The Grand Marshak Float at the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Photo credit: Vito Palmisano
Light Parades, Tree Lightings, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids
Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
Pictures with Santa in Chicago: From Museums to the Mall
The mysterious Great Impresario, the man who has designed and created the World’s Fair, brings the magic of the season to life! Photo by Tod Ros for the Joffrey Ballet.
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Chicago
Let one of these Chicago restaurants do the cooking this Thanksgiving.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Chicago
Pumpkin picking is a firm fall favorite. Photo courtesy of Keller's Farmstand
GUIDE
Chicago Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Here's our list of the best Chicago neighborhoods to see holiday lights. Photo courtesy of the Larsen Christmas Lights Show
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Chicago
The Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
25 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Chicago for Kids
There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Canva
Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Photo by Brian & Jaclyn Drum via Flickr 2.0
Best of November: Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving Parade, and More Things to Do in Chicago
It's apple season! Photo courtesy of Apple Holler Orchard
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 37 Things To Do in Chicago This Fall
The Persian Lilies in the Aroid house were stunning. Photo by Lisa Warden-3
Garfield Park Conservatory with Kids: Best Things to See and Do
Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families
St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Chicago Families
Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
25 Things To Do With Little Kids in Chicago Before They Turn 5
An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
Chicago's Best Indoor Places for Tweens and Teens To Hang Out
The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids Before They Grow Up
State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
State Parks Near Chicago to Hike, Camp, and Swim with Kids
Stroller hikes make it easier to get outside with babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
Best Stroller-Friendly Hikes and Trails Near Chicago
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids
Photo courtesy of Enterrium in Schaumburg
Themed Restaurants in Chicago for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders
Best Ninja Warrior Gyms and Climbing Gyms in Chicago for Kids
The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck
3 Days in Chicago with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Happy Kids Chicago offers some of your kid's favorite characters as birthday party entertainers.
The Ultimate List of Chicago Children's Birthday Party Entertainers and Rentals
There are plenty of fishing lakes in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Fishing Lakes Near Chicago and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago
Pancakes served all day long in Chicago's West Loop! Photo courtesy of The Little Goat, Facebook
Things to do with Kids in Chicago's West Loop

Top STEM Summer Camps in Chicago: Robots, Coding, and More

Work on skills at a fun STEM summer camp. Photo courtesy of Camp Invention
Work on skills at a fun STEM summer camp. Photo courtesy of Camp Invention
2/18/24 - By Jessica Laird

Chicago is jam-packed with STEM summer camps at local universities, museums, and other nearby centers, so if architectural model making, video game development, battle bot competitions, 3D printing, and Harry Potter science sound like the makings of your kiddo's perfect summer, you're in luck. As science, technology, engineering, and math become increasingly crucial in our tech-centric world, you can give yourself a pat on the back for hooking up your kid with skills that will serve them long after their school days.

Here are our picks for the best Chicago area STEM summer camps. For more of the best Chicago summer camps, check out our Chicago Summer Camp Guide or our directory of summer camps in Chicago.

Editor's Note: Summer camp information for the 2024 season is changing daily, and camps are filling up fast. We have not included any camps that were completely sold out at the time of publication. Please click the links to the individual camps for the most up-to-date information.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Kids enjoying a science lab. Photo by Keith Shegan, courtesy of Kids Science Labs, Roscoe Village
Kids enjoying a science lab. Photo by Keith Shegan, courtesy of Kids Science Labs, Roscoe Village

Kids' STEM In-Person Summer Camps in Chicago

Kids Science Labs

South Loop, Northbrook, and Roscoe Village
Campers ages 4-12 can explore everything from Science in the City to Adventures in Space at Kids Science Labs' summer camps. At the South Loop Center, special camps extended day sessions are offered for campers who need to stay until 5 p.m. READ MORE

Camp Invention

Multiple Chicago area locations
With the theme "Wonder," the flagship summer camp of the National Inventors Hall of Fame helps kids in grades K-6 develop problem-solving skills. Projects include building a mini skate park, reconstructing a robot, and opening a pop-up shop. READ MORE

Kids STEM Studio

West Loop and Lincoln Park
Campers in grades 1 through 7 can explore engineering, technology, robotics, and more through hands-on tinkering and experiments at Kids STEM Studio.  Each day of camp includes a half day of technology and a half day of engineering, along with an outdoor recess. READ MORE

Galileo Summer Camp - Chicagoland

Chicago, North Shore, Northwest Suburbs, Western Suburbs
Camp Galileo combines traditional summer camp excitement with lasting, innovation-igniting learning for kids in grades K-10. With locations in the city, North Shore, Northwest Suburbs, and Western Suburbs, the camp has themes that include Outer Space Odyssey, Super Hero Adventure, Secret Safecrackers, and Pinball Whiz-Kids. READ MORE

Noggin Builders Camps

Northbrook
STEM Adventures for Curious Kids! Each week of camp is filled with fun, hands-on activities including STEM, problem-solving, and teamwork games. Camps are available for kids entering preschool through 9th grade.  READ MORE

BitSpace

Lincoln Square
Let your child turn their idea into a reality using the newest tools and technology available. By the end of a week of camp, kids will have turned their vision into a product and developed critical thinking skills. Kids 9-14 can choose from camps including Robo Disco, Warp Speed, BitCity: The Digital Tour, and Crash Course 500. READ MORE

Chicago Architecture Center Summer Camps

Kids ages 8-18 can learn about many aspects of Chicago's achitecture at these unique camps at the Chicago Architecture Center, Illinois Institute of Technology, or online. Select from camps with themes like Designers Assemble, Eco-tecture, and City of Neighborhoods. Girls Build! Camps focus on female-led archictecture and is presented in-person or as a virtual camp. READ MORE

Snapology of Chicago

Downtown, Lakeview, South Loop, and River Forest
With dozens of programs to choose from, there's something for everyone at Snapology. From fun themed programs using LEGO bricks and K'Nex to STEM/STEAM programs, robotics, and movie-making, children ages 3-14 will be engaged for five days in half-day or full-day summer camps. While the kids are having fun with familiar toys, laptops, and iPads, Snapology instructors sneak in the learning.  READ MORE

Code Ninjas Summer Camps

Oak Park, Elmhurst, Glenview, Arlington Heights, Naperville and more
Kids ages 6 and up can learn web development, modding, stop motion animation, and You Tube stardom at these camps in the suburbs. Camps vary by date and location READ MORE

DuPage Children's Museum Tinkering Camp

Naperville
Kids use real tools and materials to make launchpads and rockets, flying devices, musical instruments and more at these weeklong half-day camps at the DuPage Children's Museum. Kids will be in small groups with other children in the same age group-- 4-7 or 8-11. Camps start at $225 per week with discounts for museum members. READ MORE

Morton Arboretum Summer Science Camps

Lisle
Kids ages 4-14 can explore the 1,700 acres of the Morton Arboretum and learn about trees and nature at the Morton Arboretum at weeklong half and full day camps this summer. These camps provide a foundation for the next generation of young conservation and environmental scientists, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Kindergarten through fourth grade camps are currently sold out and on a waitlist. Spaces are still available for preschoolers and grades 5-8. READ MORE

College of DuPage Youth Summer Classes

Glen Ellyn and Naperville
Kids entering grades 1-8 can join these enriching camps that cover a variety of academic topics from reading and math to art and cooking. Half-day and full-day options are available on the Glen Ellyn and Naperville campuses. READ MORE

The Field Museum of Natural History

Museum Campus
The Field Museum's Field Explorers Summer Camp offers students in Kindergarten through eigth grade a chance to experience subjects like modern or prehistoric animals, anthropology, the natural world, and scientific illustration in and around the museum's exhibits. Scholarships are available to reduce or cover the cost of camp for qualified students. The deadline for scholarship applications in March 4, 2024. READ MORE

MSI Summer Camps

Hyde Park
Kids in Kindergarten through high school can learn more about science and technology at MSI's weeklong summer day camps. Choose from topics like Paper Engineers, Spycraft Workshop, The World of Circuits, and Fab Lab Apprentices. READ MORE

UIC Summer Camp

University Village
Kids at UIC Summer Camps will learn about (rones, race cars, 3D Printing, Double Robotics, Ozobot, Arduino, Raspberry Pi and more during the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. day. They can also get involved in various Community Engaged Project to help out the neighborhood while at camp. The camp is for kids ages 8-13. Education Technology LabDetails of 2024 camps have yet to be announced. READ MORE
Learn illustration and animation. Photo courtesy of Digital Media Academy Online Tech Camps
Learn illustration and animation. Photo courtesy of Digital Media Academy Online Tech Camps

Kids' STEM Virtual Summer Camps

iD Tech Summer STEM Camps and Classes

iD Tech Camps strike the perfect balance between STEM skill development and summer fun, allowing kids and teens to experience a week at some of the top universities in the world. Your child will work alongside new friends and learn from expert tech mentors while taking breaks in between to enjoy outdoor play like ultimate frisbee, capture the flag, kickball, board games, and more. Virtual options are also available. READ MORE

Digital Media Academy Online Tech Camps

Launched by tech educators at Stanford University, these college-based camps offer loads of courses for kids 9-17, covering everything from wearable tech to virtual reality to music production or animation. READ MORE

Chicago Architecture Center Summer Camps

Kids ages 8-18 can learn about many aspects of Chicago's achitecture at these unique camps at the Chicago Architecture Center, Illinois Institute of Technology, or online. Select from camps with themes like Designers Assemble, Eco-tecture, and City of Neighborhoods. Girls Build! Camps focus on female-led archictecture and is presented in-person or as a virtual camp. READ MORE

Waitlisted Camps to Check Out Again in 2025

WAITLIST Brookfield Zoo Camps

Kids can discover animals and everything that goes on at Brookfield Zoo at half or full-day camps on zoo grounds. The camp offers a variety of ways to connect with nature and animals. Four and five-year olds can register for half-day camp while six and seven year olds sign up for full-day camp. READ MORE

WAITLIST Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Camp

Kids ages 4-9 can enjoy indoor and outdoor nature and science activities at Lincoln Park's Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's fun and educational camps. Themes for the full day camps include Sustainable Stewards, Outdoor Explorers, Nature Detectives, and Animal Architects. Camp focuses on nature and science education utilizing the Nature Museum’s outdoor and indoor spaces. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: