Oh shoot, here we go again. It seems like school just started and here we are at Thanksgiving and winter break. What’s a working parent to do? This year Arlington Public Schools Extended Day program is piloting winter and spring break sessions at some elementary schools. Registration goes until Dec. 3. Additionally, arts organizations, parks departments and sports leagues are increasingly taking note of the need. Here are a few solutions that will keep the kids safe, having fun, exercising and learning—until you have to plan their summer. Check out these mini winter camps.
This story has been updated.
Arlington County Parks and Rec
Kids and teens love the idea of winter break, until an hour goes by and they’re bored. Arlington Parks and Rec has you covered with camps and trips Dec. 22, 23, 29 and 30, and Jan. 2 and 30. Coming up this holiday break, the county will bus teens and tweens ages 11-17 down to Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Williamsburg. Another day features a bowling excursion to Bowlero and the arcade or the trampoline park. Younger kids ages 5-11 can enjoy Break Blast Camp at Carver Community Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $55. Or try out basketball camp, music, cooking or soccer. There’s also SPARK Business Academy Engineers Camp or a magical clay lab camp. Locations, times and fees vary.
Code Ninjas
Kids can become a ninja of computer coding, master Minecraft, build Roblox worlds or even design their own games as they advance through the belt levels to achieve black belt coding status! Prep for Thanksgiving Day or get in some holiday shopping on Nov. 21, when Code Ninjas will offer a Minecraft Madness Parent’s Night Out. Need childcare the day before Thanksgiving? From 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 26 your child can explore their creativity using Tinkercad, coding and printing their own custom models in 3D Studios: Creators 1. Then on Dec. 19 join the Mario Kart 8 Holiday Party. Dec. 22-24 is Minecraft Modding Masters camp. 4694 King St., Alexandria
Dynamic Gymnastics
This gymnastics studio offers day camps for boys and girls ages 5 to 13 on many school closure days. Your child does not need to be enrolled at Dynamic to attend their camps. Tumblers can enjoy a fun introduction to gymnastics, or keep working on the skills they have with training, games and arts and crafts. It’s $130/day per student and runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dynamic has six days of camp over winter break. Bonus—check the calendar for Kids Night Out on some Saturday evenings year-round. 3441 Carlin Springs Road, Falls Church
EmPOWER Kids School’s Out Camps
Children ages 5 and older can burn off energy jumping on a trampoline, learning to do a cartwheel and acquiring new ninja skills, then cool down with a little mindfulness to end the day. Out of School Time (OST) Camps sell out fast here, so be sure to register in advance. Camps are $90 and run 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with an extended day option until 5:30 for an additional fee. Siblings get a discount. OST camps follow the Arlington Public Schools calendar, so you’ll find care here on most APS holidays and teacher workdays. This winter, sign up for Nov. 26, Dec. 22, 23, 28 and 29. 4700 King St., Alexandria
Encore Stage Holiday Mini Camps
When school is off, Encore is onstage. Kids up to grade 2 can learn about theater through games, crafts and storytelling. Students in grades 3-5 will create a play in just one day. Camp plays and themes are based on popular children’s movies and stories. On Nov. 26, the focus is on Wicked. On Dec. 22, it’s The Grinch and on Dec. 23, kids will perform Elf. Camps are for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. They are $95 per day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the option of paying extra for additional morning or evening hours. Cherrydale United Methodist Church, 3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington
ETC: Educational Theatre Company
Theatrical kiddos can participate in a day of the arts at ETC’s Drama Day, with professional teaching artists guiding campers through drama, movement, music and visual arts workshops. The company’s next program is Jan. 30, Magic: For Good and Evil. Drama Day is $90 for grades K-5 with scholarships available. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2920 Arlington Blvd., Arlington (Arlington Heights)
Fairfax County Parks & Rec
Need a little time to unwind or clean the house? The Fairfax County Park Authority has your back, too. Choose from a full roster of winter camps, from arts and sports to STEM and nature. This winter’s options include an ACTion! Broadway Camp, basketball and pickleball camp, and Gamer Adventures. The county has programming planned for Dec. 22, 23, 26, Dec. 29-31 and Jan. 2. Sign up at the Park Authority Camps website. Prices and locations vary.
Kaizen MMA Winter Camp
Keep the kids active on those short, dark days at this action-packed winter break camp that keeps littles moving—and takes them out on daily field trips. Their day begins with fun indoor games, creative challenges and team-building activities. Then it’s off to the bowling alley, trampoline park or magic show for the rest of the day. On Dec. 22, the main attraction is an indoor snowball fight. On Dec. 23, kids will do a winter wonderland STEM activity. Check the website for more fun Dec. 26, 29 and 30. Then come back Jan. 2 for indoor fort building and a movie. Doors open at 8 a.m. and pick up time is from 5 to 6 p.m. Beginner and advanced martial arts students are welcome. 2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church
The Little Gym
Littles can burn off steam on those cold winter days with indoor tumbling, balancing and exploring. The Little Gym is one of few places to offer day-off programming for tots who haven’t yet entered elementary school. Their Super Quest camp program is open to participants ages 3-12. Older thrill seekers ages 6-12 can take their gymnastics skills to the next level with the Grade School Skill Thrill. Upcoming school break camps run from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 26 and 28, Dec. 22, 23, 26, 29, and 30 and Jan. 2. Each session is $70. 2209 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington
Mulford Riding School
This is where young equestrians can get outside, enjoy fresh air and exercise up close with horses—even in winter. Camps are offered rain or shine during winter break, spring break and many Fairfax County school days off. Each day’s scheduled activities include riding lessons, grooming and horse care, games, archery and an adventure course. To get in the saddle, attendees must wear riding attire: a helmet (which you can rent), long pants, boots or sturdy closed toe shoes. Day-off camp is $250/day. 15105 Lee Highway, Centreville
Camp Sarraka
This local camp got its start more than 10 years ago when brothers Jake and Brody Karton, who loved playing outside in their Barcroft neighborhood, were asked to create a weeklong outdoor camp for their community. The brothers were 13 and 11 at the start, and still run it to this day. They’re offering camp through winter break, on MLK day Jan. 19, Jan. 30 and Feb. 16. for President’s Day. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $120 with optional extended care for an extra charge. 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington and 3313 Arlington Blvd., Arlington
Silver Knights Chess Academy
When school is closed, kids can spend the day putting their minds to the test at this chess camp (formerly Magnus Chess Academy) in various NoVA locations. Campers are divided into groups by skill level, and lessons range from the basics to master games and tactics. Students get breaks for fresh air throughout the day. Break camps are offered on most public school days off in both Arlington and Fairfax counties. Kids can sign up for single-day, multi-day or weeklong sessions. Silver Knights also offers camps on snow days and virtual options. Dates and locations vary. Check the schedule for details.
The T.E.A. Center
Dedicated to developing leadership skills, The Transformational Education Adventure Center invites kids ages 2 to 12 participate in structured learning and activities in small groups, as well as lots of fun activities and an afternoon tea. Winter Camp runs from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It costs $599 for the week or $124/day. Camps here follow the Fairfax County School calendar, with programs planned for Jan. 29 and 30, Feb. 17 and April 6 and 10. Campers will enjoy nature crafts, a petting zoo, Minecraft engineering and ice cream socials. 1491 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Tysons Art & Learning
Here, young artists can unleash their creativity and explore the art world, choosing from eight dates of winter break camp, which runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s $90 a day and siblings attend for a discounted $80 a day. There’s an option to add on extended care until 5:30 p.m. for an additional $20 a day. Campers explore a variety of artistic media, including acrylic painting, watercolor, colored pencils, charcoal and clay. While there are some craft projects, the main focus is on the fine art skills of drawing and painting. 8343 Greensboro Drive, McLean
Virginia Dance Conservatory
Aspiring dancers can enjoy half-day themed camps from 9 a.m. to noon when schools are closed at this dance outfit, a Best of Arlington winner for afterschool enrichment. The schedule includes a dance class, themed craft, snack time and choreography. Participants can join a hip hop dance party Jan. 19 and come back Jan. 30 for Broadway Star camp. American Girl Adventures is on Feb. 16. Holiday camp is $90 for ages 5-8. 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington