Chicago’s Best STEM Summer Camps for Kids Who Love to Build, Code & Create (Part 2)
Chicago’s Best STEM Summer Camps for Kids Who Love to Build, Code & Create (Part 2)
If you caught part one of our Chicago summer camps guide, you already know how much this city has to offer for kids who love to code, game, create, and engineer.
And we’re just getting started. Whether you’re still exploring your options or your child has already picked a favorite category, this second round of recommendations is packed with even more programs worth knowing about. Let’s get into it.
💻 Coding Camps
1. 🧱 Minecraft: Arcade Makers NEW!
Campers design and build their own Minecraft mini-games while learning game design and coding fundamentals. This camp strengthens creativity, logic, and interactive problem-solving skills.
2. 🔴 Minecraft Redstone: Escape Room Adventure
Campers master Redstone circuits, power systems, and automation while solving engineering challenges in Minecraft. Students design machines, build logic-based solutions, and apply problem-solving skills through hands-on projects.
3. 🚩 Roblox Design Intro: Capture the Flag
Students learn game design, 3D modeling, and scripting while building a multiplayer Capture the Flag experience. Campers apply coding concepts, teamwork, and problem-solving in a competitive setting.
🕹️ Gaming Camps
1. ⚡ Fortnite Designer: Game Development with UEFN
Campers design, build, and publish original Fortnite games using Epic’s UEFN tools. This camp introduces game mechanics, collaboration, and creative engineering concepts.
2. 🧩 Minecraft: Modding Adventure
Campers learn to create custom Minecraft mods while working with core coding concepts like logic, variables, and problem-solving. This camp introduces programming fundamentals by turning gameplay creativity into real computer skills.
3. ⛏️ Minecraft Survival: The Building Blocks of Coding
Students learn coding and JavaScript concepts such as conditionals, functions, and coordinates by designing survival tools in Minecraft. Campers apply programming logic to solve challenges through hands-on projects.
🎨 Creative Camps
1. 🎬 YouTube Creator: Learn Production Basics
Campers learn video production skills including filming, audio, lighting, and editing. Students create engaging content while learning storytelling and media production techniques.
2. 🖨️ Creative Lab: 3D Printing & Design
Campers design, prototype, and 3D print original creations using professional design tools. Students learn rapid prototyping, engineering design, and creative problem-solving.
3. 🎞️ Animation Creation: Exploring Today’s Digital Tools
Inspired by Pixar and DreamWorks, campers create original animations using modern digital tools. Students learn storytelling, motion, sequencing, and animation fundamentals.
⚙️ Engineering Camps
1. 🤖 AI Engineering Basics: Introduction to LLMs
Campers explore artificial intelligence by building AI assistants using Python and JavaScript. Students learn key AI concepts including large language models, training data, and real-world applications.
2. 🦾 Robot Squads: Engineering Team Challenge
Campers work in teams to solve multi-phase engineering challenges using robotics and programming. This camp emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and creative engineering solutions.
3. 🔴 Minecraft Redstone: Escape Room Adventure
Campers master Redstone circuits, power systems, and automation while solving engineering challenges in Minecraft. Students design machines, build logic-based solutions, and apply problem-solving skills through hands-on projects.
As always, if you’re looking for a place where all of these experiences come together under one roof, iCode Ravenswood is where it’s at. Our summer programs cover everything from game design and robotics to creative coding and entrepreneurship, and spots are filling up quickly. Come find the perfect fit for your child at iCode Ravenswood, and if you missed part one of this guide, head back and give it a read. There’s plenty more inspiration waiting for you there. 🙌🏾
