9 Best STEM Camps in Los Angeles 2026: Coding, Robotics & Science
Our editor's picks of 9 standout STEM summer camps in Los Angeles for 2026 — covering coding, robotics, AI, hands-on science, and university-campus tech programs for kids and teens ages 4-18. Updated 2026-05-18.
Best LA STEM Camps at a Glance
Quick answer: Los Angeles has more STEM summer camp options than any other West Coast city — thanks to its tech industry, top universities (UCLA, USC, Caltech), and major science institutions. These are the 9 we'd send our own kids to. They cover a full range from neighborhood-friendly hands-on science programs for younger kids to elite university-campus tech academies for teens building portfolios.
The major categories are hands-on science & exploration (Club SciKidz, Destination Science, California Science Center), coding & tech (Planet Bravo, Lavner Camps at UCLA, iD Tech Camps at UCLA), AI & advanced future tech (Camp Integem), local boutique STEM (Camp STEAM LA), and girls-empowerment STEM (Project Scientist at USC and Caltech).
Most popular STEM camps open registration in January-February. Early-bird discount deadlines are typically March or early April. University-campus programs (Lavner, iD Tech) and AI-focused camps (Integem) often fill by May.
About this page: These are 9 editor's picks, not a complete directory. For the full searchable database of every Los Angeles STEM summer camp, visit our L.A. STEM day camp directory and L.A. STEM sleepaway directory.
What Is a STEM Camp?
A STEM camp is a summer program built around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math — with hands-on projects replacing classroom lectures. Many programs add an "A" for Arts (STEAM) to bring in design, creativity, and visual thinking. In Los Angeles, STEM camps draw real strength from the city's connections to tech, entertainment, AI, and innovation. Kids aren't just listening; they're building robots, designing video games, running real experiments, and solving actual problems.
LA STEM camps generally fall into a few types:
- Hands-on science camps for younger kids (Club SciKidz, Destination Science, California Science Center) — messy, project-based weeks built around chemistry, biology, engineering challenges, and discovery.
- Coding and tech camps (Planet Bravo, Lavner, iD Tech) — programming languages, game development, app design, web design, 3D printing.
- AI and advanced future-tech camps (Camp Integem) — artificial intelligence, augmented reality, drones, entrepreneurship.
- Girls-focused STEM programs (Project Scientist) — designed to build confidence and exposure for girls in fields where they're historically underrepresented.
- Boutique local STEM camps (Camp STEAM LA) — smaller, more personalized programs with strong project-based learning.
The right pick depends less on the brand and more on what your child will actually do all day. Read each listing below for who it's best for.
2026 Quick Reference Table: 9 Best LA STEM Camps
Summary of all 9 picks. Click any camp name to jump to its full listing.
| Camp | Focus | Ages | Main Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Science Center Summer Camp | Hands-On Science (Museum) | Pre-K through 8th | Exposition Park, DTLA |
| Camp Integem | AI, AR, Robotics, Drones | 6-18 | Multiple LA campuses |
| Camp STEAM LA | Project-Based STEAM | Kids & Teens | San Fernando Valley |
| Club SciKidz Los Angeles | Themed Science, Robotics, Coding | 4-12 | Multiple LA venues |
| Destination Science | Hands-On Science | 5-11 | Multiple LA locations |
| iD Tech Camps at UCLA | Coding, AI, Game Dev, Robotics | 7-17 (Teen Academy 13-18) | UCLA + Caltech |
| Lavner Camps at UCLA | Robotics, Coding, AI, 3D Printing | 7-15 | UCLA campus |
| Planet Bravo Tech Camps | Coding, Game Dev, Digital Art | Grades K-8 | Multiple LA campuses |
| Project Scientist (STEM for Girls) | Lab Science, STEM Careers | Girls 4-12 | USC + Caltech |
LA STEM Camps by Focus Area
Hands-On Science & Exploration
Best for younger kids who learn by doing — experiments, projects, chemistry, biology, engineering challenges.
- California Science Center Summer Camp — Pre-K through 8th grade at a real science museum
- Club SciKidz Los Angeles — 60+ themed weekly camps, ages 4-12
- Destination Science — themed science weeks for ages 5-11
Coding & Tech
Best for kids who want to write code, build games, design apps, or create digital content.
- Planet Bravo Tech Camps — one of LA's longest-running tech programs; grades K-8
- Lavner Camps at UCLA — 60+ weekly tech courses on a real university campus
- iD Tech Camps at UCLA — world's largest tech camp brand, weeklong and 2-week Teen Academies
AI & Advanced Future Tech
Best for older kids and teens interested in tomorrow's tech: AI, AR, drones, machine learning.
- Camp Integem — one of LA's most forward-thinking programs, ages 6-18
- iD Tech Teen Academies — 2-week overnight portfolio-builders at UCLA and Caltech, ages 13-18
Girls-Focused STEM
Designed specifically to build STEM confidence and exposure for girls.
- Project Scientist — held on USC and Caltech campuses; ages 4-12
Boutique & Project-Based
Smaller, more personalized STEM programs with creative project-based learning.
- Camp STEAM LA — San Fernando Valley; small-group, art-meets-engineering format
Best Fit by Type of Kid
For first-time STEM campers (beginners)
Club SciKidz and Destination Science both excel with kids who've never done STEM camp before. Make-and-take projects, friendly themed weeks, and approachable instructors. Start here if your child is curious but not yet sure what they like.
For coding & tech-focused kids
Planet Bravo for grades K-8 with a long LA track record. iD Tech at UCLA for kids 7-17 who want the prestigious campus experience. Both deliver real, lasting technical skills (not just a week of fun and forget).
For advanced learners and teens
Lavner Camps at UCLA and Camp Integem both work well for kids who've already done a STEM camp and want to go deeper. iD Tech's 2-week overnight Teen Academies (ages 13-18) are the gold standard for teens building a portfolio.
For younger kids (ages 4-7)
Club SciKidz from age 4. Destination Science from age 5. California Science Center has Pre-K classes specifically designed for kindergarten readiness with shorter, more structured days.
For girls who want STEM confidence
Project Scientist is purpose-built for this. Held on USC and Caltech campuses, it focuses on hands-on labs, exposure to real scientific careers, and building confidence in STEM fields where girls are historically underrepresented.
For tomorrow's tech (AI, AR, drones)
Camp Integem is the most forward-thinking LA option, especially for kids interested in AI-powered projects and holographic AR experiences. iD Tech also covers machine learning and AI in its core curriculum.
For small-group, personalized experiences
Camp STEAM LA in the San Fernando Valley keeps groups small with more individual attention than the larger brand-name programs.
Complete LA STEM Camp Listings (Alphabetical)
Full descriptions for all 9 picks in alphabetical order, with direct links and key details.
California Science Center Summer Camp
California Science Center Hands-On Science Camp — The most legitimate museum-based science camp in LA. Pre-K through 8th grade campers choose from 25+ classes covering chemistry, earth science, space science, engineering challenges, live animal encounters, and the Water Works pool for buoyancy and balance experiments. Authentic museum environment with structured, age-appropriate instruction.
- Address: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037
- 2026 Cost: Half-Day $240, Full Day $480 per week (member discounts available)
- Extended Day: $120/week add-on, full-day attendees only
- Best for: Science-focused learners who enjoy structured programs in a real museum setting
- Visit Website →
Camp Integem (AI & Future Tech)
Camp Integem — One of LA's most forward-thinking STEM programs, focused on AI, robotics, drones, and augmented reality. Campers build AI-powered projects, create holographic AR experiences, design games and animations, and explore entrepreneurship and tech innovation. WASC-accredited and STEM-focused, with small teacher-to-student ratios that work well for a wide range of learners. Especially strong for older kids interested in tomorrow's tech careers.
- Format: Weeklong day camps, 9 AM - 3 PM Monday to Friday
- Strength: Genuinely future-facing curriculum — AI and AR aren't add-ons here
- Best for: Older kids (10+) and teens interested in AI, AR, and emerging tech careers
- Visit Website →
Camp STEAM LA
Camp STEAM LA — A boutique option in the San Fernando Valley focused on creative, project-based STEM learning that pulls in the "A" for Arts. Campers explore engineering and design, art + technology, and collaborative projects. The smaller environment allows for more personalized attention and flexibility than the larger brand-name programs.
- Location: San Fernando Valley
- Strength: Smaller groups, more individual attention, art-meets-engineering format
- Best for: Families looking for a more personalized, project-based experience
- Visit Website →
Club SciKidz Los Angeles
Club SciKidz Los Angeles — One of the most popular STEM camp providers in LA, offering 60+ themed weekly camps covering everything from robotics and coding to veterinary medicine and space exploration. Specific weekly themes include LEGO robotics and engineering, Minecraft and video game design, medical and forensic science, and chemistry/biology/physics experiments. Highly hands-on with make-and-take projects that keep kids engaged all day. Venues across LA including Studio City, La Canada, Pasadena, and the Conejo Valley.
- Format: Weekly themed camps, multiple LA venues
- Strength: Variety — 60+ themes mean campers can do something different each week or pick a deep focus
- Best for: Ages 4-12 who want variety and fun science exploration
- Visit Website →
Destination Science
Destination Science — Hands-on science experiments and discovery-based learning for elementary-aged kids, with programs including rocket building, chemical reactions and lab experiments, engineering challenges, and science-themed games and activities. Camps are held throughout Los Angeles County (Encino, El Segundo, Glendale, La Canada, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Studio City, and more), making it convenient for most LA families.
- Format: Weekly themed camps with extended care at most locations
- Strength: Geographic reach — locations across all of LA County
- Best for: Ages 5-11 who love hands-on science and outdoor-style camp fun
- Visit Website →
iD Tech Camps at UCLA
iD Tech Camps at UCLA — The world's largest summer tech camp brand, with weeklong programs for ages 7-17 and 2-week overnight Teen Academies for ages 13-18. UCLA and Caltech locations give campers a real taste of a top university campus. Courses cover coding, game development, robotics, AI, machine learning, 3D printing, cybersecurity, and Roblox/Minecraft modding. Small class sizes (max 10:1) and a strong portfolio-building focus for teens.
- UCLA Address: 405 Hilgard Ave / 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Caltech Address: 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125
- Phone: 1-888-709-8324
- Teen Academies: Ages 13-18, 2-week overnight, July 5-17, 2026
- Best for: Ages 7-17 looking for a high-end, immersive tech experience; teens building a portfolio
- Visit Website →
Lavner Camps at UCLA
Lavner Camps / Camp Tech Revolution at UCLA — Cutting-edge tech and STEM programs on the UCLA campus. 60+ weekly courses including robotics and engineering with LEGO and VEX, Minecraft and Roblox coding, Coding (Scratch, Python, Java, C++), artificial intelligence, 3D printing, digital art, app design, and YouTube video production. Designed for all levels from beginners to advanced students. Instructors recruited from top universities including UCLA, Penn, Princeton, and MIT.
- Address: 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (UCLA)
- Phone: 1-888-854-CAMP (2267)
- Format: Weekly courses, 22.5-25 hours/week per course; before- and after-care available
- Strength: Curriculum depth — same course can be taken multiple weeks at different levels
- Best for: Kids and teens who want a more advanced, tech-focused experience
- Visit Website →
Planet Bravo Tech Camps
Planet Bravo Tech Camps — One of LA's longest-running STEM programs, focused heavily on technology, coding, and digital creativity. Founded in Beverly Hills and now one of the largest STEM camp providers in Southern California. Campers build video games, design apps and websites, create digital art and movies, and learn coding fundamentals. 2026 brings new courses including STEM Launchpad, Tech Launchpad, Toy Lab, and Animal Adventures. Multiple LA-area venues including Saint Finbar School in Burbank and Hesby Oak Elementary in Encino.
- 2026 Dates: June 22 - July 31 (most locations)
- Hours: 9 AM - 3 PM, Monday to Friday
- Strength: Track record — one of the longest-running tech camps in LA
- Best for: Kids interested in coding, game design, and creative tech
- Visit Website →
Project Scientist (STEM for Girls)
Project Scientist — A standout program designed specifically to empower girls in STEM. Held on top university campuses including USC and Caltech, with a focus on hands-on science labs, confidence building in STEM fields, and exposure to real scientific careers and women working in them. Especially valuable for girls who may be the only one in their classroom showing strong STEM interest — here, they're surrounded by other girls who feel the same way.
- Campus Locations: USC and Caltech
- Format: Weeklong programs; women scientists guest-teach throughout
- Strength: Built specifically to address the gender gap in STEM
- Best for: Girls ages 4-12 interested in science and leadership
- Learn More →
Looking for More LA STEM Camps?
These 9 listings are our editor's pick — not a complete directory. For the full searchable database of every Los Angeles STEM summer camp, browse our L.A. STEM Day Camps directory and L.A. STEM Sleepaway Camps directory. For STEM camps in specific neighborhoods, see our Studio City STEM camps page and L.A. specialty camps directory.
Frequently Asked Questions About LA STEM Camps
What is a STEM camp?
A STEM camp is a summer day or sleepaway camp focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through hands-on projects rather than classroom lectures. STEAM camps add the Arts to that mix. LA's STEM camps range from museum-based hands-on programs (California Science Center) to coding and robotics camps (Planet Bravo, Lavner, iD Tech) to AI and future-tech academies (Camp Integem) to girls-empowerment programs (Project Scientist). Most are weekly day camps for ages 4-14, with university-campus programs extending to age 18.
How much do LA STEM camps cost in 2026?
Most neighborhood STEM day camps in LA run $400-$900 per week in 2026. University-campus programs at UCLA and Caltech (iD Tech, Lavner) typically cost more — iD Tech weeklong day camps start around $1,200-$1,500, with 2-week overnight Teen Academies starting at $4,999. The California Science Center charges $240 (half day) or $480 (full day) per week with member discounts. Many camps offer early-bird, sibling, and multi-week discounts — deadlines are usually March or early April.
What ages are LA STEM camps for?
LA STEM camps serve a wide age range. Younger campers (ages 4-7) are best served by hands-on science programs like Club SciKidz and Destination Science, plus California Science Center's Pre-K classes. Elementary-aged kids (5-12) have the most options across every camp on this list. Teens (13-18) are best served by university-campus programs — iD Tech Teen Academies, advanced Lavner courses at UCLA, and Camp Integem's older-kid tracks.
What's the best STEM camp in LA for beginners?
Club SciKidz Los Angeles and Destination Science are both excellent first-timer picks. Club SciKidz offers 60+ themed weekly camps with make-and-take projects across multiple LA venues; Destination Science runs themed science weeks at locations across LA County. Both work well for kids who've never done a STEM camp before and aren't sure what they like yet.
What's the best STEM camp for teens building a portfolio?
iD Tech Teen Academies (ages 13-18, 2-week overnight format at UCLA and Caltech) are the gold standard for portfolio-building. Campers come away with substantial project work, mentorship from industry pros, and a real glimpse of college life. Advanced Lavner Camps courses at UCLA and Camp Integem's older-kid programs are strong alternatives at lower cost.
Are there STEM camps specifically for girls in LA?
Yes. Project Scientist is purpose-built for this. Held on USC and Caltech campuses, it focuses on hands-on labs, exposure to real STEM careers and women working in them, and confidence-building in fields where girls are historically underrepresented. Most other LA STEM camps are co-ed; if you want a specifically girls-focused environment, Project Scientist is the standout.
What's the difference between STEM and STEAM camps?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEAM adds an "A" for Arts, recognizing that creativity, design, and visual thinking are essential to modern STEM careers. In practice the distinction is fuzzy — many "STEAM" camps still focus on coding and robotics, and many "STEM" camps include creative builds. The more useful question is: what is my child actually going to do all day? Read each camp's description for the real activities.
When should I register my child for an LA STEM camp?
Register early. Most LA STEM camps open registration in January or February. Early-bird discount deadlines are usually March or early April. Popular weeks at neighborhood programs (Club SciKidz, Destination Science, California Science Center) often fill by April. University-campus programs (Lavner UCLA, iD Tech UCLA, iD Tech Caltech) and Teen Academies often fill by May. AI-focused programs like Camp Integem are increasingly competitive.
How to Choose the Right LA STEM Camp
With strong options across 9 different programs, the right pick depends on your child's age, interests, and goals. Here's a practical framework:
1. Start with the activity, not the label
"STEM" and "STEAM" are marketing categories. What matters is what your child does all day. Coding camps mean writing code on a computer. Robotics camps mean building physical robots. Hands-on science camps mean experiments and project builds. AI camps mean working with machine-learning tools. Ask the camp director to walk you through a typical day before you commit.
2. Match the program to your child's current level
For beginners, choose Club SciKidz or Destination Science. For coding-focused kids, Planet Bravo or iD Tech. For advanced learners and teens, Lavner Camps at UCLA, iD Tech Teen Academies, or Camp Integem. For younger kids who learn by doing, hands-on programs with shorter sessions work best.
3. Decide on commute vs. campus prestige
Local programs at Club SciKidz, Destination Science, and Planet Bravo venues mean shorter drives. University-campus programs (Lavner and iD Tech at UCLA, iD Tech at Caltech) cost more time and money but deliver a memorable campus experience for older kids. Project Scientist's USC and Caltech locations are similar in this respect.
4. Consider what your child takes home
The best STEM camps produce something tangible — a portfolio piece, a working robot, a launched app, a finished video, a science notebook. Ask the camp director: "By Friday, what will my child have built?" If they can't answer specifically, look elsewhere.
5. Register early
Popular LA STEM camps fill by April or May. Early-bird discounts close in March or early April. If you have a specific camp and a specific week in mind, register as soon as registration opens — typically January or February.
Meet STEM Camps in Person at L.A. Camp Fair 2026
Want to meet STEM camp directors in person before you register? L.A. Camp Fair 2026 is the region's biggest free summer camp expo, with seven convenient dates and locations across Los Angeles County. Hundreds of camps on display, free admission, and the chance to ask coding, robotics, AI, and science camp directors directly about curriculum depth, instructor backgrounds, and what makes their program a fit for your child.
