Summer Resources

Free downloadable at-home activity guides: STEM, healthy living, art, and more.

Helps locate inclusive community activities; information line/chat for autism community. Free.

Summer social and peer groups (1-3 hours), structured skill-building groups, and relaxed hangout spaces. Financial assistance available.

Summer camp opportunities. Cost associated.

Offers a career quiz, job details, education and training programs, all for free.

A YouTube channel dedicated to career exploration videos at no cost.

Videos exploring hundreds of different careers. Free for all.

Family activity/museum. 'Pay As You Will' admission.

From June through the end of September, the Lunches to Go ministry provides sack lunches to those in need on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City of Fife summer catalog/guide. Ask about costs and scholarships.

The City of Puyallup's Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program offers teens aged 13–15 an opportunity to develop leadership skills by assisting with summer day camps. Participants must commit to a minimum of four full weeks, with each week requiring a $30 fee, payable the Monday prior. CITs are scheduled for specific 8.5-hour shifts and are expected to lead campers in various activities such as games, songs, and crafts.

The Puyallup Public Library's 2026 Summer Reading Program, running from June 1 to August 31, invites participants of all ages to explore new ideas, books, and activities. This free program offers badges and prizes for reading and completing activities, with kids and teens receiving a free book upon finishing the challenge. Participants can track their progress using the Beanstack app or a paper tracker available at the library.

This channel offers yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation content designed for kids ages 3–10. With 1.83 million subscribers and over 1,400 videos, it features themed “Yoga Adventures” inspired by popular content like Encanto, Minions, My Little Pony, dinosaurs, and more.

Family activities calendar for the Puget Sound region. Free and paid opportunities.

Parks & Rec summer catalog, day camps, inclusive & adaptive activities. Cost associated.

Aquatic center/pool programs, lessons, rec swim. Cost associated.

Fred Oldfield's Western Heritage & Art Center in Puyallup offers week-long summer art camps for K-12 students in July and August. Morning sessions are from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and afternoon sessions from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., each priced at $120.

Free collection of virtual field trips. 

Google Arts & Culture is an initiative of the Google Cultural Institute that collaborates with over 2,000 museums, galleries, and archives to digitize and share global cultural heritage, including high-resolution artwork, 3D objects, virtual museum tours, and immersive experiences via augmented reality.

Summer recreation guide for Bonney Lake/Sumner area.

Free STEAM Nights for families. No pre-registration required.

Free in-store kids workshops. 9am, first Saturday of every month while supplies last.

Coding/STEM summer camp at UW Seattle. Cost associated.

Military and veteran discounts for summer activities/supplies.

Website for families of children with developmental disabilities. Features summer programs, activities, and recreation resources organized by age. Includes guides to community supports and services.

The Karshner Museum Digital Collection allows you to browse curated artifacts, including Native American objects, schoolhouse relics, and local cultural pieces, and search or explore cataloged images and records.

The Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department offers practical tips to help families and households stay safe and comfortable during summer heat. It covers easy-to-follow strategies for keeping your home cool, such as using window coverings, closing interior doors, and turning off unnecessary lights, along with advice on staying hydrated and physically safe during hot days.

Respite providers and resources for family caregivers.

Camp Community Explorers is a free, week-long summer day camp hosted by Mountain View Community Center (MVCC) for children entering kindergarten through 5th grade. The camp runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with two available sessions: July 21–25 and August 4–8. Registration opens on May 1, and families may enroll their child for a period of one week only.

MVCC is also seeking camp volunteers, including teen and college-aged camp counselors (ages 14 and above) who commit to a whole week and receive a $100 stipend, and activity coordinators (ages 16 and above) who can volunteer for a day or the entire week.

The Mountain View Community Center's Summer Youth Food Packs program offers free weekly "grab-and-go" food packs to children and teens up to age 18 throughout the summer. Distribution begins June 23 Tuesdays 11AM-12PM at Edgewood City Hall; Wednesdays 11AM-12PM at Faith Family Church in Milton; Thursdays 12:30-1:30PM at Fife Elementary Youth must be present to receive a pack.

MWR programs for service members, families, and eligible individuals. Ages vary by event.

Free NASA learning resources.

Northwest Theatre Lab in Puyallup, WA, offers engaging summer musical theatre camps for 2026, featuring both one-week and three-week sessions. These camps are available in both virtual and in-person formats, catering to various age groups and experience levels.

Free career exploration resource.

Helps families connect with summer activities and community resources for children with special needs. Offers caregiver support, referrals, trained Helping Parent matches, and community events (park walks, family outings).

Parks Tacoma Specialized Recreation highlights a variety of inclusive programs (July- August) designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Offerings include social events and family adventures, all designed to foster community engagement and personal growth. Financial assistance and ADA accommodations are available to ensure accessibility for all participants.

Parks Tacoma's Adaptive Recreation program offers inclusive recreational, social, and athletic opportunities for individuals, 6-11 and 12-17 years of age at Mary Lyon Elementary, with disabilities, including youth programs, adaptive sports, and family adventures. Financial assistance and ADA accommodations are available to ensure accessibility for all participants.

The Summer Meal Program provides free lunch to all youth age 18 and younger, June 22-Aug 28, 2026, Monday-Friday. Activities 10AM-12:30PM; lunch 12:30-1:30PM. No program July 3.

Parks Tacoma offers a wide variety of summer camps for youth, including day camps, STEM, nature, adventure, and sensory-friendly programs. Camps are available at locations like Norpoint, Titlow, and Wapato for children ages 6–12, with additional specialty camps for teens. The district also runs a Counselors in Training (CIT) program for youth ages 13–17, giving teens the opportunity to gain leadership skills and volunteer experience by supporting camp staff and working directly with younger campers.

Grades 9-12; free; every Friday in Tacoma. Open gym, sports, cooking, games.

Camps for individuals with disabilities or medical conditions. Costs vary.

The Pierce College Science Dome in Lakewood, WA, offers immersive planetarium shows every Friday and Saturday, featuring a 30-minute live night sky tour followed by a 30-minute full-dome video. Children's shows, designed for ages 3–10, are 45 minutes long and include interactive, hands-on activities. General admission is $8, while Pierce College students can attend for free with a student ID.

Pierce County Parks offers a diverse array of summer camps and clinics designed to foster youth development through engaging activities. Programs include Deep Roots Day STEAM Camps, ECO Explorers Adventure Camps, and various sports camps covering basketball, soccer, golf, flag football, multisport, and ultimate frisbee. Additionally, specialized camps such as Summer Cool Ice Skating Camp and Sprinker's Figure Skating Camps are available. 

Releases a summer newsletter featuring camps, activities, and programs throughout Pierce County. Also helps with DDCS and SSI paperwork and connecting families to community resources.

Borrow museum passes with library card. Free with availability.

Borrow State Parks pass/backpack through Pierce County Library. Free with availability.

Apply for a free Pierce County Library card.

Kids e-books, magazines, audiobooks, and youth resources. Free with library card.

Online homework help/tools for students. Free with library card.

Pierce County Library invites readers of all ages to embark on a literary adventure from June 1 to August 31. Participants can sign up for free through the Beanstack app or by visiting their local library to pick up a reading log. By tracking daily reading—whether through books, e-books, or audiobooks—readers can earn prizes as they reach milestones, while supplies last. The program also features a variety of events and activities designed to bring stories to life and engage the community in the joy of reading.

Pierce Summer LIFE (Leadership Instruction & Field Experience) invites young adventurers aged 13-17 from unincorporated Pierce County to discover a world of outdoor fun and learning! Hosted by Pierce County Parks, it’s all about building friendships, boosting leadership skills, and connecting with nature. Participants will enjoy hands-on experiences and meet local experts who will inspire their love for the outdoors. Program scholarships are available. 

Free summer gym pass for teens ages 14-19; June 1-August 31. In-gym and digital workouts.

Discounted admission ($6) or annual membership ($75) for WA residents on Quest EBT, WIC, foster/kinship care.

Resources for Puyallup School District military families. Eligibility and costs may vary.

Puyallup Parks & Recreation is offering a variety of 2026 summer day camps for kids ages 5–13, including theatre and improv, parkour, LEGO-based STEM camps, science exploration, and dance. Camps run from late June to mid-August, with sessions generally held in the morning or afternoon. Programs are designed to build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking in a fun and engaging environment.

Get/apply for a free Puyallup Public Library card online.

Library events calendar. Free to the public.

The Puyallup Youth Gardening Program is designed to provide educational gardening opportunities for youth, ages 3-11, as well as support to local schools and agencies.

Right At School is hosting a variety of summer camp experiences at six Puyallup School District school locations in July and August. Registration is now open for AM and PM half-day camp, full-day camp, and other activity-based learning opportunities.

Explore career possibilities for free.

Summer pool schedule. Swim lessons (registration required) and open swim for a fee.

Sahale Outdoors offers a variety of youth-focused outdoor adventures in Washington State during the summer months of June through August. These include multi-day backpacking trips, wilderness skills training, and nature-based educational programs designed to build confidence, leadership, and environmental awareness. Programs are tailored for different age groups and experience levels, providing immersive experiences in the Pacific Northwest’s natural landscapes.

The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park offer a diverse lineup of live animal webcams, featuring both iconic and unexpected species. From giant pandas, polar bears, and penguins at the Zoo to tigers, giraffes, and platypuses at the Safari Park, visitors can watch animals in real time.

Free live animal cameras/virtual aquarium.

Inclusive community-based therapeutic recreation for individuals with IDD. Scholarships available.

Free online activities/resources for kids and teens.

Snapology of Gig Harbor offers a dynamic lineup of STEAM-focused summer camps for 2025 across Pierce County, blending fun and education through hands-on activities using LEGO bricks, robotics, and technology. Camps cater to children aged 3.5 to 14.

Free at-home STEM activities and links.

Rainbow Parrot Art offers engaging summer art camps for 1st–6th graders, featuring creative projects like narwhal sculptures, Starry Night paintings, and pop-art donuts. Camps are held at St. Charles Borromeo School in Tacoma and are open to students from all schools, providing a fun, supportive environment for young artists to explore their creativity.

Mondays & Wednesdays: June 22-Aug 26; 12-1pm Pioneer Park / 1-2pm South Hill Mall. Free meals for children 18 and under.

Overnight camp ages 8-17; day camp ages 6-8. Scholarship application available.

Ages 13-19 access the arts for $5. Registration required.

Free tutoring for Army/military families, if eligible.

Free multilingual books with narration.

Free online tutoring for grades 6-12.

USDA works closely with states to ensure that children who receive free or reduced-price school meals can get the nutrition they need when schools are closed for summer break. Through USDA's summer meal programs, approved sites in communities across the country serve meals and snacks to kids 18 and younger at no cost.

Free/reduced State and Federal Park passes, tax exemptions, and benefits for veterans/service members.

Activities for youth based on age. Parent sign-up to view summer events.

Family summer events/activities. Varies by activity.

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a program that helps families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get a one-time $120 benefit per year for each eligible child to help buy groceries during the summer months.

Wolf Camp & School of Natural Science offers immersive outdoor education programs for youth aged 7-17 in the Seattle-Tacoma area, including Puyallup. The program emphasizes hands-on learning in wilderness survival, herbal medicine, wildlife tracking, and traditional crafts.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties offers a Counselor in Training (CIT) program for teens aged 13–17, providing hands-on leadership experience in youth development and mentorship. Participants can choose between two levels: CIT 1, requiring a minimum two-week commitment with mandatory pre-summer training, and CIT 2, which involves more leadership responsibilities, a four-week commitment, and an application process; prior CIT experience is necessary for CIT 2. The program runs from June 16 to September 5, with daily hours from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM (or until 12:30 PM for the Itty Bitty group), and registration is open until May 30.

YMCA membership and respite child care for eligible service members.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties offers engaging summer day camps at local YMCA community centers, designed for children aged 3–12 years old. These camps offer a range of activities, including water games, arts and crafts, and sports, promoting fun and friendship in a safe environment.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties' MyCommunity registration portal allows members to enroll in various programs, including youth classes, camps, and wellness activities.

Free for grades 6-12, every Friday. Gordon YMCA (Sumner) 5-9:30pm; Mel Korum (Puyallup) 9-11:30pm.