A memorable summer is just a few clicks away when you sign up for one of our favorite Los Angeles summer camps
Los Angeles is a great place to explore a variety of exciting summer camp experiences for kids. And, depending on what your kid is interested in learning more about, there’s bound to be a camp dedicated to nurturing their curiosity—whether it’s about the environment, animals, music, sports, theatre, fashion or robots. Of course, there are also camps that specialize in the simple magic of camp—no phones, no electronics—just good old fashion fun that help remind them (and us) that being a kid is sometimes just about having a good time, getting dirty, making crafts and of course, making new friends. Below you’ll find summer camps for toddlers and 4-year-olds all the way up to 18-year-olds that deliver on these promises. Lucky for us, Los Angeles summer camps are, by far, some of the best in the country. Get ready to make the summer of 2023 the best summer yet.
PS: The prices below are typically based on a full week of camp. Many of the summer camps offer half day camp options as well as discounts for booking multiple weeks.
The Best Summer Camps in Los Angeles 2023
1. Tumbleweed Day Camp
Since 1954, Tumbleweed has been excelling at the outdoor adventure summer camp game. Tumbleweed offers kids a totally unplugged experience—no screens, no apps, no social media stress. It's tucked away on 100 private acres and gives kids a chance to explore and play in a safe environment. There are at least five activities per day, including swimming, archery, a rock climbing wall, horseback riding, DIY projects and more. Bonus? Transportation is included in summer camp programs.
Ages: PK-2nd grade Tumbleweed South; 3—8th grade Tumbleweed North; High Adventure Backpacking Club is a camping and adventuring program for campers in 9-12 grade
Dates: June 19-August 18
Cost: $895/week
Location: Los Angeles
Online: tumbleweedcamp.com
2023 Update: Tumbleweed Day Camp registration for all summer programs are now open.
2. Fitness by the Sea
Every element of Fitness by the Sea was designed to create a fun and nurturing environment for every child from ages 4 to 14. With over 200 activities, campers can choose what to do, from sports and play-based games to arts and crafts. And of course, surfing, swimming and boogie boarding if they so choose! FSB offers flexible scheduling and additional savings can be had the more weeks you enroll.
Ages: 4-14
Dates: June 12-August 25
Cost: $530/week
Where: Santa Monica & Pacific Palisades; Jonathan Club location is for members and sponsored guests
Online: fitnessbythesea.com
What's New for 2023: Fitness by the Sea camp registration is now open.
3. Camp Wildfolk
We are wild for this modern twist on traditional day camp that provides the freedom and spirit of a sleep away camp in an affordable, convenient day camp program. Wildfolk effortlessly blends the spirit of traditional camp with a progressive, child-centered and collaborative team projects, where kids team-build, explore, create, and innovate—picture cardboard carnivals or more spirited science fairs.
Ages: Preschool-10th grade
Dates: June 20-August 18
Cost: $495/week
Location: West Hollywood & Valley Village
Online: campwildfolk.com
2023 Update: Camp Wildfok registration is now open.
4. Got Game
This popular and super convenient camp that takes place on various school campuses across Los Angeles, lets kids fully customize their day, based on what interests them the most. The camp offers traditional sports, both art and science projects, water play, special on-site surprises and so much more!
Ages: 4-12
Dates: June 12-August 11
Cost: $395/week
Location: Mid-City, West LA, West SF Valley
Online: gotgamecamp.com
2023 Update: Field trips are back! Campers ages 8 & up may sign up for field trips each Friday. Got Game summer camp registration is now open.
5. Camp Galileo
Beloved Camp Galileo is now so popular it is has over 50 locations across the US. The imaginative curriculum and nurturing environment instill confidence alongside the learning—it’s so much fun, we hear kids beg for an extra week! Each week at Camp Galileo, little ones will have the chance to explore one of four themes that combine art, science, and outdoor activities into a narrative that keeps them engaged. Camp runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily while pre-k and kindergarten campers have a half-day option at a reduced rate. Extended care is available.
Ages: K-10th grade
Dates: June 19-August 4 (depending on location)
Cost: $475/week
Locations: Various locations througout Los Angeles & Orange County
Online: galileo-camps.com
2023 Update: Camp Galileo registration is now open.
6. Star Eco Camp
Take a walk on the wild side and get up close and personal with the world’s most unusual creatures. Kids join the fight to save the planet at this internationally recognized environmental science museum and exotic wildlife rescue center. Party with parrots, live it up with alligators, and get down and dirty with the dragons (that’s right, dragons!), all while discovering new and exciting ways to protect our planet’s delicate ecosystem. You can choose from weeks that focus on mammals, reptiles, winged creatures and more.
Good to Know: Because of the close contact with animals and their foods, this camp is not recommended for kids with severe animal or nut allergies.
Ages: TK-5th grade
Dates: June 12-August 25
Cost: $625/week
Location: West LA
Online: starinc.org
2023 Update: Star Eco Camp registration is now open.
7. Fashion Design Camp
Darling, let loose your inner Coco! Kids start at the very beginning by creating a vision board, then learn fashion sketching, fabric picking, and then they create a real-life collection! At the end of the week, the kids are transformed into fledgling fashion designers and debut their line at a fashion show that friends and families can attend (front row seats, of course). Kids as young as 6 can get in the fashion game, and go back to school wearing their own creations.
Ages: 6-18
Dates: June 5-September 1 (some weeks are almost sold out)
Cost: $850/week
Location: Hollywood
Online: theunincorporatedlife.com
2023 Update: Fashion Design Camp registration is now open.
8. Aloha Beach Camp
If your child loves the beach, Aloha Beach Camp provides the perfect setting for enjoying the sand, surf, and sun. The goal of the program is to help young children feel comfortable and safe in the ocean. Here, campers will take surf lessons and boogie board lessons, participate in group sand games and enjoy many other aquatic activities. Your little beach bunny will be sad when they have to say aloha to this camp when summer comes to a close.
Ages: 4-15
Dates: June 12-August 18
Cost: $172/day
Location: Malibu, with free transportation to camp from drop-off locations all over Los Angeles
Online: alohabeachcamp.com
2023 Update: Aloha Beach Camp registration is now open.
9. Arboretum Summer Nature Camp
Nature-minded parents love sending their kids to the Arboretum Summer Nature Camp so much so, this camp for explorers from ages 5-10 filled up within 30 minutes of opening registration. For future reference, campers get to dig in the dirt, plant seedlings, test their cooking skills and play plenty of games.
Not all is lost though! Little Sprouts—the camp exclusively for 4 year-olds—still has some spots available. This camp is intended to provide young children with a positive first camp experience, with a focus on discovering the magic of nature in a safe, fun, and nurturing setting.
Ages: 5-10
Dates: June 5-August 4
Cost: $400/week for member; $430/week for non-members
Location: Arcadia
Online: arboretum.org
2023 Update: They've double the spots available this year—48 as opposed to last year's 24. Arboretum Summer Nature Camp registration is now open for this bound-to-sell-out camp.
10. Kallpachay
Kallpachay means "to inspire" in the ancient Incan language and this summer camp inspires a sense of playfulness and ease while learning a new language. That’s right: This camp is full immersion and taught by all native Spanish speakers. But it’s not just for kids who speak Spanish, the play aspect ensures that kids of all levels of the language (even beginners) have a great time and can understand what’s happening. Kids open their day with a group circle, “ice-breaker” activities, and chants and move onto group activities. Language is learned through arts, crafting, gardening, and even daily cooking classes to introduce Latin flavors—so kids learn through practice that language emerges from culture.
Ages: 2-14
Dates: June 19-August 4
Cost: $492/week
Location: Eagle Rock
Online: kallpachay.com
2023 Update: Kallpachay summer camp registartion is now open. Kallpachay will also offer virtual Spanish immersion camp for summer 2023. Kids will have the chance to learn the language through guided participatory play, song, brain breaks, and more. They're also offering camp pods for LA families—contact the camp for details.
11. Performing Arts Workshops
This summer, Performing Arts Workshops are continuing their popular art summer camps in Los Angeles. Kids ages 5-to-14 will have the chance to work on their singing, dancing, and acting skills while socializing and having a blast. Workshops include theater games, improv, guitar, and magician skills like the ever-so-tricky sleight of hand.
Ages: 5-14
Dates: June 20-August 11
Cost: $485/week
Location: Various locations throughout Los Angeles
Online: performingartsworkshops.com
2023 Update: Performing Arts Workshop summer camp registration is now open.
12. Rolling Robots
If you’ve got an engineer, a tinker, a robot-building thinker, these camps are for them. They offer a variety of programs including Bots for Tots to Roblox Game Design & Code—so your kids really can spend the summer playing video games or playing with robots and you won’t object because they’ll be exercising their minds, not wasting them.
Ages: 5-15
Dates: June 19-August 13
Cost: $388/week
Locations: Glendale & Manhattan Heights
Online: rollingrobots.com
2023 Update: Rolling Robots summer camp registration is now open.
13. School of Rock
So you’ve got a little rock superstar? At this rock camp, kids learn music, performance techniques, and bond with their band. Throughout the week kids go from zero to a full set of songs and a performance. The week includes group rehearsal, music trivia, song casting, one-on-one attention from all-star instructors, gear education, and band-related activities all aimed at helping kids learn a set of songs to be totally ready to rock them by the end of the week. Your kiddos can pick from playing drums, singing, shredding guitar, playing bass, or keyboards. They’re all in the band. And you’ll be the biggest groupie.
Ages: 7-18
Dates: June 12-August 25
Cost: $525/week
Location: Various locations throughout Los Angeles
Online: schoolofrock.com/summercamps
2023 Update: School of Rock summer camp registration is now open.
14. Tom Sawyer Camp
The great outdoors beckon at Hahamonga Watershed Park, above Devil’s Gate Dam in the Arroyo Seco of Altadena. While Tom Sawyer had the Mississippi River, young campers here have horses to ride (and paint), mud balls to make, and circus tricks to learn, all in a safe and nurturing environment en plein air, with no video game in sight. The four Tom Sawyer summer camps on offer are divided by age groups, starting at 3 years old and going up to 8th grade.
Ages: 3-13
Dates: June 12-August 11
Cost: $780/week
Location: Altadena
Online: tomsawyercamps.com
2023 Update: Tom Sawyer summer camp registration is now open.
15. Santa Monica Playhouse Theatre Camp
Santa Monica Playhouse's summer camp focuses on the delights of creativity, self-expression, and imagination, instilling a true love of sharing, caring, and performance. Structured creative activities such as story-telling, crafts, songs, movement, make-up, and costumes culminate in a live performance. The camps stimulate cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical skills in a fun, comfortable and supportive atmosphere.
Ages: 4-16
Dates: June 19-August 11
Cost: $495/week
Location: Santa Monica
Online: santamonicaplayhouse.com
2023 Update: Santa Monica Playhouse Theatre Camp summer camp registration is now open.
16. Annenberg PetSpace Kids Camp
If your kiddo’s Paw Patrol or My Little Pony craze was any indication, they’re fast growing up to be animal-obsessed. Whether you need to cover spring break (it’s around the corner!) or are ready to get your summer booked, Annenberg PetSpace Kids Camp has an ideal one-week experience at the ready. Little animal lovers between the ages of 8 and 11 will adore the line-up of daily themes, educational games and activities and, of course, animal encounters.
Ages: 8-11
Dates: Summer dates TBA
Cost: $400/week
Location: Playa Vista
Online: annenbergpetspace.org/visit/camp
2023 Update: Information about Annenberg PetSpace Kids Camp summer 2023 has not been release yet. Information above is from summer 2022.
17. Perfect Day Beach & Surf Camp
The name of the game here is "convenient," which as busy parents, we adore. It’s convenient if you’ve got little ones of multiple ages, since they have Beach Camp for the 4-8 crowd, and Surf Camp for big kids (9-17) right at the same drop-off location. It’s convenient because of the flex scheduling, which lets you pick individual days or weeks, and lets you change those dates anytime (up until a week before the day of class). And mostly it’s convenient because you don’t spend any time convincing kids to go—they’re begging to hop out of the car and build sandcastles, body surf, wave jump, and boogie board. Even the 4-year-olds start to learn about the waves and how to catch them, and big kids spend most of their time in the water, but take breaks for volleyball, prisoner, soccer, capture the flag, dodgeball, and ocean safety.
Ages: 4-8 (Beach camp); 9-17 (Surf camp)
Dates: June 13-August 26
Cost: $575/week
Location: Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, & Redondo
Online: perfectdaysurfcamp.com
2023 Update: Information about Perfect Day Beach & Surf Camp summer 2023 has not been released yet. The above information is from summer 2022.
18. Tinkering Camps at reDiscover Center
If you’ve ever spent a Sunday at the reDiscover Center and thought, "I never need to leave," then Tinkering Camp is for you (or rather, your kids). Young builders acquire the skills they need to work confidently in wood, plastic, and metal to build robust structures as wild as their imaginations. There’s an adult present to help every four kids and the fully stocked workshop ensures that kids are safe and can construct anything their imaginations can dream up. Each session offers five days of tinkering, and this year, they're introducing Cardboard Camp too, where campers learn how to use Tinkering Tools and build projects big and small out of cardboard and extension materials like skewers, mylar, and Makedo. Each day includes skills-building activities, project prompts like costuming, vehicles, models, and mechanisms, and open build time to let the imagination fly.
Ages: 6-12
Dates: June 20-August 26
Cost: $525/week
Location: Mar Vista & Culver City
Online: rediscovercenter.org/weeklong-camp/
2023 Update: Information about Tinkering Camps at reDiscover Center summer 2023 has not been released yet. The above information is from summer 2022.
