Guide to the Best Summer Camps for Kids in Kansas City: 2023 Update

YMCA Summer Camps – Greater KC

Kids can have the Best Summer Ever™ at Y Summer Day Camps!

At Y day camp, kids make new friends and have tons of fun as they explore new adventures each day. Convenient locations are available across the metro. Find your fun. Find your Y. Learn more and sign up at KansasCityYMCA.org/Camp. 

The focus is on achievement, relationships, and belonging. Experiences include field trips, swimming, arts, STEM, outdoor education and so much more. Locations are available throughout the metro. Visit online for local YMCA summer camps in your area.

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City offers TONS of summer programs and summer camps for kids including Youth Day Camps & Camp Wood Overnight Camp. Day camps are offered for ages 6-13, or up to age 17 with the Camp Wood summer programs.  Check out the details for Youth Day Camps below.

Register EARLY to secure your spot. Many of these fill up quickly!

Youthfront Camp

** Get $15 OFF with code IFKC23 at registration.

Squeeze the most out of summer with Youthfront Camps! You have many options on dates, length of camp & age groups, so there is a fit for every family. If you have questions, check out their FAQ for all the answers…

Kids will enjoy splash parks, ropes courses, a fun community, faith-building activities, & TONS of other fun things to do during summer. Choose from day camps & overnight camps throughout the summer, as well as high school ministry programs!

• Day Camps: Grades 1st to 5th
• Kids Overnight Camps: Grades 3rd to 5th
• Middle School Camps: Grades 6th to 8th
• Middle & High School Camps: Grades 6th to 12th

Cub Creek Science Camp

Learn, explore, and experience animal adventures at science summer camps! Science camps have over 100 activities that change daily & unique programs/classes for your child to choose from.

Choices include Adopt an Animal, Animal Adventure, & Jr. Vet! This summer camp is a sleep-away camp, located in Rolla Mo. Check them out, enroll here, or call them at 573-458-2125.

Camp Invention

This kids camp has locations all over the metro, so your child can explore STEM wherever you are. Find options for preschoolers to college students and educators. There are 9 options for you to choose from, with accelerated options available too to accommodate more children advanced for their age.

Tastebuds Kitchen Summer Camps

Your kids can learn to cook at these fun cooking summer camps. Summer Camps begin at the end of May to Mid-August in 4-5 day sessions.

There is a new & unique program each week of these fun summer camps for kids.

Tastebuds Kitchen offers a wide variety of classes including Chef Challenge Camp, Culinary Cocoa Camp, Baking Championship Camp, Cupcake and Cookie Challenge, Baking Techniques, Secret Swaps Camp, Secret Ingredient Camp, Chocolate Lovers Camp, Baking 101, Junior Chef Cook-Off Camp, Future Celebrity Chef Camp, Tasty Tales, and Restaurant Week. Check out the FULL list of camps online…you can even register online too!

Your kids will be cooking dinner for you in no time. 🙂

The Culinary Center

They host summer cooking camps for kids of all ages starting at the end of May through the end of July. Camps are 3 days long and each camp series focuses on a different style of cooking.

Paint, Glaze & Fire: Camp ARTrageous

Children will create ceramic, clay, canvas, and glass fusion projects throughout Camp ARTrageous. Summer camps are for children ages 6-18, but exceptions can be made in special circumstances. Class sizes are limited to 14 kids.

There are multiple camp sessions per summer, with 4 classes per session.

Registration opens soon! You can sign your child up for individual classes, full days, or full weeks. Whatever you can fit in your summer schedule. Give them a call for more info (913) 661-CLAY or sign-up for summer camp sessions online.

Ceramic Cafe

Be sure to explore all summer art camps available in Overland Park! There is something for every child’s interests…

Ceramic Cafe has summer camps for kids ages 5-7 and 8+  from May 30th- June 2nd. Their program provides instruction in ceramic art techniques including glass fusing, pottery painting, and hand building with clay.

Check out the full details on creative summer programs. They even have advanced summer camp classes for kids who are super artistic! 🙂

The Nerman Museum

The museum offers a popular series of studio classes for children on Saturdays throughout the academic year and on weekdays during the summer.

Throughout the months of June, July, and August, the Nerman Museum of Modern Art in Overland Park, Kansas, hosts a variety of educational events geared specifically toward children on the weekends. These events are intended to provide children with an enjoyable and thought-provoking introduction to modern art.

The Nerman Museum’s “Saturday Art Lab” series is consistently ranked as one of the institution’s most well-attended summertime events. Children will have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of artistic processes and mediums, including painting, drawing, and sculpture, across the course of this program. Children can learn about contemporary art while developing their creativity through the process of experimenting with different materials under the direction of skilled artists.

Their “Summer Art Camp” series is another option for anyone interested in participating in a summer program at the Nerman Museum. Children have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of modern art and investigate a variety of art forms, genres, and techniques during this program which lasts for one week. In addition, participants will go on excursions, hear from special guests, and tour the most recent exhibitions at the museum throughout their time at camp.

On the weekends during the summer, in addition to these events, the Nerman Museum also hosts drop-in art activities for children. These activities are intended to be both enjoyable and approachable, and they allow youngsters to create their own creative pieces influenced by the museum’s displays.

The summer programs at the Nerman Museum provide children a one-of-a-kind and enlightening experience. Be sure to check them out!

Kansas City Young Audiences Summer Camp

Children of all ages and interests are welcome to attend one of the many summer camps that are available at Kansas City Young Audiences (KCYA). The objective of KCYA is to give children with access to high-quality arts education programs that encourage their creative development and motivate them to realize their full potential.

KCYA offers theater, music, visual arts, dance, and drama camps for ages 5 through 13, with camps running from June 5th- August 5th. There are full-day, half-day, & week-long summer camp options, so you can find something that fits your schedule!

You can find summer schedules/class descriptions are available online, with programs running throughout the summer. Summer camp sessions include: Broadway Bound Camp, Fairytale Mash-up, Music Makers, Improv Adventure & more.

Find more on enrollment here. Scholarships & payment plans are available if needed. KCYA also offers discounts for multi-week summer camp sign-ups!

KCYA provides a wide range of kids summer camps and programs. Some examples of these camps include dance camps, theater camps, and circus arts camps. Because there are so many different programs to choose from, there is bound to be a summer camp that caters to both the interests and requirements of your child.

Jacomo Summer Camps

Want your kids to have an unforgettable outdoor adventure? Jacomo Summer Programs offered at Kemper Outdoor Education Center create a summer the kids will never forget. The Kemper Outdoor Education Center at Fleming Park offers a wide range of activities for children of all ages, including summer camps that concentrate on outdoor education and discovery.

Your kids can spend their summer, swimming, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and more! There are 10 weeks of summer camp programs, each with a unique theme.

The “Outdoor Explorers” program at Jacomo at Kemper is consistently ranked as one of the most in-demand summer camps available. This program is intended for children curious about the natural world and enjoy going on adventures to discover new things about it. In addition to gaining knowledge of environmental stewardship and conservation, children will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as hiking, fishing, and observing wildlife in the environments in which they are naturally found.

The “Aqua Adventure” program is available at Jacomo at Kemper for youngsters who have an interest in participating in water sports. On Lake Jacomo, campers of all ages can learn how to kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboard thanks to this program. While taking in the breathtaking vistas of the lake, children will also receive education on how to stay safe around water and protect the environment.

Jacomo Summer Camp welcomes kids 6-13 at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center in Jackson County, Missouri. Register online now, or learn more about their camps on the Jacomo website.

• Swimming
• Archery
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Arts & Crafts
• Field trips too!

Learn more about their kids camp options online – spots fill up fast.

Sunset Trails Summer Riding Camp

The Sunset Trails Horseback Riding Camp is a one-of-a-kind summer program that offers a novel combination of horseback riding and creative writing as one of its activities. This camp, which is held in the beautiful countryside around Kansas City, gives students the chance to hone their writing talents while simultaneously experiencing the great outdoors. The camp is located in the heart of the city’s countryside.

Sunset Trails camp fun includes horseback riding, care for animals, outdoor activities, barn games, gardening, fun crafts, and more! Available for kids ages 6 and up!

Children will have the opportunity to participate in daily horseback riding lessons at the camp, where they will learn about proper riding practices, horse care, and trail safety. In addition, they will participate in daily creative writing workshops in which they will hone their writing skills, investigate a variety of writing styles, engage in peer criticism and rewriting, and more.

Campers will participate in a “Fun Show” at the end of camp, where riders decorate horses and showcase the skills they learned. This camp will also help to prepare students for weekly riding lessons also offered at Sunset Trails Stables should their interest extend beyond the camp session. Call (816) 554-7699 for more details or register online now.

Bonus: Save $10 With Our Exclusive Coupon!

Riding Camp Sessions are multiple days with 11 weeks to choose from.

In addition to daily riding and writing classes, the Sunset Trails Horseback Riding Camp offers a wide selection of exciting and interesting activities, such as campfires, cookouts, and games. These activities are designed to keep campers entertained and engaged. Children will have the chance to meet new people, grow in their ability to work together and take leadership roles, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

i9 Sports

Save $10 with code iFamilyKCRocks!

There are multi-sport summer camps in the Lenexa and Shawnee areas this summer. If you’re looking for a fun summer sports program, i9 Sports is the place to be!

Sports include t-ball, flag football, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and soccer programs for kids. Register for one or many today!

Wakeboarding Summer Camp at KC Watersports

Your children can learn to wakeboard or practice their wakeboarding skills at KC Watersports summer camps! No matter your child’s skill level, their facilities, and staff make sure that every camper, can come out and learn something new.

Day camps run Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 3 pm. You can purchase different amounts of day camps, which can be used consecutively OR spread out over different weeks so your children can enjoy water sports all summer long.

Campers must be at least 7 years old. See below for camp options & pricing.

• 1 Day Camp for $79
• 5 Day Camps for $395

Learning 2 Fly – Chakra Circus of Health Camp

Learning 2 Fly is the place to be for curious minds and energetic bodies. Their Chakra Circus of Health summer camps are a fun way to enjoy aerial fitness and while learning about health and wellness!

Camps begin at the end of May.  There are parent/kids camps offered too so you can have TONS of fun with your kiddos! Call (913) 262-2600 for more details or check out their youth programs online.

Oakhill Fully Charged Summer Camps

Get ready for a wild summer!

It’s time to ease into summer! Thank you for considering spending your summer with Oakhill. For summer 2023, we are excited to offer care for students grades Toddler (2 years old) through 8th Grade. Registration is open and sections are starting to fill! 

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Kansas City Parks & Rec Summer Camps

NEW this year KC Parks & Rec is providing Inclusion Day Camp for kids of all abilities!

Camps are only $100 per week and fill up fast. Registration opens on March 13th.

RoKC Summer Camp

RoKC has camp all summer long for ages 4-13 at both NKC and Olathe locations. Each camp offers am and pm options.

Kansas City Ballet Summer Camp

Give your child the gift of dance this summer as they learn that movement can be FUN! Performers will enjoy classes, workshops, and ballet camps at Kansas City Ballet this summer for ages 3-14.

Crescendo Conservatory

Calling all princesses and hip-hop lovers, Crescendo Conservatory is getting ready for its Summer Camps. Choose from “The Nutcracker in July Camp” and ” Under the Sea Camp.”

Lori’s School Of Music Summer Camp Sessions

Give your child a taste of Music with Lori’s School of Music. Group summer classes are a great way to introduce your kids to music. Call for more details at (816) 478-4838.

Jazz Camp

This year the KC Jazz Camp will be held at the REW Music in Lenexa, KS, June 6th-10th and June 13th-17th. Camp is from 10:00am-3:00pm daily.

School of Rock KC Camps

This camp is perfect for your aspiring rocker or pop star. Your child will explore songwriting, vocals, and instruments at their upcoming summer camps. Camps start at age 3.

Sky Zone Summer SKY Camps

Summers are epic at Sky Zone. Keep an eye out for details on SKY Camp.

Camp Urbie at Urban Air

Urban Air has tons of fun attractions! Their activities are perfect for all ages – kids AND adults. Stay tuned for details on summer camp.

MCPL Summer Reading Programs

Check out Mid-Continent Public Library locations across the metro for TONS of summer programs for kids of all ages and interests. Check back for more details.

Jacomo Summer Camp

Your kids can spend their summer, swimming, fishing, hiking, canoeing and more! There are 10 weeks of summer camp programs, each with a unique theme.

Jacomo Summer Camp welcomes kids 6-11 and is located at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center in Jackson County, Missouri. Registration opens April 3rd.

Johnson County Parks & Rec Summer Camps

Your kids will learn while having fun at the variety of summer camps offered at Ernie Miller Nature Center, Shawnee Mission Park and TimberRidge Adventure Center. There are full and half-day options available for kids ages 4-16. Check out the complete list of camps online.

City of Leawood Nature & Adventure Summer Camps

The City of Leawood is gearing up for a summer of fun. Check back frequently for updates on summer camps.

KC Zoo

Spend the summer at the zoo! Your kiddos can learn about animals, do experiments and more.KC Zoo summer camp is for ages 5-12.