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Best Summer Day Camps Near Hartford, CT for Kids

Try out tennis and more sports at Mandell JCC's summer camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
Try out tennis and more sports at Mandell JCC's summer camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
1/6/26 - By Clementina Verge

Looking for the best summer day camps near Hartford, Connecticut? You’re in luck! The Hartford area is home to outstanding day camps that keep kids engaged, active, and happy all summer long. There’s the perfect camp for your child, whether they are a first-time camper or a seasoned summer pro.

From outdoor adventure and sports camps to STEM, arts, and creative programs, Hartford-area summer camps offer something for every interest and personality. Many of these camps also offer flexible scheduling, with options to enroll by the week or for the full summer—because that’s what I look for when I’m looking for a camp for my own kids.

For even more options, be sure to explore Mommy Poppins’ Connecticut Camp Guide, your go-to resource for finding the perfect summer camp or seasonal activity for kids across Connecticut. Or, search our listings of ALL the summer camps in Connecticut and filter by age, location, interest, and more.

Best Summer Day Camps Near Hartford, CT (At a Glance)

  • Best STEM Camp: Talcott Mountain Science Center Summer Camp
  • Best Arts-Focused Camp: Artivity Summer Camp at The Bushnell
  • Best Sports Camp: Avon Old Farms Summer Camp Program
  • Best for First-Time Campers: Winding Trails Summer Day Camp
  • Best All-Day Option (with Extended Hours!): Farmington YMCA Day Camp

Read on for our pick for the best parent-approved, time-tested Hartford summer day camps, listed below. 

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Explore the woods at the Roaring Brook Nature Center's camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
Explore the woods at the Roaring Brook Nature Center's camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Summer Day Camps Near Hartford, CT

The Summer Place at University of Hartford

Hartford
For Ages: Grades K–8
Best For: Kids who like variety and want to sample STEM, arts, & sports
Campers at Summer Place are placed in similar grade level groups and spend their day enjoying a wide array of activities at the University of Hartford such as studios, labs, kitchens and theaters. They can choose from a wide selection of themed camp weeks, from art, to STEM, to baking to chemistry! Camp also includes recreational activities like swimming, large group games, yoga, cheerleading and much more. READ MORE

Hartford Stage Summer Programs for Kids

Hartford
For Ages: 8–18
Best For: Kids who want serious, hands-on theater training with industry professionals
Hartford Stage offers several summer-only studio classes/camps so kids can get hands-on experience with musical theater, technical theater, acting and improvisation, and other fundamentals led by industry professionals.  READ MORE

Artivity Summer Camp at The Bushnell Theater

Hartford
For Ages: 7–14
Best For: Kids who love hands-on art projects in all kinds of media
Fun-filled and engaging, The Bushnell's hands-on arts program features instruction in puppetry, sewing, visual artistry, textiles, drumming, jewelry-making, yoga, music-making, and much more! Open to kids aged 7-14. READ MORE

Renbrook Summer Adventure Day Camp

West Hartford
For Ages: Grades 3–9
Best For: Older kids who want a traditional camp experience in a beautiful place
Kids grades 3- 9 are welcome at Summer Adventure at Renbrook. Camps are offered in two-week sessions, and campers can take advantage of the 75-acre campus with tennis courts, an Aquatics Center, artrooms, computer labs, sports field, and theaters. It's a beautiful place to experience summer camp! READ MORE

Mandell JCC Camps

West Hartford
For Ages: 3–15 (varies by program)
Best For: Active kids who want full days packed with sports, swimming, and activities
The Mandell JCC offers 10 weeks of summer camp options, including baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, karate, swimming, cooking, theater, and so much more. Campers are active and engaged all day in a fun week of sport development under the guidance of experienced and talented instructors. READ MORE

The Claypen Summer Camp

West Hartford
For Ages: 6-14
Best For: Kids who love arts and crafts and just want a half day
The Claypen offers six weeks of Arts and Crafts camps for kids ranging from ages 6-14. And it's not just pottery; the camp exposes kids to all sorts of art and creative media. Half-day, morning sessions available.  READ MORE

Early American Adventure Camp at Noah Webster House

West Hartford
For Ages: 8-12
Best For: History-loving kids who want imaginative play & hands-on learning
Spend the day exploring life in the 1700s as a Colonial child. Activities include chores, such as cooking lunch over an open hearth, caring for barnyard animals, tending a vegetable garden, playing games, and getting creative with arts & crafts. For kids ages 8-12. READ MORE

School of Rock Camp Connecticut

East Hartford
For Ages: 7-18
Best For: Kids who just want to rock with their buds
School of Rock offers music camps and workshops perfect for children, teens and adults of all skill levels who play guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard + piano, and vocals. If you're searching for summer music programs or a music summer camp experience, School of Rock is the perfect place to explore! READ MORE

Avon Old Farms Summer Camp Program

Avon
For Ages: 7-16
Best For: Seriously sporty kids who want a high-quality athletic environment
Experience summer sports camps at Avon Old Farms Summer Camp. The indoor, climate-controlled athletic complex and outdoor facilities give kids the best opportunities to expand their skills in sports like lacrosse, soccer, baseball, cross-country, and hockey. READ MORE

Summer Camp at Talcott Mountain Science Center

Avon
For Ages: K-8
Best For: Curious kids who love science experiments & STEM learning
STEM learning has been the basis of this mountaintop academy since before the term STEM was a thing, really. Kids from kindergarten to 8th grade explore cool science, nature and technology adventures, participate in weekly contests and enjoy special events and activities. Take advantage of their programs like: App Design Lab, Paleontology, Electromagnetism and more.   READ MORE

Flamig Farm Summer Camp Farm Adventure

Simsbury
For Ages: 6-14
Best For: Animal lovers who want to spend the summer on a farm
For kids ages 6-14, campers have a unique farm-based adventure where they feed and care for Flamig's large variety of animals, learn about organic gardening, have pony rides, collect eggs from the chickens, and take hikes. Sessions are one week long. READ MORE

Club SciKidz

Simsbury
For Ages: Pre-K–7th grade
Best For: Kids with strong STEM interests who want deep dives into science, engineering, and technology
Club Scikidz is a STEM enrichment company for kids Pre-K through 7th grade. It offers everything from veterinary medicine to robotics and virtual reality. The camps cover major science disciplines and  have a heavy emphasis on technology and engineering. Over 70 different themed summer camps are offered. This year summer camps are held at three locations – Avon, South Windsor and Southington. READ MORE

Farmington YMCA Day Camp

Farmington
For Ages: 5–12
Best For: Families who need a full-day camp with extended hours
The Farmington YMCA offers a traditional day camp that runs daily from 9am to 4pm with extended day options. The YMCA camp will focus on skill-building and increasing children's self-confidence as well as teamwork and creativity. Discover the outdoors, swim, make crafts, and more at the Y. Camp is held at the YMCA in Granby. There are also several specialty camps to choose from here. READ MORE

Winding Trails Summer Day Camp

Farmington
For Ages: 3-15
Best For: First-time campers and younger kids
Foster a love for the outdoors at Winding Trails. Starting at age 3, campers can take advantage of dozens of activities including arts, sports, nature, and more. Even preschoolers can get into the fun at Cub Camp. All camp groups are co-ed and organized by grade level. READ MORE

High Meadow Day Camp

North Granby
For Ages: 4-13
Best For: Kids who want a balance of sports, swimming, and creativity
Campers ages 4-13 at High Meadow enjoy a structured and supervised daily schedule that includes sports, free swim, arts & crafts, time in nature, making friends, and getting silly for the Talent Show! READ MORE

The Auer Farm Summer Camp

Bloomfield
For Ages: 3-15
Best For: Kids who love being outdoors in nature with animals
A farm-based camp for children ages 3-15. Camp runs from 8:45am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday, starting June 28. Kids will love the outdoor education, nature walks, arts and crafts, animals, sports, and garden time. Auer Farm is a great place to learn and to truly experience summer. READ MORE

Roaring Brook Nature Center Camp

Canton
For Ages: 4-12
Best For: Younger kids who do best in a half-day, nature-focused camp
There is so much variety at this nature-based, half-day summer camp. Kids are divided into age groups and each one offers exciting themed weeks from which to choose. Camp runs from 9am to noon.    READ MORE

Wethersfield Nature Camp

Wethersfield
For Ages: 4 years–6th grade
Best For: Kids who enjoy themed learning, outdoor play, and swimming
Nature Camp is designed for children in preschool through 6th grade. Mornings consist of lessons and activities that reflect the week's theme. Swimming, recreational games, and outdoor exploration take place in the afternoon. READ MORE

Camp Foxfire

Windsor
For Ages: Pre-K–8th grade
Best For: Adventurous kids who love hiking and classic outdoor camp activities
Camp Foxfire, hosted by Northwest Park Camp, is a good old-fashioned outdoor nature camp offering a full day of hiking, shelter building, games, field trips to state parks, and exploration of various waterways. There are six themed weeks to choose from for children in grades pre-K through 8. The pre-K and kindergarten option is a half-day.   READ MORE

SJ Riding Camp

Ellington
For Ages: 8–16 (girls only)
Best For: Horse-mad girls who want to spend the summer riding
SJ Riding Camp, a summer horse back riding camp located in CT for girls ages 8-16, is an ideal place to improve riding skills, learn to ride, learn more about horses, take on the responsibilities of horse and animal care, and have fun. It’s also a great summer camp to make new friends, because everyone here shares your enthusiasm for horses and other animals.  READ MORE

Connecticut Art School Summer Camps

South Windsor
For Ages: 5-15
Best For: Kids who want focused art instruction
Ct Art School has been running summer creativity camps for over two decades. Campers can choose from a full-day or half-day camp. Weekly themes include crafts like weaving, jewelry, and landscape painting, and themes change each summer. Register early because they sell out every year. READ MORE

The Coder School

Glastonbury
For Ages: 7-18
Best For: Tech-savvy kids and teens interested in coding, game design, and AI
For students age 7-18, The Coder School provides the opportunity for kids to learn coding languages and the new and emerging world of AI. Super small student-to-teacher ratios creates an atmosphere where kids can learn and thrive. Kids study Roblox, Minecraft, Python, game development, and more! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Bushnell Center for Perf Arts
School of Rock East Hartford
Talcott Mountain Sciecne Center
Memorial United Methodist Church