Summer Activities for Kids and Teens in Kitsap County

There are so many fun summer activities for kids and teens in Kitsap County.  If you’re looking for something for your kids to do this summer, this list will help you get started. Some organizations offer a variety of activities and camps, so make sure to check each website for more detailed information.

First Friday Art Walk at KiDiMu

First Friday of each month, 1:00 – 7:00 PM, Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu), Bainbridge Island
On the first Friday of each month, KiDiMu hosts a special craft-based activity for kids. Whether you come in the early afternoon or head over after dinner, little ones will have a great time using their artistic skills and showcasing their creativity. It’s a great way to get an early start to the weekend!
Cost: Pay what you will (a donation-based program)

Summer Learning

June 1 – August 31, 2023, Kitsap Regional Library (all locations and online)
The Kitsap Regional Library is hosting its community self-paced reading and learning program for school-aged children and teens during summer break. To participate, visit any Kitsap Regional Library location to pick up a reading tracker or download the reading tracker online. Just remember, the reading tracker won’t be available until Thursday, June 1st so that everyone has the same amount of time. Fun prizes will be awarded to those who meet their reading goals!
Cost: Free

Also, be sure to check out monthly events happening at different library locations across Kitsap County. There’s something for every age group, including storytime for babies and toddlers, and arts & crafts activities for kids and teens.

Canvas & Cupcake

Held once a month on a Sunday, dates and times vary, Kitsap Art Center, Silverdale
Enjoy an afternoon of family fun at the Kitsap Art Center! Adults and children (ages 5 and older) are invited to channel their inner Van Gogh (or Picasso or Monet – your choice!) by creating a step-by-step painting. No experience is necessary. Just be willing to get out of your comfort zone and be creative. Cupcakes are provided as a post-art treat.
Cost: $40 per person, including art supplies

Young Artist Summer Camps

Dates and times vary, Kitsap Art Center, Silverdale
Kitsap Art Center offers a variety of camps and summer classes for kids as young as four all the way up to teenagers. Typically, each class focuses on learning how to paint a particular animal or piece of art. Participating youth don’t need any prior experience – just sign up and have fun! All aspiring artists are welcome as long as they meet the minimum age requirements.
Cost: Costs vary depending on the class

Kitsap Live Steamers

April – October 2023, 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (weather permitting) South Kitsap Regional Park, Port Orchard
Choo, choo – all aboard! Calling all train enthusiasts for an outdoor ride. Kitsap Live Steamers operates 7.5″ gauge scale trains that are fun for all ages. The train includes an ADA-accessible riding car designed to accommodate a manual or motorized wheelchair. A train ride is great fun for the whole family!
Cost: Donation based

Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center

April – August 2023, dates and times vary, Bainbridge Island
Help your kids dive in and learn how to swim this summer at the Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center. Swim classes are offered for ages 6 months to 12 years old. This is a great way to start a lifelong skill or take swimming skills to the next level. But hurry, classes are already filling up!
Cost: $136 to $170, depending on the class

Student Conservation Corps

Summer 2023, Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District
Youth get to learn what it takes to become an environmental steward by helping pull weeds and controlling invasive plants in Bainbridge Island parks. Local educational speakers provide conservation education and career advice during lunch as well. This is a paid work opportunity for students 15 and older and a great way to learn more about conservation-related careers.
Cost: N/A: it’s a paid work opportunity

Olympic Outdoor Center’s Youth Summer Day Camps

June – July 2023, dates and times vary, Poulsbo Waterfront Park Pavilion
Summer day camps hosted by the Olympic Outdoor Center are for ages 7 to 13. They’re packed with activities, including kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and standup paddleboarding. While having tons of fun, campers also learn about safety, teamwork, adventure nutrition, and respect for the natural world.
Cost: $229 – $359

Pirate Festival

June 17, 2023, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Mike Wallace Park, Kingston
Ahoy! Kingston will be launching its first annual Pirate Festival this June. This event features more than 30 vendors and live music. Plus, there will be activities for kids, including face painting, pirate games, and a bouncy house. The festival promises to be a swashbuckling good time for the whole family.
Cost: Free

Ride the Tide

June 17, 2023, and it starts at Tracyton Boat Launch, Bremerton
Celebrate the Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails by joining Ride the Tide. This is perfect for teens and parents who are comfortable kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding. Participants may use their own gear or rent gear from the Olympic Outdoor Center. So, grab a paddle and join in on this guided ride with fellow water enthusiasts. Also, a shuttle service will be available.
Cost: $59, but cost increases with gear rentals

YMCA Day Camps and Youth Classes

June 19 – September 1, 2023, Haselwood YMCA, Silverdale
The Haselwood YMCA offers a variety of summer day camps and youth classes, including swim lessons, sports, and gymnastics. Kids get to have fun while building self-confidence and learning new skills. The Haselwood YMCA also offers open swim days to escape the heat, which is free for YMCA members.
Cost: Prices vary, and members receive discounts

Sailing Camp

July 10 – August 4, 2023, Kitsap Sailing Foundation, Waterfront Park, Silverdale
Kids and teens can set sail this summer with camps offered by the Kitsap Sailing Foundation! Each camp runs daily for one week, with youth morning sessions and teen camps in the afternoon. Sign up for one camp or all of them; no experience is necessary either way. Each week offers new experiences and STEM learning opportunities too.
Cost: $240 plus processing fees (need-based scholarships are available)

Summer Ranch Hands

July – August 2023, dates and times vary, The Whole Horse Place, Port Orchard
Saddle up and learn what it takes to be a great ranch hand. Students ages 7 and older get to learn every aspect of horsemanship, including trail riding, equine science labs, lessons, and chores. This is a wonderful way to become comfortable around horses.
Cost: $125 per day, $525 per week

Kitsap Forest Adventure Camp

July 2023, dates and times vary, Kitsap Forest Theater, Bremerton
Get kids to step away from their screens and get outside this summer with creative camps offered by Kitsap Forest Theater. Outdoor activities for kids ages kindergarten through 4th grade include art, singing, drama, hiking, and exploring the forest, wildlife, and creeks. Hurry though. The two-week-long camps offered are already filling up!
Cost: $395, $345 for members

Youth and Teen Classes

July – August 2023, dates and times vary, BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network)
The BARN on Bainbridge Island has it all! Classes for a variety of ages ranging from 8 to 18 cover every topic you can imagine, including robotics, crafts combined with activism, glass making, smartphone filmmaking, pasty baking, songwriting, printmaking, photography, and much more! So jump-start that creativity and sign up now.
Cost: Prices vary depending on the length and materials required

For more summer activities for kids, please see the Summer Camp list in our Guide to Kitsap County (pages 14-15). Some may already be sold out, but you can save those as potential options for next year. Most importantly, have a great summer!