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Best Summer Day Camps in Chicago

Photo courtesy of the CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp
Photo courtesy of the CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp
3/2/25 - By Bonnie Broeren

Looking for summer camps in Chicago? Here's a list of our favorite Chicago summer day camps.

Summer is just around the corner, which means it's time to find a great summer camp for your kids. Whether you need summer camp so you can work or you just want to get your kid out of the house and into a structured activity with friends, there are lots of options available for Chicago summer camps this year. These camps offer a range of activities, like sports, science, theater, or just fun, and are offered only during the day. 

We also have a list of free and affordable camps, or you can also find our complete Chicago Summer Camp Guide here, including camps based on specific interests or for different aged kids.

 

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Photo courtesy of School of Rock
Photo courtesy of School of Rock

Awesome Summer Camps in Chicago

Merit School of Music

West Loop
Merit’s offerings include group classes, private lessons, ensembles, and summer camps—with options for all ages, instruments, and experience levels. Kids can choose from a range of instruments including guitar, piano, voice, violin, trumpet, and percussion. READ MORE

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Camp

Lincoln Park
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 Observers, Nature Detectives, and Animal Architects. Camp focuses on nature and science education utilizing the Nature Museum’s outdoor and indoor spaces. 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

Galileo Summer Camp - Chicagoland

13 Chicago area locations
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 Puppet Theater, Escape Room, Arcade Game Designers, and Taking Flight. READ MORE

Steve and Kate's Camp

West Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown, North Center, West Ridge, Evanston, and Lake Forest
Steve and Kate's Camp provides a wide range of activities for campers ages 4-12, including everything from sewing to sports to music. In addition to the main area of interest, campers also get a weekly special-- a showstopper like a giant inflatable or a live show like a magician. Each camp ends with  Friday Pieday–where campers & staff can celebrate the end of the week with a whipped cream pie to the face. READ MORE

School of Rock Music Camps

22 Chicago area locations
School of Rock offers music camps and workshops perfect for musicians of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals. Kids can learn to rock at camps with themes ranging from Rock 101 to songwriting or select a special camp based on a genre or musician. READ MORE

CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp

Uptown
CircEsteem offers children ages 6-16 the opportunity to explore the Circus Arts, including trapeze, acrobatics, clowning, juggling, stilt walking, gym wheel, rolling globe, tightwire, rolla bolla, aerial silks, and mini-trampoline.  READ MORE

Kidstreet Camps at Lillstreet Art Center

Ravenswood
Lillstreet Art Center provides Kidstreet Camps for kids who are interested in developing their artistic skills, including drawing, clay, mixed media, and more. This summer's half-day camps feature themes like Acrylic Painting, Art like an Egyptian, Art of the Graphic Novel, and Cosmic Creations. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Zoo Summer Camps

Lincoln Park
Campers will explore the zoo and learn about animals and how zookeepers care for them at these outdoor summer camps for kids in grades K-8. Two-week camps are available for kids in grades 6-8. READ MORE

Kids Science Labs

South Loop, Northbrook, and Roscoe Village
Campers ages 4-12 can explore Kids' Science Labs' Engineering University camps this summer. The camps explore the I.D.E.A.s of Innovation, Design Thinking, Experimentation, and Applied Science. Take them as a series or take just one in the Roscoe Village, South Loop, or Northbrook locations. READ MORE

Decoma Day Camp

Northbrook
Decoma Day Camp has been making summer special for Chicago kids ages 2.5-13 for over 50 years. Rates include door-to-door bus service, free before and aftercare, daily hot lunch, and all camp activities. Specialty Camps like Tennis, Golf, and Riding Camp are available for additional fees. Shortened day camps are available for 3 or 5 days a week for kids ages 3-5. READ MORE

Kids STEM Studio

West Loop, 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

YMCA of Metro Chicago Day Camp

Multiple locations in the Chicago area
Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at more than 15 YMCA locations throughout the Chicago area. Themes range from culinary to LEGO to survival skills. Traditional camps include a variety of activities at a lower cost than specialty camps. Camps start at $150 for a three-day camp and $250 for five-day camp, and families can apply for financial assistance. READ MORE

Big City Day Camp

Lincoln Square
For “city kids” who thrive on “city adventures,” Big City Day Camp offers a summer full of discovery and exploration. Campers spend time telling stories, crafting art projects, learning yoga poses, singing songs, and swimming. For kids entering grades K-8. READ MORE

Hi-Five Sports Club Summer Camp

West Loop
Campers ages 4 through 13 can learn about teamwork, hard work, and playing fair while playing their favorite sports at Hi-Five. All kids participate in every sport, from basketball to lacrosse to soccer, and kids enjoy fun field trips each week. READ MORE

Fit City Kids Chicago

Lincoln Square
Kids ages 4-12 have a full day of fun of games, arts and crafts, obstacle courses, team building, free play, and so much more with the coaches and staff. Each week has a theme and after camp care is available. READ MORE

Bennett Day Camp

West Loop
Bennett Day Camp provides an enriching atmosphere where campers can develop self-identity and leadership skills. Campers ages 4-18 take part in field trips, team sports, music, arts, scientific discovery, and water play.  READ MORE

Oasis Summer Day Camp Chicago

Winnetka and Highland Park
Campers ranging from 4 to 12-years old can widen horizons, form new friendships, take safe risks, and discover new strengths. Daily activities include art, improv performances, and science classes. Kids also take field trips in addition to taking part in community service projects. READ MORE

Chicago Park District Day Camp

Parks throughout Chicago
The Chicago Park District will offer summer day camps for Chicago residents ages 6-12. Camps will include sports, arts, fitness, and outdoor activities with the ideas of civic engagement, environmental awareness, and inclusion woven throughout the camp experience. READ MORE

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Summer Camps

Woodridge
Girls can experience summer camp in the great outdoors at either day camp or overnight camp in Chicago's suburbs and farther afield. Day camps with various themes are offered at Camp Greene Wood in Woodridge, or Girl Scouts can venture overnight for three nights to two weeks at Camp Juniper Knoll in East Troy, WI, or Valparaiso, IN. Counselor-in-Training programs are also available for teens at Camp Greene Wood. Girls in need can apply for financial assistance. READ MORE

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