Hop the ferry to Governors Island to explore all the island has to offer. Photo by Diana Kim
33 Spring Staycations and Spring Day Trips from NYC for Families
Th Gilder Center makes a stunning backdrop for the Earthfest activities at the American Museum of Natural History on Saturday. Photo by A. Keding/courtesy of AMNH
Earthfest, Black Comic Book Fest, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
Enjoy a tropical spring break daycation with a trip to DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Photo by the author
Spring Break 2024: 49 Fun Things To Do in NYC
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The popular Big Umbrella Festival blooms as a free campus takeover at Lincoln Center full of relaxed spaces with multi-sensory experiences. Photo by John Altdorfer
25 Best Things To Do in NYC April 2024 with Kids
Celebrate spring at the Queens County Farm Museum's Apple Blossom Children's Festival. Photo courtesy of the QCFM.
19 Best Spring Festivals and Fairs in NYC this April for Families
Enjoy a delicious Mother's Day brunch at Victory Garden Cafe in Astoria. Photo by Sydney Ng
Best Mother's Day Brunch in NYC
The stunning tulip blossoms spread out row-by-row in every direction at Holland Ridge Farms. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Beautiful Flower Farms near NYC for Pick-Your-Own Blooms
Beautiful blooms and family time are guaranteed to make mom smile at the New York Botanical Garden's Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party. Photo by Marlon Co/courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden
25 Things To Do on Mother’s Day 2024 in New York City
The Green-Wood Cemetery has gorgeous cherry blossoms and amazing views. Photo by Amy Nieporent
Cherry Blossoms in NYC: Cherry Blossom Festivals and Where to See the Blooms
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
21 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
43 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in NYC
Kids can climb the walls—and more—at the Play Lab, one of our top picks for the best indoor playgrounds in Brooklyn.
Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Brooklyn for Kids
Take to the skies on Legoland New York's new Minifigure Skyflyer. Rendering courtesy of the resort
From Six Flags' The Flash to Legoland's Minifigure Skyflyer Here Are the Top Attractions Coming to Theme Parks near You
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
101 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
DOROT's Manhattan Teen Internship Program pairs teens with older adults in need of companionship and aid.
Teens Can Apply Now for Summer Internships in NYC
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
NYC school kids head back to school on Thursday, September 7, 2023, according to the newly released NYC public school calendar. Photo by Al De Ingeniis
2023-24 NYC Public School Calendar: New Holidays, Plus 2024 & 2025 Calendars
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Big-name Broadway shows like &Juliet come at a premium prices, but there are ways to save on Broadway tickets. Photo by Aka NYC.
Discount Broadway Tickets: Six Ways to Save Big on Broadway Shows
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
The Brooklyn Museum is a premier art museum, with floors of treasures and outdoor art, too.
Brooklyn Museum Guide For Kids - Everything You Need to Know Before Your Family Visit
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine in
Guide to the Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families
Enjoy a wild visit to the Philadelphia Zoo during a weekend getaway to the City of Brotherly Love. Photo courtesy of the zoo
13 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
26 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
Top Attractions in NYC: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones in NYC
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting.
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

Best Zoo and Museum Summer Camps in NYC

The Queens Zoo offers zoo summer camps for kids ranging in age from 18 months up to 13 years covering a variety of wild themes. Photo courtesy of WCS
The Queens Zoo offers zoo summer camps for kids ranging in age from 18 months up to 13 years covering a variety of wild themes. Photo courtesy of WCS
4/10/23 - By Drew Kristofik

When the time comes to book summer camps in NYC, parents sometimes overlook NYC's museums, zoos, and the New York Aquarium, but these culturally rich organizations offer an incredible selection of summer camps.

Some popular summer camps at NYC museums sell out in the blink of an eye, but we're including them here so they're on your radar for next year and beyond, including summer camp at the American Museum of Natural History and The Met.

No matter your child's interest, we've got tons of options in our New York City Summer Camp Guide, including picks for great creative and performing arts summer camps in NYC and cool STEM summer day camps. You can find more great camp programs in our camp directory where you can search by interest, age, or borough from Brooklyn and the Bronx to Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens.

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Camp History lets tweens get up close with archival material at the New-York Historical Society. Photo courtesy of the camp
Camp History lets tweens get up close with archival material at the New-York Historical Society. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Museum Summer Camps in NYC

Camp History

Upper West Side
Ages 9-12
Campers at the New-York Historical Society's week-long Camp History learn all about New York City's past and the creation of the systems we interact with every day but might never have noticed before. Kids in grades 4-6 participate in hands-on activities, get up close and personal with archival materials, meet living history reenactors, and create a "Then and Now" photo journal of New York City to commemorate everything learned throughout the week. READ MORE

Museum of the Moving Image - Summer Media Camp

Astoria, Queens
Ages 9-13
Summer Media Camp at the Museum of the Moving Image invites kids to create original movies, animated films, and video games, which will then be featured as part of a special showcase at the museum. All levels of experience are welcome. Week-long summer camp sessions include costume design, video puppetry, animation, game design, filmmaking, and more. READ MORE

Brooklyn Museum Summer Camp

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Ages 8-13
The Brooklyn Museum offers campers a chance to experience a variety of mediums, including photography, sculpture, mixed media, drawing, painting, animation, and more. Kids explore the museum's collection, try out new techniques, and share their creations during Open Studio time on Fridays. READ MORE

Staten Island Children's Museum Summer Camp

Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Ages 5-9
The summer camp program at the Staten Island Children's Museum provides great flexibility, with full- and half-day programs available in 3-day or 5-day options. Weekly themes include STEM, carnival, superheroes, plants, and more. READ MORE

Art Adventures Summer Camp at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Upper East Side and Washington Heights
Ages 5-12
Jump into a weeklong art adventure with The Met. From painting and sculpture to mixed media and more, participants explore, experiment, play, and create their own masterpieces with teaching artists. All art materials are included. READ MORE

Transformations: Museum of Mathematics Summer Camp

Flatiron
Ages 6-14
Whether your camper is already passionate about mathematics or just starting to explore its wonders, MoMath's Transformations summer camp provides access to cool areas of mathematics not covered in school and stokes the flames for a lifelong appreciation of mathematics. Weekly themes range from music in math to computers, nature, and gaming. READ MORE

Summer Camp at the Queens Museum

Flushing, Queens
Ages 7-11
For three weeks in July, aspiring artists can sign up for the Queens Museum Summer Camp program, which includes art-making workshops, fun-themed games, and art-inspired activities. Each week offers a different theme and art activities. Campers can register for one or more weeks, with discounted registration rates for multiple weeks. READ MORE

Adventures in Science Summer Camps at the American Museum of Natural History

Upper West Side
Ages 7-10
AMNH's popular summer camp programs offer week-long immersive experiences for learners who are entering grades 2 through 5, led by expert Museum educators who specialize in guiding children through engaging, hands-on science experiences. Campers explore museum halls and exhibits, meet museum scientists and researchers, and get close looks at museum collections and live animals. Sliding scale tuition is offered. READ MORE

All-Access Maker Camp

Midtown West
Ages 8-14
The Intrepid Museum's All-Access Maker Camp is geared specifically toward kids ages 8-14 with developmental differences, including autism. All-Access Maker Camp provides opportunities for campers to practice social-emotional skills, including problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Campers try out design challenges related to the ship, aircraft, and space, and go behind the scenes to meet with experts.  READ MORE
Go under the sea with a marine-themed summer camp at the New York Aquarium. Photo courtesy of WCS
Go under the sea with a marine-themed summer camp at the New York Aquarium. Photo courtesy of WCS

Top Aquarium and Zoo Summer Camps in NYC

Bronx Zoo Summer Camp

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Ages 2-14
The Bronx Zoo summer camp invites campers to explore the 265-acre zoo and learn about animals and nature. Campers are engaged all week with fun activities, exhibit explorations and animal encounters. A parent-child option for preschoolers ages 2-4 is also available. READ MORE

Central Park Zoo Summer Camp

Upper East Side
Ages 2-14
Summer camp at the Central Park Zoo gives city kids an opportunity to see animals up close, explore zoo exhibits, have fun, and make new friends. Weekly themes are usually game-oriented (Zoomazing Race!), and incorporate conservation concepts as well. READ MORE

Summer Camp at the New York Aquarium

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Ages 4-13
Add an underwater adventure to your kid's summer schedule. New York Aquarium campers gain an understanding of ocean life through play and exploration, with plenty of marine life meet-and-greets. READ MORE

Summer Camp at Prospect Park Zoo

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Ages 4-13
Prospect Park Zoo's summer camp themes include Zooperheroes and Wild Detectives, and kids get a week-long immersion into the wonderful world of wildlife. READ MORE

Queens Zoo Summer Camp

Flushing, Queens
Ages 18 months-13 years
The Queens Zoo offers summer camp programs for kids as young as 18 months (with an accompanying adult) up through 8th grade, with sessions that concentrate on evolution, eco-systems, and bird of prey, among other animal-centric themes. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: