Each summer in the Kidsburgh region, camps offer the chance for creative kids to explore fine arts, performing arts, maker arts and more. You can find these and dozens of other kinds of camp options in our Big Summer Camp Guide, but we wanted to make life easier for the families of arts-loving kids by breaking out this mini-guide to camps with a creative, artistic focus.
For kids curious about everything from creative writing, painting and sewing to opera, dance and glass blowing (and everything imaginable in between), check out these fun, enriching options:
1. Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media: Each summer, Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media welcomes young artists (aged 6-17) to their Shadyside campus for ten weeks of outstanding, art-focused camps. Taught by talented, experienced teachers, summer art camps are a perfect place for budding artists to explore their creativity and create new masterpieces! Pre-Camp & Post-Camp care options are available, as well as tuition assistance. Camps run June 16 through Aug. 22. Registration will begin March 3 at this link.
2. Western Pennsylvania Writing Project’s Young Writers Institute: This inspiring summer camp invites rising 5th-11th grade students to explore writing in an engaging and exciting environment. The Institute will help young writers develop their skills through a broad range of learning experiences led by certified classroom teachers, esteemed writers and advanced writing students from regional colleges and universities. Scroll down right here and click on the Themes dropdown to learn more about the grade-level themes. Camp runs weekdays, June 22-30, with an evening showcase on July 1, and takes places on the University of Pittsburgh campus at Posvar Hall, with possible outings throughout the Oakland neighborhood. YWI will accept a total of 75 students. Click here for more information and registration. Parents can email wpwp@pitt.edu with any questions.
3. Craftsmen’s Guild Youth Camp: MCG Youth offers an art-based camp at their state-of-the-art facility. From ceramics to photography, there is a multitude of different options for you to choose from for your child this summer. Programs are offered for both middle schoolers and high schoolers. This year’s summer camp details aren’t posted yet, but last year registration opened for this camp on March 17. We’ll update this listing as soon as we get more info. Sessions normally run from late June to early Aug. More info here.
Photo courtesy of MCG Youth & Arts.
4. Bravo Academy at the Pittsburgh Opera: If your child is an aspiring singer or opera aficionado, or loves the magic of backstage, this program is for them. Focusing on musical theater, opera and art song favorites, Bravo Academy invites rising 6th-9th graders to shine in the limelight at Pittsburgh Opera’s headquarters and professional performance space, the Bitz Opera Factory. During two one-week programs (July 6–10 and July 13–17, running 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.) kids will get hands-on experiences with leading industry professionals and performers. Campers will learn costume design, improvisation, voice, opera storytelling, movement, special effects/lighting design and use their skills in a showcase performance. Details are here and registration is coming soon at that link.
5. Attack Theatre’s Ignite Imagination Camp: Attack Theatre’s camp for summer 2026 is a fun-filled, high-energy program designed to spark creativity and inspire imaginative thinking in children ages 6-13. Kids will enjoy a full week of dance classes, engaging art projects and playful games that encourage them to explore their curiosities and think outside the box. Running June 29 through July 3 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Attack Theatre Studios, the camp is led by professional teaching artists. The week culminates in a special event where campers can proudly share their accomplishments with their loved ones (along with a disco dance party with pizza for everyone!). Learn more and register here.
6. Pittsburgh Glass Center: Summer intensives and teen boot camp sessions are planned this summer for grades 6–12 at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Sessions include glassblowing, flameworking, kilnforming and coldworking. Scholarships are available for Glass Center programs, including a new scholarship for the summer intensive.
Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Glass Center.
7. Pittsburgh Public Theater Summer Camps: Pittsburgh Public Theater is where stars are made. Summer Sessions kick off the week of June 16, with offerings for all ages. Whether it’s your little superstar’s first time on stage or the child is a stage veteran looking to develop new skills, everyone can learn to act with Pittsburgh’s most talented artists at the O’Reilly Theater. Half-day and full-day summer camp options are available for ages 6-17, plus optional aftercare. Click here to see Summer Session info and book your camp or class.
8. Lewis Music Studio Summer Camp: Lewis Music Studio has another summer of musical fun planned. Most camps are half-day, but families can combine two camps during the same week to create a full-day camp experience. Kids will have an hour between sessions for lunch and outdoor time. Each camp’s schedule will vary, but expect a full day filled with games, fun, music, friends, and memories. (We’re guessing K-Pop Camp and Songwriting Camp will be very popular.) Click here to learn more and register.
9. Cello Fury Rock Camp: The Cello Fury Rock Camp gives young musicians a chance to play in a high-energy string rock orchestra. Registration is open for violin, viola, cello and bass players ages 7 to 17. Five-day sessions for various age groups are happening the weeks of June 15 and July 6 in Wexford and the weeks of July 20 and Aug. 3 in Shadyside, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Camps include masterclasses, sectionals, the musical theory game “Furyoploy,” workshops and rock orchestra. The sessions conclude with a concert for campers’ families. Get more information and register here.
10. Pittsburgh Musical Theater Conservatory: Summer Musical Theater Camp will be happening again this year at the PMT Conservatory, shining the spotlight on kids ages 4-18. Details are coming soon about this year’s four-week camps that train kids in acting, voice and dance, while also helping kids build confidence, make new friendships and learn collaboration. Teens can choose from a performance, dance or technical theater/design track. Campers rehearse for a full-scale performance as a grand finale. Registration details will be announced later in February. Financial aid and payment plans are available.
11. Cut & Sew Studio: Registration is open for half-day summer sewing camp at Cut & Sew, located in Morningside. There are introductory classes and plenty of options for kids with more sewing experience. Find all the details here.
12. Sweetwater Center for the Arts: Kids ages 4-16 can find their muse this summer through a wide variety of mediums at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. From ceramics and watercolor to animation and cooking, kids will find exciting ways to express their creativity. Watch for registration to open with the complete schedule in March. Scholarships are available.
Photo courtesy of Sweetwater Center for the Arts.
13. Sing Sing Sing!: Kids who love to perform can build their skills this summer at Sing Sing Sing summer camp in Wexford. Registration is now open for singing, songwriting, musical theater and more. Register here for Bakerstown and here for Wexford.
14. The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Summer camps at the Children’s Museum (and next door on the Children’s Museum campus at Museum Lab) will offer creative fun for kids ages 4 through 13. This year, camps will run from June 15 through Aug. 14. Details and registration info are available here, with registration beginning Feb. 10 at noon for museum members and Feb. 11 at noon for the general public. Applications for a limited number of scholarships will also be available Feb. 11 at noon.
15. August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s Hip-Hop Camp: AWAACC’s dance/music camps are an immersive creative experience for young aspiring hip-hop artists and DJs. Students have the opportunity to learn from experienced industry professionals, hone their skills in music production and performance, and collaborate with other talented young artists during this four-day workshop. This year’s camp will run June 22-26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a showcase on the final day for family and friends. Learn about last year’s camp here and stay tuned here for more info about this year’s educators and curriculum. We’ll update this listing with this year’s registration link as soon as it’s available.
Summer music camp photo courtesy of the AWAACC.
16. Gemini Children’s Theater: Five-day Summer Acting Workshops with Gemini Children’s Theater channel energy and talent toward the theater arts. Kids as young as 4 learn to write, rehearse and perform a play that they help develop from their imagination. Scene building, collaborating and character development apply across all age groups up to 17 years. Early bird discounts, scholarships, tuition assistance and payment plans are available. Learn more here.
17. Dot and Line Art Studio: Registration for summer camps at the creative art studio Dot and Line in Mt. Lebanon is open, with camps running June 15 through July 31. Weekly camps for kids ages 5 and up have two half-day sections: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get details here. (Note: If the camp you want is already full, Dot and Line does have a wait list.)
18. Summer Camps at Absolute Value Academy
Music-minded kids can enjoy Songwriting and Garage Band camps this summer at AVA, while others can delve into Digital Art & Illustration and the Art of Short Fiction. Camps run Monday-Friday beginning June 15. Recommended ages vary by camp. For complete list and schedule, click here.
19. Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Budding artists from 3-years-old to high school seniors can learn something new or further pursue their favorite art forms during Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Camps for Creatives. Each five-day camp will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a seamless pickup process operating from 4:00pm – 4:30pm. Details are due to be announced soon.
Courtesy Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
20. Paint Monkey Summer Art Camp: Weekday summer art camp at the popular birthday party spot Paint Monkey begins on June 16. Seven themed weeks at Paint Monkey studio at the Waterfront in Homestead begin June 8 and run through July 10. Kids can get creative Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m.). Register here.
21. Little Lake Theatre: Budding theater stars ages 6-16 will take the stage during in-person summer camps at Little Lake Theatre. Kids with a flair for the dramatic will study improv, character movement and audition skills in Acting Camp. Musical Theater campers will rehearse and perform roles in a production that’s been adapted for kids. Various camps run July 6 through Aug. 14. Learn more and register here.
22. SLB Radio Summer Camps: SLB Radio Summer Camps offer middle and high school students one-of-a-kind experiences at the Youth Media Center (co-located within the Children’s Museum on the North Side), including opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends, and be heard. Camp themes include podcasting, songwriting, and the launch of a new, audio-first literary magazine. Scholarship information and application materials are available here.
Photo courtesy of SLB Radio.
23. Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History: The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History are welcoming back Summer Camps for 2026, offering a full season of creative, curious and adventure-filled fun for young artists, nature lovers and bold explorers alike. Beginning in June, campers can dive into week-long experiences ranging from designing future cities and playing with clay to wandering among real dinosaurs and discovering the natural world. All of these experiences are designed to inspire imagination and facilitate hands-on learning. Find more details including registration information, pricing and scholarship opportunities (financial aid is available for eligible families) right here.
24. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School: Dancers of all sizes, from toddlers to teens, will find a place at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s summer sessions. Kids will develop progressive dance fundamentals through barre and floor exercises, French terminology and ballet concepts. The youngest dancers from 2 to 6 years can try summer weekend classes and All About Ballet workshops. The most advanced dancers will be challenged by the Junior Intensive, which covers pointe, pas de deux, jazz and repertoire. Get all the details here.
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
25. Frick Pittsburgh: Details for this summer’s offerings haven’t been posted yet, but check back here in the coming weeks to find details on creative summer fun at the Frick.
26. Children of the World/Pittsburgh Girls Choir: “Children of the World” is a multicultural music and arts camp open to all girls entering 1st through 6th grade. You do not need to be a PGC member to enroll. Each day of camp, students will visit a different region of the world and sing songs, play games, do folk-dances and make a craft and snack from that region. While exploring through song and dance, students will sing in several languages, focus on healthy singing habits, learn music theory concepts like rhythm and solfege, and work together as a team while having fun. A morning snack will be provided, but children should bring a lunch. The week will end in a performance for families. Summer 2026 details aren’t posted yet, but check back here for details.
Photo at top of guide courtesy of Sweetwater Center for the Arts.