Summer in Tampa is long, hot, and best survived with a plan. The good news is Tampa Bay has camps for nearly any kid: marine biologists, future coders, theater kids, athletes, and the ones who just want to make a mess and swim. The catch is timing. The best camps open registration in winter and the most popular ones sell out, so book early.
Below is a category-by-category rundown of verified camp providers across Tampa, Clearwater, St. Pete, Brandon, and Wesley Chapel. Camp prices and session dates change every year, so where a price isn't confirmed for 2026, plan to check the provider's site for current rates and dates.
Science & museum camps
MOSI: STEAM Camps
Engineering, coding, robotics, marine biology, cooking science, and video-game coding, led by certified teachers with planetarium access. Roughly $99–$333 per week depending on the camp; paid extended care available.
Ages: 4–17 (by grade) · Location: 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa · mosi.org
The Florida Aquarium: Summer AquaCamps
Weekly aquatic and science themes, animal encounters, and field trips, from AquaTots up through full-day travel camps, with a SCUBA certification option and camp sleepover for older kids.
Ages: 3–18 · Location: 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa · flaquarium.org · Check site for 2026 pricing.
Glazer Children's Museum: Camp Imagination
Themed play-based weeks with museum exhibit access, snacks, and a camp t-shirt, including a few neurodiversity-affirming weeks.
Ages: grades K–5 · Location: 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa · glazermuseum.org · Check site for 2026 pricing.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Marine Science Camps
Snorkeling, kayaking, and animal interactions with rescued dolphins, sea turtles, and otters, led by Coast Guard-certified captains; half- and full-day options plus advanced marine biology.
Ages: young kids through high school · Location: 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater · cmaquarium.org · Check site for 2026 pricing.
Tampa Museum of Art: Summer Art Camp
Art-making in the education center and galleries, with themed weeks including ceramics, digital art, and photography. 2026 half-day camps run about $220 ($175 for members); ceramics about $250 ($200 members).
Ages: 6–17 · Location: 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa · tampamuseum.org
YMCA day camps
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA: Summer Day Camp
ACA-accredited day camp with arts and crafts, STEM, sports, swimming, and group games, plus new half-day options for 2026. Free supervision 7am–6pm around the 9am–4pm camp day; a small per-week down payment holds your spot.
Ages: 6+ (kindergarten completed) · Locations: New Tampa, North Brandon, South Tampa, Plant City, Spurlino, Camp Cristina, and more · tampaymca.org/letscamp
YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg: Summer Day Camp
Y curriculum with STEM, literacy, field trips, and swimming. 2026 rates run about $250/week ($190 for members) plus a registration fee.
Ages: school-age · Locations: multiple St. Petersburg sites · stpeteymca.org
STEM & coding camps
iD Tech at USF
Coding, Minecraft modding, game development (Roblox, Unreal Engine), robotics and BattleBots, 3D printing, and AI, with day and overnight options. 2026 sessions start around $1,079.
Ages: 7–17 · Location: USF, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa · idtech.com
Code Ninjas: Tampa area
Robotics, Roblox, Minecraft, and coding camps in week-long, half-day AM/PM blocks, at franchise locations including Carrollwood, Wesley Chapel, and Trinity. Confirm the specific location, address, and current pricing on the locator, since franchise sites vary.
Ages: 5–14 · codeninjas.com
Nature camp
Brooker Creek Preserve: Nature Day Camp
A long-running, science-based nature camp focused on amphibians and reptiles, set on an 8,300-acre Pinellas preserve. Check the site for the age range, dates, and price.
Location: Tarpon Springs / NE Pinellas · brookercreekpreserve.org
Sports camps
University of Tampa Spartans Sports Camps
Coach-run camps in baseball, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and swimming.
Ages: roughly 5–17 · Location: University of Tampa, downtown · tampaspartans.com
Jesuit High School Sports Camps
One-week camps led by varsity coaches in baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and more.
Ages: elementary–middle school · Location: Jesuit High School, Tampa · jesuittampa.org
Berkeley Prep Summer Sports Camps
Tennis, pickleball, flag football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, jiu-jitsu, rock climbing, swimming and diving, golf, and track.
Location: Berkeley Prep, Town 'n' Country · berkeleyprep.org
Performing arts
Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center
Music, theater, and dance camps, including full musical-theater productions. Production camps are premium (well over $1,000), but many shorter, more affordable week-long camps exist, and financial aid is available.
Ages: as young as 5 through college · Location: Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Pl, Tampa · strazcenter.org
Animal & specialty camps
ZooTampa at Lowry Park: Summer Camps
Animal-focused day camps, 9am–4pm. These fill fast. Recent summers sold out with a waitlist, so register early.
Location: Lowry Park, Tampa · zootampa.org
Brandon Academy: Summer Camp
Half-day AM/PM and full-day camps spanning sports, ceramics, improv, woodworking, and cooking.
Ages: entering grades K–12 · Location: Brandon · brandon-academy.com
Great Explorations Children's Museum: Summer Camp
Themed weekly camps mixing museum playtime and activities for younger kids. Confirm the current grade range, dates, and price.
Location: 1925 4th St N, St. Petersburg · greatex.org
Budget-friendly options
Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation
Traditional, teen, specialty, and adaptive recreation camps at county rec centers, including Brandon Park & Rec (502 E Sadie St). Low cost; register through your local rec center. hcfl.gov
City of Tampa Parks & Recreation
Three-day to one-week camps, half or full day, with specialties in visual and theater arts, sports, and aquatics. Registration typically opens in spring. tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation
How to lock in a camp
- Register early. Many camps open in January–February, and the most popular ones (ZooTampa, museum camps) sell out. Members usually get first access.
- Confirm current pricing and dates. Both change yearly; treat any price here as a ballpark and verify on the provider's site.
- Ask about extended care. YMCA and museum camps often include or offer before- and after-care, which can make or break a work schedule.
- Check what's included. Lunch, snacks, t-shirts, and field-trip costs vary by camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does registration open for 2026 Tampa summer camps?
Most open between January and March, with member early access at museum and YMCA camps. Register early: popular camps sell out.
What are the best STEM and science camps?
MOSI (ages 4–17), the Florida Aquarium (ages 3–18), Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and iD Tech at USF (ages 7–17) for coding and robotics.
How much do camps cost?
Anywhere from a few hundred dollars a week for day and museum camps to over $1,000 for specialty tech and performing-arts camps. The YMCA and county camps are the most budget-friendly.
Are there affordable options?
Yes. The Tampa Metro YMCA, City of Tampa Parks and Rec, and Hillsborough County Parks and Rec all run lower-cost day camps.
Which camps sell out fastest?
ZooTampa and the museum camps tend to fill early. Register as soon as your preferred camp opens and join waitlists where available.
Plan the rest of summer
Pair camp weeks with our free things to do in Tampa for the off days, and dig into the camp host venues with our MOSI, Florida Aquarium, and ZooTampa guides.
📚 Complete Guide Series
Explore all our in-depth guides on this topic:
Best Kids Sports Leagues in Tampa Bay 2025 - Complete Guide
Find the best youth sports leagues in Tampa Bay. Soccer, baseball, softball, ...
Best Tampa Tutoring Centers (2025 Guide)
Find the best tutoring centers in Tampa for your child. Math tutoring, readin...
Tampa After-School Programs (2025 Guide)
Find the best after-school programs in Tampa for kids. Sports, arts, STEM, tu...
