12+ Fun Camps for Preschoolers in Atlanta

Whether you need childcare while school is out or simply want a little time to yourself, enrolling your child in one of these 15+ camps for preschoolers in Atlanta is a great idea.

Many parents don’t realize that there are summer camps designed especially for children under five years old. I started sending my son to a week-long theatre camp when he was a preschooler, and he loved it so much he has gone back for a week every summer since. He’s now 10. 

The camps for preschoolers in Atlanta serve as a fun introduction to summer camps where kids get to socialize, move, and learn. Moreover, sending your preschoolers to summer camp is good for them! 

Active Kids explains, “Summer camp can provide a preview of school, particularly for children who haven't been to daycare […] The transition from laid-back, flexible days at home with a parent or caretaker to the relative structure of a classroom environment can be challenging. Summer camp can introduce kids to concepts like following a schedule, learning group rules, taking responsibility for their belongings (backpack and lunchbox), and getting along with other children in a group setting.”

Plus, unlike traditional summer camps, the summer camp sessions for preschoolers and toddlers tend to be shorter, such as half-days. Kids in this age group will play so hard at camp that they’ll come home mid-afternoon ready for a much-needed nap. (I consider this a major Mom Win!)

To help you see all that is out there, we’ve gathered up a list of 12+ fun camps for preschoolers that cover different interests, areas, and budgets. Browse this list of options to see if there are any camps your kiddo would be interested in and register before it is too late.

Fine Arts Camps for Preschoolers in Atlanta

Fine arts camps include everything from art to dance to music to theatre. There are tons of fine arts camps that accept preschoolers around Atlanta. Here are some popular options.

• Atlanta Ballet Centre: Offers a summer day program at multiple locations for children beginning at age 2. The classes meet once a week for 8 weeks and serve as an introduction to dance.
• ABC Easel: Offers half-day weekly art camp for kids 3-6 years old. Preschoolers can enjoy arts enrichment in a COVID-safe environment.
• Forefront Arts Camp: Offers a variety of half-day drama camps for kids 3 – 5 years old, including a princess camp and a Disney villain musical camp.
• Creative Play Camp at Alliance Theatre: Alliance Theatre is offering both virtual and in-person summer camps for kids 3 – 5 years old, including creative play, arts explosion, and sing a story.

Exploration Camps for Preschoolers in Atlanta

You can’t go wrong with any of these camps if you have kids that love being outside, exploring nature, or hands-on learning.

• Zoo Atlanta: Zoo Atlanta’s Safari Camp: Summer Session includes a half-day session for kids 4 - 6 years old. They also offer scholarships. 
• Club SciKidz: Offers a variety of different science-themed exploration camps, such as dinosaurs and space, for preschoolers and kindergartners at several locations in the Metro Atlanta area. 
• Camp Kingfisher: The Chattahoochee Nature Center has summer camp programs for Owlets (4 years old) and Eastern Screech Owls (rising kindergarten and 1st graders). These half-day camps include swimming, animal encounters, and outdoor free play.

Enrichment Camps for Preschoolers in Atlanta

Many private schools and preschools in the Atlanta-Metro area offer enrichment summer camps that include a bit of all the above (arts, fitness, nature, and more). 

• Trinity School: This Atlanta private elementary school opens up summer camps to the public. They offer a variety of academic, specialty, and sports camps for kids starting at age 4. 
• Walker School: This Marietta private school offers both half-day and full-day summer camps for kids starting at age 3. 

Other Places to Consider

This is by no means an exhaustive list of camps for preschoolers in Atlanta. There are simply too many to include them all! In addition to the listings above, check your local YMCA. According to the YMCA website, “Preschool camps are available at some Ys for children younger than 5.”

Another place to look for camps is your local Parks and Recreation Department. For instance, the Roswell, GA Recreation, Parks, Historic, and Cultural Affairs Department offers tons of summer camps for the community, and many of these camps accept kids as young as 3 years old.

Tips for Parents

When choosing camps for preschoolers, there are some things to keep in mind. First, most camps do not accept children who have not been potty trained. If your little one is still in diapers, you might have to wait until next summer.

Next, check to see if the camp offers early drop-off or late pick-up. Parents who work may need to make special accommodations to get their children to and from camp. 

If your child struggles with separation anxiety, have a plan for how to handle drop-offs at a camp. Consider reading books about going to school, watching movies related to the camp’s theme, or taking a tour of the facility to prepare your little one.

Don’t Forget

If you need additional childcare during summer or just want a break now and then, check out SitterTree. Our qualified Atlanta babysitters are ready and willing to watch your kiddos so you can work, rest, or play.