Last-Minute Summer Camp Options for Eastside Moms (It’s Not Too Late!)

KGA Home Services
5 days ago
2 min read

Hey Parents—still haven’t nailed down summer plans for your kids? You’re not alone. Here’s how to find last-minute summer camp options and keep your kids busy (and happy) on Seattle’s Eastside. If you’re a busy parent on the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish, Kirkland, Issaquah), and summer crept up faster than you expected—don’t panic. Even if the “early bird” sign-ups are long gone, there are still ways to keep your kids engaged, active, and off their tablets.

(These options are purely to help you. We do not earn a commission from any of these recommendations and ask that you vet them to ensure they are the right places for you and your children.)

✅ 1. Check for Openings at Local Camps

Many camps have rolling admissions or last-minute cancellations. Try calling or checking the websites of these Eastside favorites:

Studio East (Kirkland) – Performing arts camps often have a few last-minute spots.
Arena Sports (Issaquah & Redmond) – Flexible weekly sign-ups for all-day active play.
Wilderness Awareness School (Duvall) – Check for last-minute spots in outdoor adventure camps.
YMCA Greater Seattle – Look for day camps and specialty weeks at Coal Creek, Sammamish, or Bellevue branches.
Snapology or Code Ninjas – STEM-focused half-day and full-day camps often have room late into the summer.

💡 Tip: Call even if the site says "waitlist." Openings happen all the time.

🔍 2. Use Aggregator Sites to Speed Up Your Search

Skip the dozens of tabs. These sites let you filter by location, age, and dates:

Campwing.com
Seattle’s Child Camp Directory
6crickets.com – A powerful, filterable camp search with real-time availability.

💬 3. Turn to Your Village: Parent Groups & Forums

Eastside Facebook groups and school PTSA pages are goldmines for mom-to-mom recommendations. Try:

"Eastside Moms" Facebook Group
"Seattle Area Summer Camps" Group
Buy Nothing or Local Nextdoor Groups

Post a quick message like:"Looking for any summer camps with openings in July for a 6-year-old near Redmond/Bellevue. Open to half or full day!"

You’ll be surprised how many other parents will jump in to help.

🛠️ 4. DIY Your Own Summer Program (It Can Be Awesome!)

Can’t find a camp that fits? Build your own mini-camp with a mix of:

Drop-in classes: Check with KidsQuest Museum, Redmond Art Works, and local libraries.
Theme weeks at home: Try a “Science Week,” “Nature Week,” or “Cooking Week” with planned activities.
Shared playdates or rotating “camp mom” days with a few trusted families.

📅 5. Think Week-by-Week, Not the Whole Summer

Even if you only book 1–2 weeks of camp now, that’s progress. Many moms plan summer one week at a time—especially in July and August when cancellations are common.

🧘‍♀️ 6. Be Kind to Yourself

You’re not late—you’re resourceful. Whether your kid ends up at a week of Minecraft coding camp or spends time exploring local parks and splash pads, they’ll be fine. You’re doing great.

Need more time in your day to juggle all this? Let Do No Chores help with the dishes, laundry, and light cleaning—so you can focus on getting through summer like a boss.