and fine art. This is the camp for kids who like to get their hands dirty. All playworkers are vaccinated, and masks are recommended for all campers.

Location: 40 Barry Rd, New York, NY 10004
Contact: 732-639-0316; play@play-ground.nyc
Price: Prices vary depending on parent income
Ages: 6-12