New York City has more summer camp options than any city in the country — and more noise to cut through. For parents searching specifically for STEM, enrichment, and hands-on learning camps in NYC for 2026, this guide cuts to the ones worth your time and money.
Top STEM and Enrichment Summer Camps in NYC 2026
1. Kodely Summer Studio — Greenwich Village
Ages: 4–13 | Dates: June 29 – August 21 | Location: Academy of Saint Joseph, 111 Washington Place | Price: $299–$599/week early bird
The standout feature: every week has a different theme, and every Friday kids take a finished project home. Not a printout — a thing they built, cooked, designed, or invented. Weeks include Flight School (science), The Pitch Room (entrepreneurship), Taste Makers (culinary), Blueprint (design), The Maker Lab (game design), Body Lab (biology), and Fix the World (innovation).
Why it’s different from coding-only camps: Kodely covers the full spectrum of STEM disciplines plus culinary and design, so even kids who aren’t drawn to computers find their week. Max 8 kids per instructor. No coding experience needed. Week-by-week registration — no full summer commitment.
Early bird pricing ends April 25. Register here.
2. Lavner Camps / Camp Tech Revolution — NYU, Greenwich Village
Ages: 6–14 | Dates: June 22 – August 21 | Location: NYU Kimmel Center | Price: ~$700–$900/week + $79 annual registration fee
Strong option for kids who specifically want to spend their days coding, building robots, or making games on computers. Programs include Robotics, Coding, Game Design, Minecraft, Roblox, AI, 3D Printing, and STEM & Medicine. Well-established program with experienced instructors. Best fit for kids who specifically want to focus on digital technology, computing, and screen-based creation.
3. iD Tech — NYU
Ages: 7–17 | Dates: Multiple sessions | Location: NYU campus | Price: $800–$1,100/week
One of the largest tech camp brands in the country. Strong curriculum in Python, Java, game development, and AI. Higher price point reflects the brand and structured curriculum depth. Best for older kids (11+) with a clear interest in programming who want to build a specific project over a week.
4. Launch STEM Summer Camps — Upper West Side
Ages: K–7th grade | Dates: Multiple sessions summer 2026 | Location: Upper West Side | Price: See their site
Math and STEM-focused camps with a reputation for academic rigor. Good option for kids who want to stay sharp in math over the summer while doing hands-on activities. Multiple UWS locations.
5. YMCA NYC — Multiple Locations
Ages: 4–15 | Dates: June 29 – August 21 (two-week sessions) | Price: $250–$450/week
The most affordable option on this list. YMCA NYC summer camps offer swimming, STEM activities, field trips, and social programming. Less subject specialization than programs above — better for families who want variety and social programming across different activity types. Strong for kids who want variety and social time.
Comparing Your Options: What Matters Most
| Camp | Ages | Price/Week | Group Size | Subject Focus | Flexible Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kodely Summer Studio | 4–13 | $299–$599 | Max 8 per instructor | STEM + Culinary + Design + Business | Week-by-week |
| Lavner / Camp Tech Revolution | 6–14 | From ~$700/week | Check with camp | Coding, Robotics, Tech | Week-by-week |
| iD Tech at NYU | 7–17 | From ~$800/week | Check with camp | Programming, AI, Game Dev | Week-by-week |
| Launch STEM | K–7th | Varies | Check with camp | Math + STEM | Session-based |
| YMCA NYC | 4–15 | From ~$250/week | Check with camp | General / Multi-activity | Two-week sessions |
What NYC Parents Actually Prioritize
After talking to families across Manhattan and Brooklyn, a few factors come up consistently as the deciding criteria — beyond just program name recognition:
- Something to show at the end of the week. Parents report that kids are more excited to go back the following week when they brought something home — a recipe, a prototype, a game they built. It is tangible proof the day was productive.
- Small group sizes. The difference between 8 and 20 kids per instructor changes the experience completely. In smaller groups, kids get hands-on time with materials and actual guidance from instructors rather than waiting in line.
- No full-summer lock-in. NYC families travel. Week-by-week enrollment means you are not paying for weeks your child will be at a grandparent’s house in August.
- Subway-accessible location. This is non-negotiable for most Manhattan families. Every camp on this list is accessible via multiple train lines.
How to Register — And Why Now
Every camp on this list has limited spots, and the most popular themed weeks fill first. If you are planning to register for summer 2026, the window to get your preferred weeks is April and May.
For Kodely Summer Studio specifically, early bird pricing ends April 25 — that is $50/week off the regular price, or up to $400 off if you book the full summer. After April 25 prices increase and spots in high-demand weeks begin to close.
- Register for Kodely Summer Studio: Register on Sawyer
- Questions: operations@kodely.io