Activities, Camps and After School Classes Near Me

*CPS Students will be back in school this week. Calling all Dancing Queens (and Kings)! Join us for this week-long musical theater camp featuring selections from the hit Broadway musical, MAMMA MIA, that is sure to help your camper develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage. Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for their end of the week showcase that will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” with process art projects that introduce them to theatrical elements such as costumes, props, and sets. Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance.

Become a Multi-Sport All-Star with Hi-Five! Our multi-sport class is a great way to introduce your child to a variety of team sports throughout the session! Sports covered will be Baseball – Flag Football – Soccer and more. Hi-Five Multi-Sport serves as an introduction to some of the most popular sports in the world!! Boys and girls ages 3-4 years will learn the fundamentals of each game through various drills and training elements designed specifically for young players. While this program focuses on player development and the overall understanding of each sport, it also stresses FUN for the entire 50-minute class session!! Hi-Five’s ultimate goal is to help each child build strong physical, intellectual and emotional foundations that will help them succeed on and off of the field!

Become a Multi-Sport All-Star with Hi-Five! Our multi-sport class is a great way to introduce your child to a variety of team sports throughout the session! Sports covered will be Baseball – Flag Football – Soccer and more. Hi-Five Multi-Sport serves as an introduction to some of the most popular sports in the world!! Boys and girls ages 3-4 years will learn the fundamentals of each game through various drills and training elements designed specifically for young players. While this program focuses on player development and the overall understanding of each sport, it also stresses FUN for the entire 50-minute class session!! Hi-Five’s ultimate goal is to help each child build strong physical, intellectual and emotional foundations that will help them succeed on and off of the field!

Build, Code & Engineer the Future Step into the world of innovation! Tech Explorers gives teens hands-on experience with electronics, 3D printing, robotics, and engineering challenges. Throughout the week, campers build circuits, design 3D models, and explore electromagnetism discovering how technology powers the world around them. Whether they’re curious about engineering, love experimenting with gadgets, or enjoy solving complex problems, campers will gain confidence applying real-world STEM skills in a fun and engaging environment. All Summer Campers receive a free TCSL t-shirt!

Travel across Latin America—without leaving the kitchen! In this immersive, hands-on summer camp, young chefs will explore the bold flavors, rich cultures, and iconic dishes of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Andes, the Southern Cone, and Brazil. Campers will cook fresh tortillas, empanadas, pão de queijo, moqueca, alfajores, and more while learning about traditional ingredients like corn, cassava, plantains, and tropical fruits. Each day blends cooking skills, cultural stories, teamwork, and plenty of delicious tasting. Perfect for curious cooks who love food, flavor, and fun!

week 5 - Community Helpers

We are offering 11 different art camps/ new curriculum for Art Camps this summer. Art Camp at All Things Art Studio is the best way to experience total immersion in a summer art program! It's fun & and students get a chance to delve into their creative selves without crazy time restraints. Students will also get to Tie Dye an All Things Art Studio Camp Shirt (or other item for repeat campers) on Day 1! (included in the fee of camp). In the mornings, they will be working on individual projects, and the afternoon art academy will give them a relaxed but focused exercise in fine arts. There will be landscape drawing and painting, and still life exploration. We explore drawing, clay, printmaking, textiles, weaving, watercolor, acrylics, tempera paint, glazing & more! We will work with canvas, clay, watercolor, tissue paper and many other types of medium as well. Every camp is a different curriculum, so please register for as many as you can :) It's an amazing week for students, they meet and make new art friends and enjoy the warm summer weather. Bring a sack lunch each day and a water bottle, We will have outdoor lunch & walk in the neighborhood- plus outdoor "en plain air" instruction in their daily journal/ sketchbook. Bring it on! Some of our Elementary, Middle School and High School groups will be offered at the same times & days (convenient for families with older & younger children). But the Camps will be separated by the groups and have different curriculum and locations within the studio. (MS/HS have a seperate registration with separate curriculum)

Rebel Art Summer Camps are full of exploration, creative excitement, and just plain fun! Much like our teen school year classes, we will offer the flexibility of having planned projects for those who don't necessarily have a clear idea of what to create, as well as more of an open studio for those who are ready to dive into all those projects in their heads (with the guidance of our teachers). We offer everything from drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, printmaking to sculpture. Please note that due to time constraints, we do not offer ceramics in this program during summer camps (please check out our Rebel Ceramics program if interested in working with ceramics). We break up the week by hosting camp in different locations. Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays are hosted at the studio at 1444 South Main st., and Tuesdays/Thursdays we meet at local parks. This unique opportunity is only offered during summer camps and is incredibly special as it allows campers to experience working in plein air (from life outside) as well as in the studio for a complete art experience. Please note that we keep a close watch on the weather and air quality and will relocate to the studio if it will be too hot or poor air.

Bring a snack, bag lunch and labeled water bottle. There will be filtered water available. A camp info email will be sent out closer to the date with more details and a daily camp schedule!

Within the Ocean of Possibilities, you may find yourself in the Dessert Islands! Join us on this week-long journey as we travel from island to island, discovering the yummy treats on each. This week is sure to be filled with imagination, play, and fun! Join us at 3:30pm on Friday for a special show! Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. On our final day, join us at 3pm for a special show! If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Summer art is filled with fun. Join us weekly as we explore famous artists and different mediums. If you purchase an apron with us, you can leave it with us each week or take home. Please dress for a mess to enable your child to fully enjoy the creative experience.

Champ Camp's Summer Beach Program gives your champs the chance to spend five days straight playing epic activities on the sand and in the sea, all while meeting new buddies along the way! Offering campers everything from sand games and arts & crafts projects to ocean play and sandcastle creation (and just about everything in between), the Champ Camp Beach experience gives your kiddos a summer they'll never forget! FOLLOW US on Instagram and Facebook! [@ChampCampKids & @ChampCampBeach] ChampCampKids.com/beachcamp

Budding artists capturing multiple objects tend to begin with the largest or most attractive one first, finish it, and move on to the next. By studying multiple object composition, line and air perspective, as well as color mixing, students learn to depict multiple three-dimensional objects and build a solid foundation for future artistic study. Our academic method of teaching will open the eyes and minds of aspiring artists to see the myriad of colors and tones in everyday objects. With these foundational skills, students will learn techniques to express their creativity. Classes alternate between Drawing and Painting on a weekly basis. All skill levels welcome. Students will learn to draw and paint multiple objects as a group taking into account proportions, depth, structures, along with light and shadows. Using acrylic or oil, students will flex these core principles of composition to attain the freedom to draw and paint three-dimensional still-life, landscapes and fictional paintings. Procuring painting and drawing materials are the responsibility of each student, but we are of course happy to advise which ones we think are best.

Tiny Twisters is an introductory gymnastics and movement class—perfect for children looking to build strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Young gymnasts will stretch their bodies, swing on the bars, develop core strength while walking on the balance beam, and jump on the trampoline. This class also focuses on building a strong foundation of basic gymnastics skills, helping children gain confidence and awareness as they move and explore. Join the movement today! No refunds or credits, make-up classes only! The only time to drop the class will be when the first session ends in December 2026. If you do not drop then you will be automatically re-enrolled for January-May 2027.

Let your child’s imagination come to life in this fun and inspiring weekly art class! Each session features a new theme and introduces young artists to a variety of materials, techniques, and creative styles. From painting and drawing to mixed media projects, children will explore, create, and express themselves in exciting new ways. Our thoughtfully designed, multi-step projects help develop fine motor skills, creativity, and confidence—while encouraging each child’s unique artistic voice. Best of all, every student will complete and take home a one-of-a-kind masterpiece each class! Important Policies: No refunds or credits. Make-up classes only.

Hi-Five Little Artists: Create, Imagine & Shine! Our Hi-Five Little Artists class is the perfect place for young creators to explore their imagination and have fun with art! Each week features a new, exciting theme that introduces children to a variety of materials, techniques, and creative styles. Students will work on engaging, hands-on projects designed to build fine motor skills, creativity, and confidence. Every child will complete and take home a unique masterpiece each week—something they can be proud of! Throughout the session, artists will also have opportunities to showcase their work, building excitement and pride in their creations. No refunds or credits, make-up classes only! The only time to drop the class will be when the first session ends in December 2026. If you do not drop then you will be automatically re-enrolled for January-May 2027.

Tiny Twisters is an introductory gymnastics and movement class—perfect for children looking to build strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Young gymnasts will stretch their bodies, swing on the bars, develop core strength while walking on the balance beam, and jump on the trampoline. This class also focuses on building a strong foundation of basic gymnastics skills, helping children gain confidence and awareness as they move and explore. Join the movement today! No refunds or credits, make-up classes only! The only time to drop the class will be when the first session ends in December 2026. If you do not drop then you will be automatically re-enrolled for January-May 2027.

Let your child’s imagination come to life in this fun and inspiring weekly art class! Each session features a new theme and introduces young artists to a variety of materials, techniques, and creative styles. From painting and drawing to mixed media projects, children will explore, create, and express themselves in exciting new ways. Our thoughtfully designed, multi-step projects help develop fine motor skills, creativity, and confidence—while encouraging each child’s unique artistic voice. Best of all, every student will complete and take home a one-of-a-kind masterpiece each class! Important Policies: No refunds or credits. Make-up classes only.

This Level 1 Gymnastics class is perfect for beginners or those new to structured gymnastics. Athletes will be introduced to fundamental skills on all apparatus, including floor, beam, bars, and vault. The focus is on building a strong foundation through basic movements such as rolls, jumps, balances, and proper body positions. Gymnasts will also develop strength, flexibility, coordination, and listening skills in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment. This level helps prepare athletes for progression into more advanced gymnastics classes. Important Policies: No refunds or credits will be issued. Make-up classes are available for missed sessions. The only opportunity to drop the class is at the end of the first session in December 2026. If you do not officially drop by that time, you will be automatically re-enrolled for the January–May 2027 session.

This high-energy class is focused on strength, agility, cardio, and tumbling to enhance athleticism and coordination. Participants will build endurance, improve flexibility, and develop powerful movements through dynamic exercises and skill-based training. With a mix of jumping, flipping, and fast-paced drills, this class is perfect for boys (and girls!) looking to stay active and challenge themselves in a fun, supportive environment! Important Policies: No refunds or credits will be issued. Make-up classes are available for missed sessions. The only opportunity to drop the class is at the end of the first session in December 2026. If you do not officially drop by that time, you will be automatically re-enrolled for the January–May 2027 session.

This class is perfect for beginners or those with some gymnastics experience, focusing on building a strong foundation of essential skills! Students will work on mastering somersaults, handstands, cartwheels, back-bends and round-offs on the floor, while improving balance on the beam. They’ll strengthen their muscles with front support on the bars, and have a blast performing fun jumps and tricks on the trampoline. In a fun, energetic, and social environment, our Rising Stars will develop new skills and friendships, making this a class they’ll eagerly look forward to every week. Join the movement today! No credits or refunds, make-up classes only. You are able to opt out winter/spring session by December 2026.