Before you know it, preschool will be out for summer.
As you envision 10 weeks of 14-hour days stretching in front of you, don’t panic—just check our list, then sign up your littlest camper for some summer fun.
Creative Kids Corner
Known for its arts enrichment programs, this Skokie-based group offers summer camps in Creative Music and Arts from ages 2 1/2 to 6. The youngest group, Lil Sprouts, includes kids under age 4 and meets 9:30 a.m. to noon. Kids meet at Marie Murphy School and participate in sand and water play, chalk and ball play, plus music, art, drama, languages and more. Mid-June through July. 847-933-0672 (pictured above)
Grasshoppers
From the Summer Stuff Day Camps people, Grasshoppers is an outdoor-based, 2 1/2-hour program for 3- and 4-year-olds, held at The First Congregational Church of Wilmette. Choose morning or afternoon, Monday through Thursday. Group time features music, and there’s the usual sand box, water play, bicycle riding and more. 773-463-4254
Camp CBG
For children ages 6 months to 15 years old, Chicago Botanic Garden offers week-long camps covering gardening, art, science, bugs and more. Morning, afternoon and all-day options from June through August. 847-835-5440
Cornflakes
For ages 33 months and up, the Winnetka Community House offers programs featuring adventure walks, swimming, and arts and crafts. Morning, afternoon and extended day programs. Mid-June through July. 847-446-7615
Giggle Gang
The Northfield Park District runs a program for kids ages 3 to 5 at the Northfield Community Center, featuring arts and crafts, show and tell, water days and group activities. Options for three or five days a week, mid-June through July. 847-446-4428
Kaleidoscope School of Art
Imaginative and therapeutic art classes for ages 4 and up at this picturesque school on Barrington’s Main Street. Drawing, painting and paper mache classes run for 1 1/2 hours each morning, Monday through Friday, all summer long. Mid-June through July. 847-381-4840
Kid-Motion
Movement and gym time for kids ages 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 at Kid Motion’s indoor playground. Each week the kids take an imaginary adventure trip to the zoo, pond, dinosaur dig and more, all within the group’s Winnetka gym. Mid-June to end of July. 847-251-8984
Language Stars Summer Camps
French or Spanish camps for kids ages 3 1/2 to 7 at the Wilmette-based language school. Indoor and outdoor water games, relay races, arts and crafts, cooking, treasure hunts and more. Mid-June to mid-August (10 weeks). 847-256-8000
Leapfrog Program
Run by Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development, the program provides innovative academics for young, academically talented students in grades Pre-K through third. Leapfrog classes are a one-week enrichment curriculum, including substantial hands-on activities in such areas as life science, earth science, geometry, problem-solving, math and detective stories. Three one-week sessions in July. 847-491-3782
