18 Virtual Summer Camps That Make Us Want to Be a Kid Again

Summer camp IRL is up in the air this year as some are opening up to smaller groups and others are just plain shutting down due to coronavirus, leaving many working parents in a panic. Not to worry! There are a bunch of cool online camps to fill up the school-free weeks of summer, many with actual camp counselors who will teach them everything from coding to cooking to opera and more! S'mores optional.;)

Photo: Smart Buddies Virtual Summer "Camp-In-A-Box"

Art Camps

Camp Supernow keeps it real with a virtual cabin where kids are paired up with a counselor for an hour-long camp of crafts on Zoom. Each two-week session runs $199; ages 5 to 11.

Camp DIY offers virtual classes in photography, drawing, music, Lego building, and even offline activities. Start with a 14-day free trial, then $15/25 per month; ages 5-18.

Happy Camper Live is like a traditional camp with arts and crafts, cooking and outdoor adventures, sports, even a virtual campfire and camp songs, all instructor-led. Free 7-day trial, then $5 and up/month; ages 5-18.

Varsity Tutors offers virtual courses with astronaut Leland Melvin, Olympian Aly Raisman and celebs like Julianne Hough and Mayim Bialik. Their free virtual summer camp hosts half-day, weeklong live classes like "Recycled Art", "Fractured Fairy Tales", and "Cooking 101" and more. Free; age 5-18.

Shutterstock

Chess Camp

Chess NYC offers hour-long, full and half day camps for kids all over the U.S. There are group lessons for beginners (Learning the Language of Chess, Pawn Football and Introducing the Rooks!) up to private lessons. $12 for full day; ages 4 and up.

Dog Training Camp

Woof Wag Dogs offers virtual summer camps for kids who want to learn how to train their pooch. Great if you're one of the many families who adopted during the shutdown! $100/session; ages 7-15.

Scout Camps

Girl Scouts at Home from the Girl Scouts of America offers virtual camp sessions on everything from wildlife education and astronomy to STEAM and culinary arts. Starting at $25/week; K-12.

Boy Scouts of America is hosting locally led virtual camps like Camp Kinda-Like-A in Connecticut and the Cub Scout Jurassic Adventure Day Camp in Atlanta where kids can earn merit badges along the way. Prices vary by location; K-12.

Shutterstock

STEAM Camps

Best Buy's Geek Squad Academy offers classes in coding, film production, photography, 3D Design and more but while they're off during COVID they're offering online challenges in binary numbers systems, Godot game engines, mobile photography, and website creation. Free; ages 9-18

Camp Wonderopolis offers free self-directed STEAM camps that answer questions like "Where is the fastest roller coaster?" or "How does a hot air balloon fly?" Free; ages 7 and up.

Connected Camps offers camps through Outschool on coding, game design (Minecraft anyone?) and engineering. Each week-long camp includes 90 minutes with an instructor. Girls-only programs available too. $100; ages 8 to 13.

MarcoPolo World School's summer camp offers weekly video lessons, quizzes, and hands-on STEAM activities. June is Nature Explorer month, July is World Travelers month and August is Problem Solver month. Free 7-day trial, then $10/month; ages 3-7.

Play-Well Teknologies offers weeklong classes that help kids get creative with Legos and STEM concepts. Play-Well instructors guide them through 45 minute lessons via Zoom from Monday to Friday. $36 per class; ages 5-12.

Smart Buddies Virtual Summer "Camp-In-A-Box" is a two-week online camp with daily Zoom classes with counselors and fellow campers where kids learn how to code with their Smart Buddies robots. $180/ages 7-11.

The Help Group's Kids Like Me offers instructor-led STEM camps for kids with autism, ADHD, and other learning and attention issues. Each weekly camps runs two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon via Zoom, Monday to Friday. Starts at $90; age 6 and up.

Shutterstock

Tennis Camp

The United States Tennis Association offers live workouts, where kids can learn the difference between a double volley and a body volley as well as videos and activities like storytime with Billie Jean King, math and drawing challenges, and more through its Net Generation site. They also offer free lessons on Facebook Live every Friday at 1 p.m. ET. Free; all ages.

Opera Camp

Met Opera Global Summer Camp is an eight-week online camp where kids get the chance to explore the Met's digital library of operas, plus they can get creative with projects at home, connect with music educators, and even get a chance to meet Met artists. Free; ages 8-18.

Zoo Camp

San Diego Zoo Global, as part of SDZG's #WereHereTogether campaign, offers DIY activities to do at home and 13 live cams of animals to watch online, plus video content, quizzes and games. Free; all ages.

Whether you’re the cool aunt or uncle who has no idea what The Youths like to get as gifts these days, or a parent who knows exactly what your kids want (the endless hints are not so much hints anymore!), tracking down gifts for kids can still be a big challenge. Let our guide to the best gifts for kids inspire your shopping sprees for whoever you’re gifting this year – we’ve got something for all ages.

Amazon

Littlest Pet Shop Playset

Turns out the Littlest Pet Shop is still a total must-have! This playset comes with two adorable pets and over 20 accessories that your kiddo can move around to customize their own little world.

Target

Target Toy Checklane

This interactive Target checkout counter will be very familiar to your little one if they're part of a Target family! It has options to browse store shelves, ring up play items, and pay with pretend money for the whole experience.

Amazon

Wild Republic Amazon Exclusive 2024 Holiday Bear

How cute is this sweater-bearing bear? We honestly want one for ourselves. This darling plushie makes the perfect bedtime snuggle buddy for the holiday season!

Target

Syncfun Play Kitchen Toys

If the kid you're shopping for isn't quite ready to cook and bake, they'll certainly learn the ways of the kitchen with this playset. It includes a coffee maker, toaster, and a blender, along with 2 knives, 2 spoons, 2 forks, 4 foods, 2 cups, 2 teacups, 2 plates, 2 saucers, and 2 "toasts" so their imagination can run wild.

Amazon

Ninja Blast Brain & Memory Game Cube

For kiddos in the 6 to 12 year-old range, this light-up, noise-making game cube comes equipped with tons of one- and two-player games to keep them occupied, sans TV or phone screen.

Amazon

Harper The Pig Weighted Comfort Plush

This cuddly stuffed animal helps "lower stress and boost calm" with a weight of 4.5 pounds to help anyone feel grounded and relaxed, even adults! Its soft fabric and cute, welcoming face will certainly satisfy any anxiousness. You can choose from Harper The Pig, Frankie The Cat, Charlie The Puppy, and more characters!

Amazon

Lego Despicable Me 4 Minions & Gru's Family Mansion

The Despicable Me franchise has a hold on us all, and for the kiddos who can't get enough of The Minions or Legos, this build-it-yourself building block set will definitely have them excited and enriched with the challenge of constructing Gru's famous mansion.

Amazon

Bestamtoy 36-Piece Wooden Sorting Stacking Rocks & Stones

Building blocks have come a long way from the basic triangular prisms and rectangles of our youth. This creative set emulates rocks and stones for a unique play experience since your kiddo can stack 'em in endless ways!

Amazon

Fisher-Price Learn & Serve Coffee Cafe Playset

If you know the kid you're shopping for watches mom and dad prep their coffee every morning, let them in on the fun (non-caffeinated, of course) with this play-espresso machine! They'll be whipping up their very own lattes and cappuccinos in no time, and the 'rents will undoubtedly have a great time watching them get to 'work'.

Anthropologie

Mon Ami Christmas Joyful Tree Kids Plush Toy

This cheerful tree plush rings in the Christmas season in the most adorable way possible. It's "soft, snuggly, and full of personality" to become your little pal's perfect companion!

Target

Syncfun Marble Run Set

With a whopping 196 pieces to play with and customize, this set is full of surprises and endless ways to race marbles. It's the gift that keeps on giving, since your kiddo can change the track day after day.

Target

Tonies Peppa Pig Toniebox Starter Set

This squishable speaker pairs up with Peppa Pig to play 9 different audible stories, songs, and more interactive sounds for your little one to listen to. It offers a great, screen-free way to keep them enriched and entertained throughout the day!

Anthropologie

Mon Ami Monsieur Croissant

This adorable animated croissant plush will inspire joy (and comfort) for any kiddo.

Bombas

Bombas Toddler Minions Gripper Calf Sock 4-Pack Gift Box

If they're totally crazy for the Minions franchise, they can now rock their favorite characters every single day. This sock gift box includes four different playful designs, plus you could even snag them in adult sizes to match!

Amazon

Areaware Cubebot

This puzzle-y friend can contort into dozens of different poses for your little one to play around with. If they're not too big on the puzzle part, this colorful guy still makes a pretty epic action figure!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more gift ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

No matter how much you love reading, classic books can feel incredibly intimidating. The language can be hard to understand and the story can be hard to follow. Sometimes I've had to reread the same page multiple times to figure out what's going on. But with prestige TV and more grounded storytelling, book-to-movie adaptations like Wuthering Heights and Anne With an E are giving us new looks at stories that have been around for hundreds of years. And now we can add East of Eden to the list!

Adapted from John Steinbeck's 1952 novel, the story serves as a recreation of the Biblical story of Cain and Abel, marked by family relationships and generational betrayal. Netflix is bringing us a limited series, and the best part is that it'll be led by We Live in Time actress Florence Pugh. Whether East of Eden is one of your favorite books, or you've never picked it up, this is one TV show you're going to want to tune into.

Here's everything we know about Florence Pugh's East of Eden, coming to Netflix soon.

'East of Eden' on Netflix brings the "shocking" story to a new generation.

Amazon

East of Eden follows "the multi-generational Trask family saga explored from the perspective of the standout female character Cathy Ames," according to TUDUM. The story ranges from the Civil War to World War I and mainly revolves around brothers Adam and Charles, and Adam's sons Caleb and Aaron.

This Great American Novel deals with everything from guilt and freedom to love and acceptance, with the consistent desire for greatness that a lot of Americans feel at one point in their life or another.

Universal Pictures

The seven-part TV show will be written by Zoe Kazan (She Said), whose grandfather Elia Kazan wrote the script for the original 1955 movie adaptation. “In the process of bringing this family saga to life, the resonance of my own familial connection to the material has not been lost on me,” Kazan told TUDUM. “But it is Steinbeck’s writing — personal, shocking, profound, and free — that has kept me enthralled by East of Eden since I first read the book as a young teen.”

“Zoe’s thoughtful and artistic vision pays homage to her grandfather's revered film adaptation while beautifully honoring and introducing new audiences to a true canon of American literature,” Peter Friedlander, Netflix's Vice President of Scripted Series said. “She is an inspiring, creative force and we can not wait for everyone to see what she and Jeb, alongside the brilliant cast led by Florence Pugh, bring to screen.”

The 'East of Eden' cast features your favorite actors.

Marleen Moise/Victor Boyko/Robert Okine/Getty Images

The East of Eden cast has some of the best contemporary actors around, including:

  • Florence Pugh (Dune 2, Thunderbolts*) leads the cast as Cathy Ames
  • Christopher Abbott stars as Adam Trask
  • Mike Faist plays Charles Trask
  • Hoon Lee stars as Lee
  • Tracy Letts plays Cyrus Trask
  • Martha Plimpton plays Faye
  • Ciarán Hinds stars as Samuel Hamilton
  • Joseph Zada stars as Cal Trask
  • Joe Anders plays Aron Trask

When can I watch East of Eden?

John-Mark Smith/Pexels

East of Eden is coming to Netflix soon, and the New Zealand Herald reports the show's aiming for an "early 2026 release." Check back here for more news on the official release date!

Where is East of Eden being filmed?

Aneta Hartmannová/Pexels

Florence Pugh and the rest of the East of Eden cast have been filming around New Zealand, including Harbourside, Scottish Hall, and Ōamaru Squash and Badminton Club (via New Zealand Herald) even though the story is set in California. The first set leaks appeared on the internet in January 2025, and show off everything from Florence's incredible costumes to plenty of horses.

Stay tuned for the latest East of Eden news, and if you're still thinking about Flo's stint in We Live in Time, check out why The We Live in Time Ending Is Actually More Hopeful Than Heartbreaking.

This post has been updated.

It's almost summertime which means parents are going to be thinking about how many kid-friendly summer vacation ideas we can fit in before a new school year starts. I know I'm not the only parent feverishly planning toddler activities to keep my son entertained, so I'm thinking long-term — and thinking of something fun we can all do together.

Last year we took a family trip to the Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, GA and my son still talks about it. He also walked around the entire park without losing an ounce of energy which means I've got my work cut out for me. In the same boat as I am and need ideas that won't require you to travel out of the country? Keep scrolling for fun, family-friendly summer vacation ideas!

Kid-Friendly Summer Vacations

Image via Brett Sayles/Pexels

Gonzales Jambalaya Festival (May 24-26) in Gonzales, LA

Take a trip to Gonzales, LA in time for the city's annual Gonzales Jambalaya Festival! According to official site for the festival, Gonzales has the best Jambalaya you'll find in the bayou. Each day will feature live music from popular acts that truly capture Louisiana's sound and will make your bones feel good as you enjoy food that makes your taste buds swirl.

There's also a cooking contest, pageant, car show, plenty of vendors, and a carnival for the whole family to enjoy!

Image via Caroline Cagnin/Pexels

Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, FL

I'm a Florida native so any theme park or resort is always at the top of my list, but I'm partial to visiting Universal Orlando Resort during the summer. Although it's at the top of my own kid-friendly summer vacation ideas list, there's tons of stuff adults can have fun doing. The resort usually have packages that allow you to bundle a few days together so you visit a different park each day — something my mom and stepdad definitely took advantage of.

From there you and your kids get to let loose. There's rides dedicated to Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and Dr. Suess, and you dine at the famous Hard Rock Café! Everyone will need a nap once you're done exploring which isn't a bad idea.

Image via Los Muertos Crew/Pexels

Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, CA

If you've memorized all the different versions of "Baby Shark," you may be entitled to a kid-friendly trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium. While the trip itself won't be free, you'll love watching your kid's face light up when they get to see real sea animals. You can enjoy visiting the following habitats with them:

  • Beaches & dunes
  • Coastal waters
  • Coastal wetlands
  • Coral reefs
  • Deep sea
  • Kelp forest
  • Open waters
  • Reefs and pilings
  • Sandy seafloor
  • The rocky shore

Image via Momentos Reales/Pexels

Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa in Pigeon Forge, TN

Take a dream to Pigeon Forge, TN to book a fun stay at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa! The theme park alone is situated on 160 acres of land which should tell you how much fun you and your family will have. Still need convincing? No worries!

If you have smaller kiddos, rides like Busy Bees and Black Bear Trail are available for them to enjoy. But if they need to burn off excess energy, they can run and jump as much as they want inside of Hidden Hollow. It's a secret play area that's based on the forest so your kids will feel like they're little explorers.

If you want to sneak off for a little me time, you can find goodies at The Southern Pantry or Mountain Laurel Home!

Image via Arthur Krijgsman/Pexels

Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, TX

Everything's bigger in Texas, including the kid-friendly summer vacation ideas. That's the main reason why Morgan's Wonderland is on my list. The 4D Cinema alone is enticing, but there's also tons of other rides and attractions to see! There's everything from the classic carousel to Pirate Island (sorry Squidward — there's not any robots here), plus a Sensory Village that encourages creative play!

And if your kid's birthday is this summer, you can throw a birthday party for them at Morgan's Wonderland.

Image via Yan Krukau/Pexels

Keystone Resort in Summit County, CO

All I can picture is the episode of Bob's Burger when the Belchers spend a night at a national park so that Tina can make up for a Thunder Girls event she missed, but the tubing that'll be done at Keystone Resort will be supervised. It'll officially open June 20 for a summer of fun that your family will love remembering.

There's Lakeside Village activities to enjoy, snow tubing, hiking, tennis, yoga, and more! You can also choose from 16 dining options.

I don't know about you, but I love having options.

Image via Valdemaras D./Pexels

Atlantic White Shark Conservatory in Cape Cod, MA

Still have "Baby Shark" on the brain? Travel to Cape Cod, MA to visit the Atlantic White Shark Conservatory. Beginning May 16, Shark Center Chatham and Shark Center Provincetown will be open for the 2024 season. You can book an expedition that lets you see everything from great white sharks to various seabirds. It's an all day tour so make sure you and your family are prepared for that if you choose this option!

Image via Olya Harytovich/Pexels

The Lodge at Blue Sky in Park City, UT

If you prefer to deal with nature in a different way, The Lodge at Blue Sky in Park City, UT may be just the place you need to visit this summer. Besides hiking, you can introduce your kiddos to the Little Vaqueros Camp. Here's a daily breakdown of what each day offers:

  • Monday — Wilderness Explorers
  • Tuesday — Cowboys & Cowgirls
  • Wednesday — Mountain Creativity
  • Thursday — Culinary Exploration
  • Friday — Discovering Gracie's (rehabilitation center for animals)
  • Saturday — Little Miners
  • Sunday — Love of the Land
If one of your kids is a teenager, they'll be able to participate in activities like axe throwing, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Image via Sergey Makashin/Pexels

Explore Activities in Hilton Head, SC

Instead of focusing on one singular thing, I decided Hilton Head, SC deserves it's own spotlight. There's so much to do and it's probably one of the best kid-friendly summer vacation spots to create new memories in. You can visit The Sandbox Interactive Children's Museum, Station 300 Bowling Lanes, or Commander Zodiac Kids Camp. At the latter, you and your kids can go on a private boat tour that allows you to see wildlife like dolphins.

Image via Ivan Torres/Pexels

Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls, NY

Have your kids been expecting to see a big miracle and can't stop talking about what they think it could be? Sounds like it's time to plan a trip to Niagara Falls State Park! There's literally so much to do that you'll even be talking about this trip during Thanksgiving. Here's some of the attractions that are available to visit:

  • Cave of the Winds
  • Aquarium
  • Maid of the Mist
  • Fireworks Show
  • Observation Tower

There's also hiking trails you and your kids can take advantage of!

Which kid-friendly summer vacation ideas sound like they're perfect for you and your kids to enjoy in the coming months?

For more travel inspo, be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter!

Lead image viaYulianto Poitier/Pexels

Who doesn’t love finding a great deal – especially when everything is under $15? Amazon is serving up the best bargains of the week, from beauty essentials to home goods and fashion finds. All shoppable at unbeatable prices, these 12 Amazon finds won’t break the bank if you’re searching for something stylish, practical, or just downright fun.

Scroll on for our top 12 best Amazon deals of the week!

Amazon

Stanley Quencher H2.0 14-Ounce Tumbler

Stanely cups for just $15?! Count us in!

Amazon

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid

This $14 liquid exfoliant is beloved for its ability to deliver smoother, more even skin with consistent use. It's more gentle (and more effective!) than physically exfoliating your skin, which can oftentimes do more harm than good.

Amazon

Bliss Block Star SPF 30 Invisible Daily Tinted Sunscreen

SPF is the star of your skincare routine, and this $11 (was $25) makes applying it every day super easy with a sheer, evening tint and silky-smooth feel.

Amazon

Newcosplay Super Soft Throw Blanket

Cozying up just became so much better with this $13 (was $20) pick. The ribbed texture definitely gives it a luxe vibe, but for less. Love!

Amazon

2-Pack 10-Ounce Overnight Oats Containers

Meal preppers, unite! These 10-ounce containers are perfect for overnight oats, yogurt bowls, or just sectioning out snacks to eat on throughout the workday. Snag the sleek yet durable duo for just $15!

Amazon

Hair Wax Stick

This convenient wax stick keeps your flyways at bay for the most seamless slicked-back buns or ponytails. Shoppers love this $5 (was $7) pick because its sleeking effects last all day long!

Amazon

DreamSky Wooden Digital Alarm Clock

Step up your bedside table decor with this gorgeous $15 (was $17) alarm clock – it fits right in with any home decor style!

Amazon

The Gym People High Waist Workout Shorts

These high-waisted $15 (was $23) biker shorts can stretch across tons of different occasions, from workouts to grocery store runs or just lazing around at home! You'll fall in love with them because they feature some convenient side pockets that can easily fit your phone or other small essentials you want to keep close.

Amazon

Bedsure Satin Pillowcase

This skin- and hair-friendly satin pillowcase is going for just $8 (was $13) to protect you from breakouts and broken locks. Shoppers adore how smooth it is to the touch, adding a very bougie feel to your bedtime routine for not much money.

Amazon

Sojos Classic Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

Spring's out, so that means the sun's out! You might as well protect your peepers in style with these $13 (was $20) sunnies that come in endless different colorways to match each and every outfit. We love this green pair for a playful pop of color!

Amazon

e.l.f. Squeeze Me Lip Balm

This $4 – yes, $4! – lip balm keeps your lips lookin' and feelin' super moisturized when they need it most. It also provides a sheer tint of color, so you could easily rock a layer of it with or without makeup. Such an affordable makeup bag upgrade!

Amazon

Grace & Stella Pimple Patches

Our favorite skincare hack is slapping a pimple patch on any pesky breakout that emerges. These patches at least make the experience super cute, plus you can get 36 of 'em for just $5!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more amazing Amazon finds!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Zoë Kravitz may have moved on already after her split from Channing Tatum, but she's not the only one! According to rumors, Channing has his own new love interest — and she's apparently a model. While we want him to be happy, we're heartbroken to see one of our fave heartthrobs off the market yet again! So here's what we know about Channing, how we got here, and his alleged new gorgeous girlfriend.

Scroll to find out everything you need to know about Channing Tatum's alleged new girlfriend!

I believe that practically everyone has had their own personal "Channing Tatum awakening" at one point or another. For me, that came in 2006 when he starred as Tyler Gage, alongside Jenna Dewan as Nora Clark, in Step Up. What's hotter than a troubled, handsome, and surprisingly talented hip-hop dancer falling in love with a ballerina? I rest my case.

That's why it was thrilling to find out the pair began dating in real life and tied the knot on July 11, 2009. But then, after having a daughter together, Channing and Jenna announced they were getting separated in 2018, and plenty of fans were devastated.

Their divorce was reportedly only finalized in September 2024. Regardless, that hasn't stopped 44-year-old Channing from getting back out on the market.

First, on October 30, 2023, the news broke that he'd gotten engaged to Zoë Kravitz, an American actress and filmmaker most well-known for her portrayal of Catwoman in The Batman and directing Blink Twice, which also starred Channing as Slater King.

www.instagram.com

Yet, one year later, in October 2024, Channing and Zoë called off their engagement and split up after spending three years together. Since then, the actor has seemingly begun seeing a younger model, 25-year-old Inka Williams.

Channing and Inka attended a pre-Oscars party hosted by the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) at The Living Room in Los Angeles on February 28. They've also been seen together around town. One source confirmed the pair were "seeing" each other when speaking to People after reportedly meeting through mutual friends.

www.instagram.com

"She's great. She has her own life. She's young but seems older," the source said of Inka.

"Channing's doing well. [Inka] makes him happy. He's reuniting with Zoë later this spring for another movie project. It shouldn't be too awkward; they ended things on okay terms."

Inka, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, and raised in Bali, Indonesia, is signed to IMG, a top global modeling agency. She previously said that her childhood in Bali shaped her into a "very compassionate person," and she later moved to London to grow her career.

www.instagram.com

In addition to modeling, the 25-year-old also launched her own fashion brand, known as She Is I, in 2019. Her mother often made her clothing when she was a young girl, and she viewed the business venture as a way to continue her mom's "legacy in design and bring back to life her amazing relations from the '90s."

"I always knew one day I would try my best to create those timeless pieces from her wardrobe! I still wear the pieces she made and wore through the '80s, '90s, and 2000s," Inka wrote on her brand's website.

Channing and Inka both have yet to comment on public speculation about their supposed relationship. Nonetheless, she did post a story from the beach on her Instagram @inkawilliams, with the words "I love you" written on top of the sand.

Want more celebrity news? Be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.