10 Best Summer Classes for Kids & Teens

Summer is a time for kids and teens to take a break from school, but it doesn’t mean they should stop learning. This season is an excellent opportunity to enroll your children in classes that will help them learn new skills and expand their knowledge. Whether you are looking for in-person or virtual summer classes, there are many opportunities available.

Let’s look at the different kinds of summer camps and programs that can be a good fit for kids and teens.

1. Music Classes

Learning an instrument can improve your child’s memory, concentration, and patience. Plus, playing music has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. If your kid loves music, why not make sure they get some instruction? So many music classes provide lessons on everything from piano to guitar. By learning how to play an instrument, your kids will learn a fun and valuable skill!

2. Arts Lessons

Art is an essential subject in school because it pushes students to think creatively. It also helps develop critical thinking skills and provides a sense of pride and accomplishment when kids finish projects.

Art lessons for kids can include drawing, painting, sculpting, and more. Some art classes even have special themes that focus on particular artists or styles. Even if your child isn’t interested in becoming a professional artist, taking art classes can still benefit them by providing a creative outlet to express themselves.

A group of kids sits in the classroom brainstorming ideas while playing Hangman on a whiteboard.
A group of kids sits in the classroom brainstorming ideas while playing Hangman on a whiteboard. Illustration by Megan Lermanda.

3. Sports Camps

Sports summer camps are a perfect opportunity for getting extra exercise, staying healthy, and developing a love for sports. There are different sports camps, including swimming, soccer, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, etc. Depending on the sport, kids may spend their time practicing drills, working together as teams, and competing against others. Sports camps can help kids develop confidence, leadership abilities, and sportsmanship skills. They can also teach kids how to cope with pressure and work with others to achieve their goals.

4. Virtual Summer Camps

Unlike traditional summer camps that are physically located away from home, virtual summer camps allow kids to participate from anywhere. The advantage of this type of camp is that kids can still enjoy the fun activities without traveling far away. Plus, parents don’t have to worry about their child’s safety while at camp. Kids can still develop social skills by communicating with other campers through video chat platforms and participating in group projects.

5. Language Learning Programs

Learning a new language can be challenging as an adult, so allowing your kid or teen to join a language class during the summer might be a great idea. There are many ways to learn a foreign language. For example, you could sign your kids up for online or in-person foreign language courses.

If you want to try something unique, consider signing up your kids for a summer language exchange program. These programs pair English-speaking families with non-English-speaking families who live abroad. The goal of these programs is to help children develop a better understanding of another culture by living with someone from that country. Your children will have a chance to practice their language skills while having fun learning about other cultures.

6. Coding Bootcamps

Coding and computer programming are popular career options among young adults today. Learning to code has numerous benefits, such as enhancing critical thinking skills, boosting self-confidence, and developing STEM skills. Coding boot camps also prepare children for a future career as a programmer, one of the fastest-growing job categories.

These boot camps offer training programs covering software engineering, data science, web development, mobile app development, etc. Students typically attend a few weeks of programs where they will learn programming concepts and their practical applications. After completing the course, students receive a certificate indicating the curriculum’s completion. Most boot camps require some prior experience, but some accept applicants with no previous programming knowledge.

7. Financial Literacy Courses

It’s never too early for your child to learn financial literacy. By teaching your child how to manage money, you’re giving them the necessary tools to lead a financially secure life later in adulthood. Several organizations offer free resources and hands-on lessons to teach your child about different topics involving money management.

Younger children can learn how to budget and save money, while older teens can take financial literacy courses in investing and trading. Another option is to brush up on their math skills with maths tutoring options. These courses will help your child build strong habits around managing finances.

8. Cooking Lessons

Cooking is an important life skill, so why not start teaching it to your kid as early as possible? From healthy eating habits to meal planning, cooking classes expose kids to new foods. It also helps kids train their palettes so that they’re more open to trying new tastes. Some culinary schools even offer summer classes tailored toward younger learners.

A pie-chart wheel with images of a variety of summer activities.
A pie-chart wheel with images of a variety of summer activities. Illustration by Megan Lermanda.

9. Science Labs

When it comes to science, kids need lots of opportunities to explore different materials and equipment. A summer science lab gives them plenty of opportunities to get creative with learning. They can learn about different sciences, such as physics, chemistry, biology, etc. Kids love exploring these topics because they get to use their imagination and creativity while learning about how the world around them works.

10. Theater Classes

If your child loves performing or watching musicals, sign them up for theater classes! There are many ways to make theater exciting for kids, whether they like acting out scenes together or setting up stage designs. They’ll also learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, time management, and collaboration.

Theater classes allow kids or teens to develop original scripts and play performances, perfecting their craft along the way. At the end of the summer, they usually have a showcase performance that allows family members and friends to watch their work.

Final Words

There’s no doubt that summertime is one of the best times of the year, and you make it more fruitful and enjoyable by enrolling your children in summer programs. Exposing your kids or teens to experiences outside the norm allows them to grow into well-rounded individuals. They’ll also develop skills that aren’t necessarily taught during school years.

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