Toronto parents start thinking about summer camp earlier every year, and for 2026 the scramble will likely begin as soon as spring registration windows open. The good news is that the city offers an unusually deep mix of options, from low cost neighbourhood day camps to specialised programs in STEM, sports, arts, and nature. Below is a practical, Toronto focused guide to the top 25 summer camps and a few activity ideas for filling the gaps between weeks.
Before you choose, decide what matters most for your family: location, hours, budget, swim time, outdoor space, specialty instruction, or simply a camp culture your child will love. If you are trying to balance affordability with convenience, City of Toronto CampTO programs are often the first stop, but they can fill quickly. Specialty camps, including university based programs and nature camps in High Park, can also book up fast.
How to choose a summer camp in Toronto for 2026
Parents tend to search for the same checklist items, and they are worth confirming before you pay a deposit.
- Ages and ratios: Look for the age band your child fits on the first day of camp, and ask about counsellor to camper ratios.
- Hours and extended care: Many day camps run roughly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with paid before and after care.
- Transportation: Some larger camps offer bussing from Toronto neighbourhood stops, others require drop-off.
- Swimming and water play: Ask whether your child will swim, do splash pad days, or water games only.
- Food: Most camps are bring-your-own lunch. Some include weekly pizza days or snacks.
- Refund and transfer policies: If you are hedging weeks around family travel, confirm deadlines.
For families balancing cost pressures, keep an eye on fee assistance, subsidies, and bursaries offered by the City and by individual camps. If you are looking for broader kid-friendly summer ideas between camp weeks, Toronto patios can be surprisingly family-friendly at off-peak times. Our list of the 25 best patios in Toronto for summer 2026 includes plenty of neighbourhood picks where parents can actually sit down while kids snack.
Best low-cost city-run day camps (CampTO) in Toronto
1) City of Toronto CampTO (multiple locations)
What it is: Full-day seasonal camps focused on games, sports, arts and crafts, and local outings in some formats.
Ages: Early Years (4 to 5), Child (6 to 12), Youth (13 to 16).
Registration: The City says registration begins March 24 for summer camps at free centres for eligible residents, and March 31 for all other locations (dates are posted on the City site).
How to register and find locations: Use the City’s online registration portal and the CampTO locations map. Official info: toronto.ca CampTO.
2) City of Toronto CampTO Explore (multiple locations)
What it is: Includes the CampTO core day plus workshops, local trips, or special guests.
Best for: Kids who want a bit more structure and variety than a standard day camp.
3) City of Toronto CampTO Plus (including museums and cultural centres)
What it is: Specialised themes, including visual and performing arts, sports, science and nature, often with workshops and trips.
Best for: Families seeking city-run pricing but more specialised content.
Practical tip: City camps can change locations, especially when they run in schools. If you need consistency for childcare logistics, prioritise community centre sites and confirm updates in your account.
Best nature and outdoor summer camps in Toronto
4) High Park Nature Centre summer camp
Address for drop-off and pickup: High Park Forest School, 375 Colborne Lodge Dr, Toronto.
What it is: Nature-based camp with hikes, wildlife observation, tracking, plant ID, and outdoor games in High Park.
Ages: Multiple groups including 6 to 7, 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and a 14 to 16 group (as listed for recent seasons).
Extended care: 8:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m., priced at $80/week (and $64 for 4-day weeks, per the centre’s posted info).
Registration: 2026 registration is listed as open on the camp site. Website: highparknaturecentre.com.
5) Toronto Island day camps (varies by operator)
What it is: Several operators run camps using Toronto Island park space for outdoor adventure. Availability and meeting points vary year to year.
Best for: Kids who thrive outdoors and do well with a commute by ferry.
Parent check: Confirm ferry logistics, supervision during transit, and weather plans.
6) Conservation and ecology-focused camps (varies)
What it is: Nature education camps often built around field skills, ecology, and outdoor play in Toronto’s ravines and larger parks.
Best for: Families wanting less screen time and more outdoor confidence-building.
Best sports camps in Toronto (basketball, multi-sport and more)
7) Camp Green Acres, All Star Sports Camp
What it is: Sports-focused programming with access to a large private facility that includes pools and a wide range of activities.
Ages: SK to Grade 7 for the All Star Sports Camp; the camp also offers traditional programming ages 4 to 13.
Notable facility details: The camp describes a 110-acre site with two heated pools and a junior waterslide park, plus a ropes course, mini golf, and courts.
Transportation: Camp Green Acres advertises bus routes across the GTA.
Website: campgreenacres.com.
8) Camp Green Acres, Traditional Camp
What it is: A classic day camp model with swim lessons and recreational swim, plus a broad activity menu and trained staff.
Best for: Kids who want variety rather than one sport.
9) YMCA of Greater Toronto, Summer Day Camp (multiple locations)
What it is: A large network of day camps with 40 plus locations and program options across arts, leadership, science, media and sports.
Ages: 4 to 15 (as posted by YMCA GTA).
How to find a nearby camp: Search by month and location using the YMCA activity finder. Website: ymcagta.org. Phone support: 647-439-6611 (local) or 877-303-2267 (toll-free), per YMCA.
10) Community club and league-run sports camps (varies by sport)
What it is: Week-long camps run by soccer clubs, baseball organisations, gymnastics clubs, and hockey schools across the city.
Best for: Skill development and keeping a consistent training rhythm through summer.
If your young athlete is basketball-obsessed, it can be fun to connect camp weeks to local sports moments. For a quick read that younger Raptors fans will appreciate, see our coverage of Raptors fall to Heat despite Quickley's season high.
Best STEM, coding and university-based summer camps in Toronto
11) Camp U of T Scarborough
Location: University of Toronto Scarborough campus, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough (camp is based at UTSC).
What it is: Weekly themed day camps that mix STEM, coding, science exploration and a “mini university” rotation with arts and recreation.
Ages: 6 to 15 (children’s program 6 to 12, teen leadership 13 to 15).
Notable details: Camper-to-counsellor ratios listed as 6:1 for children and 12:1 for youth leadership, plus free pizza lunch every Friday (bring lunch Monday to Thursday). Extended care is available 4:30 to 6 p.m. for ages 6 to 12, per the camp listing.
Website: utsc.utoronto.ca/camp.
12) University and college youth programs (varies)
What it is: Many post-secondary institutions and partner organisations offer summer programs in robotics, engineering, coding, and creative tech.
Best for: Kids who love structured projects and older youth ready for pre-university environments.
13) Science centre and maker-style camps (varies)
What it is: STEM day camps that blend experiments, design challenges, and hands-on building. Availability changes year to year, so register early.
Parents looking for discounts for enrichment programs should also watch for community ticket giveaways and sponsored family programming that can stretch a summer budget. Toronto Sentinel has been tracking the scale of family support initiatives, including Toronto charity nears one millionth ticket giveaway for kids.
Best arts, theatre, music and dance summer camps in Toronto
14) CampTO Plus arts and culture camps (City of Toronto)
What it is: City-run specialised arts options hosted at cultural centres and museums, depending on the year’s schedule.
Best for: Families who want arts instruction with the City’s recreation framework.
15) Theatre and performance camps (varies)
What it is: Week-long programs focused on acting, improv, musical theatre, and stagecraft, often culminating in a showcase.
Best for: Kids who love performing and building confidence speaking in groups.
16) Visual arts and design camps (varies)
What it is: Drawing, painting, sculpture, animation and digital art camps run by studios and community arts hubs across Toronto.
Best traditional day camps with bussing from Toronto
17) Camp Green Acres, Traditional Camp
Why it stands out: A traditional camp feel with a large facility, swim programming, and a structured approach to staffing and health support, including on-site nursing described by the camp.
Best for: Parents who want an “overnight camp energy” without leaving the GTA.
18) YMCA Summer Day Camp (selected sites)
Why it stands out: A wide network means you can often find a location near home or work, reducing daily commute time.
Best for: Families piecing together multiple weeks across July and August.
19) Multi-activity private day camps (varies)
What it is: Classic day camps that combine sports, crafts, water play and theme days. Many offer bus service or central meeting points.
The top 25 summer camps in Toronto for 2026 (quick list)
This quick list is designed for parents who want names to start comparing. Availability, weekly themes, and pricing vary, so confirm details directly with each provider.
- City of Toronto CampTO (multiple locations), toronto.ca
- City of Toronto CampTO Explore (multiple locations), toronto.ca
- City of Toronto CampTO Plus (including museums and cultural centres), toronto.ca
- High Park Nature Centre summer camp, 375 Colborne Lodge Dr, highparknaturecentre.com
- YMCA of Greater Toronto Summer Day Camp (40+ locations), ymcagta.org
- Camp Green Acres Traditional Camp, campgreenacres.com
- Camp Green Acres All Star Sports Camp, campgreenacres.com
- Camp Green Acres Leadership Training Program (Grades 8-9), campgreenacres.com
- Camp U of T Scarborough (UTSC), 1265 Military Trail, utsc.utoronto.ca
- Camp U of T Scarborough Leadership Certificate Program (ages 13-15), utsc.utoronto.ca
- Neighbourhood soccer club camps (varies by club and field)
- Community basketball skills camps (varies by gym and operator)
- Gymnastics club summer camps (varies across Toronto)
- Dance studio summer camps (varies)
- Music school day camps (varies)
- Visual arts studio camps (varies)
- Theatre and drama camps (varies)
- French language day camps (varies)
- STEM and coding camps (varies)
- Museum-based day camps (varies)
- Zoo and animal-themed camps (varies)
- Waterfront and sailing camps (varies by club)
- Toronto Islands adventure camps (varies)
- Overnight-style day camps with bussing (varies)
- Special needs and inclusion-focused camps (varies)
Where to keep researching: For a broad directory style view of camps by category, the Ontario Camps Association and large camp directories can help you compare options citywide. A good starting point is the Ontario Camps Association directory at camps.ca/toronto_camps.php.
Registration dates, subsidies and what to do if camps sell out
Start with registration calendars. For City programs, the CampTO page posts dates and links to registration. For private camps, set reminders for early-bird pricing and deposit deadlines.
Use waitlists strategically. If your first-choice week is full, join the waitlist and register a backup week elsewhere that has a clear refund policy.
Ask about fee support. The City of Toronto has information about free programs and subsidies for recreation programs, and some independent camps offer bursaries. High Park Nature Centre, for example, advertises a bursary fund for families who need help.
Build a “gap week” plan. Many families end up with one week uncovered, especially around family travel. Consider short programs at libraries, day trips, or splitting childcare with another family for a week of parks and splash pads.
Cross-site read: If you are the kind of parent who loves comprehensive planning checklists, you may appreciate this step-by-step explainer from outside Toronto: Tinley Park’s top schools: A guide for parents (2026-2027). While it is about schools, the decision framework and questions to ask translate well to camp shopping.
