15 summer camps NYC kids can’t wait to attend

The New York Aquarium Camp is back in person for 2023 and offers aqua-based activities on weekdays for campers from 9am to 3pm. The camp also offers an extended care add-on that runs from 3-5pm. 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: 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Contact: nyaeducation@wcs.org
Price: $515 members / $575 regular (5-day camp), $275 members / $345 regular (3-day camp)
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 grades kindergarten through eighth grade—and programming for toddlers (with a parent or caregiver present), too. The campers are split up into adorably and aptly-named groups like”Kinderzoo: Welcome To My Biome,” “Zoo Vet Academy,” and “Little Zoo Vets”. There are camp options that begin at 3-day 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: $1130 members / $1250 regular (2 week program), $590 members / $655 regular (5 day camp), $369 members / $410 regular (3 day camp), $230 members / $250 regular (Toddler Camp)
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 “Super Saplings” 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 “Budding Branches” camp for ages 5 to 6 or the “Outdoors in NYC” 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 its Tuition Equity and Accessibility Model (TEAM), which determines the equitable tuition level (from zero to maximum) for all families.

Location: 324 W 15th St. New York, NY 10011
Contact: 212-741-2800, 212-741-2801
Price: The maximum camp cost is $940 per week; the half-day rate, available for Super Saplings only, is $620 per session. Two-week mini-camps are offered at a rate of $1,880 per session.
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. Masks are required in the museum. 

Location: 11 East 26th Street, New York, NY 10010
Contact: 212-542-0566, info@momath.org
Price: $1300/week
Grades: 1-9

McBurney YMCA has a traditional day camp as well as a swimming camp and kinder camp, but it also offers a robotics camp for those 6 to 8! Kids can design, build and program independent robots using LEGO Mindstorms equipment and software. While having fun, they’ll be working their creative muscles, problem-solving, working with others and learning STEM skills. When not building robots, they’ll be having fun with traditional camp activities from arts and crafts to science and more.

Location: 125 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011
Contact: 212-912-2300, mcburneyycamp@ymcanyc.org
Price: Starting at $775
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 Ave, New York, NY 10128
Contact: 212-415-5573
Price: Starting at $3,650
Grades: K-6

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: Starting at $6,300
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: 527 Hudson St. P.O. Box 20211 New York, NY 10014
Contact: 646-241-7024, info@dusc.net
Price: Starting at $395/week
Ages: 3-13

The West Side Y has so many options for kids and each year is a different theme. This year’s is “West Side Water World,” 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.

Location: 5 West 63rd Street, New York, NY 10023
Contact: Angel Toliver, Program Director, 212-912-2600, wsycamp@ymcanyc.org
Price: Starting at $875
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 StreetNew York, NY 10003
Contact: 212-780-0800, info@14StreetY.org
Price: $1,425+
Grades: K-8

For those youngsters who can’t resist an American Ninja Warrior marathon, this offering is a kid-friendly version of the reality show, complete with fun obstacles in a safe environment. One aspect that sets Chelsea Piers Ninja & Parkout Camp apart from the rest is that they’re offering Early Bird Savings of 10% to any family who books before March 31. You can also ​​enroll in four-plus weeks and save an additional five percent. The ninja and parkour camp lets campers hang, jump, run, and tumble. The instructors teach skills in a safe environment and there’s a swim period included three days a week. And, you can do it all for a discount.

Location: 65 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Contact: 212-336-6846, fieldhouse@chelseapiers.com
Price: Starting at $640
Ages: 5-14

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: $360+
Ages: 4-13

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!

Location: 207 12th Avenue Pier 66 New York, NY 10001 and 350 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10034
Contact: info@hudsonsailing.org
Price: $695/week
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, info@millbasindaycamp.com
Price: Starting at $2,900
Grades: 3-K-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 on 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. 

Location: 40 Barry Rd, New York, NY 10004
Contact: 347-470-4238, adventure@play-ground.nyc
Price: Tuition is determined by household income. Prices vary but go up to $845/week.
Ages: 6-12