Camps

When school is out, it’s time to play! Our camps are designed to nurture a love of learning through interactive activities led by skilled museum educators.

During our camps, your child will have a blast exploring, discovering, and creating while developing important skills and learning about the world around them. Convenient registration options make it easy to give your child a break filled with fun, educational activities. With a range of themes to choose from, there’s something for every child’s interests.

Registration is now open for Spring 2023! Summer camp registration will open Monday, February 6th. Learn more and sign up below. Members receive a 10% discount!

Spring Break Camps
Summer Camps

Spring Break Camps

Play Palooza

March 13, 2023 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM | Ages 5-8 | $50 per child

This “camper’s choice” play session will allow kids to choose how they want to play. Because the museum is closed to the public on Mondays, we’ll have the whole museum to ourselves for supervised free play and special activities. This is a great session for sibling and friend groups to sign up together!

Extended care (before or after the session) is not available. Our learning environment will include exhibits as well as our classroom space. Caregivers are asked to bring a reusable water bottle for their child. Snacks will not be provided.

Cardboard Bakery

March 14, 2023 | 8:30-11:30 AM | Ages 4 & 5 | $50 per child

This camp is for the crafty kiddo who likes to work with their hands! Children will use their senses to explore different ingredients through measuring and mixing. They will also craft a cardboard cookie plate filled with cookies that they can continue to play with at home!

Tech Explorers 1

March 15, 2023 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM | K-3rd Grade | $50 per child

Is your kiddo interested in all things tech? Sign them up for Tech Explorers Camp, where we will have fun with a variety of programmable robots, 3d printing, and other technology basics. We carefully create these workshops to suit children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade, combining hands-on technologies and unplugged activities for a fun introduction to tech concepts. These sessions also include exhibit exploration time.

Sessions 1 & 2 of Tech Explorers will have different activities; sign up your child for one or both! If your older child is interested in technology, check out our Tech Trek program that meets after school at the museum!

Kinder Adventures

March 16, 2023 | 8:30-11:30 AM | Ages 4 & 5 | $50 per child

This camp is perfect for littles who love storytelling, art-making, dramatic play, or just want to have some fun in our imaginative space! We will play movement games, sing songs, and get creative with paint, cardboard, and playdoh. Dress for mess!

Tech Explorers 2

March 17, 2023 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM | K-3rd Grade | $50 per child

Summer Camps

Tech Explorers

June 19-22, 2023 | 9:00 AM – Noon | Graduated K-5th Grade | $175

Providing a fun, informal introduction to tech concepts is a great way to help kids build lifelong skills! In our tech camps, we aren’t just staring at screens—instead, we focus on applying tech concepts to real-world problems. When students engage with technology at their own pace, in creative ways, they have a safe space to fail, try again, and develop resilience while nurturing their curiosity.

During Tech Explorers Summer Camp, we will have fun with a variety of programmable robots, 3d printing, and other technology basics. We carefully create these workshops to suit children in 1st through 5th grade, combining hands-on technologies and unplugged activities for a fun introduction to tech concepts. This camp also includes exhibit exploration time.

PLAYology 101

June 26-29, 2023 | 9:00 AM – Noon | Graduated K-3rd Grade | $175

If you can bring the PLAY, then this camp is for you. Explore our exhibits, imagine and create challenges to overcome, and discover the secrets of the museum as no other camp has done before. Are you in?

During this drop-off program, campers who have completed Kindergarten through 3rd grade will spend their days participating in exciting hands-on learning activities in our one-of-a-kind exhibits. Our skilled museum educators lead each session and focus on ways to make learning fun.

Full STEAM Ahead!

July 10-13, 2023 | 9:00 AM – Noon | Graduated K-5th Grade | $175

Climb aboard for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) adventure! Each day, campers will solve a different STEAM challenge in our museum maker space.

Whether we’re exploring the far reaches of the universe, learning about animals, or tinkering with cool gadgets, all of the activities in this camp are designed to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills while fostering a love of learning.

Little Explorers

July 24-27, 2023 | 9:00 AM – Noon | 4 & 5 year olds | $175

Play, sing songs, make art, and have fun while building skills that prepare children for formal learning! This camp is perfect for little artists, as we will focus on lots of creative opportunities. Through various art activities, children will be encouraged to use their imagination, explore new materials, and express themselves creatively. This type of hands-on learning helps to develop fine motor skills, promotes problem-solving, and builds confidence in young children.

Kindergarten Countdown

August 7-10, 2023 | 9:00 AM – Noon | 4 & 5 year olds | $175

Let’s take one final summer adventure! This camp is designed specifically for 4- and 5-year-olds who are just about to start their journey in Kindergarten. Our goal is to make the transition to a formal classroom as smooth and fun as possible. We’ll sing songs, play games, make art, and work on age-appropriate skills that will help your little one feel confident and ready for the classroom. From counting and matching to listening and following directions, Kindergarten Countdown will provide a supportive and playful environment for your child to grow and learn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our camps are designed to appeal to kids of diverse skill levels and a wide range of ages. See below for common questions regarding our regular camps.

Who can attend?

Day Camps are for children in preschool through 5th grade. Each session is created with a different age range in mind, so be sure to read the details of the camp you are interested in before signing up!

What's the schedule?

Each camp is different! During winter and spring break, we currently offer one-day camps that are in the morning or the afternoon. Summer camps are four days long, meeting in the mornings. We are not able to offer extended care at this time.

When do camps take place?

Day camps typically occur when school is not in session. This means we have three times of year when camps are available: Spring Break, Summer Break, and Winter Break

Is extended care available?

At this time, we are not able to offer supervised play experiences before or after regular camp hours.

What is the class size?

Camps are a maximum of 24 students (typically on Mondays when the museum is closed to the public). Smaller camps are between 8 and 12 students.

What is the ratio of adults to children?

Our ratio of adults to children is one adult per six children.

When does camp registration close?

Registration is closed when camp capacity is reached or 3 days prior to the start of camp. We will maintain waiting lists for all camps at capacity.

What is the refund policy?

If you cancel your registration at least one week prior to the start of camp, we will refund your tuition less a $5 registration fee. If you cancel your registration with less than one week notice, no refund or credit will be given unless it is a medical emergency. If camp is canceled by The Iowa Children’s Museum to address health and safety concerns (i.e., COVID-19 or other community health issues), your payment will be refunded in full.

The Iowa Children’s Museum reserves the right to cancel or reschedule classes if the minimum enrollment (5 children) is not met. In this instance, The Iowa Children’s Museum will notify registrants of cancellations at least one week prior to the start of camp and issue a full refund.

Searching for more fun this spring? Tech Trek introduces children (grades 1 -5) to the world of technology through interactive projects and imaginative play. The next session starts on March 20th. Click here to learn more!