Every child is unique, and kids’ varied interests are a testament to that fact. Thankfully, St. Louis is full of opportunities for kids to explore their passions, whether it’s whipping up some cupcakes in the kitchen or crunching the numbers in a simulated space launch.
techie
Calling all emerging hackers and coders! GlobalHack is a software company with a focus on technological access. It offers a variety of different education programs for middle- and high-schoolers. Get hands-on experience in everything from web design to game development at its summer coding camps, or check out the Youth Coding League for middle-schoolers. globalhack.org
Looking for cutting-edge STEM education? Offered at some of the top universities around the country, iD Tech provides science and technology instruction to kids ages 6 through 18 in the most in-demand subjects. Locally, students can attend summer courses at Washington University on everything from starting a YouTube channel and robotics engineering to Java coding and game development. idtech.com
TymeMachine introduces advanced techniques and technologies to inspire creativity and provide real world examples at a young age. Located in Town and Country, it provides year-round classes to students in first through eighth grades. Kids get hands-on experience in Scratch programming, Python, game development, robotics and more. tymemachine.org
acrobat
Step into the Big Top to combine fitness and fun with classes from Circus Harmony. Your kids can try out juggling, unicycling, hula hooping, tumbling or an aerial class. Located in the City Museum, the nonprofit also offers classes in dance fusion and hip hop. Classes are open to adults, too, so you can make it a family act! circusharmony.org
Fly through the air with the greatest of ease with On the Fly lessons at HI-NRG Gymnastix. Classes include instruction in apparatus-silks, lyra (also known as the aerial hoop), trapeze and hammock skills. Sign up for a six-week session or check out its weeklong summer camps. Your little aerialist even may earn a spot on the Elite FLY Team, an invite-only performance troupe. hinrggymnastix.com
animal lover
Amateur zoologists can step into nature and learn about animal rehabilitation at the Wildlife Rescue Center. While the center and its grounds are not open to the public on a daily basis, it hosts events throughout the year and offers environmental education programming. Its community events and seasonal camps let you tour the animal hospital, have up-close encounters with animals, and explore the center’s forests, fields and wetlands. mowildlife.org
If you want some one-on-one time with furry friends, don’t forget about the Humane Society of Missouri. The animal protection organization offers summer camps for kids ages 6 to 14 where they can spend every day with shelter animals. And don’t miss out on the Shelter Buddies Reading Program. Kids can read to shelter dogs to help reduce their anxiety and prepare them for adoption. hsmo.org
Animal encounters abound at Cub Creek Science Camp. It’s the only residential summer camp in the U.S. with a private, hands-on zoo. There are 300 animals, including lemurs, wallabies, sloths, foxes, parrots and more. Future veterinarians can take a Jr. Vet course, and campers can explore biology, physics, botany, geology and entomology. mosciencecamp.com
foodie
Junior chefs will want to check out ABC Chefs Cooking Academy. The school provides kids, teens and families unique cooking experiences through camps, classes and parties. Its lineup for 2018 includes weeklong camps where kids can experience a variety of fun activities, including some that are themed after cooking competitions like MasterChef and Food Network’s Chopped.
abcchefsacademy.com
Have an aspiring baker in the family? Check out Companion’s Teaching Kitchen in Maryland Heights. The local baking company offers classes from culinary professionals. This summer, you can drop off your kids for a variety of classes, ranging from baked goods from around the world to pizza dough and pretzels. Or, join the kiddos in the kitchen! If accompanied by an adult, teens 14 or older can attend adult classes, or look for special Kids in the Kitchen opportunities to experience with younger children. companionbaking.com
For something sweet, Sweetology in Town and Country offers hands-on decorating classes throughout the year for both kids and adults and has themed, weeklong summer camps for grades one through eight. The bakery also presents Sunday Funday workshops from June through August. sweetology.com
athlete
Get your little all-star on the field with Vetta Sports. Its Kickaroos program, for ages 18 months to 5 years, teaches the basics of soccer, agility and coordination. Older kids can take on soccer and lacrosse with lessons for different skill levels. Players also can join Vetta’s recreational and competitive indoor soccer leagues.
vettasports.com
Do you have an athlete who loves sports and doesn’t want to commit to just one for the summer? At Elite Performance Academy’s summer camp, kids learn and play a new sport every day of the week! They’ll cover baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, and take fun excursions to SkyZone, Upper Limits, BounceU and Little Fishes. Performance training also is available year-round for ages 6 and up. elitemadestl.com
De Smet Jesuit’s Spartan Summer is perfect for middle school boys who are sports enthusiasts. Throughout the summer, they can choose from a variety of camps focusing on sports like lacrosse, basketball, baseball, soccer, football, wrestling and more. desmet.org
scientist
Ground control to major fun! Check out the Challenger Learning Center for simulated space missions. Participants take on the roles of astronauts, scientists and engineers on missions to the moon, Mars, a comet and the International Space Station. Most simulations are geared for ages 11 and up, but the Junior Astronaut program is for ages 6 and up with accompanying adults. Budding space explorers also may want to look into the summer camps offered at the center, including Astronaut Training Camp and Aquatic Robotics. challengerstl.org
Science Storytime, Teen Science Cafe, Family Vet School—beyond its regular exhibits, the Saint Louis Science Center has activities for science enthusiasts of all ages. Don’t forget about SciFest, a series of free monthly expos designed for local families. March 10 is a celebration of everyone’s favorite irrational number, π! slsc.org
is your child gifted?
Check out the the Gifted Resource Council for enrichment classes and summer academies.
special needs opportunities
If your child has behavioral, developmental or physical challenges, check out the opportunities below. Also, see if any activities offer special sensory friendly days or other accommodations for special needs—many of them do!
sports
>> KEEN St. Louis
>> Sky Zone – Defying Gravity Program
>> Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK)
>> We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
equine-assisted therapy
>> Arise Equine Therapy
>> Equine-Assisted Therapy
>> Ride on St. Louis
>> TREE House of Greater St. Louis
arts and education
>> Art Unleashed – Kaleidoscope Program
>> MJ Performing Arts Academy – Special
>> Needs Dance Classes
>> Miriam
