Week-long summer camp sessions don't work for every family. Some families have rotating work schedules or a parent working outside the home part-time. Lots of families just need to fill some holes in their summer child-care schedule. Camps that offer single-day enrollment may be for you. They’re hard to find, so we’ve done the homework. All of these camps around Puget Sound offer flexible options or shorter camps; some even allow last-minute drop-ins.
Camps with flexible enrollment options around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound
1. Steve and Kate's Camp, Seattle
Steve and Kate's Camp is the ultimate child-centered day camp, where kids dig into almost any subject they desire by participating in workshops on film, music, breadmaking, fashion and much more. (They can choose whatever they want.) Fees include lunch and snacks; there is coffee for parents at drop-off and hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Camps run from late June to late August.
Ages: 4 years and up, must be completely potty trained
Cost: You can buy day passes, and show up without notice. You can also get a refund on unused passes at the end of summer. Cost is $110/day, with five or more passes $100/day, 20 passes are $90/day.
2. Arena Sports, Redmond, Seattle (Magnuson and SODO), Issaquah and now Mill Creek
At Arena Sports' fun day camps, kids play a variety of sports, play in the inflatable fun zone, watch movies and more.
Ages: 6–12 for afternoon or full-day camps; ages 3–5 for half-day morning camps (must be fully toilet trained)
Cost: Half day/$35, full day/$59. Or purchase a flex pass for discounts.
3. Little Explorers art and adventures camps, Seattle
This Green Lake-area preschool and after-school program offers day camps all summer, with single-day options at two of its locations. Camp typically includes a different craft project daily, nature walks, lots of outdoor time, singing and even cooking. Drop-ins for both Little Explorers camps are welcome if space is available. Register online.
Ages: 3–5 (Latona location) and 5–10 (Woodlawn location)
Cost: $45–$60/day for 9 a.m.–1 p.m. or 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (Latona, ages 3–5); $60–$75/day for 8 a.m.–3 p.m. or 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (Woodlawn, ages 5–10)
4. Vertical World, Seattle
At Seattle's rock-climbing gym, camps teach basic climbing skills, games and climbing! One-day camps provide a great way to check out the sport of climbing.
Ages: Ages 3–14
Cost: $40/day for ages 3–5 (half-day); $85/day for ages 6–14; discounts available if you register for more than one day.
5. Made Sewing Studio, Seattle
Sew a bathrobe, hoodie, sweatshirt, fuzzy vest or other fun projects at two- and three-day camps offered by this Greenwood-area sewing studio. Register soon; camps fill up fast.
Ages: 7 and up
Cost: Starting at $175.
6. Seattle Children’s Museum Discovery Days, Seattle
Offered most of the summer, these fun, creative day camps have a theme each day with activities to match; and kids also get to explore parts of the museum. Weather permitting, kids eat lunch outside near Seattle Center's International Fountain, along with other outdoor activities.
Ages: 4–10
Cost: $40/half day, $80/full day
7. The Little Gym, multiple locations
These active day camps focus on gymnastics and other fun activities.
Ages: 3–12
Cost: Starting at $30 per half-day session; prices can vary by location.
8. Museo Art Academy, Issaquah
This art studio offers fun Friday pottery camps, which can be added to a four-day camp or be taken by themselves.
Ages: 5–14
Cost: Starting at $129/day.
9. Rollin’ 253 Skate and Community Center, Tacoma
This Tacoma rink plans camps with arts, crafts, games, classes, field trips and, of course, roller skating!
Ages: 5–12
Cost: $40/day, with lunch, snack and activities included in the price, and great coverage for hours, with drop off as early as 7:30 a.m. and pick up at 5:30 p.m.
10. Pedalheads Bike Camps, Seattle, Shoreline and Eastside locations
Kids go from training wheels to trails with small-group instruction in biking, at many levels and at many parks around the greater Seattle area. Summer camps run weekly, but drop-in, single-day camp registration is available — but only after a week-long camp has begun and if space is available. To find out if a last-minute spot is available and to enroll, call 1-888-886-6464 on Tuesday morning of the week you're wanting. (No single-day enrollments on Mondays.)
Ages: 3–12
Cost: Per-week prices start at $119; single half-days run $54 and single full-days run about $100.
