Welcome to YouthCampus, Princeton University’s listing of community youth programming.
The University offers a variety of quality programs in the arts, sciences, literacy, and more for ages pre-K to high school. Be amazed by a faculty science lecture, explore the University’s green spaces, listen to a children’s concert, or come and relax in the gallery of our children’s library. There’s plenty for families to do at Princeton University.
Join our mailing list and receive e-alerts about upcoming programs. Simply e-mail [email protected] to add yourself to the list. Like us on Facebook!
Upcoming Youth Events
Saturday, March 1 at 9:30 AM
The Ronald E. Hatcher Science on Saturday Lecture series has been held for more than 40 years.
This annual series of lectures is given by scientists, engineers, and other professionals involved in cutting-edge research. Held on Saturday mornings throughout winter, the lectures…
Saturday, February 1 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, March 1 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, May 3 at 3:00 PM
Princeton University scientists present hands-on science activities for students in fifth through eighth grade.
Activities will vary each month and will…
Saturday, February 8 at 9:30 AM
The Ronald E. Hatcher Science on Saturday Lecture series has been held for more than 40 years.
This annual series of lectures is given by scientists, engineers, and other professionals involved in cutting-edge research. Held on Saturday mornings throughout winter, the…
Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 PM
On Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM, Princeton University Concerts (“PUC”) welcomes back The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for another family program — “Meet the Music: Inspector Pulse Takes His Pulse!”, curated for kids ages 6-12. Part of PUC’s All in the Family series,…
Saturday, February 1 at 11:00 AM
Saturday, March 29 at 11:00 AM
Saturday, April 19 at 11:00 AM
Princeton University scientists present hands-on science activities for students in fifth through eighth grade.
Activities will vary each month and…
Saturday, February 1 at 11:00 AM
Saturday, March 29 at 11:00 AM
Saturday, April 19 at 11:00 AM
Princeton University scientists present hands-on science activities for students in fifth through eighth grade.
Activities will vary each month and…
Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM
Experience F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel brought to life as a staged radio play from Raconteur Radio with period costumes, vintage commercials, Golden Age radio equipment and more.
Raconteur Radio stages theatrical…
Saturday, April 26 from 12:00 - 6:00 PM
Porchfest is a free, walkable music festival where neighbors offer up their front porches as DIY concert venues.Talented performers play 45-minute sets throughout the neighborhood during this day-long celebration of music, art, and our wonderful community. Stroll from…
Saturday, February 1 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, March 1 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, May 3 at 3:00 PM
Princeton University scientists present hands-on science activities for students in fifth through eighth grade.
Activities will vary each month and will…
Recurring Youth Events
Explore the subjects below to learn more about youth programming on campus. Please note: some programming may be paused or changed due to COVID-19 restrictions on campus.
Art
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Online activities designed to spark creativity, imagination and learning. Each one includes a high-resolution image of a work from the Museum’s collection, a close looking activity and a related art project.
Athletics
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The Princeton University Summer Day Camp is designed for children entering grades 1-8. Campers participate in sports, games, arts and crafts, camp activities and field trips.
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The Department of Athletics offers about 70 summer camps and clinics for athletes of various skill levels. Camps are directed by Princeton's varsity coaches with help from other coaches and players from colleges around the world.
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The Princeton Kids Club is a free-to-join opportunity that is great for children and families. It is available to children ages 12 and under.
Learn more about Princeton Kids Club
Internships
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In support of Princeton University’s education and research mission, the Office of the Dean for Research hosts exceptional high school students each summer to conduct research under the mentorship of Princeton faculty, staff, and students.
A select number of highly-motivated students from a large pool of outstanding applicants may be offered an opportunity to join a state-of-the-art research project. Faculty and research staff volunteer as mentors to provide high school students with this first-hand education in independent research in the fields of engineering and natural sciences. The number of opportunities varies each year and is typically in the range of 20 - 40 students total. For grades 9-12.
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Opportunities exist for motivated high school students in the central New Jersey area to perform independent laboratory work in plasma physics. A limited number of unpaid internships for credit may be available throughout the school year.
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Spring, Summer, and Fall
Grade 12Learn more about Princeton Physics Plasma Laboratory High School Internship Program
Literacy
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The Cotsen Children's Library is a unit within the Department of Special Collections at the Princeton University Library. The library serves as a resource for children, families, librarians, and educators. Visitors can explore Bookscape, a picturesque environment with whimsical spaces to read, including a two-story bonsai tree.
The staff host gallery programming for all ages. In addition to special events, Cotsen's programming includes the 350 for 50 writing contest, the BiblioFiles author interview webcast, and virtual escape rooms. Check out their creative literacy blog at popgoesthepage.princeton.edu.
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Founded in 1969, by Princeton University students who wanted to make a difference for underserved youth in the Princeton community, the Community House program works with families to support local youth, many of whom are part of underrepresented communities, through innovative programming that focuses on providing tools for academic success and enhancing social-emotional literacy. Community House’s core values of Bridging Communities, Demonstrating Integrity and Fostering Growth manifest in each of the program’s youth and family development projects, dynamic family focused events and holistic approach to youth development work.
Mathematics
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Founded in 1969, by Princeton University students who wanted to make a difference for underserved youth in the Princeton community, the Community House program works with families to support local youth, many of whom are part of underrepresented communities, through innovative programming that focuses on providing tools for academic success and enhancing social-emotional literacy. Community House’s core values of Bridging Communities, Demonstrating Integrity and Fostering Growth manifest in each of the program’s youth and family development projects, dynamic family focused events and holistic approach to youth development work.
Music
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Princeton University Concerts Meet the Music Family Concert series stages classical music performances for families with young kids. The next performance, CMS Kids, is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 and features The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
SAT Prep
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The SAT Prep program works with high school students to help them develop standardized test-taking skills. Volunteers teach math and English sessions twice a week and also provide one-on-one tutoring when needed in order to help students perform better on standardized tests.
Community House programs serve underrepresented youth.
Science
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Join Professor Howard Stone and guest Princeton University professors as they lead families on an exploration of science topics. Through live experiments and interactive demonstrations children investigate the world of science. For ages 7 and up.
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In support of Princeton University’s education and research mission, the University's Office of the Dean for Research hosts exceptional high school students each summer to conduct research under the mentorship of Princeton faculty, staff, and students.
A select number of highly-motivated students from a large pool of outstanding applicants will be offered an opportunity to join a state-of-the-art research project. Faculty and research staff volunteer as mentors to provide high school students with this first-hand education in independent research in the fields of engineering and natural sciences. The number of opportunities varies each year and is typically in the range of 20 - 40 students total. For grades 9-12.
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Learn. Explore. Play! In this family-oriented bilingual program, Princeton Center for Complex Materials invites the public to explore science with Princeton University researchers. With many table-top activities focusing on materials science and nanoscience, families interact with Spanish and English speaking scientists and engineers who study and manipulate materials on the nanoscale. Join us and discover what our scientists are doing with computers, polymers and even diamonds! Join Princeton University's scientists and engineers to learn more about the exciting new research currently going on in materials science. Visit the many table top activities and demonstrations, engage the scientists and engineers, ask plenty of questions (either in Spanish or English!), and have fun with your entire family. All ages.
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Each year the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab hosts the New Jersey Regional Science Bowl which decides which teams from the local area can continue onto the national competition in Washington, D.C.! The Science Bowl is a double elimination contest with question and answer rounds in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, mathematics and general and earth sciences. For middle and high school school-based teams.
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The department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University holds monthly informal open houses for the purpose of observing the night sky. Weather permitting, we can usually look at planets, nebulae, open clusters, globular clusters, and galaxies through a 12-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Students and postdoctoral fellows in the department are also quite happy to answer any astronomy-related questions you might have. All ages.
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Science fans of all ages can explore a rich variety of science and technology topics at the popular Science on Saturday lecture series hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Science on Saturday is held in the winter. Ages 14 and up.
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Materials are the basic substance that make up almost everything! Materials can be natural (like wood) or human-made (like plastic). Material scientists create and combine materials in new ways that make new technologies possible. Join a Princeton professor for a talk on the fascinating history and science behind material science. For ages 9 and up.
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Princeton Plasma Physics Lab's Young Women's Conference introduces middle-school and high-school aged girls (in 7th through 10th grades) to women scientists and engineers and the wide breadth of careers available to them in these fields. The conference is held in the spring. For grades 7-10.
Learn more about Young Women’s Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Sustainability
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The Office of Sustainability offers a virtual or self-guided tour highlighting highlighting campus features that range from an organic kitchen garden to a green roof. this tour to explore Each stop demonstrates the University’s progress toward reaching its sustainability goals.
Walking on Campus
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Princeton University’s campus is always open to families. Stroll through our gardens, view our outdoor sculpture collection, visit a Gothic courtyard, and say hello to the tigers guarding Nassau Hall. Pack a picnic for our green spaces. We’ll see you on campus!
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Princeton's gargoyles, the small grotesque animal or human figures carved in stone, can be found at dozens of locations on everything from downspouts to arches. This self-guided tour will lead you across campus in search of our stupendous stone guardians.
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Go on a tiger Safari! Visit the Princetoniana webpage to see a preview of the tigers hiding on campus. How many can you find?
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Discover the outdoor sculptures that adorn Princeton's beautiful campus, listen to audio recordings by curators, historians, and conservators, and read about the history of this one of the country’s most significant collections of twentieth- and twenty-first-century sculpture.