Summer Camps in Redwood City 2026: Complete Parent Guide

Redwood City sits squarely in the middle of the Peninsula, and its summer camp scene reflects that geography: there's a little of everything here, and most of it is better than parents expect. The city has its own robust Parks & Recreation program anchored at Red Morton Park. Down at the waterfront, the Marine Science Institute puts kids on a 90-foot research vessel. National brands like Steve & Kate's and Camp Galileo (nearby in San Carlos) have established Peninsula locations. And a handful of specialist providers — an indoor sports facility, a forest school, a LEGO-based engineering camp, and a dedicated science lab — round out the options across age ranges and interests.

Registration for 2026 city programs opened March 10 for residents (non-resident registration opens March 24), which means spots are filling now. This guide covers 10+ programs across five categories, with real prices, age ranges, and registration details, so you can build a full summer without the browser-tab chaos.

Planning summer camps for more than one week? Use KidPlanr to map out your entire summer — search by age, interest, and budget, then drop camps into a visual week-by-week calendar. Free to try.

City of Redwood City Summer Camps — Best Budget-Friendly Anchor

The City of Redwood City Parks, Recreation & Community Services department runs the area's most accessible summer programming. Most city camps are held at Red Morton Community Center (1400 Roosevelt Ave) and surrounding parks — Redwood City's central hub for youth recreation.

Camp Kaboom is the flagship offering. It's a full-day camp (9am–5pm) for ages 6–12 that packs in an impressive range of activities: swimming, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf, martial arts, cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, arts & crafts, and outdoor challenges. The name comes from the sheer density of options each day — it's not deep in any single discipline, but it covers the full spectrum of what an active 7-year-old might want. One upcoming session: Camp Kaboom — Catch a Wave runs August 3–7, 2026 at the Armory Building at Red Morton Park, with "Water Week" activities woven into the regular lineup.

The city also uses Mobile Rec units throughout summer — free activities like a climbing wall, skateboarding, and disc golf that rotate to different parks. These don't require registration and are genuinely free.

Registration notes:
- Resident registration: March 10, 2026 at 10:00am
- Non-resident registration: March 24, 2026 at 10:00am
- City now uses ePACT for all child information (no paper forms in 2026)
- Financial aid deadline: May 16, 2026 (limited funding — apply early)

Register at apm.activecommunities.com/rwcpark or email recreation@redwoodcity.org.

Marine Science Institute — Best One-of-a-Kind Camp in Redwood City

If you're looking for the camp that Redwood City parents talk about first, it's the Marine Science Institute at 500 Discovery Parkway on the waterfront.

Summer Marine Science Camp runs week-long sessions from June 8 through August 7, 2026 for students entering grades K–8. What sets it apart from every other Bay Area science camp: kids actually go out on the Robert G. Brownlee, a 90-foot research vessel on San Francisco Bay, as part of their program. The hands-on focus is real — not simulated.

Programs are divided by grade level:

This is genuinely exceptional programming — the kind of camp where kids come home talking about what they learned rather than what they had for lunch. It fills fast. Registration opened in late January, with priority slots going to member families first.

Registration: General registration opened February 3 — waitlists for popular sessions are deep and rarely move, per the MSI's own FAQ. If you're not already registered, check waitlist status now.

Financial aid: Scholarship applications are due April 15, 2026.

Register at sfbaymsi.org/summer-marine-science-camp.

GrowFit All-Sports Camp at SportsHouse — Best Sports Camp

Ages: 4–12 | Hours: 9am–4pm, Mon–Fri | Location: SportsHouse, 3151 Edison Way, Redwood City

For active kids, GrowFit's All-Sports Camp inside the SportsHouse facility is one of the best options on the Peninsula. The setup is unusual: instead of one or two sports, kids rotate through up to nine 30-minute activities each day — indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, badminton, gaga ball, bubble soccer, and camp-specific games — grouped by age so the activities scale appropriately.

After the sports rotation, there's a daily creative break with non-sport activities like slime-making, LEGO design, and basic engineering challenges. The indoor facility means weather is never a factor, which is worth noting for June fog on the Peninsula.

SportsHouse also runs specialty camps alongside GrowFit's all-sports program: basketball-focused sessions and volleyball camps for kids who want to go deeper in a single sport.

Pricing: Contact GrowFit directly for 2026 rates at (650) 394-5265 or growfit.camp.

For a broader Peninsula and Bay Area sports camp picture, see Best Sports Summer Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

Steve & Kate's Camp Redwood City — Best for Flexible Schedules

Ages: 4–12 | Hours: 8am–6pm (all hours included) | Cost: ~$114/day (15+ Day Pass rate)

Steve & Kate's is the working parents' camp. There are no fixed weekly sessions and no "you must attend Monday through Friday" requirement. You buy Day Passes and use them whenever your schedule demands — the same model as their San Jose Willow Glen, San Francisco, and San Mateo locations. Kids choose their own activities from a rotating daily menu of tech stations, film, sports, cooking, water games, and arts.

The Redwood City location makes it one of the most convenient Peninsula options for families juggling work schedules that don't align neatly with a traditional five-day Monday–Friday structure. All day passes come with lunch and snacks included. Unused Day Passes are automatically refunded.

Pricing tiers: 1–4 days/child: $139/day. 5–14 days/child: $125/day. 15+ days/child: $114/day. Summer Passes with full-summer flexible access are also available.

Register at steveandkatescamp.com/redwood-city.

Kids Konnect Summer Camp — Best for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Ages: 2–6 years | Hours: 7:30am–5:30pm, Mon–Fri | Cost: ~$600/week | Location: 1968 Old County Rd, Redwood City

For families with younger children, Kids Konnect offers one of the most structured and accessible summer programs in the area for the 2-to-6 age group. The camp runs June 1 through August 28, 2026 — one of the longest continuous seasons of any Redwood City program — which makes it a reliable anchor for working families who need consistent coverage through late summer.

Activities are age-appropriate: play-based learning, crafts, music, outdoor exploration, and socialization. The teacher-to-child ratio is 1:4 for toddlers, which is meaningfully better than many summer programs for this age group. One meal and two snacks are included per day. A $100/week deposit secures your spot at registration.

This is one of very few Redwood City programs designed specifically for 2-year-olds — most city rec and specialty camps start at ages 4–6.

Register at kids-konnect.com/summer-camp-redwood-city-2026.

For a comprehensive look at Bay Area options for this age group, see Toddler and Preschool Summer Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

Peninsula Forest and Beach School — Best Nature Camp

Ages: 3–8 years | Hours: 8:30am–1pm (half day) or 8:30am–3pm (full day) | Location: Stulsaft Park, Redwood City

Peninsula Forest and Beach School runs one of the most distinctive summer programs in the area: a genuine nature immersion camp for young children at Stulsaft Park. The curriculum is outdoor-first — creek exploring, fort building, hiking, nature treasure hunts, and child-led discovery in a natural setting. This isn't "nature-themed crafts indoors" — it's actual time in the park, in all its messiness.

Two programs:
- Nature Explorers (ages 3–6): Half-day or full-day; small groups, play-based
- Nature Adventures (ages 6–8): Full-day; more structured skill-building alongside unstructured exploration

The school offers both half-day and full-day options, which makes it practical for families with younger kids who aren't ready for a full 9-to-3 day.

Registration goes through the City of Redwood City Parks & Recreation portal — the same system as city rec camps, opening March 10 for residents.

Contact: (650) 918-9603 or peninsulaforestandbeachschool.com/locations/redwood-city.

For more nature and outdoor programs across the region, see Outdoor and Nature Summer Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

Kidizens LEGO City Camps — Best for Engineering and Creative Building

Ages: 6–11 (must be at least 6) | Location: Acton Academy Silicon Valley, Redwood City

Kidizens runs project-based LEGO City-building camps that go well beyond the "play with LEGO blocks" framing that parents might assume. The Redwood City sessions focus on structured design challenges, collaborative building, and STEM problem-solving through the LEGO medium — kids design and build interconnected city systems, which introduces spatial reasoning, engineering trade-offs, and teamwork in a format that almost every kid in this age range finds genuinely engaging.

Limited seats. Sibling discount: $30 off per additional child automatically applied at registration.

Registration: Fill out the interest form at kidizens.com/redwood-city-summer-camps-for-children to get session dates and availability.

iD Tech at Stanford — Best Premium STEM Option (Close to Redwood City)

Ages: 7–17 | Format: Day camp | Cost: ~$1,129/week (day camp); ~$5,199/two-week (overnight, ages 13–18)

The nearest iD Tech location to Redwood City is at Stanford University in Palo Alto — about 10 miles south. For families willing to make the drive, this is the most comprehensive tech camp option on the Peninsula. Courses include Python and Java programming, game design, BattleBots and VEX robotics, cybersecurity for teens, and AI/machine learning for advanced students.

The Stanford location is iD Tech's fastest-filling Bay Area campus. Early enrollment discount (up to $100 off) was available through March 31, 2026 — check idtech.com for current pricing.

Register at idtech.com/locations/california-summer-camps/held-at-stanford.

For a comprehensive STEM camp comparison across the Bay Area, see Best STEM Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

Camp Galileo San Carlos/Belmont — Best STEAM Option Near Redwood City

Ages: Rising K–8th grade (CIT for rising 8th–10th) | Hours: 9am–3pm | Cost: ~$400–$550/week | Location: 1710 Arroyo Ave, San Carlos (4 miles from downtown Redwood City)

Camp Galileo doesn't have a Redwood City location this summer, but their San Carlos/Belmont site at Arroyo School is the closest Peninsula option — a short drive from most Redwood City neighborhoods. The standard Galileo formula applies: weekly rotating STEAM themes, hands-on innovation projects, outdoor play, and age-grouped curriculum from kindergarten through middle school.

Early enrollment discount: $50 off per week for registrations before February 28, 2026 (this window has closed, but multi-week discounts of $25/additional week are still available). Sliding-scale financial aid available.

Register at galileo-camps.com/our-camps/locations/san-carlos-belmont.

Quick Comparison: Redwood City Summer Camps at a Glance

Registration Tips for Redwood City Parents

1. Marine Science Institute spots are gone by spring. Registration opened in late January and the MSI's own website warns that waitlists are deep and rarely move. If it's on your shortlist, check waitlist status immediately.

2. City camp financial aid deadline is May 16. Redwood City Parks & Recreation offers fee assistance for families with genuine financial need — but funding is limited and the application deadline is firm. Don't wait until June to apply. For a broader look at scholarship options across the region, see Summer Camp Scholarships: Bay Area Financial Aid Guide 2026.

3. Resident registration for city camps is now open. Residents had access from March 10; non-residents from March 24. Popular sessions at Red Morton fill quickly once registration opens to the public.

4. San Carlos is the closest Galileo option. If STEAM is the priority and Camp Galileo is on your list, the San Carlos/Belmont location at Arroyo School is 4 miles from downtown Redwood City — no Bay Bridge required.

5. Plan the full summer, not just one week. Redwood City families typically mix a city rec anchor (Camp Kaboom for the budget-friendly weeks), one or two specialty programs, and a flex option like Steve & Kate's for weeks when work schedules change. That approach covers 10 weeks for far less than the cost of premium programs every week. For a planning framework, see How to Plan Your Summer Camp Schedule Week-by-Week 2026.

6. Extended care availability varies. City camps, Steve & Kate's (full-day flexible), and Kids Konnect (7:30am–5:30pm) all solve the before/after care problem. Marine Science Institute and the Forest School are shorter days — confirm coverage before registering.

Redwood City vs. Nearby Peninsula Cities

One useful frame for Redwood City families: the city sits between San Mateo (to the north) and Palo Alto (to the south), and some camps in those cities are worth considering as part of a full summer mix.

• San Mateo: The Peninsula Family YMCA is headquartered there and runs themed weekly camps including "Innovators of the Bay" (STEM), "Redwood Rangers" (outdoor), and "Cultural Coastline" (arts). See our Best Summer Camps in San Mateo 2026 guide.
• Palo Alto/Stanford: iD Tech at Stanford, Camp Galileo Menlo Park, and numerous specialty programs. See our Best Summer Camps in Palo Alto 2026 guide.
• Free and low-cost options Peninsula-wide: See Free and Low-Cost Summer Camps in the Bay Area 2026 for scholarship programs and subsidized options across the Peninsula.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best summer camps in Redwood City for 2026?
For science and one-of-a-kind programming: Marine Science Institute (research vessel, grades K–8). For sports: GrowFit at SportsHouse (ages 4–12, nine sports per day). For young children: Kids Konnect (ages 2–6, June through August), Peninsula Forest and Beach School (ages 3–8, nature immersion at Stulsaft Park). For flexible scheduling: Steve & Kate's (ages 4–12, full all-day flexibility). For STEAM: Camp Galileo San Carlos/Belmont (short drive, K–8th grade). For budget-friendly general programming: City of Redwood City's Camp Kaboom at Red Morton.

When do summer camps in Redwood City open registration?
City of Redwood City camp registration opened March 10, 2026 for residents and March 24 for non-residents. Marine Science Institute opened in late January — check waitlist status now. Camp Galileo San Carlos/Belmont has been open since late 2025. Steve & Kate's is open year-round. For a full Bay Area registration timeline, see When to Register for Summer Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

How much do summer camps in Redwood City cost?
City rec programs offer the most affordable rates, with financial aid available through a May 16 deadline. Specialty programs range widely: Kids Konnect runs ~$600/week for toddlers and preschoolers; Camp Galileo in nearby San Carlos runs $400–$550/week; Steve & Kate's runs ~$114/day at the 15-day rate; iD Tech at Stanford is ~$1,129/week for the day program. The Peninsula Family YMCA in San Mateo offers sliding-scale pricing for families with financial need.

Is there a free summer camp option in Redwood City?
The City's Mobile Rec program offers free activities (climbing wall, disc golf, skateboarding) at parks throughout summer with no registration required. City camp financial aid is available for qualifying families — apply before May 16. The Marine Science Institute has a scholarship fund with an April 15 deadline. For a full regional picture, see Free and Low-Cost Summer Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

What summer camp options are available for toddlers in Redwood City?
Kids Konnect (ages 2–6) is the strongest dedicated option, running 7:30am–5:30pm from June 1 through August 28 with a 1:4 teacher-to-child ratio for toddlers. Peninsula Forest and Beach School serves ages 3–6 with half-day and full-day nature immersion at Stulsaft Park. City of Redwood City programs typically start at age 6. For more region-wide options, see Toddler and Preschool Summer Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

Summer planning in Redwood City is genuinely manageable with the right tools. Try KidPlanr — search Peninsula camps by age, interest, and budget, then build a week-by-week summer calendar for every kid. Free to start.

Looking for camps in nearby Peninsula cities? See our guides to Best Summer Camps in San Mateo 2026 and Best Summer Camps in Palo Alto 2026.

Want STEM options across the full Bay Area? See Best STEM Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

Need help with camp costs? See the Summer Camp Scholarships: Bay Area Financial Aid Guide 2026 and Free and Low-Cost Summer Camps in the Bay Area 2026.

Planning multiple kids or a full 10-week summer? See How to Plan Your Summer Camp Schedule Week-by-Week 2026.