Your child already uses AI every day — here’s how to help them understand and build it. These are our handpicked AI summer camps for Chicago, IL kids and teens in 2026, most of them live-online and beginner-friendly. Programs marked ★ Featured are our top picks to start with; click any program for details and enrollment.
AI Agent Builder Lab ★ Featured
Middle/High School · $499 · Online
Go from AI user to AI builder in one weekend. A live, online intro where students with no coding experience learn how large language models work and build…
AI Explorers Lab ★ Featured
Middle School · $699 · Online
A live online AI program for middle schoolers in grades 6-8. Across 8 hands-on sessions, students learn how AI works, write smart prompts, train their own…
AI FinTech Lab
High School · $799 · Online
Hands-on lab where students deploy AI agents in financial markets, build a trading bot, and learn why most trading bots fail.
AI Medicine Lab
High School · $799 · Online
Hands-on lab where students train real medical AI models and research crews while learning where medical AI fails — and how to use it responsibly.
AI Research Fellowship
High School · $2,500 · Online
Advanced 1:1 PhD-mentored fellowship where students with AI/Python foundations conduct original AI research and produce a submission-ready paper, with…
Club SciKidz West Chicago - AI Summer Camp
Middle/High School · $450/wk
Students learn to code and build their own AI models from scratch, focusing on natural language processing, data analysis, visualization, and face/voice…
Digital Scholars Program (Chicago)
High School · Free
High school students strengthen computing skills, build college and career-readiness, and gain exposure to AI and machine learning through dedicated…
iD Tech - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Middle/High School · $1,199/wk
Kids and teens engage in hands-on AI and machine learning projects, learning to use AI responsibly and developing technical skills within a university…
RoboThink Northwest Chicago - AI ThinkLab
Middle School · $400–$480/wk
Students dive into coding and hands-on robotics using exclusive software and engineering kits, building interactive games and smart robots that respond to…
Startup Launch Lab
Middle/High School · $999 · Online
A live, online 6-week lab where students in grades 8–12 use AI tools, market research, product design, and a simple startup financial model to build an…
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools – Summer Lab - AI Gaming and Machine Learning
Elementary · $570–$1,370/session
Students explore machine learning and artificial intelligence fundamentals using Scratch to build interactive games, covering augmented reality, simulated…
AI Scholars Program
High School · Pricing varies · Online
An intensive AI/ML bootcamp designed for high school students to learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, coding, and real-world applications…
See all 18 AI & Machine Learning programs →
Prefer coding or a broader search? See our Chicago coding camps and complete STEM guide. Need help? Talk to an advisor.