Whether you’re spending the summer on the road or just looking for summer camp at home ideas and fun activities to keep kids engaged over the summer, check out our list of free online summer camps below.
Before you stop reading this post and think “Ugh! I don’t want my kids on a computer all summer, I want them DOING THINGS” – trust us when we tell you most of these “virtual camps” are opportunities for kids to learn and explore by doing hands on projects, the instructions just happen to be online! Whether you’re looking for self-guided activities kids can do on their own or just want some pre-tested projects for easy at-home activities and happy campers, you’ll find something on our list below.
Many of the free summer camps do involve project based hands-on activities where kids will need to use or purchase household materials. The level of parental involvement required varies by camp as well as age level, and some of the activities are perfect for the whole family to do together. While all websites below work on a smartphone, instructions are much easier to follow on a tablet or laptop.
After the list of free virtual summer programs, we’ve also included a few reputable paid online camps and activities in case you’re looking for something more organized or a camp with live instruction.
Don’t miss our full list of 75+ Things to Do at Home with Kids and our Summer Camp Guide to find traditional summer camps near you.
Free Online Summer Camps + Hands-On Activities
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. Khan Academy is a great way for your child to get help with what they’re learning in school or to learn something completely new. Created by experts, Khan Academy’s library of trusted, standards-aligned practice and lessons covers math K-12 through early college, grammar, science, history, AP®, SAT®, and other academics. All lessons and practice tests are FREE. If you feel that your child needs a little boost over the summer, think of this like free online summer school.
Khan Academy Website
Science Fair Central with Home Depot and Discovery Education
Science Fair Central, built by The Home Depot, and Discovery Education have joined forces to help STEAM power classrooms and homes across the country as students prepare for the careers of tomorrow and learn new skills. Search through hundreds of idea starters to develop your own investigation or engineering design challenge. Find ideas to make something that the whole family can create together. Requires project materials.
Science Fair Central Website
Start with a Book
If you’re looking to create a Summer Camp experience for your kids that involves books, crafts, and any theme you can imagine, Start with a Book has all of the resources you’ll need. What real world topics does your child love to see, explore, and learn about? If you have a young detective, explorer, artist, athlete or superhero at home or a child fascinated by dinosaurs, planes, bugs, birds, building, animals, the moon and stars, tall tales, music, money, nature, water, or thunder and lightning, you’ll find a summer theme that matches his/her curiosities and interests. Designed for ages 3 – 12.
Start With a Book Website
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors are offering free Virtual Summer Camps and Classes from June through August. They offer a huge variety of topics including: Mock Trial, Presidential History, Improv, Recycled Art, Creative Writing, Hands-On Science, Chess, Health and Wellness, Origami, and so many more. Art, Computer Science, English, Languages, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Camps available for Ages 5 – 18. Some camps are free, but advance registration is required.
Varsity Tutors Website
Camp Wonderopolis®
Camp Wonderopolis® is the free online summer-learning destination that’s full of fun, interactive STEM and literacy-building topics boosted by Maker experiments! Keeping kids and their families learning together throughout the summer and out-of-school time, Camp Wonderopolis can help build vocabulary, background knowledge in science, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and other literacy skills along the way. Topics include Music, Construction and Engineering, Health and Fitness, Sports, Science and more.
Camp Wonderopolis® Website
Jr. NBA at Home
As part of NBA Together, “Jr. NBA at Home” is an interactive content series providing basketball skills and drills featuring NBA and WNBA players that can be completed individually and in limited space to help young players around the world stay active and develop their game in a safe and healthy way.
Jr. NBA Website
Numerade Online Summer Bootcamps
Join our FREE STEM camp sessions taught by top educators. Improve your grades by preparing for the exact STEM-related courses you’ll be taking next school year. Camps start every Monday and space is limited so register now! Camp sessions are taught by top-ranking STEM PhD’s, College Professors, and High School Teachers. Topics include SAT Prep, Precalculus, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry.
Numerade Website
NASA Space Place
Learn about the Sun, Earth, Solar System, Science and Technology on NASA Space Place. Activities include videos, printables and hands on activities, crafts, video games, and lots more. NASA Space Place’s mission is to inspire and enrich upper-elementary-aged kids’ learning of space and Earth science online through fun games, hands-on activities, informative articles and engaging short videos. With material in both English and Spanish and resources for parents and teachers, NASA Space Place has something for everyone.
NASA Space Place Website
NOAA Education at Home
NOAA’s most popular educational resources are available online to help you learn about the ocean and atmosphere, hurricanes, coastal ecosystems, weather, and much more. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.
NOAA Website
Michael’s
Michael’s has a selection of DIY Videos for kids arts and crafts projects designed for age 3 & up. Kids can also register for upcoming live classes and in-person art camps. Videos are available on the Michael’s website and on YouTube.
Michael’s Website
Maker Camp
Explore + Make + Share with Maker Camp – Join our FREE community for kids who are making around the world, online and in your neighborhood. You can start making projects anytime! Maker Camp is a free, online community for young Makers interested in DIY, making, creating, crafting, hacking, tinkering, and learning.
Maker Camp Website
Grow with Google
Code with Google is a comprehensive Computer Science resource for educators and parents. It brings together Google’s free curriculum and programs that build coding skills—from beginner level to advanced—to help students succeed. Teachers can integrate CS First into their classroom, guide their high school students to the free code learning app Grasshopper to learn Javascript, learn about using AI, or share CS scholarship opportunities with students.
Grow with Google Website
SeaWorld Educational Resources
SeaWorld Orlando has developed standards-aligned resources available to help families virtually explore the wild world of animals and nature for grades K-12. Parents, students and teacher can explore hands-on, creative resources.
SeaWorld Educational Resources
Virtual Summer Camps + Activities – Cost Involved
Coding with Kids
Coding with Kids tech programs offer proven online coding camps on topics kids love like Minecraft, Roblox or 3D game design. Each 1-to-3 hour per day camp is taught live by expert instructors and designed to create an optimal engaging learning environment. Your child can even join a class after camp to continue to grow while making lifelong coding buddies all year round. Prices vary by program.
Coding with Kids Website
Connected Camps
Kids learn together online in live, hands-on, interactive programs run by expert online mentors. Kids can design, create, play, and code together in a small group setting, leading to fun and friendships. Year-round online programs and week long summer programs for Learning With Minecraft, Robotics, Game Design, Digital Arts, Esports, Coding. Prices vary by program.
Connected Camps Website
Outschool
Outschool is a marketplace of live online classes for kids ages 3-18. Classes meet in small groups over live video chat where students are safely connected with teachers and classmates who share their interests. Discover fun, social, and safe learning experiences for kids led by passionate teachers. Over 15,000+ classes available. Classes start at $10.
Outschool Website
iD Tech
Virtual Tech Camps from iD Tech are the perfect way to sharpen your STEM skills and bond with new friends, all online from the comfort of home. Includes curriculum in Python, Java, Minecraft, Roblox, Unity, Adobe, 3D modeling, and more. Cost varies by topic.
iD Tech Website
Art Classes for Kids
The Art Classes for Kids website has a passion to bring fine art to any kid who wants to learn. They take inspiration from artists of all time periods around the world and show YOU how to make cool art like them! From colored pencils to paintings to sculpting, online art classes are offered as well as Art in a Box kits. You can watch free videos of art lessons. Cost varies by project.
Art Classes for Kids Website
Code Galaxy
Code Galaxy makes coding fun for kids and teens in grades 3-12. Online classes and summer camps offer a collaborative and inclusive environment to launch your child ahead with the skills and habits of mind needed in the age of technology. Topics include Minecraft, Roblox, Python and more.
Code Galaxy Website
Summer Fun Guide
Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun for Summer Camps, Things to Do Around Lakeland, Things to Do at Home, Open Playgrounds, Places to Play Outdoors, FREE Bowling, Swim Lessons, 4th of July Events, Reading programs, Online Camps, and much more!