Malibu summer camps turn the coast into one big playground

By Barbara Burke · Sun Jul 26 2026

From surfing and ocean safety to pottery, nature exploration, and themed adventures, local camps are giving Malibu kids an unforgettable summer

Ah, to be a kid in Malibu!  Local children and teens have an ample selection of summer camps to enjoy.   

Let’s go surfing now — everybody’s learning how!

Sandy Days Beach camp for kids aged 4.5 to 14 years old, is running on Will Rogers Beach at Tower 10  through Aug. 21. Learning and living the camp’s catchy motto, “Sandy Days is a wave of life!” kids enjoy all that Sandy Days has to offer. The camp has helped kids learn about and enjoy the ocean for 17 years and was awarded the “Most Loved Winner in Kids Camp/After School Program” by the Santa Monica Daily Press in 2025.

“Our age-appropriate activities give campers the freedom to choose what they love, helping them build confidence as they explore, try new things, and discover how high they can fly!” the camp’s website informs. 

Team sports the kids can participate in include soccer on the sand and individual sports such as long-jumping into a sand pit, hula hooping, frisbee tossing, balance beams, yoga, stretching, and mindfulness walks. Of course, there are water sports, including boogie boarding, swimming, wading and wave play in the shallow water for younger children, morning paddle sessions, and some fun science activities. 

Safety courses at Sandy Camp include water safety basics such as how to read the ocean, rip-current awareness, tide-line exploration, hunting for kelp, shells, sand crabs, and ocean observation games that involve the children spotting dolphins, birds, and the nuances of the changing tides. 

“All ocean activities and all our other activities follow strict protocols, including lifeguard guidance,” said Sina Monjazeb, owner of Sandy Days. Registration remains open for camps during the next few weeks. 

Parents who are interested in having their kids participate can call (310) 569-1274 or visit sandydayskidscamp.com. Sandy Days offers transportation for students in air-conditioned buses operated by Brooks Transportation, a licensed school transportation provider.

Malibu Makos Kids Surf and Ocean Safety Camp

Those preferring a surf camp experience on the western end of Malibu, can consider Malibu Makos, which has offered ocean experiences since 1991. Founder Tom Corliss was a young lifeguard at a local beach club, spending his days watching the ocean. When times were slow, he began to teach kids how to surf, stay safe in the water, and respect the ocean. Out of those beginnings, Malibu Makos Surf Club was born. 

Today, the camp offers surfing experiences for kids aged 5 to 17, combining professional surf instruction, ocean safety education, and fun at Zuma Beach. Instruction is led by experienced coaches and certified lifeguards. Malibu Makos strives to maintain a 3:1 or better student-to-instructor ratio. Younger, less experienced, or nervous campers may receive additional support and lower ratios when needed. The camp offers flexible summer scheduling and transportation to Zuma Beach. Kids can enjoy fresh, made-to-order lunches from Malibu Brewing Company, or they can bring their own sack lunch. “Of course, every Friday is Pizza Day,” Corliss says, adding that children can purchase snacks and drinks from the program as well.

Campers learn that ocean safety comes first and they learn about wave judgment and wave selection, inshore hole awareness, and they take a “know before you go” approach to the ocean, he explained. Organized beach activities include beach soccer, flag football, volleyball, spike ball, and bocce ball. “Surf safe-fun since 1991” is the camp’s motto. Camp registration information is detailed on the company’s website, malibumakos.com. The camp runs through Aug. 14. 

Surf Canyon camp options

Malibu native Rivers Redclay, owner of Malibu Potteries, is offering a weekly summer camp for children aged 6 to 11 through the end of July. Kids need to bring their imaginations, Redclay said. “We are doing drawing, painting, pottery, sculpting, foraging and clay making,” she explained. “We’re foraging for all the native plants nearby — for instance, we harvested blueberries from the blueberry tree, fed the flowers yeast and made hand-curated sodas.” Yum — give me some! The campers are also making body butters as well. 

Of course, Redclay will teach the students in her popular clay art center, helping them to create handbuilt sculptural art. Older campers may also learn wheel throwing. For Redclay, summer provides wonderful opportunities for students to explore the nature around Surf Canyon and to connect with flora, fauna, and wildlife. In essence, within flower essences and other things from nature that they discover, the campers will learn the true essence of nature and, importantly, of how important they are within it. Parents interested in registering their children can visit malibupotteries.com or call or text (424) 493-1805.

Surf Canyon is also hosting Camp Wildcraft Art & Nature Camp this year. “The children begin their camp day by creating big art projects, and then we hike and explore nature, carrying along sketchbooks. At Camp Wildcraft, our aim is to grow creative, curious, confident and caring kids who feel at home in nature,” said Shari Davis, who, along with Benny Ferdman, founded and directs the camp. “We are small by design, a warm place where kids feel connected to one another, and to the nature surrounding us.”

Davis explained that at Camp Wildcraft’s new Malibu site at Surf Canyon, “campers create big unique art projects, paint and draw, sew a pouch to carry handmade nature journals, build forts, play games, and each week hike in the Malibu hills and explore Malibu Lagoon Beach.” Campers can also learn natural dyeing with Anne Marie Judd in her Life Studio art space. To do so, the campers can collect flowers to create textiles.

Importantly, the children attending Camp Wildcraft are given agency and can select their activities. “Every afternoon campers choose creative and fun activities:  fiber arts, clay work with Rivers Redclay, theater, flower-dyed bandanas, obstacle courses at nearby CrossFit Malibu, and more.”

Davis noted that the camp has one more weekly session from July 27-31 and space is still available. The camp is designed for children ages 5-14 and operates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with optional extended care until 4 p.m. To learn all the details and register, visit campwildcraft.com

Other area camps

The Chabad of Malibu’s Adventure Camp for children aged 6 to 13 runs through Aug. 13, most recently offering lettingkids experience tennis lessons. Campers can enjoy arts and crafts as well as outdoor activities and beach trips, according to Sarah Cunin, camp director. The summer camp is all about enjoying all that Malibu has to offer near the Malibu Pier, building confidence and savoring every summer moment. For more information, visit jewishmalibu.com, call (310) 317-9288, or stop by the preschool campus at 22933 Pacific Coast Highway. 

Our Lady of Malibu School Principal Elisa Zimmerman informs that the school is still accepting registrations for its summer camp, which runs through Aug. 14.  The students will enjoy a galactic adventure from July 27 to 31, and therethey will learn that “Space is the place!” and will enjoy “Out of this world fun.” Going Green is the theme from August 3 to 7. Attending during that week will ensure the children enjoy hands-on gardening fun. OLM camp attendees will finish out the experience by enjoying Storybook Wonderland! That last week, Zimmerman promises, will provide the children with enchanting fairy tales and fantasy fun. The OLM summer camp runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  To register, visit the Our Lady of Malibu website, email Ezimmerman@olmmalibuschool.org, or call (310) 456-8071. Our Lady of Malibu is located at 3625 Winter Canyon Road in Malibu. 

Ah to be a Malibu kid with so many summer experiences to enjoy! That’s the life!