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Best of 2024 Winners!

Families like yours helped us select the top kids’ programs in each category for the annual Best of 2024 Awards in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles Area, Online and Overnight!

Your favorite kids' programs in the Bay Area

The Riekes Center focuses on enhancing the individual student. Its mission is to offer each student the optimal chance to define and achieve personal goals, develop character, and acquire transferrable life skills through Creative Arts, Athletic Fitness, and Nature Awareness, within an atmosphere of non-judgment and mutual respect.

Maker Nexus, a 501(c)3 nonprofit makerspace, endeavors to enhance the community’s capacity to realize their project ideas. Training classes are offered to enable individuals, regardless of prior experience with tools, to safely utilize them. The organization’s initiatives foster a passion for creation and a sustained enthusiasm for problem-solving.

Join Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (EBI), the Bay Area’s pioneer Spanish-English dual-immersion independent school, for a summer filled with Spanish language and culture. In this program, children will delve into art, music, science, gardening, movement, and numerous other enriching and dynamic themes.

The San Francisco Rock Project operates as a nonprofit school of rock catering to kids aged 7–17. Throughout the year, students receive individual instruction in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, or vocals, and/or engage in group rehearsals for seasonal culminating performances at a nearby venue. Week-long summer camps, accessible to both new and returning students, provide a comprehensive experience.

The Fremont Table Tennis Academy specializes in ensuring that every student, regardless of experience level, enjoys a valuable and fulfilling experience. FTTA provides summer camps, group lessons, and private lessons suitable for all ages, along with leagues and tournaments.

The San Francisco Rock Project operates as a nonprofit school of rock catering to kids aged 7–17. Throughout the year, students receive individual instruction in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, or vocals, and/or engage in group rehearsals for seasonal culminating performances at a nearby venue. Week-long summer camps, accessible to both new and returning students, provide a comprehensive experience.

At Legarza Kids, the goal is to foster hard work and self-confidence in a secure, disciplined, and fun environment. Emphasizing personal growth, the focus is on positive encouragement and fundamental skill development, alongside fostering teamwork. Programs are open to school-aged children from kindergarten through 8th grade.

Open Mind School is revolutionizing education by integrating cutting-edge learning and brain research with inventive project-based experiential learning methods. Students’ unique requirements are addressed through a flexible, trusting, and meaningful personalized learning approach. Diverse classrooms prioritize daily activities that extend beyond traditional schooling, fostering connections with the broader community.

Little Champs offers a STEAM-focused After School and Fun Summer program, providing children with a secure, nurturing learning environment conducive to academic achievement and exploration of their interests. Programs aim to cultivate well-prepared, engaged, lifelong learners who take pride in their accomplishments.

Terra Camps prioritize nurturing students’ unique talents in a safe and supportive environment, encouraging exploration and personal growth. Terra Camps program reflects this mission, providing an inclusive space where children feel valued and secure. These camps blend rigorous academics with learning from nature and each other, fostering a love for subjects like Mandarin, Science, Math, or Writing, alongside outdoor skills like catching crawfish or tracking animals.

Art with Jenny – Creative Arts
Maker Studio Kids – Creative Arts
Sugar N Spice – Creative Arts
Hidden Villa – Outdoor & Nature
Almaden Country Day School – Private Schools
Steve & Kate’s Camp – Recreational & Games
The Game Academy – Recreational & Games
Skate Like a Girl – Specialty Sports
Futurebytes – STEM
Kidizens – STEM
Camp Galileo – STEM

Your favorite kids' programs in the Los Angeles Area

Los Angeles kids can build STEM skills and confidence at PlanetBravo, the area’s leading provider of summer camps, after-school programs, and teacher training. From coding and robotics to filmmaking and Minecraft modding, PlanetBravo’s fun and engaging programs turn summer breaks into exciting opportunities for technological exploration and creative problem-solving.

Young Stars Theatre offers year-round acting programs for youths aged 8-18. Young actors gain experience in challenging roles and hone their craft in a supportive environment with live performances. Campers develop a well-rounded skillset through various performance aspects, culminating in high-quality productions. YST is the place for aspiring actors to grow and shine.

Heart Rock Camp fosters creativity and imagination in children. Respectful adults provide support without dictating activities. Each day offers a unique adventure, blending familiar routines with new destinations and experiences chosen based on the campers’ interests and abilities.

Beyond basic skills, SoCal Youth Sports classes aim to develop young athletes technically and strategically. Coaches ensure understanding through check-ins and encourage players to analyze their gameplay, fostering independent problem-solving through technical and tactical solutions.

Kallpachay Spanish Immersion offers a welcoming and safe environment for students to learn Spanish at their own pace. Playful mascots Lulu and Loreto encourage interaction and practice, making language learning an engaging adventure filled with fun activities.

RAZ Art Day Camps offer creative fun for kids aged 5-16 in Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles. Campers explore art, music, dance, and more throughout the day, creating up to 4 projects daily and 12 projects weekly. This is a great opportunity for kids to express themselves and develop new artistic skills.

The Los Angeles Zoo offers educational programs for children of all ages. These fun and engaging classes connect visitors with wildlife conservation efforts, inspiring future generations to become stewards of the animal kingdom. Visit their website to explore the current programs available.

Upstander Kids Anti-Bullying Camp equips 6-12 year olds with social and emotional skills. Through daily activities like martial arts, improv, and arts & crafts, kids build confidence and develop strategies to handle bullying. A former Power Ranger even leads the martial arts program!

Westridge School empowers girls to develop intellectually, creatively, and as individuals. This nurturing, diverse environment fosters respect for individuality and prepares girls to thrive in a changing world.

Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club offers after-school activities for ages 5-17. Build academic skills with tutoring, STEM programs, and homework help. Get active in sports leagues like baseball, basketball, and swimming. Explore creativity through dance, visual arts, and ceramics. Develop leadership qualities with character development programs.

Upstage Theatre Arts Schools – Performing Arts
HAWKs LA – Outdoor & Nature
Camp Del Corazon – Outdoor & Nature
BrainStorm STEM Education – STEM
Camp Kids Klub – Recreational & Games
Spartan Allstars – Sports
MADE Baseball – Sports

Your favorite Online & Overnight kids' programs

Camp del Corazon provides a medically-supported summer camp experience for children with heart disease, ages 7-17. This program fosters confidence and lifelong memories for these children. Your contribution allows them to participate in a unique camp community.

Pretty Pony Pastures has been offering equestrian activities for Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and other youth groups since opening in 2003. Badge sessions, for he public, as well as private troop sessions along with Hooked on Horsesman series, are now available through Zoom.