As school ends, we wanted to highlight a series of fun activities and opportunities that kids and young people can enjoy this summer. We’ve compiled this list with access in mind, and prioritized activities that are no-cost, low-cost, or have scholarship supports.
We will update this list so if you know of an activity or opportunity that should be included in this list, send us a note at best.starts@kingcounty.gov.
Upcoming activities and summer camps
PacTrans-WSDOT Summer High School Transportation Camp
Cost: Free. Deadline to apply: June 15
Where: University of Washington, Seattle
When: August 13 to 18
This is the camp for young people who are excited by transit, infrastructure, and understanding how we make cities move. Find details and apply here!
Public Health Camp
Cost: No cost, and participants receive a stipend. Deadline to apply: July 1
When: August 2 to 4
Where: King County Chinook building, Seattle
This is for the young people who want to understand and see the work that goes into public health. Camp participants will engage with hands-on learning from public health professionals. Getting a first-hand look at the work the local health department does in partnership with their community while also learning how Seattle & King County leads to dismantle racism and how data drives public health interventions in our communities.
Young Shakespeare Workshop
Cost: Free Deadline to apply: Rolling but space is limited so register soon
When: July 5 to August 20
Where: South Lake Union (Seattle)
Young people ages 14 to 19 can join the workshop to learn everything Shakespeare, including acting, voice, swordplay, and production.
Y-WE Write Day Camps
Cost: Free Deadline to apply: Rolling basis, but space is limited so register soon
When: July 31 to August 6
Where: Seattle Central Downtown Library
Focused on girl-identifying young people, this day camp is all about writing. Young people ages 14-19 work with professional writers to draft their own pieces of creative writing, and get to choose tracks of interest, including poetry, songwriting, or science fiction.
Spin Girls Summer Clubs
Girl-identifying kids in King County can participate in the Spin Girls Summer Clubs, which is part of a year-long program for middle and high school girls.
Cost: Free. Deadline to apply: Rolling basis, but space is limited so register soon
For rising or current 6th and 7th graders in the Seattle school district two week summer camp.
For rising or current 8th, 9th and 10th grade girls who live or go to school in the king county area can join a week-long summer retreat when they register for the Spin Girls year long program.
Public Summer Camps
Cities in King County offer summer camps and activities for kids and teenagers covering a range of interests, from sports, to science, to culinary arts and more. Many camps include financial aid. Check out these city summer camps:
- City of Auburn Summer Camps
- City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services Summer Camps
- City of Burien Youth and Teen Day Camps
- City of Federal Way Day Camps
- City of Issaquah Day Camps
- City of Kent Summer Camps
- City of Kirkland Summer Camps
- City of Maple Valley
- City of Seattle
- The Seattle Public Library Summer Activities for teens and kids
- Seattle Parks and Recreation Camps and Community Center Activities for kids and teens
- City of Shoreline
- City of Tukwila Summer Sports Camps, Hiking Club, and Playground Program
Summer Activity Calendars and Organizations with ongoing activities
Check out these organizations and their calendars for drop-in activities, weekly clubs, or other ongoing activities.
Bridges, a Seattle Alternative Peer Group, offers drop-in hours and supports that focus on recovery support and feature sober activities. Take a look at their website!
Communities of Rooted Brilliance works with young people who are immigrants and refugees to build community supports grounded in celebrating traditional customs. Check out their youth programming and the Refugee and Immigrant Youth Advisory Council here.
Institute For Community Leadership, an organization focused on creating programming and supports to build a more just community with community, has Cultural Leadership Exchanges in the summertime.
The Korean Community Service Center, which creates supports for Asian American young people offers programming for middle school and high school students and summer training. Check out their website here!
Lambert House, which is an org dedicated to creating supports for LGBTQ+ youth, has ongoing activities, meet-ups, and workshops for young people throughout King County. Take a look at their events calendar!
Trans Families, which creates supports for gender-diverse families, hosts year-round activities, drop-in groups, and classes. Check out their programs page here!
Urban ArtWorks supports young people in the arts. Check out their website and scroll down to learn about the mural apprentice program, Base Crew, and school-based programs
The Vera Project offers classes and education in the arts for young people throughout the year! See their classes here.
Other lists to explore
If you want to take a deeper dive into possible summer activities, take a look at the Elevate Washington Database. You can search for activities by zip code, payment options (that include sliding scale, free, flat fee, or activities with scholarships), by interest, and by schedule.
And on ParentMap there’s a quick list of creative activities to do in the Seattle area.
It’s fantastic to see children engaging in diverse activities during the summer, but it’s equally important for them to play educational games at home. Toys like puppets provide a creative and educational outlet, fostering imagination, communication skills, and cognitive development.