Top Sports Camps in the NYC Area (Parents Actually Love)

NYC summer can feel like a choose-your-own-adventure, until you’re trying to find a sports camp that’s actually a good fit for your kid (and your commute). Below are standout NYC-area sports camps that parents consistently gravitate toward for a few solid reasons: strong coaching, kid-friendly structure, variety, and facilities that make it easier for kids to stay engaged week after week.

What makes a “top” sports camp in NYC

In a city where options are endless, the best sports camps tend to share a few traits: clear skill grouping, high activity time (minimal standing around), solid facilities, and happy-kid pickup energy.

1. Court16 Tennis Camp (Brooklyn, FiDi, LIC + more)

If you want tennis that’s built for kids (not “mini adults”), Court16 is a standout.

Why families like it:

• Beginner-friendly + skill-based instruction - Their summer camp welcomes beginners and focuses on stroke production, footwork, rallying, and point play.
• Kid-sized format - Programming emphasizes youth-appropriate courts/balls, and camp runs with limited capacity.
• Parents praise coaches + environment - Reviews repeatedly highlight “amazing staff,” “great coaches,” and a clean, well-lit facility that’s fun while still teaching real technique.

Best for: kids who like skill progression and want a sport they can keep long-term.

2. Chelsea Piers Summer Camps (Manhattan + Brooklyn)

Chelsea Piers is the “one-stop shop” option for kids who want variety and parents who want reliability.

Why families like it:

• Huge activity mix in one place - Camp includes daily recreation and access to multiple sports/activities (think court and field sports plus extras like rock climbing, ice skating, bowling, etc.).
• Convenience factor - Their camps emphasize full-day options and easy weekly enrollment.
• Positive parent sentiment on organization - Parent reviews call out organized, friendly staff and kids coming out smiling and sweaty (the universal sign of a good sports day). 

Best for: energetic kids who like to rotate activities (and parents who want an “all-in-one” campus).

3. Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp (UES + Battery Park City)

Asphalt Green is often a top contender for families who want strong athletics and strong infrastructure.

Why families like it:

• Facilities are a real differentiator - Time Out notes “top-tier facilities” and a staff that knows how to keep kids engaged. 
• Parents report repeat summers + happy kids - NYC parent chatter includes families saying they’ve done it for years and their kids love it.
• Staff/facility friendliness comes up in reviews - Review highlights include comments about friendly staff/coaches and an inviting sports facility vibe.

Best for: kids who want sports + swim/facility-based variety, and parents who value polished operations.

4. Kids in the Game (Multiple NYC locations)

Kids in the Game is a strong multi-sport option with a “sports people run it” feel.

Why families like it:

• Parents praise staff + kid experience - Testimonials highlight kids having a lot of fun, bonding with staff, and enjoying weekly field trips. 
• Safety and communication matter to families - Parent quotes specifically call out being impressed with safety measures and overall experience.
• Positive camp-specific feedback - Review highlights mention “phenomenal experience” with coaches and strong organization.

Best for: kids who want to try multiple sports (or you’re not ready to specialize yet).

5. Gotham Gymnastics Summer Sessions (Brooklyn)

For kids who want to flip, swing, climb, and build body confidence, Gotham is a go-to.

Why families like it:

• It’s purpose-built for gymnastics camp - Gotham summer sessions are a dedicated gymnastics environment for ages 3–14 (not a “one-hour class stretched into a day”).
• Equipment + camp structure are a selling point - Summer sessions highlight rotations (vault/bars/beam/floor), trampolines, foam pit elements, obstacle-style play, and weekly themes/showcase moments to keep kids engaged.
• Parents like the vibe - Reviews commonly mention friendly staff and an organized, professional environment.

Best for: kids who love movement challenges and thrive in skill-building stations.

6. Dribbl Basketball (Multiple NYC sites)

If you want basketball fundamentals with a positive tone, Dribbl has a long-standing NYC presence.

Why families like it:

• Coach energy + kindness gets repeated - Parents praise enthusiastic, kind, knowledgeable coaches.
• Parents mention strong ratios + engagement -  Reviews call out cool coaches, parent-kid warmup time, and surprisingly high coach-to-kid support.
• Skill development focus - Time Out describes Dribbl camp as PE-style with emphasis on footwork and ball handling fundamentals.

Best for: kids who want reps and fundamentals in a supportive environment (especially beginners to intermediate).

Quick tips to pick the right camp (without overthinking it)

• Match camp structure to your kid: If they get bored easily, choose a multi-sport campus (Chelsea Piers/Asphalt Green). If they love mastery, choose a single-sport track (Court 16/Dribbl/Gotham).
• Ask the 3 big questions: How are groups formed (age vs skill)? What’s the daily schedule (how much “waiting around”)? What does a “tough day” look like, and how do counselors handle it?

Do a one-week test run: In NYC, the smartest move is often one week first—then rebook if pickup is full of smiles. A few of the options offer drop-ins or trials, as well!