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Great Summer Camps for Preschoolers in and around Boston

Photo courtesy of Tenacre Day Camp
Photo courtesy of Tenacre Day Camp
3/2/21 - By Caitlin Dowling

Summer camp can be an awesome way to introduce preschool-aged kids to a school-like setting. They're old enough to want (and need) some mental and social stimulation during those long summer days, but not so mature that you can plant them at any old camp and trust they'll make do. The good news is that Boston and the surrounding Massachusetts 'burbs offer lots of great summer day camps to suit the many different types of preschoolers out there—from sporty to outdoorsy to artsy!

Find more great summer camp options for your Massachusetts kids in our Boston Camp Guide and as always check out our events calendar for the latest happenings in Boston. 

 

 

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Photo courtesy of Passport Summer Day Camp, Facebook
Photo courtesy of Passport Summer Day Camp, Facebook

Summer Camps for Preschoolers in Boston and Greater Boston

Passport Day Camp

Passport at Cambridge Montessori School offers camps for kids from 18 months up to 11 years old. The Tiny Tots program for children up to 2.9 years old is modeled on a Montessori classroom. Campers commit to a four or eight-week session, which includes water play, nature walks, gardening, and more. For 3-to 4-year-olds, Passport offers single-week sessions including field trips, swimming, and team games. Older kids get to explore science and nature, music and movement, arts & crafts, water sports, and more. READ MORE

Hill House Kiddie Camp

Hill House’s Kiddie Kamp serves campers starting at age 3, as long as they are toilet trained. Weather permitting, campers spend two days a week at the Esplanade at Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields and the Alfond Spray Deck, giving city kids a chance to splash around. Themed camp weeks include on-site special events like traveling tide pools or magician acts. In addition, campers get to play games, do crafts, sing songs, and spend time outdoors. READ MORE

Dexter Southfield Summer Camps

Dexter Southfield’s Junior Campers are grouped by age: 3.5- to 4-year-old Mites, 4- to 4.5-year-old Tykes, or 4.5-year-old Juniors. Kids spend their days with their group moving between activities like drama, swim, and sports programming. Each group is led by a head counselor, with two additional counselors and one staff member for every four campers. Fees include bus transportation, snacks, lunch, and all supplies. READ MORE

Summer@BB&N

BB&N provides a valuable and enjoyable summer experience for campers from 4 years old through high school. It's a great option for active kids with a variety of interests. Summer@BB&N Kiddie Camp lets 4-year-olds try out swimming, art, drama, tennis, and other sports (with a little rest block thrown in for good measure) in their own designated camp space. Added bonus: an all-you-can-eat lunch is included.        READ MORE

Steve & Kate's Camp Boston

Located in Cambridge, Somerville (and other sites all over the country), Steve and Kate’s allows campers ages 4 and up to choose the activities they like: film, fashion, coding, music, and bread-making are all available. The Launchpad program is designed to ease preschoolers into the camp routine, and to give them a break when they need it. Unlike at typical camps, parents buy day passes in advance for use at any time—and get a refund for the unused passes. Steve and Kate’s also provides lunch each day. READ MORE
Hey! Look what I grew. Photo courtesy of Drumlin Farm Camp
Hey! Look what I grew. Photo courtesy of Drumlin Farm Camp

Summer Camps for Preschoolers in the Boston Suburbs

Summer Nursery Program at Waldorf School of Lexington

WSL’s summer nursery program is based on the Waldorf curriculum, so it's focused on nature and self-directed free play—which means kids will do plenty of romping on the school campus and the adjoining conservation land. The half-day program is perfect for campers who are looking for freedom but aren’t ready for a whole day away from home. The school has recently added sprinklers and a paddling pool for hot summer days. READ MORE

Tenacre Day Camp

Though technically catering to ages three-12, Tenacre has a long-standing rep for helping preschoolers learn to swim: It boasts a 1:1 teacher-to-student ratio in twice-daily swim lessons. Along with swimming, 3- to 4-year-old campers enjoy sports, arts and crafts, yoga, and nature exploration under the direction of carefully chosen counselors (all 18 years or older). The camp offers nine weekly sessions, and each has a different theme, from "pirates and mermaids" to "shark week." READ MORE

Drumlin Farm Camp

Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Camp has two locations for preschoolers for kids ages 4 to 18 years old. Pre-k'ers can enroll in a half or full-day two-week program exploring the farm with resident animals, sanctuary, playing nature games, and enjoying crafts. READ MORE

Appleton Farm Camp

With rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, vegetable gardens, active barnyard, and historic buildings, Appleton Farms offers a unique experience. Campers connect to the natural world while doing barnyard chores like feeding animals, mucking stalls, collecting eggs, planting, cooking and tasting delicious seasonal foods, and having hiking adventures. READ MORE

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