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Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website
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Photo courtesy of Water Wizz Waterpark
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Goldfish Swim School is a family favorite for kids’ swimming lessons, with 11 locations in the Boston Area.
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Fun things to do in Boston with teens include seeing priceless works of art at Boston's museums. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts
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Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
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Ziplining is one of many adventurous activities at Camp Birch Hill. Photo courtesy of the camp
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Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
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The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
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Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
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Pizza and bowling are up everyone's alley in Somerville and Salem. Photo courtesy of Flatbread Pizza Salem/Facebook
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Best Summer Camps in Boston

The best summer camps in Boston are ready to kick off a fun-filled season of learning, growth, and friendship! Photo courtesy of Viking Sports Camp
The best summer camps in Boston are ready to kick off a fun-filled season of learning, growth, and friendship! Photo courtesy of Viking Sports Camp
3/6/23 - By Clementina Verge

The best summer camps in Boston–as well as Cambridge, Somerville, and other communities in Greater Boston–give kids an unforgettable experience over the long school vacation. Boston parents are always looking for a reputable, reliable, day camp where a child can spend those long summer days. These summer camps in and around Boston give kids a chance to learn about STEM, the arts, a sport, a new language, and more, in between time in the sunshine, sprinkler park, or pool (it is, after all, summer!)

For more ideas, including science and tech camps, art camps, and low-cost camps throughout the Boston area, check out our complete Boston Summer Camp Guide. 

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Take the field for an unforgettable summer camp experience in Boston. Photo courtesy of Headfirst Boston Red Sox Baseball Camp
Take the field for an unforgettable summer camp experience in Boston. Photo courtesy of Headfirst Boston Red Sox Baseball Camp

Best Summer Camps in Boston

Minni

Boston
Minni is a creative community space run by professional artists and educators who believe deeply that regular art-making promotes joy, creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. The space aims to serve as a place of gathering to support children and families within the local community, offering weekly classes for kids from ages 18 months to 12 years, as well as school break camps for kids ages 4 to 9 years old. Minni camp programs include art and design programs throughout the summer. READ MORE

Pedalheads Bike Camps - Boston

Boston, Cambridge, Newton
Pedalheads is a learn-to-ride bike camp for kids ages 3 and up, known for helping kids get off of training wheels and riding on their own. The popular week-long day camp combines a fun group setting with specialized equipment, tailored lessons, and incredible instructors to build confidence and get some of the most tentative kids biking on their own. Advanced bike lessons that focus on road safety are also offered. READ MORE

Boston Nature Center

Mattapan
With locations in Mattapan and West Roxbury, Boston Nature Center Camp combines science, outdoor exploration, and hands-on activities in a safe and inclusive environment. READ MORE

Community Boating Inc. Boston - Junior Programs

Boston
The Community Boating Summer Junior Program gets kids outside and active on the water. Activities include sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and more. READ MORE

Headfirst Boston Red Sox Baseball Camp

Boston and suburbs
Boston Red Sox Baseball Camps provide an age and ability-specific baseball curriculum to build character, foster teamwork, and develop leaders. Campers play four days in a full Red Sox uniform, working on skills and drills with their teammates. On a fifth day, players board a “big league” charter bus and visit Fenway Park for either a meet-and-greet with a player on the active roster or a behind-the-the scenes VIP tour of the clubhouse. READ MORE

Kids 4 Coding - Virtual Tech Programs

West Roxbury, Cambridge, and virtual
This leader in computer education for kids is serving up STEM-focused week-long summer programs for ages 7-16. Choose from coding, game developlment, Minecraft, Roblox, and more. Opt for a private course for a group of 5 friends at no additional fee. READ MORE
Summer camps keep kids active and outdoors all season long. Photo courtesy of Viking Sports Camp
Summer camps keep kids active and outdoors all season long. Photo courtesy of Viking Sports Camp

Best Summer Camps West and South of Boston: Dover, Brookline and More

CRS Summer

Dover
CRS Summer programs have something for every camper, making summer a time for children and teenagers to explore, learn, grow, and—above all else—have fun. Camps include the award-winning multi-arts Charles River Creative Arts Program (CRCAP), a Nature & STEM Camp, and an Entrepreneurship & Innovation Camp. Campers do hands-on projects and participate in outdoors sports, games, and free-swim. READ MORE

LINX Camps

Wellesley
LINX proudly offers over 40 camps for kids age 3 years through 10th grade, including a selection of STEAM programs. Campers can opt for Coding Cadets, Cupcake Battles, Project Fashion, and other courses that encourge kids to explore the world around them. READ MORE

Farmer, Forester, Chef Camp at Powisset Farm

Dover
Camp at historic Powisset Farm is about getting outside, spreading wings, expanding senses, fostering imagination, and digging in. Campers become farmers on the 109-acre working farm, foresters on the trails through Noanet Woodlands, and chefs in the teaching kitchen. The program is suitable for children ages 6-12. READ MORE

Viking Sports Camps

Brookline
Camps include a fun variety of sports including soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football, dodge ball, kickball, capture the flag, floor hockey, team handball, watermelon, reindeer tails, and many other gym games and camp activities. READ MORE

Hipstitch

Brookline
Hipstitch offers day and weeklong classes introducing kids to the fiber arts. Classes may include collages, weaving, embroidery, puppets, fabric printing, pillows, bags, stuffed animals, clothing and more. Classes are for children 5 and up.  READ MORE

NEOC (New England Outdoor Camp)

Wellesley
Born out of the enjoyment and safety experienced outside during the pandemic, NEOC — pronounced nē-äk —connects campers to nature with programming for kids ages 3 to 15. NEOC is a throw-back to vintage summer camps where children explored and played outside at an easy pace, without technology. The campus at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley includes river access, trails, forested areas, gardens, and the opportunity for campfires. Activities include canoeing, archery, hiking, orienteering, outdoor survival skills, gardening, arts and crafts, music, cooking, and games. READ MORE

The Story School - Story-Based STEM Camp

Charlton
The Story School is for campers who love live-action role-play (LARP). Campers are immersed in an interactive fantasy world acted out in the beautiful woods on Prindle Pond in Charlton, using curiosity-based learning practices to teach critical STEAM skills. Kids can attend for a single two-week session or for up to seven weeks. All campers are welcome from ages 8-18 years old; the Story School is inclusive and proud to serve a large number of neuro-diverse and LGBTQ+ students. READ MORE

Game Camp Nation - Waltham, MA

Waltham
Creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration: Game Camp Nation emphasizes the 4 C's needed for success in today’s media-driven world. This educational game studio for kids and teens offers in-person summer day camps and year-round online lessons, for aspiring game designers, programmers, and artists of all skill levels. READ MORE
Hans-on, engaging experiences–what more could they want from summer camp? Photo courtesy of Acera Summer Camp
Hans-on, engaging experiences–what more could they want from summer camp? Photo courtesy of Acera Summer Camp

Best Summer Camps North of Boston: Winchester, Medford, and More

Acera: The Massachusetts School of Science, Creativity, and Leadership

Winchester
Acera's high-engagement virtual courses provide kids ages 4-11 with hands-on, inquiry-driven learning. Subjects include programming and game building, science and engineering, filmmaking and stop-motion animation, songwriting, theater, dance, and much more. READ MORE

Teamworks Summer Camps

Winchester
Teamworks is a sports-based camp offering a variety of different activities to kids 4 - 16. Camps include cub camp (for little ones 4-6), and sports camps with programs including SFC New England Soccer, flag football and dodgeball. There is even a specialty princess camp where future royalty can wear gowns, tiaras and and play fairytale games. READ MORE

Camp Six Acres

Medford
Six Acres is a non-sectarian, summer day-camp owned and operated by Temple Shalom William and Charlotte Bloomberg Jewish Community Center, for children entering kindergarten through seventh grade. The program incorporates the goals of recreation, education, and concern, meeting at six acres of land on Winthrop Street in Medford. Campers participate in a structured morning program of swimming, arts & crafts, creative arts, and athletics, then choose from leisurely afternoons activities. READ MORE

Eliot Pearson Children's School - Camps

Medford
Campers participate in art activities, music and movement, and gardening, in addition to engaging project- and interest-based activities. They swim daily at the Tisch Atheltic Complex pool and take advantage of the natural playground while enjoying lots of outdoor water play and exploration. READ MORE

Parts and Crafts Summer Camp

Somerville
Choose from camps focused on music of all kinds, science, programming, gaming, robots and wildlife, or the girls-only invention camp that involves building, deconstructing, experimenting, and playing.  READ MORE

Steve & Kate's Camp Boston

Cambridge
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

The Trustees

Multiple Locations
Trustees summer camps offer outdoor camp experiences at nine world-class properties, including Crane Estate, World’s End, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, and five working farms, including the new Chestnut Hill Farm Camp in Southborough. Camps run June through August, with full-day or half-day options for ages 2–17. Farm, coast, art, and forest adventures cultivate a sense of wonder and develop connections with the natural world and new friends. READ MORE

Edge on Science - Summer STEM Adventures

Beverly and Newton
Kids who love tinkering can engage in science and engineering projects in a week-long Edge on Science camp. Rising 3rd to 12th grade campers can choose from 11 different project-based specialty STEM programs led by an engineer, scientist, and/or scholar. Programs feature a low child-to-instructor ratio of 6:1 or less. READ MORE
Let the kids get out and explore Greater Boston at summer camp. Photo courtesy of Buckingham Browne & Nichols Summer Camp
Let the kids get out and explore Greater Boston at summer camp. Photo courtesy of Buckingham Browne & Nichols Summer Camp

Best Summer Camps in Cambridge

Passport Day Camp

Cambridge
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

Steve & Kate's Camp Boston

Cambridge
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

Summer @ BB&N

Cambridge
Choose from sports camps, traditional day camp with rotation activities, speciality camps focused on learning and play, or academic experiences focused on coding, podcasts, sustainability, and debate.  READ MORE

Pine Village Spanish Immersion Preschool

Cambridge
Campers jump into Spanish immersion on an adventure through four Spanish-speaking countries. Activities are designed to encourage children's social, creative, and physical development. READ MORE

Camp Tech Revolution at Harvard University

Cambridge
Children gain experience with the latest tech, create awesome projects, and get a head start in the industry. The highly focused camp features cutting-edge tech, including Minecraft, coding, robotics, game design, Roblox, AI, Spy Tech, Custom Converse/Vans Sneakers, and YouTube production. READ MORE

iD Tech Summer Programs in Boston

Cambridge
iD Tech offers day and overnight camps for students ages 7 to 18. Programs include learning to code, designing video games, modding Minecraft, creating with Roblox, engineering robots, modeling and printing 3-D characters, building laptops, learning about cybersecurity, and more. READ MORE

Leaders 4SC Summer Workshop

Cambridge
The workshop trains the next generation of civic leaders in communication, decision-making, and advocacy. Subjects include public speaking, argumentative writing, current events, and interdisciplinary: topics in philosophy, psychology, economics, sociology, history, civics, and statistics. READ MORE

Gymnastic Academy of Boston-Cambridge

Cambridge
Camp includes quiet activities, stretch and group games, gymastics, open gym, and a daily pool or park field trip for full-day campers. Instructors strive to promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive group dynamics while challenging each child to have fun and discover new abilities.  READ MORE

Crimson Sailing Academy at Harvard

Cambridge
Beginners will learn the basics of sailing both on land and on water, including reading the wind, parts of the boat and sail, points of sail, knots, rigging and derigging, sailing upwind, and capsize recovery. Intermediate students learn hiking, planing, basic racing, and other techniques.  READ MORE

Muckykids Art Studio

Cambridge
The MuckyTots Art and Sensory Play program provides a unique opportunity for kids (ages 18 months to 3 years) to explore arts and crafts. Classes are held weekly, with participants and their caregivers enjoying music and stories, in addition to hands-on sensory play. READ MORE

Gather Here

Cambridge
Enjoy a full day of sewing fun and make your own cozy pajamas and shirt. Spend 6.5 hours with kids camp instructors, learning to cut and stitch a comfortable outfit. All materials are provided. READ MORE

International School of Boston

Cambridge
Bonjour! Under the guidance of bilingual (French & English) teachers and counselors, children take part in creative and educational activities, including arts and crafts, bilingual activities, drama, field trips, games, outdoor fun, reading, sports, and writing. READ MORE

Summer STEAM at Shady Hill School

Cambridge
Summer STEAM is a multifaceted, child-centered program featuring hands-on, project-based science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Students are encouraged to be curious about the world, question the limits of their knowledge, and identify and solve real-world problems. READ MORE

Mindful Fun Yoga

Cambridge
Students are introduced to yoga using the natural world as a guide and explore various themes, including changing seasons, animals and habitats, and natural environments like deserts, beaches, and forests. Kids also use new-found knowledge to enact stories from different cultures around the world. READ MORE

Cambridge Adventure Day Camp

Cambridge
Summers here foster friendships, learning opportunities, and mentoring relationships in a supportive, diverse community. Campers enjoy weekly field trips and on-site activities, including visiting performer workshops, crafts, biking, athletics, multicultural events, and structured choice times. READ MORE

New School of Music - Camps

Cambridge
The New School of Music is a community music school located in Cambridge, offering programs in a non-competitive, student-centered learning environment from professional musicians with a passion for teaching. Each year NSM runs vacation camps during February, April, and summer breaks for kids ages 6-14. Each unique program is full of exciting discoveries in music as well as fun vacation activities both indoors and outdoors. READ MORE

SummerTime at Fayerweather Street School

Cambridge
Program features include Jamming with Kate, a music program, and Daytripping, a program created for those who want to explore local venues with friends, under the supervision of Fayerweather Teachers. READ MORE

STEM Summer Camp

Cambridge
Create video game design, animation, music production, and other exciting projects. Choose from Tech & Design Camp, Minecraft Camp, and Coding Camp.  READ MORE

Kids 4 Coding - Summer Programs

Cambridge
Kids 4 Coding offers a STEM playground with peer-to-peer collaboration. Weekly virtual programs run throughout the summer for ages 7-10, 10-12, and 13-16, as well as local in-person camps at Roxbury Latin School and Cambridge Matignon School. All programs feature small groups with a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio and instructors who attend MIT, BU, Northeastern, GA Tech, Duke, and more.​ READ MORE

Oom Yung Doe Martial Arts Summer Camp

Cambridge
Kids meet new friends while gaining confidence and focus. Oom Yung Doe teaches eight styles of traditional martial arts as taught in Asia for centuries. Students learn forms and techniques, as well as life principles. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Game Camp Nation - Waltham, MA
Tufts University, Eliot Pearson Building
Cambridge Friends School
Cambridge Friends School
Camp Tech Revolution at Harvard University