KCKidsFun

There’s no shortage of art and creativity in the great Kansas City area. We have the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Crossroads District galleries, the Kansas City Art Institute and Hallmark.  So if your little ones prefer summer camp fun that involves using their creativity, we’ve found plenty to choose from. Here’s a roundup of the great Art Camps in Kansas City this summer!
Get started by checking out your local parks and recreation catalog and then check these out!

(If you operate a Kansas City area day or overnight camp which is not listed here or in one of other other camp listings, please let us know! And if you’re interested in a Sponsored Listing, email us for information.)

Sponsored Listings:

Little Masters…big art (Olathe, KS) is an art program and offers summer camps for children ages 3 and up.   Camps are for 3-5 year olds and 6+.  Your children will learn the basic elements of art, art appreciation, a little art history all through applied instruction but most importantly they will have a ton of fun!

Regular Listings:

• ARTichokes (Leawood, KS) is a great locally-owned art gallery that hosts ARTmania camps in the summer for kids ages 5-12. 2012 summer camp will not be posted until the first of April, so check the website or call for information.
• Artrageous Creative Studios (Prairie Village, KS) offers art camps for all ages. The theme changes each week – the kids will learn a little art history, explore other cultures through art and, of course, CREATE! Morning and afternoon classes. Summer 2012 schedule is HERE!
• Blue Valley Recreation (Overland Park, KS) Art Camps include making jewelry, stick fairies, collages, mobiles, journals/sketchbooks and woven pieces. Kids will paint, draw, sculpt, use model magic, and much more.
• CartoonWorks (Kansas City, MO) offers one-week camps for ages 8 through High School from June to July. Ron Wheeler’s Cartoon Camp teaches the basics of cartooning, sculpting with clay and creating a comic strip. Audrey’s Art Camp includes working with clay, etching and crafting paper.
• Community School of the Arts/KCYA Kansas City Young Audiences (Kansas City, MO) has many dance and theater options for 5-15 year olds – but look closely and you’ll find a few very interesting visual arts offerings too! Classes are held at St. Teresa’s Academy between Brookside and the Plaza.
• HodgePodge Workshop (KCMO) – an art venue, gallery and boutique offering arts and craft workshops for adults and children. HodgePodge offers workshops in Batik, candle-making, soap-making, mosaics, ceramics, pottery painting and more. HodgePodge is also a great place to host your next birthday party, baby shower, or ladies night out!
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 30+ summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  Included are camps themed around arts and crafts, history, pirates, art and music.  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Kansas City Art Institute (Kansas City, MO and Riverside, MO)If your child loves to draw or paint, take photos or make digital art, the Kansas City Art Institute’s School for Continuing and Professional Studies offers drawing, painting, animation, fashion, photography…and more!  Youth and high school students ages 6-18 can explore art and design at one of the nation’s top schools of art and design located right in their own backyard.
• Lutheran High School of Kansas City (south KCMO) offers an art camp for grades 3-6, held in June 2012.  Call 816-241-5478 for more info.
• Mattie Rhodes Art Center (Kansas City, MO) has awesome art exploration classes and programs for your little ones, ages 5 to 12 this summer! Experience five different mediums – ceramics, textiles, cultural art, mixed media and painting/printmaking. Summer schedules aren’t out yet, but check the website soon for updates.
• The Culture House (Olathe, KS) has four “schools”:  Theater, Dance, Music and Fine Art– each with summer camps!
• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, MO) has a mix of hands-on and art appreciation classes for ages 3-18.  These programs sell out FAST!
• Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (Overland Park, KS)  These are technically classes, but they look fantastic!  For children ages 5-11.  See website for specifics.
• Paint Glaze and Fire (Overland Park, KS) does ceramics camps (Ceramics Cafe) in south Overland Park.
• Red Star Studios Summer Art Camp (KCMO) offers six one-week summer sessions for children ages 7-12.  Different themes and mediums will be explored each session, which run June through August 2012. 9-3:30 daily, $200/session. 816-474-7316.
• Wolf Creek Art Studio (south Overland Park, KS)offers half-day, week-long Art Camps for children ages 6-14.  A different form of art will be explored each day.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-11 year olds and run June 1- August 7.  Arts and Crafts-themed camp is available in addition to drama, sports and nature!  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.

We’ll add to this list as we discover new camps and classes for summer 2012! In the meantime, take a look at the ones listed here, the ones offered by your parks and rec department and even the ones put on inside your favorite chain craft store (like Michael’s or JoAnn – they’ve always got a full calendar of classes).

LOTS of outstanding Kansas City-area theatre, dance, vocal music, instrumental music and other performing arts camps for 2011. In every part of town, there are great offerings for your child, no matter his or her age. Be sure to check your parks & recreation department as well as our listing here.

Sponsored Listings:

If you’re interested in a Sponsored Listing (with logo graphic, long text description and priority positioning), email us for information.

Regular Listings:

• Academy of Performing Arts – Summerstage (Grandview, MO) has two-week sessions of performing arts training for ages 6 to 13, culminating in a musical play and talent showcase on the Academy’s outdoor stage.
• Act One (Northland) will be offering two summer camps.  West Side Story for teens and Peter Pan for kids. Both camps are located North of the River at 600 NE 46th Street, Kansas City, MO.
• Alcott Arts Center (Kansas City, KS)  The Summer Theatre Academy has several sessions for ages 3-18, starting June 20-August 5, 2011.
• American Rhythm with the Ballet Conservatory of Independence and Pure Dance Studio (Independence, MO) offers a summer performance camp in basic dance, ballet, clogging, music dance theater, stage makeup and more. For ages 5 to 19.
• Ballet North (Northland) offers week-long dance camps for ages 4 and up. Morning or evening sessions are available. (No 2012camp info still up on the Ballet North website as of March 3, 2012 – might need to give them a call!)
• Blue Valley Recreation (south Johnson County, KS) offers Camp Center Stage and Camp Center Stage Junior as well as music and rock band camps!
• Camellot Academy (Kansas City, MO) offers a camp program at Rockhurst High School for kids age 5 through grade 9. Campers participate in activities related to dance, art, drama, vocal music and performance skills. They rehearse and perform a complete play the final week of camp.
• Chestnut Fine Arts Center (Olathe, KS) is offering two one-week theatre workshops this summer. Topics covered include scripts, songs, dances, costume design, set building and performance. A production caps off the week. This year – Rockin’ On Broadway.
• Christian Youth Theater (multiple locations) offers several day and overnight camp options for kids from age 4 through high school. Each session is a week long. The kids work on fun productions all week long and then perform!
• Community School of the Arts offers a comprehensive and energizing week of dance!  The basics of ballet, modern, jazz, choreography and improvisation are taught.  As of February 28, 2012- summer camp info not updated.
• Coterie Theatre (multiple locations) has courses for grades k through 12 – try acting, playwriting or theatre exploration classes. Camps will be offered at Miller-Marley School of Dance in Overland Park, Pembroke Hill School, Notre Dame de Sion High School, Liberty Community Center and Longview Community College this summer.
• Creative Arts Academy (Gladstone, MO) offers weeklong, full day camps for kids from ages 4 to 14, each week in July. Camp activities include hip hop dance, gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling, arts/crafts, sports, drama and swimming. (As of March 3, 2012, no camp info has been updated on their site – check back for updated info.)
• Culture House (Olathe, KS) has a HUGE variety of summer courses available from dance and ballet to music and theater. Take a performance combat class, a musical theater class and more!
• Dramatic Truth School of Arts (south KCMO) introduces two new teen acting intensives, July 8-20, 2012 (one or two weeks). Teen intensives, $100/student.
• Dave’s Gymnastics Factory (Lee’s Summit, MO) offers a full day camp for ages 5 to 11, all summer long. Activities include not only gym time but also outdoor activities, arts and crafts and swimming.
• Eagles Gymnastics and Dance Centre (south Kansas City, MO) has half day camps with different themes each week. Each camp includes gymnastics and special activities related to the week’s theme. Boys and girls of all ages are welcome to check out Glee Song & Dance Camp, Domestic Diva Camp, Amazing Races Camp, even a science camp…to name a few!
• Emerald City Gymnastics (Overland Park, KS) offers four-day camps with gymnastics, games, playing in Bump City and a week-ending show for parents.
• Camp Shakespeare/Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (various locations) has a wide range of offerings for kids from 5 to 18. Camps range from one day to two weeks and many camps end with a camp performance of a Shakespearean play.
• Hoffman Models Fashionista Summer Camp (Overland Park, KS) has hosted a unique summer camp in the past – learn makeup, skin care, etiquette, hairstyling, acting, runway and more! As of March 1, 2012, no summer info on their website yet.
• Ibsen Dance Theatre (Northland) They have a theatre camp in addition to dance  camp and classes during the summer. The theatre camps include classes in make-up, acting, mime, improv, dance and more.
• Johnson County Community College Performing Arts Series (Overland Park, KS) offers visual and theatre arts classes for K-8 as well as several chamber music classes.
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 39 summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  Included are camps focusing on theater, art, dance and music!  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Kansas Academy of Theatrical Arts (KATA) (KCK) provides performing and fine arts classes to children (5-16yrs) during their SUMMER DAY WORKSHOPS. Daily workshops include team acting skills, craft projects, story time, outdoor play, and daily class presentations.  Students are divided into age appropriate class groups with instructors. SPACE IS LIMITED and pre-enrollment is required by calling Mrs.Judi Jones  913 961 2393 or www.katayouthacademy.com
• Kansas School of Classical Ballet (Overland Park, KS)  is a not for profit organization devoted to providing the finest training available to students interested in learning the art of ballet.
• Kansas City Ballet School (Prairie Village, KS) hosts summer programs for ages 3 and up, for every skill level.
• Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey AileyCamp (Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS) is a six week day camp for KCMO and KCK middle-schoolers which uses dance as a vehicle to build self-esteem, self-discipline and critical thinking skills. Camps are held in KCMO and in KCK, transportation may be available.  The camp is FREE but there is an application/selection process.
• KC Young Audiences (Kansas City, MO) gives kids ages 5 to 18 a chance to learn music, musical theater, Shakespeare, comedy, dance and show production. The younger kids can take half-day classes; older kids are eligible for full-day camps. Extended care is available. Classes held at the Community School of the Arts on the campus of St. Teresa’s Academy.
• Kindermusik Camps (Kearney, MO) – Available for children birth to age 7. Sessions in May-June and July-August. Music and Movement camps with and without parent involvement (varies with age). Check website for details.
• Legacy School of the Arts (Olathe, KS) offers regular and intensive summer dance classes as well as drama and musical theatre camps for all ages, from 3 to teen. No 2012 info posted to their website as of 3/1/2012.
• Lyric Opera (Kansas City, MO) hosts an amazing two week camp for kids ages 10 to 18. Campers will study opera and acting techniques. They will perform a family opera at the end of camp and will have the opportunity to be chosen to sing in an actual Lyric Opera production next season.
• Miller-Marley School of Dance and Voice (Overland Park, KS) will have a full summer of dance classes, Coterie Theatre classes and Theatre in the Park rehearsals!
• Music House School of Music (south Overland Park, KS) has some super non-traditional camp offerings – Rock Band, Rock Class, Guitar Riffology and Guitar Legends – for ages 10 to 17. Check out their new, larger facility!  My son takes piano lessons here and it is fantastic and fun!
• Patricia Stevens Model Summer Camp (Kansas City, MO) offers week long camps teaching posing, runway, etiquette, acting, fashion, makeup and the modeling/fashion industries.  As of Feb 28, 2012- summer info isn’t updated.
• School of Rock (Parkville, MO) offers Rock camps this June and July!
• Paul Mesner Puppets (Kansas City, MO) is  hosting Puppet Camp for ages 6 and up! Learn to make puppets and create puppet shows from the best! (As of Feb 28, 2012- info isn’t updated.  Call the studio or check back for updates!)
• The Pulse PAC (south Kansas City, MO) offers some workshops and intensive dance classes this summer.
• ReAct (south Overland Park and south Kansas City, MO) – theatre camps from the founder and staff of Camp CenterStage
• St. Teresa’s Academy Summer Camps (Kansas City, MO) offer Dance and Art Workshop camps for girls in grades 4 thru 9.
• Stage Right Performing Arts (Overland Park, KS) offers 2 different musical theater camps, including final performances, for kids ages 6-18.  Students learn audition techniques, staging, voice, singing and dancing.  Mon through Fri, June 4 – July 7, 2012.  Check out their website for all the details!
• Steppin’ Out (Lee’s Summit, MO) offers Dance, Acting and Cheerleading Camps this summer. No info yet on the website – but keep an eye out for summer info soon! Ages 4 to 12, changing themes each week!
• Theatre for Young America (Shawnee, KS) hosts drama classes and five-day workshops at Wonderscope Children’s Museum, at Union Station and at Avila during the summer.
• Theatre of the Imagination (various locations) offers theatre camps at several locations around the city. Check out their website for updates. All ages, several themes – acting, singing dancing!
• Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre (Olathe, KS) has 10 theater and visual arts summer camps available this year. Something for everyone – ages 3 to 18!
• University of Missouri – Kansas City Community Music and Dance Academy (Kansas City, MO) has several dance and musical instrument summer programs. Some are offered at UMKC and others are offered at Notre Dame de Sion lower school.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-11 year olds.  Drama camp is available in addition to crafts, sports and nature!  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.

Also be sure to take a look at the camps listed in our General Day and Overnight Camps list – many of them offer performing arts sessions as well!

This city is full of artists – and so many of these artists are generous enough to share their talents with our children. Kansas City has the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Crossroads District galleries, the Kansas City Art Institute and Hallmark.  Take a peek at the great Art Camps in Kansas City this summer!

Get started by checking out your local parks and recreation catalog and then check these out!

(If you operate a Kansas City area day or overnight camp which is not listed here or in one of other other camp listings, please let us know! And if you’re interested in a Sponsored Listing, email us for information.)

Sponsored Listings:

• Little Masters…big art Summer Camps! During 4-day camps students will be painting, cutting, forming, gluing, constructing, learning, tearing, creating, sculpting, laughing, drawing, designing, thinking and having LOTS of fun!  Camps for ages 6+ as well as camps for 3-5 year olds.  Check out the site for more info!

Regular Listings:

• ARTichokes (Leawood, KS) is a great locally-owned art gallery that hosts ARTmania camps in the summer for kids ages 5-12.
• Artrageous Creative Studios (Prairie Village, KS) offers art camps for all ages. The theme changes each week – the kids will learn a little art history, explore other cultures through art and, of course, CREATE! Morning and afternoon classes.
• Blue Valley Recreation (Overland Park, KS) Art Camps include making jewelry, stick fairies, collages, mobiles, journals/sketchbooks and woven pieces. Kids will paint, draw, sculpt, use model magic, and much more.
• CartoonWorks (Kansas City, MO) offers one-week camps for ages 8 through High School from June to July. Ron Wheeler’s Cartoon Camp teaches the basics of cartooning, sculpting with clay and creating a comic strip. Audrey’s Art Camp includes working with clay, etching and crafting paper.
• Community School of the Arts (Kansas City, MO) has many dance and theater options for 5-15 year olds – but look closely and you’ll find a few very interesting visual arts offerings too! Classes are held at St. Teresa’s Academy between Brookside and the Plaza.
• HodgePodge Workshop (KCMO) – an art venue, gallery and boutique offering arts and craft workshops for adults and children. HodgePodge offers workshops in Batik, candle-making, soap-making, mosaics, ceramics, pottery painting and more. HodgePodge is also a great place to host your next birthday party, baby shower, or ladies night out!
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 30+ summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  Included are camps themed around arts and crafts, history, pirates, art and music.  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Kansas City Art Institute (Kansas City, MO and Riverside, MO) has the MOST amazing offerings for kids ages 6-15! Painting, ceramics, drawing, computer design and more. I just wish I lived a bit closer to take advantage of these awesome programs!
• Mattie Rhodes Art Center (Kansas City, MO) has awesome art exploration classes and programs for your little ones, ages 5 to 12 this summer! Experience five different mediums – ceramics, textiles, cultural art, mixed media and painting/printmaking.
• The Culture House (Olathe, KS) has four “schools”:  Theater, Dance, Music and Fine Art– each with summer camps!
• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, MO) has a mix of hands-on and art appreciation classes for ages 3-18.  These programs sell out FAST!
• Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (Overland Park, KS)  These are technically classes, but they look fantastic!  For children ages 5-11.  See website for specifics.
• Paint Glaze and Fire (Overland Park, KS) does ceramics camps (Ceramics Cafe) in south Overland Park.
• Waldo School of the Arts (KCMO) -a themed weekly fine arts camp. They include painting, sculpture, music, dance and theater into a weekly extravaganza. The camps will run from 8:00 am until 5:00 PM daily. Lunches and snacks are included as part of the registration cost.
• Wolf Creek Art Studio (south Overland Park, KS)offers half-day, week-long Art Camps for children ages 6-14.  A different form of art will be explored each day.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-11 year olds and run June 1- August 7.  Arts and Crafts-themed camp is available in addition to drama, sports and nature!  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.

We’ll add to this list as we discover new camps and classes for summer 2011! In the meantime, take a look at the ones listed here, the ones offered by your parks and rec department and even the ones put on inside your favorite chain craft store (like Michael’s or JoAnn – they’ve always got a full calendar of classes).