As parents in Brooklyn, we’re always on the lookout for enriching summer experiences that spark joy, build confidence, and help our kids grow. Enter, Child’s Play NY. Since 2009, this beloved program, founded by a Brooklyn parent, has been offering robust theater arts experience that center kids’ development as humans and as artists. Their week-long summer camps provide the perfect opportunity to deeply immerse in a theme that your child loves while building artistic and life skills.
Child’s Play NY is more than just a theater program—it’s a place where kids become storytellers, collaborators, and brave performers. Designed for ages 3-13, the camp offers thoughtfully curated themes and activities that inspire imagination and build critical life skills. Each week, young people dive into vibrant worlds—from iconic musicals to fantastical adventures—while honing their creative voices and forging friendships.
What Makes Child’s Play NY Special?
Professional Theater Artists as Teachers
Camps are led by talented teaching artists who bring years of experience and a deep passion for nurturing young performers to the program. Sessions are capped at 12-14 kids, ensuring an experience that is tailor-made for the campers. Kids enjoy the same invigorating and award-winning curriculum that Child’s Play NY uses in the dozens of schools they partner with during the school year.
Flexible and Inspiring Themes
Whether your child dreams of becoming a wizard in the world of Harry Potter, solving mysteries as a super sleuth, or singing their heart out in a musical revue of Wicked, there’s a theme for every passion. Camps are divided by age groups, ensuring content and activities are developmentally appropriate and engaging.
Skill-Building Through Play
Theater isn’t just about acting—it’s about building confidence, communication, and a host of skills. Child’s Play NY has collaborated with developmental psychologists on their theater games to ensure that they build executive function skills and social-emotional learning through play. Campers practice teamwork and build empathy all while building their talents as artists.
Performance Opportunities
Every camp culminates in a joyous showcase where kids share what they’ve created with family and friends. These performances are a celebration of each child’s unique contributions and growth. As they learn lines, choreography and lyrics, they get their minds back online and ready for a successful school year!
Sessions for Every Age and Stage
Child’s Play NY camps offer an impressive array of themes designed to ignite your child’s imagination:
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- Adventure Series 3K-PreK: Little ones explore make-believe worlds through music, movement and storytelling. Whether they’re joining a dinosaur quest or a puppy parade, these sessions are all about unbridled creativity. Sessions include: Superheroes on Stage, Puppy Power and Dinosaurs and Dragons.
- Players Series for PreK-1st: Building off iconic stories and shows, campers develop their own stories based on characters from a specific theme. They use games and improvisations to build new adventures while learning songs and choreography too. Sessions include: Wizard of Oz, Pride Rock, Singing Ourselves Inside Out, Under the Sea and Frozen Adventures.
- Showmakers Series for Grades 2-5: Whether working toward a Shakespeare scene showcase, or rehearsing an original play, these ensembles learn the thrill of performance culminating in a live show. Sessions include: Sci-Fi Fair, Hogwarts School, Mythology Players and more!
- Acting Ensemble for Grades 6-8: Older campers can immerse themselves in sophisticated scripted scene work and musical theater in camps like Land of Oz or Hogwarts II. These experiences are perfect for theater enthusiasts ready to take the stage.
Why Parents Love It
Parents rave about how Child’s Play NY transforms their kids’ summer. One parent shared: “Child’s Play NY provides the warmest teachers, sweetest kids and richest experience. I think the focus on celebrating what the children bring to the production allows the certain freedom for magic to happen on stage. I am so thankful for this program and the experience it provides.” Another said, “My 8 year old son had an amazing experience at the week-long Child’s Play summer camp. He has been shy or nervous at other camps, but from the first day he was at ease and excited at Child’s Play. He felt supported, challenged, and invigorated by the work the group did together. The minute he came off stage at the end of the week performance, he said, ‘Sign me up for next summer!’”
Ready to Join the Fun?
Registration for Child’s Play NY summer camps is now open! Spots fill quickly, so don’t wait to give your child a summer to remember. Visit childsplayny.com to explore all the exciting options and secure your child’s place today.
