What do your children want to be when they grow up? Maybe a movie star, a scientist, a singer or Spiderman—the possibilities are as endless as their imaginations, and North Texas has got kid-approved activities to match. We asked kids from our 2018 Model Search what they want to be when they’re older and rounded up the best summer camps, museums and other local destinations to help them achieve their dreams. Read on to find summer suggestions for your own budding banker or aspiring artist.

ACTOR
“I want to be a movie star or play a Minion on TV.” —Rainn, 5

Sorry, no Minions, but your kid could play a pilot, veterinarian, farmer or anything else his imagination cooks up at PLAY STREET MUSEUM, an indoor play space for kids 8 and younger. Each Dallas-area outpost has a different theme, from “On the Go” in Allen to “Downtown” in Lake Highlands, with mini sets, props and costumes to match.
COST: $11.50 for ages 1–8; free for adults and infants
WHERE: Multiple locations; playstreetmuseum.com

Kids who are serious about show biz can get even closer to their silver screen dreams at KD STUDIO, which boasts alumni like Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Glee’s Kevin McHale. Film acting camps for ages 7–11 run throughout the summer, with one-week and two-week options available. Campers learn improv and acting exercises, audition techniques and kid-friendly monologues to prepare for casting calls, and parents learn how to help their child break into the industry. Kids can also choose from ongoing courses, like the four-week introductory acting class Kreative Kids I (ages 4–6) and the eight-week Childrens 1 (ages 7–11).
WHEN: June 4–Aug. 3
COST: $350–$595 per camp; classes from $125
WHERE: 2600 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 117, Dallas; 214/638-0484; kdstudio.com 

Future babes on Broadway can hone their musical theater skills at ENCORE KIDS. Each weeklong, half-day program is dedicated to producing and performing a show—from the musical mystery Once Upon a Crime to a Shakespearean-inspired hip hop musical to a production of We Are the Greatest Showmen— all geared toward campers in kindergarten through ninth grade.
WHEN: June 18–22, July 9–13, July 30–Aug. 3
COST: $125 per session
WHERE:3926 Old Denton Road, Carrollton; 214/900-8348; encorekidstx.com

KIDS WHO CARE hits all the right notes with their International Musical Theatre Camp. Youngsters in first through 12th grades from around the world are welcome at this three week, full-day camp. All campers will learn acting exercises and stage presence techniques to prepare for their roles in an original show. Daily cultural immersions about each country represented at the camp—think German dance classes and an Aussie-approved Vegemite tasting— will show young performers that indeed, all the world’s a stage.
WHEN: July 8–July 29
COST: $900
WHERE: 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth; 817/737-5437; kidswhocare.org

ARTIST 
“I want to be an artist because I’m a good artist here, right? That’s why I want to be an artist.” —Madeline, 5

All artists are welcome to join weeklong summer camps at J’S ART STUDIO, where mini Michelangelos ages 5–13 can learn the basics of painting, drawing and sculpting through fun themes, from PURR-fect Pets to Galaxy Far Far Away. Weeks are divided into differently themed morning and afternoon sessions, so your child can customize her artsy experience.
WHEN: June 4–Aug. 10
COST: $200 per week
WHERE: 17630 Davenport Road, Suite 102, Dallas; 972/931-1933; jsartstudio.com

On the weekends, take a break from Saturday morning cartoons at KID ART’s Saturday camps. Kiddos in pre-K to sixth grade can come back every other Saturday during the summer for art projects on different cultural themes, from the Impressionist movement in France to beautiful scenes of Hawaii. Kid Art also has weeklong summer camps during which budding artists learn to use a variety of media, from paint to clay.
WHEN: Weeklong camps run June 4–Aug. 24; Saturday sessions are every other Saturday from June 16–Aug. 18.
COST: $260 for weeklong camps; $65 for Saturday sessions (includes supplies)
WHERE: 3407 Milton Ave., Dallas; 214/750-7118; kidartdallas.com

Find your inner artist and cowgirl at the SID RICHARDSON MUSEUM. In addition to a very wild wild West art collection, the museum boasts free family activities. Watch a kid-friendly flick followed by a hands-on gallery activity on select Mondays in June. Or enjoy Sid’s Story Time for ages 3–8—again followed by an art activity—every Thursday at 11am.
COST: Free admission and activities
WHERE: 309 Main St., Fort Worth; 817/332-6554; sidrichardsonmuseum.org

BANKER 
“I want to be a banker during the week and a dance instructor on the weekend.” —Jake, 9

First, about that weekend gig: Shimmy on over to PARK CITIES STUDIOS. Their half-day camps for ages 2 and up cover the fancy footwork of ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary dance. Classes are organized by skill level in two-to-three-hour sessions. While most camps are coed, boys can groove in Boy Zone, a hip hop and tumbling camp.
WHEN: June 4–Aug. 17
COST: $75–$300 per week
WHERE: 7979 Inwood Road, Suite 201, Dallas; 214/357-8888; parkcitiesdance.com

MCKINNEY DANCE STUDIO kicks off its summer season of classes and camps on June 11. Kids of all ages can dance it out with 10 weeks of ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, modern or contemporary dance, or opt for weeklong, half-day camps like Shake It Up, which introduces beginning dancers age 7 and up to many different styles of dance in a high-energy environment.
WHEN: Starting June 11
COST: Tuition from $65 per month; camps $175 per week
WHERE: 7209 Virginia Parkway, Suite 120, McKinney; 214/592- 4866; mckinneydancestudio.com

Youngsters who want to get an early start on their finances can see where more than half the country’s money is printed at the BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING. Learn all about money and its history through interactive exhibits and even take a peek at the money-printing process. June 26–29 and July 24–27, the Bureau hosts its annual Employee Craftsmanship Demonstrations, where kiddos can make their own currency.
COST: Free
WHERE: 9000 Blue Mound Road Fort Worth; 817/231-4000; moneyfactory.gov

BASKETBALLER 
“I want to be a basketball star and play for the San Antonio Spurs.” —Armando, 5

Nowitzki wannabes with hometown pride (fine—and Spurs fans too) can chase their NBA dreams at DALLAS MAVERICKS HOOP CAMP. In each weeklong camp, campers ages 8–18 learn drills used by the pros and practice their passing, defense and shooting skills—they’ll even have the chance to show off their moves to a real Mavs player. At the end of each week, coaches hold an awards ceremony to celebrate the session’s MVPs. Email basketballacademy@dallasmavs.com for more information.
WHEN: June 4–Aug. 10
COST: $250 per week
WHERE: Multiple locations; 214/747-6287; mavs.com/hoopcamp

 

 

Information Courtesy of Alexis Manrodt & Lisa Salinas June 2018 in
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