Fantasy and superhero camps near you
These fun, cool camps are found in cities across the country, as linked to below. Click on your city and find fantasy and superhero camps near you.
Search ALL SUPERHERO CAMPS
The variety of fantasy and superhero activities for kids
Here's a look at some of the different ways you can participate in kids' activities with a fantasy or superhero theme:
After school programs with role playing and superhero activities offer kids an extracurricular experience that makes it fun to extend learning time, away from screens, etc.
Superhero day camps dominate the listings above, the most popular way to take part in this activity.
Overnight camps with a superhero theme are an immersive experience for kids that encourages independence and many other personal rewards.
Some examples of fantasy-related camps and programs listed on our site include choose your own adventure camps, camps themed around specific kids’ films and games, Medieval adventure programs for kids, story time for younger kids, and role-playing adventure programs, among many others as seen in sessions above.
Related camp types
Many camps offer programming closely related or similar to what you will find in a kids’ fantasy camp. The following camp themes are also fun for kids.
Film acting camp for kids gives them an introduction to or instruction in acting for these media. Anyone wanting to explore their dreams of an acting career should take a close look at acting camps. It’s a great way to develop self-confidence, public speaking, and a host of other skills that will benefit them in the adult world, even if their acting aspirations don’t pan out.
Comedy camp for kids is an exciting kind of performing arts program for kids that encourages them to hone comedy writing and performance skills.
Harry Potter camp for kids takes them into the world of Hogwarts-related activities where they can explore the magical world of wizarding.
Drama camp for kids adds stage activity to the experience. Many of these activities offer unique opportunities for fantasy exploration, exposing them to worlds they may not know about.
Minecraft camps or LEGO for kids also include superhero activities mixed in with other fun.
Is superhero play good for kids?
Superhero activities are not merely frivolous fun, but offer many benefits for young kids who might think they're only playacting superheroes. Here’s a look at some basic benefits of this creative play, including viewpoints from experts.
It encourages bravery. Preschoolers are especially susceptible to a fantasy life involving superheroes, and pretending to be brave can be an important stepping stone toward developing courage and bravery. Imagining heroic acts encourages self-confidence, as well as altruism and other positive traits.
It provides a healthy physical outlet. Acting as a superhero is likely to include healthy exercise and heavy physical play that contributes to children’s physical development. Claudia Sjoberg started Heroheads because "every kid wants to be a superhero." Camps like hers teach children physical skills like catching, throwing, balancing and agility in a unique and fun way. Perhaps especially for boys, superheroic play provides a structure for rough and tumble activity that's a positive channel for aggression, otherwise acted on negatively.
It encourages empathy and altruism. When kids imagine they are anyone else, superhero or not, they’re developing empathy skills and exercising emotional intelligence. In playing superheroes, kids can often learn negotiation skills, from deciding on roles to working together to accomplish tasks. Many superheroes form teams like the Marvel Universe's Avengers, Defenders, the X-men, DC's Justice League and other groups. Playacting these roles, kids cooperate, working with the unique powers or skills of others.
Note that superheroes are always kind and considerate, and they often role-model altruism. The superhero theme has been used to engage kids in bigger picture ideas like activism. Like Spiderman, kids can be taught that, "with great power [all kids are powerful] comes great responsibility."
It encourages creative thinking and problem-solving. A superhero camp can help kids develop problem solving skills as they face obstacles and challenges. All superheroes have limits to their power, often with a (albeit often dubious) scientific basis. From this, kids also derive basic lessons in reason and logic.
There are, indeed, benefits to the whole child during superhero play, as Pei-San Brown (see Butler) has argued: "Children develop physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally during this type of play."
What to look for in a kids’ camp
Picking a camp is easier if you have had a chance to meet face-to-face with a variety of camps. You can do just that at the annual kids’ camp expo, held every February in Toronto. Alternatively, we recommend you attend camp open houses and learn from camps there.
When searching for the right camp, you will, of course, have concerns about your budget and the camp’s proximity to you, as well as transportation and things like food policies at the camp.
Still, there are other things to think of. A good place to focus is on how the camp fits with your child’s needs and your own values and concerns. Other questions parents should bear in mind include:
Read many more questions to ask camp directors.
Complement this with other advice from around our site:
More information from ourkids.net and around the web
Superhero camp launches in Toronto. ourkids.net
Using superheroes to explore environmental activism. ourkids.net/school
The benefits of superhero play. livingandloving.co.za
The benefits of superhero play. Butler, Shelley and Debbie Kratz. earlyyearscareers.com
The science of superheroes. naeyc.org
Marvel Cinematic Universe: age-by-age guide. commonsensemedia.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Fantasy and superhero camps are there?
There are 1 programs offering superhero/marvel/dc as an activity. Use the filters to narrow by age and program type, then click on matched programs to see daily activities, dates, rates and registration information.
What are the fees to attend Fantasy and superhero camps?
Fees for programs offering superhero/marvel/dc as an activity range from $114 to $310 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.
Where can parents meet with Fantasy and superhero camps?
Meet with program directors and staff at the Our Kids Camp & Program Expo. The Expo is held annually in February, and is a fun and informative day for parents, kids, and teens. Find event details and free tickets here.