Oh shoot, here we go again. It seems like summer break just ended and it’s already time to plan childcare for the multitude of public holidays, teacher workdays, half days and winter break. What’s a working parent to do? Arts organizations, parks departments and sports leagues are increasingly taking note of the need. Here are a few fun options that will keep the kids safe, engaged and active—until you have to plan their summer. Consider signing them up for these mini day-off camps.
This story has been updated.
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Animal lovers ages 9 to 13 can enjoy hands-on activities and animal interactions at Arlington’s nonprofit animal shelter. Kids can spend a day Nov. 3 or 11 learning how AWLA cares for homeless pets and wildlife, and matches animals with forever. homes. Camp is $160 a day and runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sign up for both sessions and get 10% off. 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington
Arlington County Parks and Rec
Kids and teens always love the idea of time off…until an hour goes by and they’re bored. Arlington Parks and Rec has you covered with a whole spectrum of day-off camps and trips, including county buses that whisk away teens and tweens ages 11-17 for amazing adventures. This fall’s teen outings include go-karting at Dave & Buster’s, as well as campus visits to tour local universities, starting with the University of Virginia Oct. 7. Younger kids can enjoy themed programs such as Tiny Chefs Camp, Bath Bomb Making Camp or Tennis Central camp. During Break Blast Camps, offered 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for kids ages 5 to 11, the choices include basketball, music, cooking or soccer. Locations, times and fees vary.
Code Ninjas
Starting this fall, there will be even more opportunity to become a code ninja. The franchise is opening its newest ‘Dojo’ in Arlington Oct. 10. With Code Ninjas, kids can learn computer coding, master Minecraft, build Roblox worlds or even design their own games as they advance through belt levels to achieve Black Belt coding status. Upcoming day camps include Minecraft Redstone Engineers, in which ninjas will learn about electricity and circuitry, both inside and outside of Minecraft, and LEGO Robotics. The single-day camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $110. 1499 N. Harrison St., Arlington 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 need not be enrolled at Dynamic to attend their camps. Tumblers can enjoy a fun introduction to gymnastics, or build upon their skills with training, games and arts and crafts. Single-day camps are $130 per student and run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dynamic has day camps planned for Oct. 12 and Nov. 2, 3 and 11. Bonus—check the calendar for Kids Night Out events on select Saturday evenings year-round. 3441 Carlin Springs Road, Falls Church
EmPOWER Kids Out of School Time (OST) Camps
Children 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. EmPOWER’s Out of School Time (OST) Camps sell out fast, so be sure to register in advance. Camps are $90 and run 8:30 a.m. to 4 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 fall and winter, sign up for camps on Oct. 12, Nov. 2, 3, 11 and 25, and winter break. 4700 King St., Alexandria
Encore Stage & Studio Holiday Mini Camps
When school is off, Encore is onstage. Kids up to grade 2 can learn about theater through games, crafts and storytelling, while students in grades 3-5 will create a play in just one day, exploring theater works and themes based on popular children’s movies and stories. On Oct. 9, Encore will offer a Spidey Training Academy and Oct. 12 brings the Hoppers One Day Adventure Camp. Check the website for camps later in the year, including programming on Nov. 3, 11 and 25, and over winter break. Encore mini camps are are $95 per day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the option of paying extra for additional morning or evening hours. Camps take place at Cherrydale United Methodist Church, 3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, and Fairlington Presbyterian Church, 3846 King St., Alexandria
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 next program on Nov. 3 is Toys Alive, a day of creative workshops, improv games, outdoor play and a chance to perform for peers. Sign up again Nov. 11 for Game Worlds. Each Drama Day is $90 for campers in grades K-5 (scholarships are available) and 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 with a full roster of winter camps, from arts and sports to STEM and nature. This season’s options include an ACTion! Acting Adventures camp, basketbal, soccer and Gamer Adventures. The county has programming planned for Oct. 12 and Nov. 2-3. Sign up at the Park Authority Camps website. Prices and locations vary.
Jhoon Rhee Fun Days
This Tae Kwon Do center offers Fun Days camps during some APS school closings for Junior & Kneehigh Ninja Program Students and their siblings, ages 5-12. The events are for active Jhoon Rhee martial arts students (and siblings) only. Each day costs $100 and runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a fun schedule of Tae Kwon Do, games and movies. Camps are planned for Oct. 9 and 12 and Nov. 3 and 11. 2449 N. Harrison St., Arlington
The Little Gym
Littles can burn off steam on chilly days with indoor tumbling, balancing and exploring. The Little Gym is one of only a few places to offer day-off programming for tots who haven’t yet entered elementary school. Its Super Quest camp is open to participants ages 3-10 who are looking to take their gymnastics skills to the next level. Upcoming dates include Oct. 12 and Nov. 3, 11, 25 and 27. Each morning or afternoon session is $70. 2209 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington
Mulford Riding School
Young equestrians can get outside, enjoy the fresh air and exercise with horses at this riding school in Centreville. Camps are offered rain or shine during winter break, and on other Fairfax County Public Schools days off. Scheduled daily 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. Each single day-off camp is $300. Winter camp is $825 for the week. 15105 Lee Highway, Centreville
Camp Sarraka
This local camp got its start more than 10 years ago when brothers Jake and Brody Karton, then 13 and 11, were asked to create a weeklong outdoor camp for the community surrounding their Barcroft neighborhood. They still run it to this day, packing the schedule with unique challenges designed to inspire kindness, creativity and healthy competition. This fall, sign up for camps Oct. 12, Nov. 3 and 11, and winter break. Camps are $120 and run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with optional extended care for an extra charge. 4444 Arlington Blvd. 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 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. Chess 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 both in-person and virtual camps on snow days. Dates and locations vary. Check the schedule for details and prices.
Tea with Mrs. B
Want to use the day off to focus on etiquette? The Manners and Tea camp for kiddos ages 4 and up centeres on social interaction, responsibility and table manners, along with fun and games and arts and crafts. Camp ($150 per day) runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with options to pay extra for early drop off or late pick up. Check the calendar for availability. 136 W. Jefferson St., Falls Church
Tysons Art & Learning
Here, young artists can unleash their creativity and explore the art world through a variety of media, including acrylic painting, watercolor, colored pencils, charcoal and clay. Most school closings are covered, and camps are scheduled for Nov. 2 and 3. The day runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an option for extended care. The cost is $90 a day, plus $80 for siblings. While there are some craft projects, the main focus is on fine art skills such as drawing and painting. 8343 Greensboro Drive, McLean
Virginia Dance Conservatory
When schools are closed, aspiring dancers can enjoy half-day themed camps from 9 a.m. to noon at this Arlington studio, a Best of Arlington winner for after-school enrichment. Each half-day schedule includes a dance class, themed crafts, snack time and choreography. Participants can join a A Day With the Descendants Oct. 12, Halloween Hip Hop Nov. 3 or Nutcracker Magic Nov. 11. Holiday camps are $90 for participants ages 5-8. 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington
