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Best Preschool Summer Camps in NYC

Bank Street Summer Camp offers experiences that are challenging, inspiring, and fun for little ones. Photo courtesy of the camp
Bank Street Summer Camp offers experiences that are challenging, inspiring, and fun for little ones. Photo courtesy of the camp
3/13/23 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

Finding a summer camp in NYC that's a good fit for a first-time, preschool-age camper can be downright nerve-racking. You want their initial summer camp experience to be fun, safe, and memorable, but not over-stimulating or overwhelming. With so many high-quality summer day camps in NYC for preschoolers, it's hard to figure out which one to choose.

Through the years, we've compiled this list of kid-tested, parent-approved summer camps for preschoolers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Best of all, many of these preschool summer camps grow with your child, accepting kids in elementary school and beyond.

For all our top summer camp picks, including free and cheap summer camps, sports summer camps, and more, visit our Summer Camp Guide for NYC kids. You can also bookmark our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps in NYC by borough, interest, and age.

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Fly high at JCC summer camp in Manhattan. Photo courtesy of the JCC
Fly high at JCC summer camp in Manhattan. Photo courtesy of the JCC

Best Preschool Summer Camps in Manhattan

Camp Corlears

Chelsea
Ages 3-10
Camp Corlears is all about giving children space outdoors to play, run, and laugh with their friends. The counselors are primarily Corlears teachers, and three distinct camp programs are offered for different age groups, starting with preschool. Each camp session is one week long. READ MORE

SummerSault at The Town School

Upper East Side
Ages 4-10
SummerSault's NYC summer day camp experience is specifically designed for early childhood with arts, sports, joyful learning, and creative play for ages 4-10. The camp partners with Swim Jim to provide two swim classes every camp session, plus weekly field trips ​to city venues with special camp programming. READ MORE

14th Street Y Camps

East Village
Ages 2-13
The 14th Street Y hosts a variety of camps including programs for toddlers through 8th graders. Its New Town Day Camp hosts full- and half-day sessions at the Y. Older kids can attend the New Country Day Camp at the Henry Kaufman Campgrounds. Special needs camps are also available.  READ MORE

92nd Street Y Camp K'Ton Ton

Upper East Side
Ages 3-5
Specifically created for preschoolers, this camp offers creative art projects, imaginative activities, music, movement, gymnastics, sports, and unstructured, child-directed play. Outdoor fun includes romping in the Y's three outdoor play spaces, bike-riding lessons, and swim instruction. READ MORE

The Art Farm NYC Camps

Upper East Side and Upper West Side
Ages 3-10
The folks behind this innovative, animal-focused play space offers full- and half-day camps for kids as young as 3 split between two Trevor Day School locations. Campers participate in art-making, animal care, gardening, and more. Full-day campers take swimming lessons at the 92nd Street Y. READ MORE

Bank Street Summer Camp

Upper West Side
Ages 4-13
The renowned Bank Street Camp is divided into age-level camps led by head counselors who are usually teachers at Bank Street School for Children. Campers spend a lot of time exploring the city and venture to developmentally and age-appropriate field trips.  READ MORE

Caedmon Discovery Camp

Upper East Side
Ages 2.8-12
Campers ages 2.8-3 years old attend half-day programs, while ages 4+ are enrolled for full-day sessions. Older kids go on off-site trips, and all-ages enjoy Caedmon's building amenities, plus classes like cooking, music, and sports. Special themed days are held once a week.  READ MORE

Dwight Summer Camp

Upper West Side
Ages 4-12
At Dwight Summer Camp, campers participate in a varied, active curriculum with sports like yoga, tennis, swimming, and basketball along with dance, arts, and crafts. The youngest campers are enrolled in Discovery Camp, which emphasizes imagination, social, and cognitive development. Transportation and extended days are available.  READ MORE

Harlem School of the Arts - Harlem Summer Arts Experience

Harlem
Ages 4-12
Founded in 1964 by internationally acclaimed African American soprano Dorothy Maynor, Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) offers instruction in music, dance, theater, musical theater, and media and design to children ages 2-18. The summer arts camp program is open to kids ages 4-12, giving kids the opportunity to sing, dance, act, and design, all while immersing themselves in the creative history of Harlem with guest artists, special trips, and opportunities to present their work each session. READ MORE

JCC in Manhattan

Upper West Side
Ages 3-5
At the JCC, camps and classes allow kids to enjoy yoga, music, science, and cooking lessons while learning about Jewish values. Sports, swim instruction, and plenty of outdoor play are offered at the JCC's rooftop playground and nearby green spaces to round out the fun. A variety of special needs programs are available.  Day Camp @ the JCC focuses on age-appropriate developmental skills, and serves children ages 3-5 years old. READ MORE

Summers at LREI

Greenwich Village
Ages 3-13
Summers at LREI is the summer program of LREI, the progressive school located in the West Village. Children can attend a full-day program that includes indoor and outdoor playtime, choice time, special themes on Wednesdays, and more. READ MORE

Best Preschool Summer Camps in Brooklyn

Aviator Sports Day Camp

Marine Park
Ages 4-15
Aviator's summer day camp offers traditional activities, including arts and crafts, drama, science, and swimming, plus unique specialties including ice skating, rock climbing, and more—all within its 175,000-square-foot sports complex. School break camps are also offered.  READ MORE

C'E Montessori

Williamsburg
Ages 2-9
C'E Montessori's offerings for summer camps center around enjoying the great outdoors. Campers explore the local neighborhood, picnic in green spaces, and have a blast with friends. Month-long camps include adventures in neighborhood parks, a Montessori musical, and more. All camps are designed to take advantage of being able to spend a whole two months outdoors. READ MORE

Park Slope Day Camp

Multiple Brooklyn Locations
Ages 3-14
Park Slope Day Camp provides kids entering pre-K to 8th grade with a wide variety of activities, including traditional day camp, circus camp, travel camp, and sports academies. Plenty of time is spent outdoors in local parks. School break mini-camps are offered. READ MORE

BHMS Preschool Camp

Brooklyn Heights
Ages 3-6 1/2
Brooklyn Heights Montessori School opens its doors in late June to welcome campers to A Montessori Summer. This rich program offers swimming instruction, athletics, visual and performing arts, cooking, and outdoor adventures. Younger campers can enjoy a half-day option in its Stepping Stones program. READ MORE
Enjoy some old-fashioned summertime sprinkler fun during summer camp at The Bronx House. Photo courtesy of the camp
Enjoy some old-fashioned summertime sprinkler fun during summer camp at The Bronx House. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Preschool Summer Camps in Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx

Bronx House Day Camps

Morris Park, the Bronx
Ages 3-5
Bronx House offers a variety of summer camp programs from early childhood to grade 6. The youngest campers call Bronx House home and explore the local neighborhood, while older kids can participate in traditional day camps on its Rockland County Campus or enjoy travel and overnight camps.  READ MORE

Staten Island Academy

Todt Hill, Staten Island
Ages 3-15
This private school offers half- and full-day summer camps for ages 3-15. Its early-childhood campers enjoy activities in age-appropriate classrooms, and youngsters have the run of the large playground and can romp on the spacious campus. Full-day campers get to swim each day. READ MORE

Garden School Summer Camp

Jackson Heights, Queens
Ages 2-15
Garden School Summer Camp is run by highly-trained staff, industry experts, and professional educators who are dedicated to ensuring that each camper has a safe and enriching experience. The camp has low camper-to-teacher ratios and is divided into different programs by age. Half-, full-, and extended-day options are available. READ MORE

Queens Botanical Garden Camps and Classes

Flushing, Queens
Ages 4-13
The Queens Botanical Garden offers hands-on discovery camps and classes for children of all ages. Kids’ imaginations and knowledge blossom as they plant and harvest vegetables and flowers, explore the garden’s 39 acres, and prepare the food they’ve grown. READ MORE
Explore nature and wildlife at the WCS summer camps. Photo courtesy of the WCS
Explore nature and wildlife at the WCS summer camps. Photo courtesy of the WCS

Best Preschool Summer Camps Citywide

Chelsea Piers Summer Sports Camp

Chelsea and Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Ages 3-17
Chelsea Piers features a variety of unique sports camps for kids, including gymnastics, ice skating/hockey, parkour, soccer, golf, and so much more. Half-day and full-day options, short weeks, aftercare, and more are offered. School break camps are also offered. READ MORE

FasTracKids Summer STE(A)M Adventure Camp

Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan
Ages 2-14
At FTKNY's Summer STE(A)M Adventure, campers explore a new career each week, interact with the SmartBoard Learning Station, role play, do arts and crafts, conduct experiments, improve their math and literacy skills, and have lots of free playtime with their friends.  READ MORE

New York Kids Club Camps

Citywide
Ages 2 1/2-6
This chain of kiddie gyms offers half- and (nearly) full-day programs for kids up to 6 years old. Kids enjoy thematic adventures each day with guided play designed to engage campers academically and physically.  READ MORE

Oasis Day Camps

Manhattan and Queens
Ages 3-15
Oasis offers a traditional day camp for grades K-6, a field trip-focused program for ages 12-14, and a transitional camp for preschoolers. Activities revolve around the arts, outdoor education, sports, team-building, and instructional and recreational swimming. Locations are available in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island. READ MORE

YMCA of Greater New York Summer Day Camp

Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island
Ages 3-15
With 70 sites throughout the five boroughs and summer programs for kids ages 1-17, there's a YMCA camp to fit your family. Choose from options like swim and specialty camps, traditional day camps, and sleepaway camps. School break camps are also offered. READ MORE

WCS Zoos & Aquarium Summer Camps

Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx
Ages 2-17
Wildlife Conservation Society's summer camps at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium maximize time exploring and connecting to nature and wildlife. Camp experiences are designed to allow young explorers to discover natural wonders, play outdoors, tour the zoo and aquarium exhibits, and get up close and personal with animal ambassadors. READ MORE

Trail Blazers

Manhattan and Brooklyn
Ages 3-10
Trailblazers' day programs are filled with hands-on science experiments, group play and group challenges, team building, nature exploration, art, and lots of singing. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School