Programs for Kids
We've got a variety of STEAM education programs to engage our youngest makers, ages 5-18. Keep them challenged during school breaks or sign them up for single-day or weekly sessions where they can learn something new!
Scholarships Available!
Maker Nexus is partnering with Santa Clara County to provide scholarships for our summer camps to eligible families.
Weekly Sessions
Groups that meet weekly on the same day of the week for 3-4 hours. Drop-in single day options are often available.
Seasonal Camps
Week-long day camps for aspiring makers, timed to coincide with school breaks in the Silicon Valley area.
School Programs
We also work with schools to build programs specifically for their student bodies. Email youtheducation@makernexus.org to find out more.
Our Youth Programs Include:
Click to expand any of the below program titles for a brief description and a link to the registration page on ActivityHero.
Advanced Youth Metalworking & Welding (ages 13-17)
Take your metal fabrication skills to the next level in this advanced project-based camp. Learn more and register here!
Advanced Youth Woodworking (ages 11-17)
This next-step in the world of industrial design through woodworking will enable youth to continue their woodworking interests towards developing modern woodworking skills safely in our community woodshop. Learn more and register here!
Arduino Mouse Bot (ages 12-17)
Build your MouseBot; program your MouseBot; control your MouseBot; then take your MouseBot home to meet the family - that’s what the Arduino MouseBot camp is all about. Learn more and register here!
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Aspiring Maker Camp (ages 9-14)
In this camp students will learn tools and software essential to any aspiring maker, whether your child is looking to level up their maker game or start from the ground up this is the class for them. Learn more and register here!
Beginning Youth Metalworking & Welding (ages 13-17)
A full Metalshop experience in both cold metal fabrication and welding. Learn more and register here!
Beginning Youth Woodworking (ages 10-17)
This introduction to the world of industrial design through woodworking will enable youth new to woodworking to develop modern woodworking skills safely in our community woodshop under the instruction of experienced woodworking instructors. Learn more and register here!
Build-A-Clock - Soldering & Electronics: from Beginner to Intermediate (ages 12-17)
This 2-day make-and-take camp focuses on developing fundamental soldering and electronics skills as students build a functioning digital clock. Learn more and register here!
Costumes and Cosplay Construction (ages 8-14)
Jump in to the exciting world of character design and learn to build your own costumes! Learn more and register here!
Digital Painting & Graphic Design (ages 10-14)
Learn all about digital raster art, painting techniques, and vector graphic design in the Procreate and Vectornator iPad applications. Learn more and register here!
Dungeon Makers' Guild - Junior (ages 10-14) & Senior (ages 13-17)
Join us on a journey into the world of Tabletop Roleplaying Games! You will create as much as you play. Design a character and join an adventuring party with your fellow campaigners, while making your own miniatures, cast resin dice, and other gear. Learn more and register here!
Lathe Wood Turning Youth Series (ages 13-17)
Acquire basic turning skills, and make some cool take-home projects.
Learn more and register here!
LEGO Engineering (ages 6-10)
Our LEGO® Engineering Adventures Level 1 and Level 2 series is more than just building with LEGOS®, it's engineering creations that make learning about science fun! Learn more and register here!
Make Your Escape! (ages 11-17)
Design puzzles, props, and clues to lead your players through a custom Escape Room! Learn more and register here!
MakerSPACE! (ages 6-10)
Our youngest makers will explore and build their way through space in this hands-on camp! We combine space exploration and aeronautics concepts with projects that promote their growth as Makers. Learn more and register here!
Microsmithing Miniature Swords (ages 12-17)
Microsmithing = blacksmithing on a miniature scale. Smaller hammer, smaller forge, smaller projects. MicroSmithing allows participants to learn about working with metal using heat, hammers, and imagination. Learn more and register here!
Soldering: Build-A-Clock Project (ages 12-17)
This one-day make-and-take camp focuses on developing soldering and electronic skills as students build a functioning digital clock. Students will learn proper soldering techniques, how to use soldering equipment, how to place components on PC boards. Learn more and register here!
STEAM Rocketry - Design, Build, & Launch (ages 11-17)
Come design, build, and launch your own Rocket! Learn more and register here!
Youth Glassworking - Hot & Cold Process (ages 9-17)
During this camp, students will learn the concepts and skills needed to work with glass as a medium by engaging in a number of glass crafts. This program at Maker Nexus teaches students the basics of working with stained glass, a gorgeous historical medium, as well how to fuse and slump glass in a kiln, and melt glass using a gas torch to create beads and marbles. Learn more and register here!
Upcoming Sessions
For monthly calendar view, subscribe to the Youth Programs & Camps Google Calendar.