Summer camps have been a seasonal go-to for decades, and the South Sound is in no short supply. No matter what adventure your child is interested in, the South Sound has plenty of summer camp options to fit their interests and needs.

Metro Parks of Tacoma

There is a camp for every child though Metro Parks of Tacoma. No matter your child’s interest, they are sure to find something that lines with their passions. From half-day to full day, and even summer-long adventures, Metro Parks created an itinerary of fun for any child.

Metro Parks’ PDF brochure outlines the dozens of camps to choose from, all varying in place, time and price.

Tacoma Nature Center

Does your kiddo have a need for adventure? Metro Parks of Tacoma and The Tacoma Nature Center are ready to explore the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest with campers all summer long. Each themed camp will take kiddos through indoor and outdoor activities to explore the world around us. Check out their list of camps now, because spaces are filling quick!

Summer Camps Childrens Museum of Tacoma
Camps at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma get hands on with crafts, play and games. Photo credit: Children’s Museum of Tacoma

Children’s Museum of Tacoma

The Children’s Museum of Tacoma offers summer camps that allow kiddos to explore through play and imagination all summer long. Its camps are structured as learning experiences and kiddos are grouped by age – kiddos as young as two are welcome to join. Maddy Mixter, the communications manager for the Children’s Museum of Tacoma notes that welcoming kiddos this young is quite rare. “There are many things that make our summer camps different than others – one of the most notable is the age range we serve,” Mixter said. “We offer camps for toddlers (2-3), preschool (3-6) and school age (5-8) learners.” Camps will be on-site at the museum and also at the Hoyt Early Learning Center in Proctor. Register online.

South Sound YMCA

“It’s fun to stay at the YMCA!” Camps at the Y are well known and loved by many families in the South Sound. No matter if you are wanting your kiddo to gain new skills, stay active or just have fun, they have it all!

There are many themes and topics to choose from when registering your kiddo for camp. View their informational camp catalog to see what will be best for your child!

City of Puyallup

Does your kiddo wanna go to camp this summer? I bet they will want to join in at Camp Yougottawanna! The City of Puyallup is hosting Little Kids Kamp for kiddos ages 3 to 5, and Summer Day Camp for those ages 5 to 13.

Little Kids Kamp is priced at $75 per week or $65 for residents. These camps will be held at the Puyallup Recreation Center and will last from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Kiddos will dive into summer fun with games, crafts and creative play. Each week has its own unique theme, which can be found here.

Older kiddos are invited to join Summer Day Camp at the Memorial Center. These camps will span Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. These camps are priced at $175 per week or $150 for residents. Each week includes field trips, games, arts and crafts, and outdoor adventures. Check out more here.

The Little Gym Puyallup
Each week is its own adventure at The Little Gym. Photo credit: The Little Gym of Puyallup

The Little Gym of Puyallup

The Puyallup location of The Little Gym offers SuperKid Quest adventures all summer long! Kiddos age 3-12 are invited to explore through creativity with games in the gym, structured play and craft time. Each camp session is three hours long and provides a different quest for kiddos to explore each day. Every week of the summer has a different theme, from the Royal Renaissance to Yoga Kids and Mindful Friends, there is something for every kiddo! The flexibility of summer camps at The Little Gym makes working them into your busy schedule easy as pie. When enrolling for camp days, you can pick and choose which day and week you want to do, as each day is sold separately. They even offer a sibling discount. Find their camp schedule here or call them at 253-435-7400.

Members: $35.00/Non-members: $45.00

Edgeworks Climbing

Is your little climber looking for a challenge this summer? Edgeworks climbing in Tacoma offers fun and safe sessions to get children started in rock climbing. They offer a variety of day camps indoors and outdoors for kids as young as three. Skills, confidence and experience are just a few of the things kiddos will get out of these camps. Check out their website to see the various days, times and ages of their camps.

Puyallup Children’s Theatre

If your little is bound for Broadway, the Puyallup Children’s Theatre is just the place. This summer your kiddo will sing, act and dance their way to the main stage. Students ages 8 to 18 will work together to stage a production throughout the week, which will conclude with four performances. Tuition is $315 for the first student and $285 for siblings.

Puyallup Children’s Theatre is running multiple other unique series to get kiddos acting and creating. Check out their full schedule here.

Summer Camps Tacoma
A variety of South Sound camps revolve around STEM-based enrichment through hand on learning. Photo credit: Bricks 4 Kidz

Bricks 4 Kids Camps

Now this innovative summer camp is sure to get your child excited! Bricks 4 Kids is a half-day, week-long summer camp designed around building and creating with LEGO bricks. For $195 a week, your child will explore various STEM-based thinking projects while creating with new friends. “Bricks 4 Kidz camps are fresh and innovative, using specially-designed proprietary model plans and currently popular weekly themes inspired by Minecraft, The LEGO Movies, How to Train Your Dragon, Toy Story, Fortnite, Super Smash Bros, Transformers and more,” Director Kristi Walker shared. Enroll for a week of building here.

Engineering for Kids

Engineering for Kids is a worldwide program that brings STEM to kiddos age 4 to 14. Sprinker Recreation Center is set to host various camps and workshops to get your little engineer tinkering and thinking. All supplies are included, including laptops, so participants can learn through hands-on learning. Check out their schedule here.

DiscNW Ultimate Frisbee Camp

This unique camp from August 5-9 will introduce kids ages 8 to 18 to the game of ultimate Frisbee. Everyone is welcome to join in on playing the fastest growing sport in the United States. The camp will take place at the Chambers Creek Regional Park Playfields from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The charge is $250 per camper. Find out more here.

Tacoma Musical Playhouse
Tacoma Musical Playhouse puts on several summer camps throughout the summer.

Tacoma Musical Playhouse

For kids who enjoy the theater, Tacoma Musical Playhouse is the place to be. The theater will hold six camps over the course of the summer and each one involves kids staging a musical. Kids get to learn their lines and perform musicals on stage all in the course of the camp. Each camp performs a different musical so you can choose the one that excites your kid. Camps include: Singin’ in the Rain (1st – 12th grades); Sleeping Beauty (1st – 3rd grades); The Jungle Book (1st – 3rd grades); Honk! (4th – 6th grades); Frozen (7th – 9th grades); and Mamma Mia! (10th – 12th grades). For dates and more information, visit TMP’s website.

Cascade Christian Schools’ Thrive Summer Program

From Camp Invention to Sports Camp, Cascade Christian hosts a variety of popular summer camp themes for kids entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Serving three camp locations, Cascade Christian camps are accessible to kiddos throughout the South Sound. Prices, times and locations vary depending on camp. Book now, and explore their detailed camp descriptions here.

Summer Art Camps at the Fred Oldfield Center

Grab your paintbrush and head to the Fred Oldfield Center in Puyallup for eight fun weeks of art! Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. your artist will get hands on while exploring different mediums and creating. For only $105 a week, supplies, instruction, and a craft are included. Take a peak at each course here.