When there’s a gap in your summer child-care plans, a last-minute work obligation pops up, or the kids have gotten bored at home, drop-in and single-day camps offer activities that last from an hour or two to a full day. Not only are these flexible activities lifesavers when it comes to scheduling, but they also offer kids a chance to try something new without committing to a full week of camp.
Honeybee Camp (Snoqualmie)
The Keeper’s Collective offers unique camps for kids to learn all about bees and beekeeping. This year, its one-day camps will introduce these fascinating and important creatures to even more future bee stewards. Choose between Mighty Honeybee Camp and Native Pollinator Discovery Camp. Each camper takes home fresh honey, and bee-related swag.
Grades: 1–6
Cost: $175
FrogLegs Culinary School (multiple locations)
An array of FrogLegs camps have drop-in, one-day options. With cute camp themes such as “Galactic Grub,” “Mad Food: The Science of Yum” and “Pixar Party,” kids will feel inspired to whip up something tasty. Note: Weeklong sessions are also offered.
Ages: 4–14
Cost: $100/day
Emerald City Fired Arts (Seattle)
At this studio, kids can choose from a variety of art projects, including painting pottery, creating a mosaic, fusing glass and other creative activities. Camps are held in the afternoons with one-week, one-day and hourly options.
Day camp: You can drop off your kiddo at this half-day camp, and staff will arrange activities to fit your schedule. Creating art takes place noon–5 p.m.; kids should bring a box lunch.
Ages: 6 and older
Cost: $95 per session
Pottery Painting: If you only need a couple of hours of child care or have a bored kid at home, you can drop off your child for a fun activity.
Ages: 5 and older
Cost: $15/hour per child, plus materials; no hourly fee for kids 11 and older
Museo Art Academy (Issaquah)
Museo Art offers a one-day pottery camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays in July. Kids will work with air-dry and low-fire ceramic clay, as well as learn the basics of the potter’s wheel and hand building techniques.
Ages: 5–13
Cost: $150/day
Animal Compassion Camp (Sultan)
Pasado’s Safe Haven, an 85-acre animal rescue and sanctuary, offers one-day camp options in July, during which kids learn about the rescued animal residents. Activities include interacting with animals, hands-on projects, music, art and more. The day will be spent outside and around animals. Financial assistance is available.
Ages: 7–15
Cost: $40
Steve & Kate’s Camp (Everett, Bellevue, Seattle and Bothell)
Campers choose their own activities throughout the day, while parents can pick and choose the days their kids attend. Hours are 8 a.m.–6 p.m., and lunch and snacks are included in the price. Purchase any number of days or a pass for the whole summer and then just show up on the days you need child care. If you don’t use up your passes, you’ll be refunded the unused days at the end of the summer.
Ages: 4–12
Cost: $124/day or $3,720 for summer pass
Arena Sports School’s Out Camp (multiple locations)
Arena Sports camps are filled with active and age-appropriate activities, such as field games, ropes courses, laser tag, arts and crafts, inflatable fun zones and other activities kids love. Please note that offerings differ by facility. Parents love the flexible options for half days, full days, full or partial weeks, or even a single day of camp. Preregistration works best, but if the camp isn’t full for the day, walk-ins are welcome as well.
Ages: 3–12
Cost: Varies by activity and location
Little Green Acres Farm (Redmond)
Drop-ins are welcome on a space-available basis at Little Green Acres Farm, where day campers learn STEM through nature activities, crafts, animal interactions and plenty of outdoor time.
Ages: 5–12
Cost: $135/day
