Here's your annual reminder that winter break is quickly approaching. And for working parents or families looking for fun ways to keep their kids active during their time off from school, it's time to start making plans to fill those days.Ìý
Luckily, so many ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ places offer day camps, with themes including science, arts and crafts and horseback riding. Plus, they can make a great holiday gift.Ìý
Making new friends, exploring a new interest and fun-filled days? Sign us up!
Little Buckaroos and Horsemanship Winter Riding Camps
Coalton Quakenbush, 10, runs with his horse Little Doc during riding class at the TRAK Ranch at 3250 E. Allen Rd. in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, AZ. TRAK, Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids, just recently moved into this property.
What:ÌýKids ages 5-7 will learn about animals that live on the ranch, make crafts, play games and have hand-led riding lessons as part of the Little Buckaroos session. The Horsemanship Camp is for ages 8-14 and includes daily riding, barrel racing, pole patterns practice and learning how to ride and care for a horse. Beginners are welcome.Ìý
Ages:Ìý5-14
When:ÌýLittle Buckaroos is on Monday, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 27, 8:30-11:30 a.m. The Horsemanship Camp is Monday, Dec. 30- Friday, Jan. 3, 8 a.m. to noon.
Where:ÌýTRAK,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$125 for Little Buckaroos; $300 for Horsemanship Camp.
Info:ÌýGoÌý
Playformance Camp
Playformance offers a day camp on Veterans Day for kids in Kinder through 8th grade.Ìý
What:ÌýKids will spend the day participating in active, age-appropriate games, activities, sports and creative play. Playformance is a parkour gym downtown.Ìý
Ages:ÌýKindergarten through eighth grade
When:ÌýMonday, Dec. 23; Thursday, Dec. 26; Friday, Dec. 27; Monday, Dec. 30 and Thursday, Jan. 2.
Where:ÌýPlayformance,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$70 per day. Early and after care available for $10 per hour
Info:ÌýGoÌý
Reid Park Zoo camp
A giraffes plays with a soccer ball while another grabs a snack from a visitor during the Safari Nights event at the Reid Park Zoo.
What:ÌýChildren will learn about what the zoo does to keep animals warm and safe during winter. Each day, camp will focus on a different theme with animal encounters, zoo tours, crafts and hands-on activities.Ìý
Ages:Ìý6-12
When:ÌýDec. 26-27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Ìý
Where:ÌýReid Park Zoo,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$55 per day; $45 members
Info:ÌýGoÌý
UA Fusion Camp
Mia Moon, 8, and Rutvik Pateo, 8, from Fulton Elementary School, help prevent a mock uranium leak at the Flaundrau Science Center and Planetarium.
What:ÌýChildren can sign up for different themed camps including Lego Engineering, space science and sharks, where they'll participate in hands-on activities, games and more.Ìý
Ages:ÌýKindergarten through sixth grade
When:ÌýDec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:ÌýFlandrau Science Center and Planetarium,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$55 per day. Early care and after care are available for an additional $5 per day.Ìý
Info:ÌýGoÌý
Jewish Community Center Winter Camp J
Arts and crafts at the Jewish Community Center's Winter Camp J.Ìý
What:ÌýThe Jewish Community Center offers camp themes which include cooking, art, sports, and Lego engineering plus field trips.Ìý
Ages:ÌýKindergarten through fifth grade
When:ÌýWeek 1 is Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 26-27. Week 2 is Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-3. Camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free early care begins at 7 a.m. and after care is as late as 6 p.m.Ìý
Where:ÌýÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Jewish Community Center,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$60 per day for non-members; $50 for members.Ìý
Info:ÌýGoÌý
UA Campus Rec “A†Camp
What:ÌýCampers will participate in winter-themed games, arts and crafts, STEM activities and an exploration of the UA campus.
Ages:Ìý5-15
When:ÌýJan 2-3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can drop them off as early as 7:30 a.m. and pick them up as late as 5:30 p.m. for no additional charge
Where:ÌýUniversity of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Student Recreation Center,Ìý.
Cost:Ìý$100 or $55 per day. Discounts are available for members, siblings, returning campers, and UA staff.
Info:ÌýGoÌý
Ott Family YMCA Winter Camp
Kids will participate in a variety of games and activities at the Ott Family YMCA's winter break camp.
What:ÌýFun-filled days that include art projects, crafts, games, field trips and more.Ìý
Ages:ÌýKindergarten through sixth grade
When:ÌýWeekdays from Dec. 20-Jan. 3. No camp on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Camp runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 when camp ends at 2 p.m.
Where:ÌýOtt Family YMCA,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$35Ìýper day.Ìý
Info:ÌýGoÌý
Kidco SchoolzOut Camps and In-Betweener's Club
What:ÌýThe City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation Department hosts camps during school breaks for children ages 5-11, and In-Betweener's Club for ages 12-14. Activities include games, sports, arts and crafts, nutrition-based learning, performing arts, field trips and more.
Ages:Ìý5-14
When:ÌýWeekdays from Dec. 23-Jan 3. No camp on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Camp is from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day except Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 when the centers close at 2 p.m.Ìý
Where:ÌýVarious recreation centers in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Cost:Ìý$40 for City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ residents; $50 for non-residents.Ìý
Info:ÌýRegistration begins Dec. 9. GoÌýÌýfor more information.Ìý
Sew Hip Kids Winter Break Camp
Sew Hip
What:ÌýKids ages 8-13 will spend four days sewing their own quilt. No experience necessary. If your child has a sewing machine that is in good working order they can bring it to use.Ìý
Ages:Ìý8-13
When:ÌýDec. 31-Jan. 3, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Ìý
Where: Sew Hip,Ìý.Ìý
Cost: $220
Info:ÌýGoÌý
Hi-Five School Break Camps
Camp at Hi-Five Sports Club will include a variety of games, sports and fun activities.Ìý
What:ÌýCampers will learn the fundamentals for a variety of team sports and games and then get to compete.Ìý
Ages:Ìý5-14
When:ÌýDec. 20 and Jan. 2-3, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with after care until 5 p.m.
Where:ÌýMaracana Indoor Sports Arena,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$50 per day or $45 for the two-day pass for the January session.Ìý
Info:ÌýGoÌý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Racquet and Fitness Club Holiday Camp
What:ÌýChoose from Tennis Camp for ages 7-17 and All-Sports Camp for ages 5-14 which focuses on developing athletic skills for a range of sports.ÌýÌý
Ages:Ìý5-17
When:ÌýSession 1 is Dec. 23-27(no camp on Dec. 25); Session 2 is Dec. 30-Jan. 3 (no camp on Jan. 1). Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with early care and after care available for an additional fee.
Where:ÌýÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Racquet and Fitness Club,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$160 per four-day session or $50 per day. Extended care available for an additional fee.Ìý
Info:ÌýGoÌý
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Winter Break Camp
Mikayla Moose, 9, keeps a balloon in the air using her elbows during a relay game.
What:ÌýKids stay active with golf, tennis, games, arts and crafts.Ìý
Ages:Ìý6-12
When:ÌýDec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-3
Where:ÌýOro Valley Community Center,Ìý
Cost:Ìý$130 for all four days, or $40 per day.Ìý
Info:ÌýGoÌý
This list was updated from a list published in 2018 by Angela Pittenger.Ìý