After sitting in school and focusing on academics all year, kids will find summer to be the perfect time to explore their creative sides. Campers can paint pottery, learn woodworking, turn recycled objects into art, draw, create mixed media, fuse glass, make mosaics or even sharpen their chef skills.
Pratt Find Arts Center (Seattle)
Pratt offers full-day youth art camps that let kids explore their creative side. The day is a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and will introduce kids to art concepts, techniques, theory and most importantly tons of fun! Be sure to send your kids in clothes that are ok for all kinds of activities as they might get messy — a good sign of creativity and fun!
Dates: Camps offered weekly, June 24–Aug. 16
Ages: 5–12
Costs: $650 (tuition assistance and scholarships are available)
Seattle ReCreative (Seattle, Greenwood and Georgetown)
These camps focus on the magic of turning reused, reclaimed and recycled materials into beautiful art. All camps are led by two teachers and run in weekly, five-day, Monday–Friday blocks, with each week featuring a unique theme.
Dates: July 1–5, 8–12, 15–19, 22–26 and July 29–Aug. 2; Aug. 5–9, 12–16, 19–23 and 26–30
Ages: 4–12
Cost: $275–$390
Illumination Learning Studio (Seattle, Greenwood and Ballard)
Illumination Learning Studio offers weeklong camps with creative themes that focus on drama, dance, visual arts and pop culture. Camps include field trips, engaging activities and outdoor playtime. Weekly music lessons are an optional add-on.
Dates: Camps meet Monday–Friday, various dates in June–Aug.
Ages: 5–11
Cost: $320 for currently enrolled LLS students; $395 for non-LLS students. Before and after care is available for an additional cost.
Museo Art Academy (Issaquah)
Campers can choose half-day camp for three or four days a week, or sign up for the full-day camp by adding a supervised lunch hour. With a different theme each week, kids will enjoy painting, sculpting, drawing, creating mixed media and more. One-day pottery camps are offered on Fridays.
Dates: Various
Ages: 5–13
Cost: $175–$275 (Add a supervised lunch hour for an extra cost.)
FrogLegs Cooking School (multiple locations)
Each session of these weekly cooking camps are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with aftercare available for an additional charge. Kids learn kitchen skills in the process of preparing themed recipes, including entrées and desserts, each day. Among the novel themes are Rainbow Palooza, Amazing Animals, Retro Ice Cream Shoppe and others.
Dates: Various
Ages: 4–14
Cost: $280–$600
Paint Away! (Redmond)
Redmond’s popular Paint Away! is offering weeklong summer day camps again this year. Young artists will create a variety of art pieces in mediums such as pottery, painting, glass fusion, tie-dye and more. Campers are divided into two age groups: 6–9 and 9–14.
Dates: Information for summer 2024 coming in Feb. Check the website for updates.
Age: 6–14
Cost: Information for summer 2024 coming in Feb. Check the website for updates.
Emerald City Fired Arts (Seattle)
At this studio, kids can choose from a variety of art projects, including pottery painting, mosaics, glass fusion and more. Camps are held in the afternoon, in one-day or one-week sessions. Students should bring a box lunch.
Dates: Varies
Ages: 6–12
Cost: $95/day, $410/week
Woodworking at Center for Wooden Boats (Seattle)
In these half-day camps, kids will learn to use hand tools safely and build small objects, such as a birdhouse or toolbox. What a great way to introduce kids to woodworking and maybe even a new hobby.
Dates: July 1–3; Aug. 5–9
Ages: 8–11
Cost: $350 ($30 discount for members)
Arts & Camp (Vashon Island)
Arts & Camp overnight camp will focus on a variety of arts and crafts, including batik, tie-dye, seed bead jewelry, basketry, wood carving and others. In addition to art, campers participate in traditional camp activities.
Dates: Aug. 12–17
Grades: 6–8
Cost: $1,035–$1,235
Arts Aloft (Seattle)
In these day camps, kids will create art in a variety of mediums. With fun themes such as African Safari, Fairies, Harry Potter and more, your young Picasso will have a blast. Kids should bring lunch and a snack.
Dates: Varies
Ages: 5 and a half–12
Cost: $435, sibling discount available
Rock ’n’ Rolling Camp! at MoPOP (Seattle)
This camp was formed in a partnership between the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT). With the guidance of SCT and MoPOP teaching artists, campers practice acting skills, songwriting techniques and learn about the history of music videos to help bring their music to life.
Dates: July 15–19
Ages: 10–13
Cost: $420 ($20 discount if you register before May 30)
Young Chefs Academy (Covington)
Campers learn new techniques and seasonal recipes during each four-day camp, preparing between 16 and 20 recipes. At the end of each day, caregivers are invited to taste their campers’ creations. At the end of the camp, young chefs receive a binder containing the week’s recipes so they can re-create their favorites at home.
Dates: Varies
Ages: 7–15
Cost: $395
