Find the next adventure for kiddos of all ages at our picks for the top summer camps for kids in Houston for summer 2023.
With summer on its way in Houston, it’s time to start thinking about making the most of the upcoming season for your favorite kiddos.
Summer camps offer a great opportunity for that, but make sure to act fast as some of the enrollment windows and classes are filling up and closing soon.
From theater and the arts to creative writing and outer space, there are plenty of ways to engage with every kid’s favorite interests.
2023 Summer Camps for Kids in Houston
Explorer Camps at Space Center Houston
Camps available from Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, August 11, 2023
All summer long, NASA’s Space Center Houston offers a bona fide space camp opportunity across four different age groups.
Taking place in four- and five-day camps, kiddos explore engineering and robotics through STEM activities, problem solving and a hearty sense of adventure.
Many camps also provide the chance to learn about the solar system and the missions NASA undergoes to capture stunning imagery, how astronauts survive in harsh environments, and the ingenuity required to make space exploration possible.
Ages 4 to 11 | Multi-Day Camps are $239.95 and up
Camp Pawsome at Houston Humane Society
Camps available from Monday, June 5 to Friday, August 18, 2023
Animal lovers will adore these multi-day camps that offer hands-on time with adoptable animals, education about animal welfare, games and craft activities, and even the chance to observe a live animal surgery at the clinic.
Most camps are open to ages 7 to 13, but during two Teen Week windows in June and July, teens from 12 to 15 are invited to participate.
In addition to Teen Week—which emphasizes the ways to advocate for animals—two other week-long programs are available; Humane Heroes teaches the importance and role of animal shelters and how to protect the health and well-being of animals, and Savvy Scientists explores the ways science applies to the animal world.
Ages 7 to 15 | Four-Day Camps are $290; Week-long Camps are $350
Elite University Summer Camps in Midtown & West University
Camps available from Thursday, June 1 to Friday, August 25, 2023
Held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Midtown, and at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic School in West University, these kids camps encompass a wide array of week-long classes and workshops available to many different interests.
Camps focus on one of three areas: athleticism, STEM, and fine arts.
Both campuses offer week-long courses in horseback riding, outback camping, medical science, architecture, culinary arts and mixed media art, among several other options.
In addition to the camps offered in West University, Midtown also offers focuses like archery, karate, camp water sports, and veterinary science.
Incoming Kindergarten to 12th Grade Students | Enrollment varies and starts at $285
Coder Kids Summer Camps at Multiple Locations
Camps available from Monday, June 5 to Friday, August 4, 2023
Held at multiple locations across Houston and virtually, Coder Kids camps this summer are week-long crash courses in building programming foundations and offering hands-on application in video gaming, YouTube, digital animation, apps and more.
The youngest campers will build upon the basics of coding and can explore storytelling and animation through the help of programs, while older students will learn how to create mods in Minecraft, utilize software like Blender to make 3D art, and build understandings of film-making for platforms like YouTube.
Additional topics and class focuses are available for virtual camps.
Incoming Kindergarten to 8th Grade | Enrollment varies and starts at $165 (virtual) and $250 (in-person)
Urban Chef Summer Cooking Camps
Camps available from Monday, June 5 to Friday, August 18, 2023
Set your kiddos upon the kitchen with week-long courses that offer the fundamentals of cooking, baking and techniques needed to master grub from around the world.
These Monday-to-Friday camps teach three-person teams how to use ingredients and cooking methods to develop flavors or craft their own recipes through the cuisines of Europe and Asia.
Classes are four hours long and held at the UrbanChef campus on Weslayan Street in the Greenway area.
Ages 6 to 17 | Camps are $450
Humphreys School Summer Camp at Theatre Under the Stars
Camps available from Monday, June 5 to Sunday, August 6, 2023
Immerse the kiddos in a first-rate theater camp with TUTS’ annual summer courses in Broadway musical theatre, Disney-themed dance numbers and a full summer production for teens.
In camps for ages 4-7 and 7-12, students will receive week-long instruction to help them build confidence and learn foundational techniques of singing, dancing and acting—culminating in a showcase performance at the end of the week.
And for teenagers 12 to 19, the end of July brings a two-week opportunity to audition for a full production of Head Over Heels, which follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction. Tuition for this production is $740.
Ages 4 to 19 | Camps are $405
Glassell Junior School at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Classes available from Monday, June 5 to Friday, August 11, 2023
Across two sessions this summer, MFAH is offering classes and workshops that help kiddos explore artistic worlds in disciplines like ceramics, acrylic painting, digital art, sculpture and more.
Each of the classes are intended to tap into individual creativity and experimentation, along with plenty of take-home masterpieces.
Classes are typically two to three hours long, and are held in short week and full week segments.
Ages 4 to 18 | Courses start at $145 for nonmembers
School of Rock Summer Camps
Camps available from Wednesday, May 31 to Friday, August 11, 2023
Across multiple locations from Pearland to the Woodlands and everywhere in between, School of Rock offers week-long music camps this summer that get kiddos with varying experience to explore their instruments through games and activities.
Those with a little more experience are also taught how to dip into songwriting, perform songs from popular rock and pop icons, and learn what it takes to be a professional musician.
Musicians of all skill levels are welcome for these workshops in guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals.
Ages 5 to 18 | Enrollment varies and starts at $199
Creative Writing Camps at Rice University
Camps available from Monday, June 5 to Friday, July 21, 2023
Held at multiple locations in addition to Rice University, these week-long camp sessions provide kids of all primary school ages the opportunity to jump into the world of creative writing, explore feelings and thoughts, channel themselves through poetry, try their hand at playwriting and more.
Other courses are offered for grades 6-12, that include focuses in fantasy and magical worlds, writing from nature, exploring art through writing, spoken word performances and essay writing.
Virtual classes are also held from Tuesday, June 20 through Friday, June 30.
Incoming Kindergarten to 12th Grade Student | Camps are $495 (virtual) and $525 (in-person)
USA Ninja Challenge in Katy
Camps available from Monday, June 5 to Friday, August 4, 2023
Inspired by the global competition show, these week-long camps help kids to build all the skills they’ll need to navigate the gym-wide obstacle course and smash that button at the end of the week.
Throughout the week, kids will learn how to deal with obstacles like the warped wall, ropes, cargo nets, the hanging ladder and others, as well as participate in games and challenges.
Camps are held from 8:30am to noon daily.
Ages 5 to 13 | Camps are $235
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