February 2026
If you’ve got a pre-school-aged kid, this may be your first year looking for summer camps. Congratulations! Just like lots of other parenting milestones, this one comes with its own set of exciting surprises, opportunities, and challenges.
One of the less-fun surprises is that camp choices can be somewhat limited for children under age 5, and even more limited for kids under 4. But take heart! Camps for younger kids do exist, and there are probably some great options near you. KidsBooked can help you find programs that fit the bill.
The upside is that you’re entering a wonderful new world! With camps, your child can expand their horizons, meet new people, dabble in new skills, and gain the sort of confidence that comes from navigating new experiences.
To get you started on your search, we’ve pulled together a sampling of lovely local camps that serve campers under 5. You can find plenty more on the KidsBooked app: Simply filter by age and narrow the options by location, dates, timing, interests, and more.
1. Gymcarolina
| Location: | North Raleigh |
| Ages: | 3 – 12 |
Foam block castles, cartwheels and trampolines…What else do you need? Gymcarolina’s fun activity-filled camps are a great way to make new friends and tumble around when out of school. Children build strength and confidence while learning through progressions in a full selection of summer and track out camps to keep the fun rolling all year long.
2. Cary Dance Productions
| Location: | Cary |
| Ages: | 3 – 12 |
Twirl on over and dance the day away at Cary Dance Productions summer camps. Campers spend their days in an inviting, well-appointed 8000+ square foot dance studio and thrive under the guidance of caring, supportive, and fun-loving instructors. Camps are grouped by age and experience level to give each camper the tailored coaching they need to succeed.
3. Carolina Chinese Academy
| Location: | Raleigh |
| Ages: | Age 3 – 5th grade |
Carolina Chinese Academy is a Chinese immersion preschool that also offers an immersion summer camp for preschool- and elementary-age children. Campers enjoy learning about Chinese culture and language through songs, stories, arts, crafts, and games, with a different theme each week featuring special activities like origami, calligraphy, and water painting. No prior Chinese language exposure is required; campers are grouped according to their age and Chinese language skill level.
4. KidStrong
| Location: | Raleigh and Cary |
| Ages: | 4 – 11 |
KidStrong Camp offers an energetic indoor adventure where kids can play hard, learn new skills, and build confidence in their capabilities. Inside a bright, kid-friendly training space filled with mats, climbing challenges, and obstacle-course equipment, campers move through fast-paced games and superhero-themed activities that spark excitement from the moment they walk in. With a curriculum shaped by experts in child development and occupational therapy, KidStrong Camp creates a dynamic environment where kids can grow, feel supported, and discover what they’re capable of—while having a blast every step of the way.
5. ArtsCenter
| Location: | Carrboro |
| Ages: | 4 – 16 |
At the ArtsCenter, young creators enjoy inspiring experiences where imagination takes center stage. With a wide range of camps, classes, and after school programming options, kids can try their hand at a huge variety of art forms, from painting and printmaking to ceramics, fiber arts, drama, dance, and African drumming. Guided by professional teaching artists, each day brings hands-on projects and playful activities that spark curiosity and joy, giving children the freedom to experiment, explore, and grow as artists.
6. The Nest
| Location: | Chapel Hill |
| Ages: | 4 – 8 |
The Nest at the North Carolina Children’s Museum is a playful, enriching space where young minds explore, create, and connect. With hands-on exhibits, art and maker activities, and sensory-friendly options to support all kinds of learners, kids ages 4-8 enjoy learning and playing at The Nest with camp days packed with discovery and creativity.
7. Bell Vie Farm
| Location: | South Chapel Hill |
| Ages: | 3 – 15 |
At Belle Vie Farm camps, children enjoy outdoor adventures at a working farm with a mission to create authentic community through connection with nature. Counselors focus on helping campers learn skills for connecting with new friends, maintaining friendships, creating with art and woodworking materials, developing self-confidence and trust in their own intuition and much more! From thrills on the 75-foot zipline, dirt slide, and climbing web to hands-on experiences with gardening, animal care, art, woodworking, and forest hiking, every day offers something new to discover.
8. Sun Star Farm
| Location: | Northwest Apex, near Jordan Lake |
| Ages: | 3 – 15 |
Sun Star Farm Camp invites children to step back in time and experience the wonder of a simpler, slower-paced childhood. Surrounded by fields, gardens, and gentle farm animals, this warm and nurturing camp gives kids the chance to unplug, explore, and discover the joy of being outdoors. Campers spend nearly all day outside—rain or shine—playing in the mud, splashing in creeks, feeding goats, collecting eggs, and learning through hands-on activities that awaken curiosity and imagination. Small group sizes and an exceptional camper-to-counselor ratio ensure each child receives personal attention and encouragement.
9. 1870 Farm
| Location: | South Chapel Hill |
| Ages: | 3 – 16 |
At 1870 Farm Summer Camp, kids unplug from screens and connect with nature, animals, and each other in a joyful farm setting just minutes from Chapel Hill. Each day is filled with discovery as campers care for animals including ponies, pigs, llamas, chickens, and alpacas, harvest fresh veggies from the garden, and discover multiple ecosystems across a historic 17-acre farm.
10. Carolina Friends School
| Location: | Durham, near Chapel Hill and Hillsborough |
| Ages: | 4 – 18 |
Carolina Friends School summer programs and school break camps invite students to explore new passions and foster personal growth in a supportive environment infused with Quaker values. Set on a 126-acre wooded campus, the programs offer hands-on experiences to spark intellectual curiosity and encourage playful expression in a welcoming space where every child feels included and encouraged to be a force for good and seek a life of purpose.
Camp photo credits: 1. Carolina Chinese Academy; 2. Belle Vie Farm.