Our guide to summer camps for kids in Austin and Central Texas will help you get your kids outdoors for some fun in the sun. They’ll also get the opportunity to engage in the activities they love and make new friends that they’ll remember for a lifetime. There’s something for everyone this summer—choose from camps such as art, sports, music, science, cooking, and dance.
Ages 3-12
Kidventure is a premier summer camp option for children, providing an exceptional experience at several locations including Lakeway and Westlake. Kidventure’s primary objective is to instill confidence, encourage creativity, and promote teamwork in children. The summer day and overnight camps offer a purposeful curriculum with a diverse range of activities to develop various skills to encourage creativity, physical activity, exploration, and reflection. Children have the opportunity to engage in exciting adventures, make friends, and have fun in a nurturing and safe environment.
Ages 4-14
Idea Lab Kids is an engaging summer camp that inspires creativity and encourages children to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields. Their programs for children aged 4-14 feature activities like coding, robotics, 3D printing, animation, and more led by passionate instructors. The goal is to learn through inquisitive hands-on activities utilizing science, math, and critical thinking skills with imagination.
PreK-Gr5
Mad Science offers innovative summer camps for children in grades PreK through 5th that provide interactive, hands-on learning in the exciting world of science. Each camp offers a unique and engaging curriculum that encourages exploration and discovery in chemistry, physics, rocket engineering, and more. Through hands-on experiments and demonstrations, children get to experience the thrill of launching rockets, creating chemical reactions, and building robots.
Ages 5-17
First Tee of Greater Austin offers summer camps that combine golf skills and character development for children aged 5-18 in Austin, TX. The program teaches life skills such as honesty, responsibility, respect, and perseverance through golf. Experienced instructors lead the camps, which cover golf fundamentals, rules, and etiquette, as well as making healthy choices, interpersonal skills, and managing emotions. The goal is to help children build a strong foundation of values and life skills to carry with them on and off the golf course.
Aquatic Science Adventure Camps
Ages 7-16
The Aquatic Science Adventure Camps at Texas State University are summer camps for children interested in aquatic science. The camps take place on the Blanco River and include activities such as river rafting, caving, tubing, hiking, swimming, and science activities like invasive species removal and learning about macro-invertebrates. The goal of the program is to inspire campers to become environmental stewards and foster a love for science and nature.
Ages 6-16
Camp Olympia is a private, overnight summer camp with a beautiful location on Lake Livingston. It offers 1-week, 2-week, and 3-week sessions, and campers can choose from over 40 adventure activities, including dance, video production, gymnastics, horseback riding, golf, and more. The camp aims to build character and values in campers while providing a safe environment with a counselor-to-camper ratio of 1:4. and accreditation by the American Camping Association.
Anderson Mill Limited District
Ages 5-11
Anderson Mill Limited District Summer Day Camp is a popular and affordable summer camp program that offers a wide variety of themed weeks such as Zoofari Week, Theater Week, Superhero Week, Medieval Carnival Week, and more. Free swim, free play, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities are included in every camp. Requirements for participants? A great attitude and a willingness to have tons of fun!
Ages 5-17
Camp Champions is an overnight summer camp that seamlessly blends traditional summer camp activities with modern amenities and world-class facilities. Camp Champions offers a wide range of growth opportunities for campers to become champions. The program is designed to be a blast while reinforcing values that promote personal growth and development. Activities are divided into four departments: Waterfront, Sports, Outdoors, and Fine Arts, all taught in an interactive, outdoor setting that facilitates your child’s growth while making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Ages 7-19
iD Tech is a popular summer camp that offers a variety of programs designed to teach children about computer science, coding, game design, and other technology-related topics. With a focus on hands-on learning and small class sizes, iD Tech camps offer a range of courses from beginner to advanced levels. With a variety of course options, flexible schedules, and a fun, engaging atmosphere, iD Tech camps are an excellent choice for parents looking to give their children a valuable and enjoyable summer camp experience.
Ages 5-13
Elite University’s Camp Steiner is a summer camp that offers a variety of fun and engaging activities for children. They have a variety of camps to choose from like watersports, horseback riding, archery, veterinary science, architecture, robotics, cooking, ceramics, and more. At Elite U, they believe in getting out and having new experiences in nature, so they provide Austin Campers with a summer filled with adventure, exploration, education, and outdoor fun.
Ages 4-12
ATX Kids Club offers a unique and adventurous summer program in Austin that immerses campers in their city’s culture and history. Each day, campers embark on an educational field trip to exciting destinations such as the Texas State Capitol, Blanton Museum, and Austin Nature & Science Center. With a low camper-to-leader ratio of 8:1, campers enjoy a personalized experience and get to explore different locations based on weekly themes such as Nature, Texas, Art, Diversity, and Health/Fitness. In addition to visiting museums and cultural centers, the program also focuses on fitness and healthy eating, ensuring that campers have a well-rounded experience.
Earth Native Wilderness School
Ages 3.5-12
Earth Native Wilderness School provides children with meaningful outdoor experiences and cultivates a deeper understanding and respect for nature. Activities range from wilderness survival skills and wildlife tracking to nature crafts and plant identification. By participating in Earth Native Wilderness School’s summer camps, children will develop a greater appreciation for the natural world and gain valuable skills that can be applied to their daily lives.
Ages 5-11
With over 15 years of experience, Creative Action’s summer camps have become a top choice for families in the Austin area. Led by professional teaching artists from around the world, your child will explore a variety of artistic mediums such as puppeteering, music and podcast production, storytelling, sculpting, and film. Through these activities, campers not only develop new skills but also learn to express themselves and build self-awareness. In addition to the artistic exploration, campers also have the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities and team-building exercises.
Ages 5-11
The Art Garage Summer Camp offers a variety of visual art classes and workshops that allow children to explore their creativity and learn new skills. Campers can explore art through mediums like clay, pottery painting, tie-dye, mosaics, glass fusion, drawing, painting, paper mâché, fiber arts, and more while learning about art history and techniques and making new friends. Each camp has a different theme, and this summer, The Art Garage is offering 20 different ones so you’re sure to find something your camper will enjoy.
Ages 6-16
Camp Tech Revolution is the world’s leading tech camp, designed by a leadership team with educational backgrounds from renowned universities like Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell. The camp’s mission is to provide a best-in-class experience in summer enrichment that prepares students for their future. The summer camp offers exciting weekly events and hands-on learning experiences in hot tech topics, including Robotics, Coding, Game Design, Minecraft, Roblox, Digital Art, Spy Tech, STEM & Medicine, and more. With over 50 cutting-edge courses, Camp Tech Revolution offers valuable, in-demand skills for every camper, whether they are a novice, intermediate, or advanced in a particular subject area.
Ages 5-12
Neuron Garage offers a unique summer camp experience that balances individual and group activities with time for relaxation, reflection, and play. The program emphasizes the importance of building a sense of community, taking extra time on Monday mornings to connect with each camper. The camp offers hands-on engineering challenges, repurposing recyclables, and encourages campers to explore what they can do with their own hands. Each week presents a new challenge, offering opportunities for children to practice tools to develop a growth mindset. The daily schedule includes playtime, community building, build time, lunch, indoor and outdoor playtime, and community close.
Ages 5-18
Excused Absence is an improv summer camp designed for young performers of all skill levels. The camp aims to boost kids’ confidence and creativity through improv games and exercises, as well as stagecraft and character development. The camp culminates in a showcase for family and friends, where campers get to show off the skills they have learned over the course of the camp. With experienced instructors and a focus on fun and inclusion, Excused Absence is a great way for kids to develop their improvisation skills and make new friends in a supportive and engaging environment.
Austin Filmmakers Annual Summer Film Camp
Ages 9-18
The Austin Film Festival offers an annual summer camp for aspiring filmmakers. This camp provides a creative and supportive environment for kids to explore their love of film and learn the fundamentals of filmmaking. Over the course of a week, campers will work in groups to write, direct, and edit their own short films using professional-grade equipment and software. Along the way, they will receive guidance and mentorship from experienced filmmakers, as well as participate in workshops, panels, and screenings.
Ages 7-16
Sherwood Forest Summer Camps offer a unique experience to campers, transporting them to a 25-acre medieval village where they can learn a variety of skills from artisans of Sherwood Forest Faire. With a focus on safety and security, every team member undergoes a strict screening process and participates in Child Safety Awareness Training, and meals are prepared by food industry professionals. Campers attend 5-6 classes each day, ranging from Blacksmithing and Leatherworking to Swordplay and Pottery, and are assigned to sleeping accommodations based on age and clan size. A typical camper day includes classes, meals, and evening activities, ending with a bedtime story.