Summer Camps for 6, 7 & 8 Year Olds in Huntersville
Six, seven, and eight are the “Golden Years” of childhood curiosity. Children this age are gaining the fine motor skills to build complex LEGO® structures and the patience to conduct multi-step experiments. At Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, our summer camps for ages 6-8 are designed to challenge these growing abilities.
We know that a 7-year-old doesn’t want to be treated like a preschooler. Our camps for this age group introduce “real” tools—from coding robots to chopping vegetables—empowering them to be makers, inventors, and scientists.
2026 Camp Schedule: Ages 6-8
Hands-on challenges for the early elementary years.
Rockin’ Robotics
- Best for: Ages 7-8
- Theme: Technology & Coding
- Dates: July 6 – 10
- Why it’s great for this age: 7 and 8-year-olds love to control their environment. This camp gives them the keys to command a robot, teaching the logic of “If/Then” statements in a way that feels like a game.
Chef Academy
- Best for: Ages 6-8
- Theme: Cooking & Math
- Dates: July 13 – 17 | August 3 – 7
- Why it’s great for this age: Cooking is practical math. Measuring cups and spoons help 6-8 year olds visualize fractions and volume, while following a recipe strengthens reading comprehension skills.
Operation Destruction
- Best for: Ages 6-8
- Theme: Engineering
- Dates: July 20 – 24
- Why it’s great for this age: Children this age often ask “How does that work?” We let them find out by taking things apart! It satisfies their curiosity and builds the fine motor dexterity needed for handwriting and typing.
Pint-Sized Paleontologists
- Best for: Ages 6-7
- Theme: Dinosaurs
- Dates: June 15 – 19 | July 27 – 31
- Why it’s great for this age: This isn’t just playing in sand. We introduce the concept of “classification”—sorting and identifying fossils—which aligns with the science skills they are learning in 1st and 2nd grade.
Cinematic Science
- Best for: Ages 7-8
- Theme: Science & Pop Culture
- Dates: June 22 – 26 | August 10 – 14
- Why it’s great for this age: By age 7, kids are starting to get into movies like Star Wars. We use that interest as a hook to teach real physics (light, sound, special effects), meeting them exactly where their interests lie.
Why Our Camps Fit the 6-8 Age Group
“Big Kid” Independence
We foster independence by giving campers individual responsibilities—like managing their own lab station or cleaning up their cooking area. It builds the confidence they need for school.
Peer Collaboration
At this age, friends are everything. Our projects are designed for pairs and small groups, teaching campers how to negotiate, share ideas, and work toward a common goal without an adult doing it for them.
Active Learning
Six to eight-year-olds still have energy to burn! We break up focused learning blocks with active exploration in the museum, ensuring they come home happy and tired.
FAQ for Parents of 6-8 Year Olds
Q: My 6-year-old is reading. Should they do “Pint-Sized Paleontologists” or “Dino Discoveries”?
A: We recommend Pint-Sized Paleontologists. “Dino Discoveries” is for Pre-K (ages 4-5) and focuses on sensory play. “Pint-Sized” involves more complex concepts and “clue hunting” that will keep a reading 6-year-old much more engaged.
Q: Is “Girls in STEAM” only for girls?
A: Yes, this specific week (June 29 – July 3) is designed to create a supportive environment where girls can take the lead in science and engineering.
Q: Can I drop off my 8-year-old alone?
A: For safety, all campers must be signed in and out by an authorized adult. However, once signed in, 8-year-olds are given plenty of autonomy within their camp group!
