It’s getting colder and holidays are approaching…which means more school breaks will be here before we know it! If you’re wondering what to do with kids stuck at home without school to keep them busy, we hear you. There’s no denying it – this winter is going to be tough. Fortunately, as usual, our local camps and enrichment programs are stepping up to fill in for schools and keep our kids engaged during school breaks. And of course these local businesses need our support now more than ever, so please consider enrolling in a day or two (or even a week) of camp to keep them going AND keep your kids busy and happy when schools are closed. Check out our round-up of local camps happening during upcoming winter school breaks.
The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center presents its Mid-Winter Dance Camps, Monday through Friday, February 21-25, 2022. This week-long, multi-disciplinary camp is for all levels with and without disabilities and provides a full days of activities from dance with live music to visual art. Students will explore a variety of dance styles and techniques, including ballet, modern, hip-hop, jazz, African, and more. Campers will also learn about Mark Morris’s choreography, with a focus on L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, and use concepts to create their own dances. Camps are organized by age: Ages 6-8, from 9:00 AM-2:45 PM daily; Ages 7-9, from 9:15 AM-3:00 PM daily; and Ages 9-12, from 9:30 AM-3:00 PM daily. Extended days are also available through 5:45 PM. Camp tuition is based on The School’s Tiered Pricing, and begins at $400 for the week, plus registration fee ($10). Sample daily schedules and online registration are available at mmdg.org.
SKATEYOGI
IN PERSON – The skateboarding school is offering 2-day or 3-day camps during upcoming school breaks to reduce variation between groups. School Break camps are designed for kids (ages 7-13) of all levels to try out skateboarding and develop new skills. After kids are placed in small groups based on levels, they spend most of the day skating in Prospect Park or a nearby playground (weather permitting) and skating and learning in the SKATEYOGI indoor facility equipped with H13 HEPA air filtration. Skate park etiquette and other topics are introduced throughout the camp.
Child’s Play NY
Treasure Trunk Theatre
Treasure Trunk is thrilled to have their doors back open and ready for winter holiday camp fun! Kiddos will be welcomed in by our fully vaccinated (and masked) teachers for a day of imagination, creativity, teamwork and more. Each day, campers will open the magical treasure trunk to reveal surprises that spark their activities for the morning. They will learn choreography, act out beloved stories, create unique crafts and play theatrical games to encourage connection, expression and FUN! All camps are for ages 3-6.
Brooklyn Robot Foundry
IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL – Build better days off from school with Brooklyn Robot Foundry! Whether in-person or online, each Foundry Funday features a different cool robot project, plus games, crafts and other fun to keep kids engaged and socializing!
During winter break, the Foundry Fundays will take place online. These 3-hour mini sessions make an awesome addition to any staycation, or vacation, for kids 6-10yrs. Parents will love the free time and that all of the supplies are sent in advance!
In January and February, Foundry Fundays will take place in-person at the Robot Foundry’s new location in Gowanus. These fun-filled days each have a theme and often sell out, so it’s best to book early. There will be robot-making, games, crafts, outdoor play (weather permitting), and so much more.
Dates: Winter Break (12/27-12/29), MLK Jr. Day (1/17), Lunar New Year (2/1), Presidents Day (2/21) Ages: 6-10 | Location: Online & 98 4th Street, Brooklyn Cost: $95-165
Trail Blazers The nature-oriented Brooklyn day camp gets kids away from screens to engage in outdoor play and learning over Christmas Break, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Lunar New Year, and February Mid-Winter Break. Kids (grades PreK-5) bundle up and spend time outside connecting with nature and going on outdoor adventures where they learn about the environment and play with friends.
Textile Arts Center (TAC): We offer full day mini-sessions of classes for kids aged 5-11 when they are on break from school – even one day camps! In these classes, students explore subjects such as weaving, sewing, embroidery, printing, felting, and dyeing. Each day is dedicated to a textile process with time for outdoor play. Dates: 1/17. 2/1,2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/24, 2/25
Brooklyn Game Lab – They are offering three types of programs for the December break! One features modern board game play indoors + outdoor games. The 2nd is completely outdoors — emphasizing active and social gaming, and runs in the afternoon. The 3rd is totally online — and features great Dungeons & Dragons play!
Creatively Wild Art Studio – Full and half day Holiday Camps for ages 4 yrs- 8 yrs. They cover a huge variety of artistic media including Drawing, Painting, Anime, Mixed Media, Found Object Art, Collage, Graffiti, 3D Work & more. Full day camps include outdoor activities and lunch weather permitting. Multiple dates in December. Pricing is per day.
NORY- They have not yet posted their winter camp registration details, but they will have one in multiple locations in Brooklyn. Check their website for updated details.
THESE CAMPS WERE CHOSEN BY OUR EDITORS AND INCLUDED AT NO COST, BUT SOME CAMPS HAVE CHOSEN TO SPONSOR THEIR LISTINGS AFTER SELECTION.
Please note that A Child Grows does not certify or inspect these camps (we don’t have the ability or resources to do that) so parents must use their own best judgement. NYC licenses some camps but it doesn’t apply to all camps and we can’t check that or know all the details.
*Photo by Michal Janek