The best day camps for kids in NYC

If you ask your average New Yorker to describe an “oasis,” you probably won’t hear someone mention the Lower East Side, Central Park, or Long Island. But your average New Yorker isn’t a kid, and for young campers, the multiple Oasis Day Camp locations are havens where you can play tennis, go on scavenger hunts, and swim. Toddlers and teenagers both will enjoy their time at the camp, which promises to help them develop life skills through arts, athletics, nature, aquatics, and enrichment activities. 

Location: Oasis Day Camp Main Office 720 Northern Blvd –Riggs Hall 47 Brookville, NY 11548
Contact: 1-800-317-1392, info@oasischildren.com
Price: Prices vary
Ages: 3-15

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

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 Ave, New York, NY 10128
Contact: 212-415-5573
Price: $3,450+
Grades: K-9

Marymount Manhattan summer camp is like the candy store of all camps. There are a bunch of options and you can’t go wrong no matter what you choose. If your kindergartener likes to put on a show, enroll them in Drama Juniors. Have a middle schooler who loves science? STEAM Camp teaches kids about 3D printing, creative coding, forensic science, surgical techniques, and more. No matter what you choose, your little camper is destined to have a summer to remember.

Location: 1026 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028
Contact: 212-744-4486 x 8341, summercamp@marymountnyc.org
Price: Prices vary
Ages: 3.5-14

Kids are already counting down the days until Advantage Day Camps reopen its doors to summer campers. The day camp has three locations: One is located at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, which is convenient for parents and secluded enough for kids to have an escape from the city. Another location is on the Upper East Side at Wagner Middle School, while the final location is at Midtown Plaza Racquet Club. Children will stay busy with the numerous activities available, including swimming, yoga, fencing, kickball, and art. 

Location: 281 Main Street, Roosevelt Island and Wagner Middle School, 220 East 76th St., New York, NY
Contact: Roosevelt Island - 212-935-0250, Wagner Middle School - 646-884-9648
Price: $699+
Ages: 4-17

Yes, the day camp for young children is just as cute as it sounds. Beansprouts Summer Day Camp’s mission is to create meaningful summers for each child by nurturing their imaginations, curiosities, and capacities for friendship. There are four different groups: Intro Camp, Lover Camp, Inter Camp, and Upper Camp. Regardless of the age differences between the four groups, they are all encouraged to embrace their individuality. Parents can schedule a virtual age-appropriate tour of the camp in the beautiful neighborhood of Park Slope, Brooklyn. 

Location: 453 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11215
Contact: info@sproutsbk.com
Price: Prices vary
Grades: Nursery-5

This camp gives kids the space to play, create, and make friends. It’s also perfect for those kids that show a flair for the creative. Campers are taught how to create characters, write scripts, and learn about musical theater, sketch, improv, film, and TV. The camp no longer requires masks or proof of vaccination from Atlantic staff, faculty, or students. The facilities were upgraded to meet the air filtration standards as recommended by the CDC.

Location: 76 Ninth Avenue, Ste. 313, New York, NY 10011
Contact: 212-691-5919, education@atlantictheater.org
Price: $725+
Ages: 5-14
Location: 76 Ninth Avenue, Ste. 313, New York, NY 10011

Contact: 212-691-5919, education@atlantictheater.org
Price: Starting at $695
Ages: 5-14

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 StreetNew York, NY 10003
Contact: 212-780-0800, info@14StreetY.org
Price: $1,525+
Ages: 2-13Location: 344 East 14th StreetNew York, NY 10003

Contact: 212-780-0800, info@14StreetY.org
Price: $1,425+
Grades: K-8

New York City isn’t exactly the place that comes to mind when someone mentions “farm.” Yet, Art Farm Camp still exists in Manhattan. It even has two locations on the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side. Every day, the campers have the opportunity to interact with live animals in a hands-on animal science lesson or visit an indoor petting zoo. Growing up in a city has a lot of perks, but sending your kid to Art Farm Camp is a chance to get them to see what it’s like to live in nature. The camp will run from June 24 to August 18.

Location: Trevor Day School West Campus, 1 West 88th St., New York, NY 10024 and Trevor Day School East Campus, 312 E 95th St, New York, NY 10128
Contact: 212-410-3117
Price: $565+
Ages: 2-10

Aviator is the camp to send your high-energy, active, and curious child. After spending days ice skating, rock climbing, swimming, doing gymnastics, and playing mini-golf (need we go on?), your child will have exerted their youthful energy. Well, at least until the next week. The point is that Aviator Summer Day Camp prides itself on offering a wide variety of sports and activities to the campers in order to aid their overall social development. It’s worth every penny. Plus, the camp offers scholarships!

Location: Floyd Bennett Field 3159 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn, NY 11234
Contact: 718-758-7510, camps@aviatorsports.com
Price: Starting at $675+
Ages: 4-15

Pickleball isn’t just for adults! CityPickle co-founders Mary Cannon and Erica Desai recently announced the launch of CityPickle Kids. This summer, children will be able to travel to Long Island City to play the extremely popular sport. CityPickle’s Summer Camps offer one to four weeks of half-day play from July 8 through August 2. Camps run every weekday from 9am to noon. Campers will enjoy daily instruction, organized gameplay, and allergy-sensitive snacks in the state-of-the-art indoor facility where kids can play rain or shine. 

Location: 9-03 44th Rd (10th St between 44th Rd & 44th Ave), Long Island City, NY 11101
Contact: 718-489-9562
Price: $350+
Ages: 8-13