NYC’s top summer camps for kids in 2024

for sports, STEM, and performing arts

Group of children and adults standing in a circle outside holding a colorful parachute above their heads.

Summer is coming, and after two strange pandemic summers and many closed camps, it’s finally time to look forward to some fun! Living in NYC means having the world at your fingertips – but it also means you have to choose just one summer camp out of hundreds. So how do you find the top summer camp to fit your kid’s interests? Don’t worry, we have you covered with this round-up of 2022’s top summer camps for kids. 

Sports Summer Camps in NYC

Summer is a chance for kids to leave their desks behind and exhaust themselves by running around. What better way to do that than at a sports-focused summer camp?

Camp for Multiple Sports: Chelsea Piers

Ages: 4-17 years

Location: West Chelsea on the Hudson River

Activities: Any and all sports: gymnastics, soccer, hockey, rock climbing, etc. 

Chelsea Piers is a long-standing institution with activities for all kinds of sports, ages, and skill levels. Young kids can spend a morning tumbling on the gymnastics mats or even practicing parkour and having a snack, while high schoolers can fine tune elite level athletics. With flexible schedules and booking, this option is great both for families who want to give their kids a fun week or for families looking for a full-summer solution. 

Camp for Soccer Fans: Soccer Stars

Ages: 2-12 years

Activities: Soccer - some camps team up with other sports camps to offer more activities, check listing

Location: Many camps across NYC and NY Metro area

Another long-standing summer camp is Soccer Stars. With locations all around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the NY Metro area, and both half-day and extended day camps for all ages, it’s easy to find a solution that works for your summer schedule. Kiddos get to practice their soccer skills with a big dose of fresh air and fun from June to August. 

STEM Summer Camps in NYC

Kids brains don’t turn off just because school is out for summer. Keep their wheels turning and get them ready to rock their STEM classes come fall with these science focused camps. 

Young girl wearing safety googles and a white lab coat watching a pail filled with smoke.

STEM Camp for Small Groups: Launch Math + Science Centers

Ages: Grades K-7

Activities: STEM-focused projects using science, architecture, robotics, and physics

Location: Upper West Side and TriBeCa

With small groups and an exciting lineup of STEM projects, kids can really dig in to how science and math work, challenging their minds with big pay-offs. Camps are available as half-day, extended and full days, and as little as one week to full summer schedules. 

STEM Camp With Variety: Nord Anglia International School Camp Tech Revolution

Ages: 6-14 years

Activities: varied tech camps including coding, engineering, Roblox, space, and graphic design 

Location: East Village

Developed by leading educators from the nation’s top institutions, this camp has everything a budding tech enthusiast could ever need or want. There are over 40 camps to choose from, spanning the whole summer, and private lessons are available to let your child take the lead after Labor Day – but mostly to have loads of fun getting there. 

NYC Summer Camps for Performing Arts

New York City is home to perhaps the most vibrant arts scene in the country, whether it be theater, film, or other forms of creative expression. It’s no wonder then that the city has some of the best arts camps for kiddos, too. 

Adolescent girl practicing the harp.

Camp for Film Making and Acting: CinemaKidz

Ages: 5-15 years

Activities: Film related focus including filmmaking, costume design, animation, acting

Location: Several campuses in Brooklyn and Manhattan, including a fully outdoors camp in Prospect Park

Artistic expression and age-appropriate skill development take center stage here, with many different focuses to choose from. Camp is divided into week-long segments so it’s easy to schedule as many weeks as you want or need, and each week concludes with a performance for friends and family. 

Camp for Music and Dance: Brooklyn Music School Summer Institute

Ages: 5-8 years, with week-long intensives for ages 9-12

Activities: Intro to music, instruments, and dance

Location: Brooklyn, near Barclays Center

This summer camp lets kids get curious about music and start to learn different instruments as well as dance. Weekly field trips around the city broaden the adventure, and camp is available for full and extended days. Older kids can deepen their proficiency in specific instruments via the Intensives.

When Summer Camp Ends, We’re Here for You

Any of these camps are sure to help your kiddo create summer memories to last a lifetime. And if you’re looking for an inspiring, reliable caregiver to keep the adventure going after pickup - or after summer fades into fall - your ideal Smart Sitter is ready for you. Just fill out a family application, tell us about your ideal nanny or babysitter, and let us do the rest to help you find your ideal match.


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