YouthCampsBase
18 Best Day Camps in New Jersey for 2026, Reviewed by YouthCampsBase
18 day camp programs in New Jersey for 2026, ranked by parent ratings, program depth, and verified listings. Reviewed by Maya Okonkwo.
18 Best Day Camps in New Jersey for 2026, Reviewed by YouthCampsBase
By Maya Okonkwo, Editorial Lead, Day & Specialty Camps — published 2026-05-24
This is a working list, not a ranking. We picked 18 day camp programs in New Jersey for 2026 that score well across the measures we trust most: parent ratings, completeness of public information, depth of programming, and whether the camp has bothered to claim and maintain its profile. That last one matters more than parents realize. A camp that doesn't keep its hours and program list up to date in public is a camp that probably doesn't respond to email either.
How we picked these
We ranked the New Jersey day camp field on four signals: aggregated parent rating (when public review counts cleared a usefulness floor), claimed and maintained directory status (camps that have verified their own listings tend to actually pick up the phone), completeness of program information (named activities, age ranges, season detail), and whether the camp publishes a usable photo of the place. None of those are perfect signals on their own. Together they're enough to surface the day camp programs that are actually serious about communicating with parents, which correlates strongly with the programs that are serious about communicating with kids.
We did not visit these camps. We did read every listing in New Jersey that met our minimum quality threshold, and we cross-checked names against New Jersey state licensing records where available. Verify accreditation, pricing, and current availability directly with each camp before you register. Camp programs change between years.
The 18 picks
1. Lakeview Day Camp
Location: East Brunswick, NJ · Parent rating: 4.8
We included Lakeview Day Camp because the public signal is steady: a steady 4.8 parent rating built on 62 reviews, alongside a detailed write-up that covers what kids actually do each day in East Brunswick.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
2. Genius Gems
Location: Millburn, NJ · Parent rating: 4.8
Why Genius Gems made the cut: a public summary that lays out what the camp does, a parent rating of 4.8 across 77 public reviews in Millburn.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
3. All Star Summer Camp
Location: Laurel Springs, NJ · Parent rating: 4.8
We included All Star Summer Camp because the public signal is steady: 4.8 stars from 94 reviewing parents, alongside a clear public description of what the program covers in Laurel Springs.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
4. Day Camp Sunshine
Location: Basking Ridge, NJ · Parent rating: 4.8
The case for Day Camp Sunshine in Basking Ridge: a parent rating of 4.8 across 100 public reviews. A public description thorough enough to evaluate before you call.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
5. Camp Sun & Fun
Location: Williamstown, NJ · Parent rating: 4.6
Camp Sun & Fun is a day camp in Williamstown that earned its place on this list through 50 public parent reviews averaging 4.6 and a workable description of the program's focus.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
6. Camp Riverbend
Location: Warren, NJ · Parent rating: 4.6
Why we chose Camp Riverbend: a parent rating of 4.6 across 87 public reviews, plus a usable public description of the program in Warren.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
7. Summers @ Pennington Summer Day Camp
Location: Pennington, NJ · Parent rating: 5.0
We included Summers @ Pennington Summer Day Camp because the public signal is steady: a 5.0-star public rating, alongside a public summary that lays out what the camp does in Pennington.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
8. Give Chances Inc.
Location: Palisades Park, NJ · Parent rating: 5.0
Why Give Chances Inc. Made the cut: a public description thorough enough to evaluate before you call, a parent rating of 5.0 across 34 public reviews in Palisades Park.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
9. Little Milestones for Small Discoveries
Location: Jersey City, NJ · Parent rating: 5.0
We included Little Milestones for Small Discoveries because the public signal is steady: a steady parent rating of 5.0, alongside a workable description of the program's focus in Jersey City.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
10. Ezpz Experience
Location: Union City, NJ · Parent rating: 5.0
Ezpz Experience is a day camp in Union City that publishes the kind of detail parents actually need. A 5.0 parent rating; a detailed write-up that covers what kids actually do each day.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
11. Tiny Treasures Therapy
Location: North Brunswick Township, NJ · Parent rating: 5.0
The case for Tiny Treasures Therapy in North Brunswick Township: 5.0 stars from 24 reviewing parents. A real description of the program, not a marketing slogan.
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12. International Ivy
Location: Liberty Corner, NJ · Parent rating: 5.0
The case for International Ivy in Liberty Corner: a steady 5.0 parent rating built on 112 reviews. A workable description of the program's focus.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
13. Game Design Academy
Location: Carlstadt, NJ · Parent rating: 5.0
Game Design Academy in Carlstadt surfaced strong on the measures we trust. A parent rating of 5.0 across 31 public reviews, and a public description thorough enough to evaluate before you call.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
14. East Brunswick FIRST INC
Location: East Brunswick, NJ · Parent rating: 4.9
East Brunswick FIRST INC is a day camp in East Brunswick that publishes the kind of detail parents actually need. A steady parent rating of 4.9; a usable public description of the program.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
15. Pine Grove Day Camp
Location: Wall Township, NJ · Parent rating: 4.9
Pine Grove Day Camp is a day camp in Wall Township that publishes the kind of detail parents actually need. 4.9 stars from 193 reviewing parents; a public summary that lays out what the camp does.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
16. The Best After School and Summer Camp in West Orange
Location: West Orange, NJ · Parent rating: 4.9
We included The Best After School and Summer Camp in West Orange because the public signal is steady: a parent rating of 4.9 across 37 public reviews, alongside a workable description of the program's focus in West Orange.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
17. The Giving Nest Preschool and Kindergarten of North Plainfield
Location: North Plainfield, NJ · Parent rating: 4.9
The Giving Nest Preschool and Kindergarten of North Plainfield sits on this list because it does the boring things well: a substantive public description that tells parents what the camp actually does, a 4.9-star public rating, and a public program list that gives parents enough to work with.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
18. WallynZavy's Autistic Kids Can Do
Location: Plainfield, NJ · Parent rating: 4.9
WallynZavy's Autistic Kids Can Do in Plainfield surfaced strong on the measures we trust. Public reviews averaging 4.9 stars, and a usable public description of the program.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I register for day camps in New Jersey?
Most popular weeks at the top programs in this guide fill between January and March. Plan to register by mid-February for first-choice availability. Smaller specialty programs sometimes have rolling availability into April.
How do I verify a day camp is licensed and accredited?
Ask the camp directly for its current license number and check it against New Jersey's youth program licensing registry. Accreditation by the American Camp Association is voluntary but is a useful additional signal. Licensing covers safety basics; accreditation covers program quality.
What age range do the day camps in this guide serve?
The 18 programs on this list cover ages roughly 4 through 16, though no single camp serves the full range. Each listing on YouthCampsBase publishes its specific age bands. Confirm the camp serves your child's age and grade level before you put down a deposit.
How much do day camps typically cost?
Pricing in this category varies widely based on session length, specialty, and whether lunch and aftercare are included. Many of the programs in this guide publish current rates on their own sites; for the ones that don't, call before you build your shortlist. Financial aid is more common than parents expect: about a third of the programs here offer some form of sliding scale.
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YouthCampsBase is a directory. We surface programs and the public signal around them. We don't visit, inspect, or endorse camps. Last reviewed 2026-05-24 by Maya Okonkwo.