Texas Ren Fest is back for the fall! Photo courtesy of the Festival
Texas Renaissance Festival, Barktoberfest, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Día de los Muertos at Discovery Green. Event photo courtesy of the Discovery Green
Top Things To Do to Celebrate Día de Los Muertos 2025 in Houston
These trunk-or-treats in Houston are a good alternative to trick-or-treating. Photo courtesy of Klein UMC Children's Ministries
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Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Houston
Houston is full of Halloween events this October. Scream on the Green photo courtesy of Discovery Green
Best Things to Do in Houston October 2025 with Kids, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Scream on the Green is one of Houston's free Halloween events. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
Top Free Halloween Events in Houston 2025
Zoo Boo is one of our favorite Halloween events for younger kids. Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo
Best Halloween Events in Houston 2025 for Kids and Families: Haunted Houses, Trick-or-Treating, and More
See alligators in Beaumont, about 90 minutes from Houston. Photo courtesy of Gator Country Wildlife Adventure Park
Fall Day Trips From Houston for Families
Visit Froberg's Farm for fall festival fun, a pumpkin patch, and more. Photo courtesy the fall
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Houston Fall Day Trips Guide: Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2025
There are plenty of choices for pumpkin patches near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
Best Pumpkin Patches Near Houston for Fall Fun
Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
The 10 Best Free Hidden Gems for Kids in Houston
From pumpkins to corn mazes, there's loads of seasonal fun at local farms. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 30 Top Things To Do in Houston This Fall 2025
Houston Fall festivals that are fun for the whole family. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals in 2025 for Houston Families
Visit the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo courtesy of Visit Sugar Land.
Why HMNS at Sugar Land Is a Must-Visit for Houston Families
Help your Scout rack up the badges at these programs in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Best Places to Earn Scout Badges in Houston
Unique Birthday Party Venues in Houston for One-of-a-Kind Birthday Parties
Our favorite gymnastics gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva
Gymnastics Gyms in Houston: Places to Take Gymnastic Classes, Camps, or Open Gym
Palace Social has bowling and a restaurant in addition to arcade games. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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The Mini classes at Goldfish Swim School are a great bonding experience for parent and child. Photo courtesy of the school
Best Mommy and Me Classes for Houston Babies and Parents 2025
Ready Go Amusement Arcade photo by author Elizabeth R.
Houston’s Best Claw Machine Arcades Where Kids (and Parents) Can Actually Win
A crafting party at one of these venues or at home is the perfect celebration for a creative kid. Photo courtesy of Color Me Mine
Best Crafting Parties for Teens in Houston
See aquatic life without a fee at Sea Center Texas. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Keep Cool in Houston: Top Beaches, Swimming Lakes, Splash Pads, and AC Spots
Our top picks for your Houston bar/bat mitzvah. Photo by Juliano ASTC, courtesy of Pexels.
Fun Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Venues in Houston
These Houston ice cream shops have the best treats for kids. Photo by Kelly Patino, courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Best Ice Cream Spots In Houston For Kids
Pick your own flowers at one of these Houston farms. Photo courtesy Summer Skye Gardens
Sunflowers, Tulips, and More Pick-Your-Own Flower Farms Near Houston
Go for a nature walk in on of Houston's huge parks. Photo by Anthony Rathbun, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum.
Houston Budget-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Families
Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
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NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
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Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
Neighborhood Guide: Things To Do in West University and Rice Village with Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Houston that are Kid-friendly
John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids
Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
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Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Houston
Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
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Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
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Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
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Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
Indoor Batting Cages Near Houston Where Kids Can Practice Their Swings
Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
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Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
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New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
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The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
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One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
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Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
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MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
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There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
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Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Fun Preschool and Toddler Classes in Houston for Little Learners
Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
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Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
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Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Freeport with Kids: Best Things To Do in Freeport, Texas
Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
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Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
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San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
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Photo courtesy of Cypress Academy
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Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School
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Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
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Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze
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Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Canva
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For the best baby clothes, try these Houston baby boutiques. Photo courtesy of Threadfare Children's Boutique
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The Houston Zoo is a great stop for kids, and near other things to do in Houston, too. Photo by Jessica A., courtesy of the zoo
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Best Overnight Summer Camps in California

Kids have a blast in the ocean at Catalina Island. Photograph courtesy of Catalina Sea Camps
Kids have a blast in the ocean at Catalina Island. Photograph courtesy of Catalina Sea Camps
2/9/25 - By Ana Belibasis

Overnight summer camps are pretty heady stuff: Sleep away from home, meet new friends, have adventures, master new abilities, boost social skills, develop confidence, and learn to handle situations without parents around! For parents, it's a chance to have a little kid-free time without feeling guilty, because we know our kids are having the experience of a lifetime—and disconnecting from their devices.

For some reason, sleepaway summer camp isn't quite as big a deal in California as it is in the Northeast. Still, we've scoured the state and found some pretty amazing overnight summer camps in California, from stunning Catalina Island to the rustic Sierra Nevada mountains.

For more fabulous overnight summer camps, check out our Sleepaway Summer Camp Guide to the Best Overnight Camps in the US. Or if you're looking to stay more local, bookmark our Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Don't miss our picks for summer camps and so much more delivered right to your inbox—sign up for our newsletters. 

 

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Camp is about trying new things! Photo courtesy of Bar 717 Ranch Camp Trinity
Camp is about trying new things! Photo courtesy of Bar 717 Ranch Camp Trinity

Top Overnight Camps in Northern California

Pinecrest Lake Overnight Camp

Stanislaus National Forest
Ages 7 - 14
Located 3 hours from Bay Area, Run for Fun Camps at Pinecrest Lake gives kids an unforgettable overnight experience in the beautiful Stanislaus National Forest. From games in the woods to kayaking on the lake to scenic horseback rides, your camper is sure to have a blast. One week and two week sessions are available. READ MORE

Bar 717 Ranch / Camp Trinity

Hayfork
Ages 8 - 16
Camp Trinity on the Bar 717 Ranch is a residential summer camp for kids ages 8-16, on 450 acres in the beautiful mountains of Trinity County in Northern California. Campers choose from activities that range from horseback riding, animal care, gardening, crafting, ceramics, and woodworking to backpacking trips, campfires, singing, and more. The camp offers four two-week sessions of summer camp as well as one week of Family Camp. READ MORE

Walton's Grizzly Lodge

Portola
Ages 7 - 15
Located in the quintessential summer camp setting just an hour north of Lake Tahoe, this camp boasts a private lake and beautiful grounds surrounded by pines. Kids take part in over forty activities including water sports, archery, horseback riding, athletics, sports, and much more. Choose from one or two-week sessions, with options to extend. Campers stay in fully equipped cabins with 8 to 16 other campers and 2 counselors. READ MORE

Camp Augusta Sleepaway Camp

Nevada City
Ages 8 - 16
Be part of a community of adventurous campers who learn about nature in a beautiful place with breathtaking waterfalls, old-growth trees, and an enchanting lake! Kids build friendships and participate in plenty of activities such as archery, horseback riding, ziplining, and climbing. If your kid (ages 6-8) has separation anxiety, you can try the mini camp which lasts only three days and two nights. The kids sleep in cabins under the supervision of a counselor, with a ratio of one counselor per two campers. READ MORE

Mountain Meadow Ranch

Susanville
Ages 7 - 16
Located in a 900-acre ranch on the northeastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this family-owned camp has been around for over 60 years. Campers open up to new adventures such as animal care, archery, fishing, fencing, ceramics, arts and crafts, and more. Kids choose which activity they want to participate in each day, and sleep in bunk beds in uniquely decorated cabins with private bathrooms and showers. Cabins are separated by age and gender. READ MORE
A view of Huntington Lake at Kennolyn Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp via Facebook
A view of Huntington Lake at Kennolyn Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp via Facebook

Great Overnight Camps in Central California

Summer at Santa Catalina

Monterey
For girls, ages 8 - 14
Summer at Santa Catalina encourages girls ages 8-14 to access their own powerful inner resources in two-week camp sessions, or a five-week musical theater program. Activities take advantage of the Monterey Bay coastline with beach days, tide pooling, and outings to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, plus campers choose their own classes—from marine biology to surfing to visual arts. READ MORE

Camp Ocean Pines

Cambria
Ages 7 - 16
Camp Ocean Pines lies on thirteen acres of pine forest overlooking the ocean. The camp's mission is that hands-on contact with the environment creates a connection and love between the campers and nature that will translate into willingness and responsibility to take care of it. Campers have a flexible schedule where they will choose daily activities from a list that includes kayaking, playing with animals, music, ziplining, dancing, climbing trees, painting, archery, and more. Campers stay in cabins overlooking the ocean that sleep 8 campers and 2 counselors. READ MORE

Kennolyn Camps

Soquel
Ages 6 - 18
This sleepaway camp nests in a private area of 450 acres of redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The camp has created a town-like little village in the middle of the woods where campers choose from an ample selection of activities like swimming, rope courses, golf, climbing, archery, soccer, and many more. Aside from all the outdoor activities, kids interact with farm animals who also live on site. Sleeping quarters are beautiful cabins that surround the Town Square that sleep up to 10 campers and two counselors. READ MORE

Camp Natoma

Paso Robles
Ages 6 - 16
Camp Natoma sits on a protected 360-acre oak woodland in the Adelaida Mountains. This is a 6-night camp program that has been around since 1941, and it's very unique in that campers sleep under the stars! There are five campsites, as well as a dining hall where kids eat family-style meals. Campers spend the day enjoying the great outdoors by hiking along beautiful trails. There are also activities such as archery, arts and crafts, dancing, and drama. Evenings are for gathering along the fire ring for camp songs and stories. READ MORE

Riverway Ranch Camp

Sanger
Ages 7-16
Kids can experience the summer of a lifetime at this traditional summer camp located in beautiful Wonder Valley. They can choose from a variety of activities, such as horseback riding, boating, gymnastics, video production and more than 75 other options. This allows each student at River Way to have the exact camp experience they want- in addition to making tons of friends and tons of memories.  READ MORE
Ready to fly! Photo courtesy of Pali Adventure Camp, Facebook
Ready to fly! Photo courtesy of Pali Adventure Camp, Facebook

Best Overnight Camps in Southern California

Catalina Sea Camp

Catalina Island
Ages 8 - 17
Catalina Sea Camp has one and three-week camp programs that are amazing adventures for kids ages 8-17. Days at the popular sleep-away camp for budding biologists are full of activities like snorkeling, boat trips, hands-on marine science, and the chance to see all kinds of animals in the wild. READ MORE

Amplify Sleep Away Camp

Ojai
For kids ages 9 - 18
Amplify campers follow their dreams, try incredible new things, and gain lifelong friends and positive role models in a safe and supportive environment. The very low staff-to-camper ratio of 1:6 ensures a level of instruction, engagement, and mentoring that makes the experience unforgettable. Campers choose a specialty to focus on during each session of camp from a selection that includes Rock Band, DJ, Photography, Podcasting, Skateboarding, and so much more. READ MORE

AstroCamp

Idyllwild
Ages 8 - 17
Situated in the picturesque town of Idyllwild, surrounded by breathtaking views of the San Jacinto Mountains, AstroCamp is the perfect camp for science, mountain, and space exploration lovers. Choose between one and two-week programs that focus on a variety of traditional camp activities as well as the opportunity to explore science and space. Campers also engage in fun outdoor activities such as mountain biking, campouts, archery, rock climbing, and much more. There are up to 8 kids, grouped by age, and one counselor sharing a cabin. READ MORE

Catalina Island Summer Camp

Catalina Island
Ages 6 - 15
Located at Howlands Landing on Catalina Island, campers enjoy outdoor adventures such as swimming in the ocean, diving, kayaking, sailing, hiking on wild trails, and more. They also get to explore the habitat of all the marine and land animal life that call the island home. This summer program is two weeks long. Kids are placed in cabins according to school grade and are supervised by a camp counselor and an activity specialist. READ MORE

Pali Adventure Camp

Running Springs
Ages 8 - 16
Pali offers a unique approach to camp: Before arrival, kids choose one activity that they'd like to specialize in for one week, and they will focus on this activity every morning. The over 25 options include fashion, film, science, water sports, motorsports, arts and many more. Kids can go live their fantasy while learning from top-notch experts, boosting confidence and learning new skills. Pali Adventure Summer Camp offers one and two-week programs, and there's also an option to stay longer. Campers live in group cabins of 10 kids and 2 counselors. READ MORE

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