“…and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again!” This verse of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” never really hits home until you have kiddos that will be out of school for 2.5+ weeks. The upcoming break is extra long for some schools, so whether you need camp as a form of childcare or would simply like a break from the indoor craziness, check out our roundup of vacation camps.

Additionally, you can use our calendar to view special events taking place during the break. Or take a peek at our round up of holiday events which is full of things to do for the entire month of December!

Darien

Darien YMCA: December 26, 27, 30. Activities include swimming, crafts, outside play, gym, cooking, games and more. Ages 3+. 9am–1pm (pre-school only) or 9am-4pm (preschool thru 5th grade). Extended care available: 8am-9am and/or 4pm-6pm. 1/2 day Members: $70, Non-Members: $80. Full day Members: $90, Non-Members: $100. Extended Care: $10/hour.

Darien Nature Center: December 16-20. Join us for this special holiday vacation program. Fun, fun, fun! We will be creating special holiday crafts, baking special goodies, exploring on the trails, searching for signs of winter animals in our woods and visiting our collection of animals in our zoo room. Children will have great stories to tell about all of their discoveries! Ages 2-6. 9:30am-11:30am (2’s only) or 9:30am-1:30pm (3+). Th & F: $182; M, T, W: $273; M-F: $455. *Membership is required for all vacation programs.

Greenwich

Action Art School: December 16-20, 22, 24, 27, 30, 31. Our Vacation Camp will give your kids the boost they need. Our camp offers your children a fun way to spend their free time, and it gives you that most precious commodity, free time for yourself! Ages 3.5-10. 10am-1:30pm. Extended care available: 9:30am drop off and/or 2pm pick up. 2 days: $120, 3 days: $180, 4 days: $240, 5 days: $280.

New Canaan

New Canaan Nature Center: December 23 & 24; January 2 & 3. Come on down the hill and join other enthusiastic kids as our expert staff lead a variety of wintry adventures throughout our 40-acre preserve and celebrate the holiday season in true NCNC fashion as nature intended. Each day, children will delve into different aspects of the wonderland at NCNC while they traverse the property and let nature surround them. Ages 3-5. 9am-12pm. Optional Lunch Bunch from 12pm–1pm. Members: $120/2 days, Non-Members: $150/2 days.

Norwalk

Tumble Jungle: December 23, 26, 27, 30, 31. Activities include trampoline, zip line, bounce houses, games, recreational sports, crafts, and more. 9am-12pm. $45/day. Add on “Monkey Time” from 12pm-1pm for $15 (includes pizza)!

Pump It Up: December 23, 24, 26, 27, 30. Camp includes play time in our fun-filled arenas, activities, arts & crafts, lunch, festive snacks, and more. Hours vary by day. $25/half day, $40/full day. 

Rowayton

Green Moon Art Studio: December 16-20, 23, 24, 26, 27.  Come celebrate the best time of the year with us! Workshops begin at $20. Time, age, and price vary by program. Visit the Green Moon website for more info.

Stamford

Chelsea Piers: December 23, 26, 27, 30. Little Athletes Gymnastics Camp supports each child’s natural love of movement and exploration. Ages 3-5. 8:45am-11:45am. Members: $63/day, Non-Members: $75/day.

Great Play: December 16, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31. Our holiday camps are all themed and feel like a party! Each Camp includes some of the kids’ all-time favorite games and activities from our classes all with a themed twist. Themes include pajama, superhero, beach, pirate & princess, and more. Ages 3+. Times vary by day & age. $49/day (discount for multiple days).

My Gym: December 26, 27, 30. This 3 hour drop off program includes games, sports, gymnastics, arts and crafts, snacktime, rides, and more! Ages 2+ (potty training not required). 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm. Members: $40/session, Non-Members: $50/session.

Mill River Park Collaborative: December 23, 26, 27, 30. Come join us when school’s out for a day filled with adventure and fun! Ages 4+. 9am-4pm. Extended care available: 7:30am-6pm. $65/day. Extended care: $15/day.

Stamford Museum & Nature Center: December 16-18. Not ready for winter break yet? Join us for a morning of nature play, live animals, crafts, and more! Our environmental educators will lead an exploration of winter trails, introduce children to some of our animal teachers, and share stories and crafts. Ages 4-5. 9:30am-12pm. Members: $35/day, Non-Members: $40/day.

Westport

Splatterbox: December 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31. Camp SplatterBox is so much fun! We will be creating amazing works of art, playing fun games, cooking up delicious snacks and treats, demonstrating super interesting science experiments, and so much more. Ages 5-12 (ask about “almost 5s”). 10am-1pm or 1:30pm-4:30pm. $60/session.