Summer is a great time to be a kid! To make it even more fun, check out these unique camps designed to delight kids of every age and interest – from art to science to Birch Aquarium’s cool surfing camp shown below. Here is our 2025 Museum Summer Camp Guide, which includes more than a dozen “can’t miss” camp experiences for preschoolers to high schoolers at locations in Balboa Park, Downtown, North County, La Jolla and South Bay.
Hurry! These popular camps fill up fast!
La Jolla Historical Society
La Jolla Historical Society Summer Camps – Where Creativity Meets FUN!
This summer, young artists, architects, and designers can unleash their imagination in a hands-on, high-energy environment full of exploration and creativity!
✨ Arts & Architecture Adventure Camp (Ages 8–10) | July 7–11
A week of colorful creativity! Kids will dive into the world of art and architecture through exciting activities that spark imagination and self-expression.
🎉 It’s playful, interactive, and tons of FUN!
Learn more here.
🏗️ Young Architects Summer Program
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Middle School (Grades 7–9): July 14–18
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High School (Grades 10–12): July 21–25
Calling all future architects and designers! This dynamic week explores La Jolla’s architecture, design thinking, and sustainability—plus hands-on projects using sketching, drafting, and 3D modeling.
🚌 Field trips, studio visits, and real-world adventures included!
Learn more here.
Led by real architects and designers, these camps are packed with creativity, collaboration, and most of all—FUN!
🎨 Register today and let the summer creativity begin!
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Summer in the Sun / La Jolla
Surf, snorkel, meet ocean creatures up-close, and explore underwater worlds! Make this a summer your child will never forget at the Birch Aquarium. The Birch offers in-person summer camps for children ages 4 to 13. Campers will explore underwater worlds, meet ocean creatures, create crafts, play games and more during each week-long session.
Birch Aquarium’s educators facilitate summer camps that range from half-day experiences at the aquarium for younger campers to full-day adventures, including snorkeling and surfing at La Jolla Shores, for older campers. Camps run from June 16 through August 8, 2025. Register here.
Fleet Science Center
Summer STEM Camps / Balboa Park
et ready for a summer full of wow-worthy science adventures! At Fleet Science Center’s seasonal Summer Camps, kids will dive into hands-on experiments, explore big ideas, and uncover the science behind everyday wonders.
Running from June 2 to August 8, each week offers a new theme packed with exciting experiments, intriguing investigations, and—most importantly—fantastic FUN! Whether it’s chemistry, robotics, space science, or engineering, there’s something for every curious mind.
🌟 Spark curiosity. 🔍 Discover new worlds. 🔧 Build, create, and explore!
Register now and make this a summer your kids will never forget!
👉 Register here.
The New Children’s Museum
Fun for All Ages
This summer, the New Children’s Museum in Downtown San Diego is offering exciting, hands-on Summer Camps for kids ages 5 to 13, including brand-new sessions tailored specifically for 11 to 13-year-olds. Led by professional artist-educators, these project-based camps encourage young artists to think, play, and create through engaging individual and group activities.
Each week features unique themes like Toy Tinkers, Hidden Sculptures, Animal Planet, Maker’s World, and Sustainable San Diego, allowing campers to explore sculpture, painting, photography, fashion, and more. Camps run Monday through Friday (except for holiday weeks) and include access to the Museum’s studios, where campers will develop new artistic skills while immersing themselves in a creative environment.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity for your child to grow their creativity in a fun and inspiring atmosphere. Camps run from June 9 to August 8. Learn more and Register here.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Model Train Summer Camp / Balboa Park
The San Diego Railroad Museum is back on track this summer with its wildly popular Model Railroad Camps—and spots are already filling up fast!
Perfect for train enthusiasts and creative kids alike, these immersive camps offer a unique, hands-on experience in the art of model railroading.
🛤️ Beginner will learn the basics of building a mock model railroad, while older and returning kids will take it to the next level by designing and constructing a fully functional model railroad from the ground up.
Campers will:
🎨 Paint and plaster terrain
🧱 Construct buildings and landscapes
🌲 Add trees, people, and scenery
🚉 Lay track and run model trains
Led by experienced educators, every camp session encourages creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving while bringing miniature worlds to life. Whether your child is new to trains or a seasoned mini-engineer, it’s full steam ahead for summer fun at the San Diego Railroad Museum! Register here.
ICA San Diego
Summer Art Camps / Balboa Park & Encinitas
Quench the creative thirst this summer at the ICA San Diego’s Summer Art Camp! Registration is now open at our locations in Encinitas and Balboa Park! Featuring a different theme each week, our talented teaching artists will help inspire creativity and mental well-being at our small-scale camps. Young artists (ages 5 to 17) can develop their creativity in a museum setting through ICA San Diego‘s popular Art Camps.
Learn more, including information about discounts for members, sibling discounts, and more here.
Whaley House Museum
Archaeology Kids Camp 2025 / Old Town San Diego
Unearth the past and dig into history this summer at one of San Diego’s most iconic landmarks!
🏺 Archaeology Kids Camp (Ages 7–12)
Young explorers will dive into the world of archaeology through hands-on excavation activities, artifact analysis, crafts, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Whaley House. Spots are limited—register now here .
Dates: July 14–18
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
FUN TIP: Campers get a special edition tee, exclusive museum access, and a week full of discoveries!
San Diego Natural History Museum
Nature Themed Camps / Balboa Park
et ready for an unforgettable summer at the San Diego Natural History Museum! The Nat’s nature-themed, full-day camps are designed for curious minds in grades 1–8, offering a perfect blend of science, exploration, and FUN.
Running from June 9 to August 8, each week brings new adventures filled with hands-on activities, up-close encounters with natural wonders, and exciting opportunities to explore both inside the Museum and throughout Balboa Park’s lush landscapes.
Whether your child is digging into fossils, discovering local wildlife, or learning about the wonders of Earth and space, these camps spark curiosity and fuel a lifelong love of science and nature.
🧪 Camp highlights include:
🌎 Nature hikes and outdoor exploration
🔬 Behind-the-scenes Museum access
🦕 Creative science experiments and projects
🎒 Engaging, age-appropriate programming led by experienced educators
📅 Registration is now open, and spots fill up fast—don’t miss your chance to make this a summer to remember!
👉 Find details and register here.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Engineering & Space Themed Camps / Balboa Park
Take your child’s summer to new heights with the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Summer Camps! Designed for students from UTK through high school, these engaging, hands-on programs explore the wonders of aviation, space, and technology through interactive activities, storytelling, engineering projects, and museum exploration. Whether your child dreams of becoming a pilot, an astronaut, or a top-secret spy, there’s an exciting adventure waiting for them!
Younger campers can soar into aviation with Junior Flight Crew or explore the wonders of space in Astro”tot”s, where storytelling, play, and group activities introduce them to the skies and beyond. For students in grades 1-2, Aviators in Training and Astronauts in Training provide hands-on experiences in flight, weather, robotics, and rocket launches. Older students can dive into military aviation in Top Gun, explore next-generation space travel in Space Frontiers, or go undercover in Spy Academy. Teens interested in piloting can take part in Aviation Simulation, where they’ll learn flight basics, practice on simulators, and even meet real pilots.
With multiple sessions running from June 2 – August 8, these camps offer an unforgettable educational experience packed with creativity, exploration, and fun. Spaces fill up quickly—register today! Learn more here.
Japanese Friendship Garden
A Taste of Japan / Balboa Park
This summer, let your child embark on a cultural adventure at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum in Balboa Park! Designed for grades 1–8, these enriching camps blend the beauty of Japanese culture, wellness, and sustainability with hands-on fun Summer Camp fun and outdoor exploration in a peaceful garden setting.
Campers will enjoy:
🎨 Traditional arts and crafts
📖 Cultural storytelling
🧘 Mindfulness and movement activities
🌿 Nature walks and eco-friendly lessons
Each day offers a unique opportunity to connect with Japan’s rich heritage through interactive, engaging experiencesthat nourish both mind and spirit.
📅 Camps begin June 19, and space is limited—register now to reserve your spot!
👉 Register here now.
WorldBeat Center
🎭 Children’s Performing Arts Summer Camp
Led by veteran dancer and theatre producer Monica Harris, this vibrant camp blends dance, theatre, and visual arts with STEAM activities, hands-on gardening, and fun field trips!
📅 Sessions:
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June 9–13
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June 16–20
🕘 Monday–Friday | 9AM–4PM
👧🏽 For ages 5–12 (must be 5 by the start of camp) - 💻 Register now at: https://www.worldbeatcenter.org/programs/summer-camp-program/
🌿 NEW! WorldBeat Wellness & Science Camp (Ages 11–14)
A brand-new camp experience focused on wellness, sustainability, and science, featuring:
🥗 Garden-to-table cooking
🌱 Gardening & herbology
🌦️ Climate & weather activities
🧘 Sound healing, yoga & meditation
♻️ Composting & more!
📅 June 9–13
📍 At WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego
💻 Register now at: https://www.worldbeatcenter.org/programs/summer-camp-program/
📧 Questions? Email: publicity@worldbeatcenter.org
📸 Photo by Stacy Keck
MCASD San Diego
Young Artist Summer Camps / La Jolla
This summer, young artists are invited to spark their imagination and dive into the world of contemporary art at MCASD’s Summer Camps!
Campers at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla will explore art techniques, experiment with color and composition, and create original works inspired by the Museum’s vibrant collection—all while making new friends and having a blast in a supportive, creative environment.
🖌️ Activities include:
🎨 Hands-on art projects
🖼️ Gallery exploration
🎭 Collaborative creativity
👯♀️ Building friendships through art
📅 Camp sessions:
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July 10–14
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July 17–21
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July 31–August 4
Open to budding artists ready to express themselves, learn something new, and enjoy the inspiring setting of one of San Diego’s top cultural spaces. Register here.
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
Little Explorers Summer Camp / Escondido
Does your child love to explore, create, and solve problems? The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is the perfect place to inspire their curiosity this summer!
From June 16 to August 15, the museum is hosting an exciting Summer Camp program designed to engage kids in hands-on learning and adventure. Each week, campers will dive into a variety of fun, educational themes, all while discovering the museum’s interactive exhibits. Whether they’re experimenting with science, creating art, or exploring the wonders of nature, your child will have the opportunity to learn through play and teamwork.
Campers will also get the chance to meet new friends and develop important skills like creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration in a safe and supportive environment.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity for your child to learn and have fun this summer! Registration is now open, so secure a spot for your little adventurer today.
San Diego History Center
Summer Camp 2025 / Balboa Park
Make history and art come alive this summer with two fun-filled camps at the San Diego History Center!
🌿 Park Pioneers (Ages 7–11)
Explore Balboa Park’s gardens, museums, and history through hands-on activities, nature walks, and creative projects.
Dates: June 9–13 | June 16–20 | July 21–25
🎨 Scenes of San Diego (Ages 8–12)
Young artists will capture local landscapes and wildlife using painting, sketching, and more.
Dates: June 23–27 | July 28–August 1
FUN TIP: Spots fill fast—register early for a summer of discovery in Balboa Park! Discover more here.
Carlsbad State Beach / Silver Stand State Beach
Junior Lifeguard Program / Carlsbad / Coronado June 2025
The Carlsbad State Junior Lifeguard Program emphasizes Teamwork, Leadership, and Aquatic Safety while introducing young people to safe marine and aquatic recreation opportunities. Located at South Carlsbad State Beach (Ponto), this program offers youth ages 9–15 a unique opportunity to gain water safety education, improve physical conditioning, and build teamwork and leadership skills while exploring the ocean. Students of all abilities and skill levels may participate.
The Silver Strand Junior Lifeguard Program is a 3 week (2 sessions offered this summer) ocean recreation and education program that meets weekdays from 9am-2pm. This program is offered to participants ranging in age from 9 – 16 years old. A swim test is required to enter this program.
The Silver Strand Grom Program is a 2 week (2 sessions offered this summer) introductory program designed to get kids ready for Junior Lifeguards. This program meets weekdays from 9am-1pm and offered to participants ranging in age from 7 – 9 years old. A swim test is required to enter this program. *Click on the Program Information tab to the right to find more details on this new program.
El Trompo
Spring & Summer Camp Fun / Tijuana
El Trompo, Tijuana’s interactive children’s museum, is the perfect place for young minds to explore science, technology, and art through hands-on experiences. This summer, the museum invites children ages 5 to 12 to embark on exciting educational adventures filled with creativity, discovery, and fun!
Summer Expedition: “Sailing to Mysterious Worlds” (July 14 – August 1)
This summer, campers will embark on an epic voyage of discovery, exploring new ideas, creative challenges, and hands-on projects that encourage problem-solving and innovation.
El Trompo camps offer engaging educational activities in a safe and stimulating environment, with extended hours available for added convenience. Don’t miss this opportunity for your child to learn, play, and grow! Register now here: Call 664.375.53.84 or email info@eltrompo.org to secure a spot.
