Get ready for lift-off into STEM-powered fun! At Space Center Houston’s Explorer Camps, kids engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math challenges that bring space exploration to life. From programming robots and designing space habitats to launching rockets and solving real-world engineering problems, each day sparks creativity and critical thinking.
Perfect for curious minds in Pre-K through 11 years old, our camps inspire future astronauts, engineers, and innovators. Campers build teamwork skills, gain confidence, and learn from expert educators at the official visitor center of NASA, Johnson Space Center.
Check-in | 8:30-9 a.m.
Checkout | 3-3:30 p.m. (ages 4-7); 3:30-4 p.m. (ages 8-11)
Browse our Explorer Camp Parent’s Guide filled with information such as with program contacts, hours, meal options, pickup procedures and more.
September 19, 2025
Cost | $79.95
Drop Off | 5 p.m.
Pick Up | 10 p.m.
October 10, 2025
Cost | $79.95
Drop Off | 5 p.m.
Pick Up | 10 p.m.
November 7, 2025
Cost | $79.95
Drop Off | 5 p.m.
Pick Up | 10 p.m.
September 19, 2025
Cost | $79.95
Drop Off | 5 p.m.
Pick Up | 10 p.m.
October 10, 2025
Cost | $79.95
Drop Off | 5 p.m.
Pick Up | 10 p.m.
November 7, 2025
Cost | $79.95
Drop Off | 5 p.m.
Pick Up | 10 p.m.
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
Campers will learn all about engineering with LEGOS and robotics through hands-on STEM activities. Whether they are exploring how gravity affects moving objects, programing a robot, or creating solar system art, your camper will be inspired to learn about the world around them and beyond.
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
Campers learn about rockets and the force needed to launch a rocket at NASA that allows them to send astronauts into space. This one-day Explorer Camp experience will model a shock absorbing system that will safeguard the astronaut when they land on Mars and learn about different layers and materials within the soils of the Earth and the Moon.
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
Campers will gain confidence as they practice how to successfully code and program various robotics, including LEGO robotic platforms in fun and engaging ways. This one-day explorer camp will leave your camper feeling accomplished, inspired, and ready to solve the problems of future space travels.
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
Throughout the day, campers design like engineers and act as scientists to prepare for a mission to the Moon. Understanding the Earth/Moon system by modeling the scale sizes and distances between the Earth and Moon, design and build a landing system to protect two astronauts when they land on the Lunar surface from the Gateway.
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
$74.95 | 1-Day Camp
November 24-26
The future explorers of Mars launch into deep space and learning about space early is the key to inspiring future generations of space explorers. This includes engineering, space exploration, robotics, rocketry, and space suit design for missions into deep space.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Study Earth from above, by designing a space suit and train like an astronaut in dexterity challenges.
Day 2 – Create rockets to zoom to the moon! Perform experiments and propel rockets into the sky.
Day 3 – Enjoy a tram ride to Rocket Park & Building 9 to view the historic Saturn V and where past, present, and future NASA astronauts train. Then, assemble and program robots through obstacle courses.
December 22, 23 & 26
Cost | $179.95
Explore Mars’ surface and its climate through engineering challenges and science experiments. Campers discover Mars’ position in our Solar System and expand their knowledge of astronaut training, new technology, circuits, robotics, and rocketry for future exploration.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Absorb what the red planet has to offer and experience the cold and windy environment of Mars. Discover how far the Earth is from the Sun Make a mission patch for upcoming missions and explorer Mars through 3D NASA images.
Day 2 – 3.2.1. LIFT OFF! Build and launch your rocket, learn the basics of rocketry, and discover how far Mars is from the Sun and the Earth.
Day 3 – Suit up for a trip to the rocky fourth planet by designing a suit astronauts wear while traveling to Mars. Make a Martian rock, dig on the surface of Mars.
December 29-30 & January 2
Cost | $179.95
Our young robot engineers learn how to design, build, and program robots in this 3-day adventure. Get creative with problem-solving techniques and coding skills by using robots and technology to overcome space-related challenges.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Learn how robots are programed and create an algorithm your robot will follow to complete a mission.
Day 2 – Apply sequences of commands to complete a robotics obstacle course and understanding patterns with robotic devices
Day 3 – Patterns are found everywhere, even in robotics. Explore programing your own robots with patterned sequences of code.
November 24-26
Cost | $179.95
Discover what it takes to launch a rocket to send people, supplies, and spacecraft beyond Earth’s atmosphere. During this adventure, campers will understand how to design and build rockets to reach their space travel destinations.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Explore what engineers do to solve challenges seen in the real world. Construct catapults, and bridges and float a boat that measure up to the needs of current and future missions.
Day 2 – Explorers simulate and excavate the frozen Martian surface, design Civil Engineering projects and let their creations take flight through challenges.
Day 3 – Enjoy a tram ride to Rocket Park & Building 9, then let’s rocket into space! Explore rocket design, stomp rockets, rocket splatter and air canister rockets to understand past and present history of rocketry.
December 22, 23, & 26
Cost | $179.95
Mars is a rich destination for human exploration and discovery. Campers learn the basics of rocketry, discover coding, explore hands-on science activities and technology.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Train like an astronaut and design a mission patch. You will know what it takes to go to outer space through engineering, robotics, understanding how circuits work, and astronaut training.
Day 2 – Journey through the solar system to Mars to learn where it is located. Design rockets and learn about energy and find what it’s like to live on Mars
Day 3 – How do we get rovers like Spirit and Curiosity on the surface of Mars? Create a rover and a landing system to safely place a lander you design on Mars.
December 29-30 & January 2
Cost | $179.95
Campers discover what it takes to solve problems related to space exploration. Taking “out of the box” and to new and exciting places, this 3-day camp gets your little builders using like never before. These engineers -in -training take on innovative problem-solving,, art projects, and robotics.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Learn about measurements and how accuracy is needed to design anything for space exploration. Then, create a catapult using the engineering process.
Day 2 – Solve real-world problems. Design a city like civil engineers and race to build a car powered by wind.
Day 3 – Construct a rover, like the ones sent to Mars. Explore the act of block coding through simulations.
November 24-26
Cost | $179.95
Immerse your junior scientist in STEM learning experiences as they seek solutions to space exploration challenges. Campers engage in engineering design challenges, use various robotic platforms, and learn the basics of rocketry.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – From satellites to robotic arms, discover what your engineer can create for space exploration.
Day 2 – Be launched into the shoes of a rocket engineer. Construct and test modern rocket technology.
Day 3 – Enjoy a tram ride to Rocket Park & Building 9 to view the historic Saturn V and where astronauts train. Then, investigate the Falcon 9, perform cryogenic testing, build and test a Heat Shield, and complete a robotics coding challenge.
December 22, 23, & 26
Cost | $179.95
Space inspires campers to head into the labs to discover what it takes to solve problems related to space exploration for this 3-day Martian challenge. Your junior engineer will be inspired to collaborate and find solutions to the complications of deep space exploration.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Make the journey and experience what NASA astronauts need to survive and explore on Mars. Learn how Astronauts train for the different parts of the solar system, live in microgravity and create a greenhouse for their Habitat on Mars.
Day 2 – Journey through the solar system to Mars to learn where it is located. Design rockets and learn about energy and find what it’s like to live on Mars
Day 3 – What will it be like to live on Mars? Construct necessities like a water filtration system, and greenhouse and build a habitat for daily Martian living and create rovers and a landing system.
December 29-30 & January 2
Cost | $179.95
This Robotics camp is designed for young robotics enthusiasts. Using a variety robotic platforms and LEGOS, campers engage in immersive robotic challenges tied to space exploration. Through project-based robotic challenges, campers excelled in science, technology, engineering, and coding.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Travel through low Earth orbit. Participate in ISS docking challenges, simulations, and spacewalks.
Day 2 – Drive and program robots to land and cross the Martian surface. Discover block coding to learn the basics of robotic movement.
Day 3 – Design a control panel to manipulate a simulation you create. Operate and evaluate the efficiency of multiple engineering builds.
November 24-26
Cost | $179.95
Beyond Earth’s atmosphere, there are light years of unknowns. Be the explorer who finds solutions to the challenges of deep space settlements. Participants engage in engineering design challenges, use robotic platforms, and delve into activities such as the ISS truss and heat shield design and rocketry.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Collaborate and design your team mission patch and STEM challeges. Build multiple rockets just like real rocket engineers. Assemble rockets and through simulations see challenges faced in the engineering process.
Day 2 – Can you protect your crew in extreme temperatures experienced on missions beyond? Explorers will find out what a rocket needs to keep the crew, cargo, and experiments safe on journeys in and out of Earth’s atmosphere.
Day 3 – Enjoy a tram ride to Rocket Park & Building 9, then return to camp for Engineer challenges and compete in real-world challenges faced by NASA engineers. Work as a team to discover the protection needed from extreme heat environment in space. Design, construct and build a transport to move materials via robotic device.
December 22, 23 & 26
Cost | $179.95
Space inspires campers to head into the labs to discover what it takes to solve problems related to space exploration for this 3-day Martian challenge. Your junior engineer will be inspired to collaborate and find solutions to the complications of deep space exploration.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Traverse Mars, its place in the solar system, its terrain and atmosphere. Then, create rockets and parachutes that we will put to the test
Day 2 – Design a habitat for astronauts using circuits and elements key to survival on the Martian surface.
Day 3 – Program rovers and aid in Curiosity’s mission as it makes its way across the red planet. Explore the mysteries of Mars with robotics.
December 29-30 & January 2
Cost | $179.95
Campers develop an understanding of space exploration challenges and beyond. Through hands-on engineering challenges, the use of robotics and creative design, all campers learn what it takes to go beyond Earth.
Coming Soon
Day 1 – Assemble a crew and work together to achieve success on a mission just like astronauts, scientists, engineers, and mission control do. Then construct and launch a rocket.
Day 2 – Going into the vacuum of space comes with dangers. Test and develop materials capable of protecting your crew.
Day 3 – NASA’s technological advances impacted our everyday lives on Earth. Using the engineering process your engineers-in-training create inventions that might make everyday life here on Earth better or easier and build rovers that will play homage to the rovers created by JPL engineers.
HOURS TODAY
Have them apply to Rise! Rise is a program that offers students access to scholarships, mentorship, networking and career development opportunities, fostering their ability to address pressing global challenges.
Rise Initiative is a partner of the Conrad Challenge at Space Center Houston.
The All-American Rejects are throwing Space Center Houston’s Moon 2 Mars Festival into hyperdrive. Amp up your Space City Spring Break with us!
Access to this all-ages festival is included in general admission.
Space Center Houston will close at 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 29. Understand how this will impact your visit.
WEATHER ALERT
For the safety of our guests and staff, Space Center Houston is closed on Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22 due to forecasted inclement weather.
We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you soon! For questions or concerns, contact our Reservations team with your order number at 281.283.4755 or via email.
