Summertime is around the corner and Austin families have access to a variety of entertaining activities and events to enjoy the warm season!
If you need inspiration for keeping the kids busy during their time off from school, we’ve rounded up the best summer events for kids and families in Austin for 2023. Our top picks for this summer include amazing camps for every interest, including art, cooking, science, and more in between, and also family-friendly activities – providing plenty of ways to make the most of the summer and have a blast!
These are our top picks for Summer 2023 activities for kids in Austin:
Kids ages 4-7 will experiment with chemistry, physics, and earth science, all while building with LEGO bricks, fostering creativity, and having fun!
Each day of this 4-day camp will consist of guided instructor-led robotics lessons, themed creative building activities, free play, and outdoor play!
Location:
Snapology Austin Discovery Center
DATES:
May 30 – June 2, 8:30 AM- 3 PM
Each week of this camp, kids will have a blast learning their favorite songs, scenes, and dances from Broadway blockbusters such as Hamilton, Beetlejuice, Matilda, and many more.
Each camp is taught by experienced teaching artists and will focus on basic vocal technique, acting skills, dance, and stagecraft.
Location:
TexARTS Association
DATES:
June- August.
During this camp, kids will do sweet and savory faves from French and Italian, TV Trends, Food Science, and all the others.
This is a great camp if your kid wants to do a little bit of everything from the Foodie Kids camps options!
Location:
Foodie Kids
DATES:
May 30 – June 2 | Ages 4-8 from 9 AM-12 PM | Ages 9+ from 1-4 PM
Located at a Leander ISD campus, Thinkery Camp at Leander ISD offers campers entering 1st – 5th grade the opportunity to experience joyful learning all summer!
Location:
Thinkery
DATES:
June 5- July 20, Monday – Thursday, 8:30 AM – 4 PM
Campers ages 8-14 will bring LEGO bricks to life using stop-motion animation!
Campers will write a script, build and film their scenes, edit & add music sounds and special effects, and premiere their one-of-a-kind stop-motion film.
Location:
Snapology Austin Discovery Center
DATES:
June 5 – June 9, 8:30 AM- 3 PM
Splash creativity in your child’s summer with Art Academy Summer Camps!
The SW Austin location offers fun options for your little artists of ages 7-9- and ages 5-7.
Also, check out the art summer camp for kids ages 5-7 at the NW Austin location, and
Location:
Art Academy SW Austin
DATES:
Starting in June.
Located in Mueller, Thinkery Camp at the Meredith Learning Lab offers campers from PreK-4 – 5th grade the opportunity to experience joyful learning all summer!
Location:
Thinkery
DATES:
June 5- August 4, Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 3 PM
Camp Wildflower is an immersive, nature-based learning experience for children entering grades second through fifth.
Campers will explore the world of native plants, learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), and become lifelong conservationists!
Location:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
DATES:
Monday-Thursday, 9 AM- 3 PM | Session 1: June 5 – 8 | Session 2: June 12 – 15 | Session 3: June 26 – 29
Young Padawans ages 4-7 will participate in a week of Jedi training through Star Wars-themed building activities and robotics activities!
They will create new ships, visit planets, and engage in some friendly lightsaber battles. By the end of the week, your Padawans will become full-fledged Jedi!
Location:
Snapology Austin Discovery Center
DATES:
8:30 AM- 3 PM, June 5 – June 9
During Cake Wars Classic, campers will learn the fundamentals of cake decorating and then move on to more advanced techniques.
Kids will start with learning to stack and crumb coat a classic cake and then move on to other favorites.
Location:
Foodie Kids
DATES:
June 5-9 | Ages 4-8 from 9 AM-12 | Ages 9+ from 1-4 PM
Located at the beautiful Tudor Cottage, Thinkery Camp at Pease Park offers campers entering 1st– 5th grade the opportunity to experience joyful learning all summer!
This is a combined camp where all campers will be in the same room at Pease Park.
Location:
Thinkery
DATES:
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM | June 5- July 21
During each day of camp, campers will make awesome art, explore maker-ed projects, and have fun with friends their age and a Figment Furry (and scaly) Friends.
Ages 4 to 13 are welcome. Must be potty trained.
Location:
Figment Creative Labs
DATES:
9:30 AM- 2:30 PM | June 5- August 4
During these summer camps, students will learn how to paint, draw, sculpt and so much more as they become immersed in projects – producing masterpieces that affirm creative processes, build self-confidence and broaden horizons.
Location:
Austin Creative Art Center
DATES:
PAINTING: June 5 – 9 | June 26 – 30 | July 17 – 21 | August 7 – 11 | DRAWING: June 12 – 16 | July 3 – 7 | July 24 – 28 | August 14 – 18 | SCULPTURE: June 19 – 23 | July 10 – 14 | July 31 – August 4
Kids ages 8-14 will enjoy a fun week of robotics inspired by their favorite arcade games!
They will build and program pinball machines, Duck Hunt, Just Dance, and more while learning about gear ratio, pulleys, sensors, and other STEAM-related concepts.
Location:
Snapology Austin Discovery Center
DATES:
8:30 AM- 3 PM | June 12 – June 16
These monthly Family Days are designed for families and friends to explore and create.
On the second Sunday of each month, Umlauf features sculpture searches, art-making activities, performances, goods from local vendors, and more!
Location:
Umlauf Sculpture & Museum
DATES:
11:30 AM | June 11 | July 9 | August 13
Children of ages 3-8 will spend three adventure-filled hours a day on a unique, exciting quest with their friends!
Each week revolves around an interactive learning theme with different, creative lesson plans that will keep your child engaged.
Location:
THE LITTLE GYM OF AUSTIN
DATES:
2 PM- 5 PM | Fridays June- August
Kids ages 4-7 will learn all about machines that move, the basic programming of robotic models, and the engineering design process.
Each day will consist of guided instructor-led robotics lessons, themed creative building activities, free play, and outdoor play.
Location:
Snapology Austin Discovery Center
DATES:
8:30 AM- 3 PM | June 12 – June 16
This summer, enjoy FREE exhibition admission to the Bullock Museum all day during H-E-B Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month.
Families can explore the Story of Texas through three floors of exhibitions that showcase artifacts from around the state and free activities!
Location:
Bullock Texas State History Museum
DATES:
10 AM- 5 PM | June 4 | July 2 | August 6
During this summer camp, campers will explore Italian Cuisine in starters, side dishes, main dishes, sauces, fresh pasta, Hand Made Pasta, Ricotta Gnocchi, Pasta Primavera, Frittatas, Calzones, Italian Salad, Croutons, Bread, & MORE!
Location:
Kitchen House Austin
DATES:
June 12 – June 15, 9 AM- 12 PM
July 31.
Make sure your kids don’t miss these exciting science and nature programs planned just for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Scouts will discover the unique ecosystem created by the San Marcos Springs on this guided tour!
Location:
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
DATES:
10 AM- 12 PM | June 10, 17
Every day is a celebration in this Party Around the World camp!
Campers will be making fun recipes from all over the globe to learn about and experience different cultures. At the end of each day, they will make a fancy drink, eat goodies, and celebrate!
Location:
Foodie Kids
DATES:
June 12 -16 | Ages 4-8 from 9 AM-12 | Ages 9+ from 1-4 PM
Sculpture Garden Storytime introduces young audiences to the Umlauf Sculpture & Museum’s sculpture garden and helps them to understand what makes the UMLAUF so special!
Location:
Umlauf Sculpture & Museum
DATES:
12:30 PM | June 17 | July 15 | August 19
This program is for 3rd-8th grade students in the Hill Country region of Texas, the Science Outside! program is focused on exposing kids to outdoor-based STEM skills, tools, and careers within environmental science and ecology.
Location:
The Science Mill
DATES:
June 19 – 23
Kids ages 8-14 will learn engineering strategies for building sturdy structures using LEGO® bricks and then apply that knowledge to build a robot for friendly competition.
Each day will consist of guided instructor-led robotics lessons, themed creative building activities, free play, and outdoor play.
Location:
Snapology Austin Discovery Center
DATES:
8:30 AM- 3 PM | July 5 – July 7
The Chefs Club Programming is a step-by-step guide designed to help children ages 9 and up advance from simple to more complex culinary techniques.
Location:
Kitchen House Austin
DATES:
June 26. 9 AM- 12 PM
During this camp, kids ages 4-7 will get to play with the secret stash of mini-figures…from movie characters to sea creatures, to SpongeBob!
Each day will consist of guided instructor-led robotics lessons, themed creative building activities, free play, and outdoor play.
Location:
Snapology Austin Discovery Center
DATES:
8:30 AM- 3 PM | June 26 – June 30
Experience all the mystery and fun of this unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®‑winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync with the film projected on a huge HD screen!
Location:
The Long Center
DATES:
June 17- 8 PM
Experience all the mystery and fun of this unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®‑winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync with the film projected on a huge HD screen!
Location:
Kitchen House Austin
DATES:
July 17-20, 9 AM- 12 PM
In this hands-on cooking camp, kids ages 7-10 will travel to some of the world’s greatest food destinations: Italy, Asia, France, and Colombia!
Each day campers will make multiple recipes celebrating the cuisine from one part of the world. Campers will gain practical cooking skills along the way while they explore global flavors.
Location:
Foodie Kids
DATES:
July 10-14 | Ages 4-8 from 9 AM-12 | Ages 9+ from 1-4 PM
If your kids love sweets, this is the camp for them!
Every day they will make a savory recipe and multiple desserts with fun themes like Candyland and Birthday Party!
Location:
Foodie Kids
DATES:
July 31, 9 AM- 12 PM
Kids will be doing Nailed It!, a Great British Baking Show, Is it cake? , Tiny Kitchen, and Kids Baking Championship’s “Dessert Imposters”.
A mix of sweet and savory recipes and a tiny bit of friendly competition make this an awesome week of camp!
Location:
Foodie Kids
DATES:
July 24, 9 AM- 12 PM
Campers ages 5-10 will explore a variety of fun snack recipes!
They will practice a variety of kitchen skills during hands-on cooking projects, recipes may include popcorn trail mix, french toast roll-ups, quinoa pizza bites, and more!
Location:
Kitchen House Austin
DATES:
1 PM- 4 PM | July 17-20
Kids ages 4-7 will bring their favorite animated movies to life using LEGO bricks!
Toy Story, How to Train Your Dragon, Lion King, and Encanto are just a few exciting themes they’ll recreate through engineering and robotics fun!
Location:
Snapology Austin Discovery Center
DATES:
8:30 AM- 3 PM | July 10 – July 14
Every day is a Holiday during this camp! Each day will be a different holiday: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and St. Patrick’s Day, with sweet and savory recipes from each to celebrate!
Location:
Foodie Kids
DATES:
July 10-14 | Ages 4-8 from 9 AM-12 | Ages 9+ from 1-4 PM
