Spend your summer break with us!

The New Children’s Museum is thrilled to announce we’re now offering camps for kids ages 5–13, including brand-new sessions designed specifically for 11–13-year-olds!

Our camps are project-based and led by professional artist-educators who inspire creativity and collaboration. Young artists will explore individual and group projects through hands-on activities that encourage them to think, play, and create in fun and meaningful ways.

All camps run from 8:45am to 3:45pm, Monday through Friday, and include time in our studios to learn new skills, work on projects, and explore the Museum. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity for your child to grow their creativity in an unforgettable summer experience!

The New Children’s Museum’s Summer Camps were named one of the Best STEM Summer Camps in San Diego, CA by SummerCamps.com!

Registration Information for 2025 Summer Camps

  • Early Registration for Members: Opened February 7 at 10 am.
    • Members, be sure you are logged into your Member Portal to get your early access!
  • General Registration: Opens February 14 at 10 am.

REGISTER HERE

Summer Camp Pricing

Camp pricing is the same for both members and non-members.

  • Five-day camps are $550 per week.
  • Four-day camps (available during holiday weeks) are $440 per week.

Optional: Week-long Lunch Package

This year, we will be offering lunch packages for the week provided by Bean Sprouts Cafe. Review the menu here.

  • Lunch Package (five-day) are $50 per week.
  • Lunch Package (four-day week, available during holiday weeks) are $40 per week.
  • For gluten free, add $5 to either package.

Camp Dates + Themes

Click the camps below to learn more details about our camp themes this year!

June 9-June 13

Toy Tinkers: Ages 5-7

Make art that you can play with! Explore the worlds of color and texture to make games. You make the rules in creating your own board games and more!

Hidden Sculptures: Ages 8-10

Discover hidden worlds, unlock your inner power and create enchanting sculptures! Join us for an immersive sculpture camp where young artists will embark on a fantastical journey to explore mystery, magic, and hidden worlds.

Clay Studio: Ages 11-13

Campers will explore essential ceramic techniques like hand building, beginning wheel throwing, and finishing their artworks with paint to create both functional and decorative pieces. With plenty of room for self-expression, youth will experiment with different styles and designs.

June 16-June 20 (no camp June 19)

Animal Planet: Ages 5-7

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Explore a variety of artmaking mediums and techniques to paint, sculpt, and become your favorite animals.

Creative Threads: Ages 8-10

Perfect for aspiring young fashion lovers, this camp explores the art of fabric, textiles, and jewelry making, teaching campers how to create their own style. Every day is packed with self-expression and imagination!

Whimsical Wanderers: Ages 11-13

Immerse yourself in a week of adventure as we create and explore enchanting worlds through crafting detailed maps, building imaginative structures, and weaving captivating stories!

June 23-June 27

3D Dreamers: Ages 5-7

In this sculpture camp, young explorers will discover hidden worlds, tap into their dreams, and unlock their inner magical powers. Join us on a journey into the realms of magic, dreams, and wonder!

Maker's World: Ages 8-10

In Maker’s World, ideas come to life! Learn how to build and make art that moves. Learn various skills such as sewing, sculpting, and print making. The daily design challenges will help morph your ideas to a reality.

Lens & Layers: Photo Art: Ages 11-13

Explore the world of contemporary photography in this hands-on art camp! Experiment with paint, collage, and crafting to transform your photos into unique and meaningful works of art. Let your creativity take the lead as you reimagine your images in bold new ways.

June 30-July 3 (no camp July 4)

Fashion, Fabrics, + Fun!: Ages 5-7

This camp is designed for budding artists, introducing the basics of sewing, textiles, and jewelry making. Campers will explore colors, textures, and patterns while creating their own one-of-a-kind treasures.

Enchanted Explorers: Ages 8-10

Come along for a week of enchanted adventure as we craft worlds through sculpture and design, bring magical creatures to life with wearable art, and explore exciting new realms.

Sustainable San Diego: Ages 11-13

Dive into our local ecosystems found in the San Diego bioregion and explore a variety of artmaking processes, including ceramics, painting, and printmaking, inspired by the plants and animals in our community.

July 7-July 11

Clay Explorers: Ages 5-7

This camp invites young artists to explore hands-on creativity through ceramics. Children will learn a variety of basic hand building techniques and finish their creations by painting them, all while having fun with tactile art projects.

Picture Yourself: Ages 8-10

Explore the art of self-expression through photography! Learn what makes a selfie different from a self-portrait, sharpen your selfie skills, and uncover your unique personal style. Let’s have fun capturing the best version of YOU!

Creative Studio: Ages 11-13

Dive into the world of 2D and 3D art, with a focus on exploring artistic processes and experimentation. Express yourself by crafting unique self-portraits and discover the fundamentals of wood-burning design. Wrap up the experience by curating your very own art exhibition!

July 14-18

Sensory Snapshots: Ages 5-7

This creative photography camp invites youth to experience the world through all five senses – sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell – and capture these experiences with a camera. Each day, campers will focus on one sense, discovering how to express their sensory adventures through photography.

It IS Easy Being Green: Ages 8-10

Calling all botanists in training, sustainability superstars, and anyone with a green thumb! Explore and learn about the plants around us and create artwork inspired by nature, including using flowers as natural dye, creating habitats for pollinators, and planting a community garden.

Artful Threads: Ages 11-13

Perfect for aspiring young designers, this camp explores the art of fabric, textiles and jewelry making, teaching campers how to create their own style. From learning basic sewing techniques to experimenting with color, textures and accessory making, every day is packed with hands-on activities that inspire self-expression and imagination!

July 28-August 1

Magical Makers: Ages 5-7

Embark on a week of fantasy-filled fun as we dive into creative projects like costume building and set design, bringing magical creatures such as dragons, unicorns, and fairies to life!

Character Club: Ages 8-10

Every day, we’re inspired by the unforgettable characters we see in TV shows, movies, and books. In this camp, youth will dive into the art of character creation, bringing their own unique ideas to life using 2D and 3D art. Not only will they create characters, they will build character within themselves!

August 4-August 8

The Art of Craft: Ages 5-7

Art isn’t just about pencils and paper! Dive into the world of craft and create your own soft sculptures and wearable art with fabric, yarn, printmaking, and more!

Clay Creations: Ages 8-10

Dive into the world of ceramics! Through a range of engaging activities, young artists will shape, mold, and decorate their creations, all while discovering and expressing their unique artistic style.

Experimental Painting: Ages 11-13

Immerse yourself in a week of painting, and contemporary art while exploring different techniques. Young artists will discover their own style through experimental and innovate art making.

Summer Camp FAQS

Questions?

For questions regarding camps, contact us at camps@thinkplaycreate.org.

Hours This Weekend

The New Children’s Museum will be open every day this weekend, including Monday, February 17! Visit us daily from 9am – 4pm for creative family fun.