Are you working the week of Thanksgiving Break and need childcare? Or staying local this Thanksgiving and want your kids to have something fun to do while they are out of school? We’ve got a list of Thanksgiving Break camps near you in Lakeland and across Polk County to help you find a camp your kids will enjoy including cooking camps, STEM camps, art camps, nature camps, and more.
Polk County Schools will be out for 5 days over Thanksgiving week – from November 18 – 26, 2023 (see the calendar).
We can also help you find places to order Thanksgiving Dinner, restaurants open on Thanksgiving, and plenty of things to do during Thanksgiving Break.
Need a camp when school is out on Friday, November 10? Check out the Bricks 4 Kidz LEGO Camp at the Florida Children’s Museum.
More Camps: Summer Camps | Spring Break Camps | Christmas Break Camps
Thanksgiving Break Camps in Polk County
Camp Fire Vacation Station
Vacation Station Day Camp is held most weekdays, throughout the school year, when Polk County Public Schools do not hold class. Youth in grades K-5 will learn about a different wonder of the world in this virtual trip around the world. Fun, hands-on activities and educational enhancements provide a day filled with learning and recreation.
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – early & late care available (Drop off as early as 7:30am | Pick up as late as 6pm)
Ages: K – 5th grade
Price: $35 per child per day with sibling discount available
Location: 2600 Buckingham Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33803
More information & Registration: Camp Fire Website
Camp Fire Teens in Service
The cornerstone of teen programming at Camp Fire Sunshine is service to our community. Through these projects, not only do young people learn the importance of being good stewards of their community, but they learn more about the services available to others, the value of leadership, working effectively as a team, and more about themselves and their strengths. During the school year, Teens In Service is scheduled on most out-of-school days, 8 am – 4 pm.
Dates: Monday – Tuesday
Ages: 6th – 12th Grade
Price: $25 per day per student (Sign up is by the day – Teen must have current Camp Fire membership)
Location: Drop off at 2600 Buckingham Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33803 – Project locations vary by day
More information & Registration: Camp Fire Website
What’s Cooking Lakeland Thanksgiving Camps
Looking for a camp where your kids can have hands-on fun AND help with the meal prep for Thanksgiving dinner?? That sounds like a win-win to me! Join What’s Cooking for Thanksgiving Break Camps. Each day your child will make their own lunch AND bring home dinner, Thanksgiving sides, or a pie for Thanksgiving! Check the website for the items that will be made each day.
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Times: 9am – 2pm
Ages: Age 5+
Location: 6935 South Carter Road, Lakeland, Florida 33813
More information & Registration: What’s Cooking Lakeland Website
Minds in Motion Thanksgiving Break Camp
Minds in Motion provides your child with a quality program that combines enrichment through STEM / STEAM concepts and hands-on exploration in a fun, safe environment!
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Times: 7:30am – 6:30pm
Ages: 5 – 12
Location: 126 Horizon Court, Lakeland, Florida 33813
More information & Registration: Minds in Motion Website
Snapology Thanksgiving Workshops
Snapology is a learning concept that combines play with education. We provide a fun, interactive environment for children to learn STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) and robotics concepts using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex and technology.
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Times: 9am – 4pm
Ages: 5 – 12
Price: $65 per day
Location: 3201 South Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803
More information & Registration: Snapology Website
“Fall” into Wonder Workshop at WonderHere
Sign your child up for the Monday, Tuesday, and/or Wednesday right before Thanksgiving to enjoy all things cozy learning and playing at the “FALL” into Wonder Workshop on the WonderHere Farm. Bonfire, apple pie, s’mores, caramel apples, knitting, Fall STEM projects, pumpkin playdough, handmade gifts, play with farm animals, and more.
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Times: 8am – 3pm
Ages: 5 – 12
Price: $50 per day (or $145 for 3 days)
Location: 5120 Colbert Road, Lakeland, FL 33812
More information & Registration: WonderHere Website
TimberNook West Central Florida
Timbernook programs are designed to help your child become more confident, creative, coordinated, & independent. Each day is filled with games, discussion, grand TimberNook experiences, extended time for child led play, ample space for nature exploration, periodic opportunities for open fire cooking, and so much more.
Dates: Monday + Tuesday
Times: 9am – 1pm
Ages: 5 – 9
Location: 701 East Sparkman Road, Plant City, Florida 33566
More information & Registration: TimberNook Website
Winter Haven Parks & Recreation School’s Out Camp
Winter Haven Parks and Recreation will host School’s Out Camp during Thanksgiving Break at The Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center. The ‘Rec’ provides supervised fun during public school holidays and teacher workdays. Activities include arts and crafts, games, sports, and more. You may register at any time during the school year.
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Times: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Ages: Grades K-8
Location: 801 Ave T NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
More information & Registration: Winter Haven Parks & Recreation website – call (863)-291-5675 to sign up
Art Centric Studio
Art Centric Studio is hosting MiNi ArT Camps during Thanksgiving Break for ages 5 to 10.
Dates: Monday – Tuesday
Times: 10am – 1pm
Ages: 5 – 10
Price: $95.00 for both days
Location: 1035 Florida Avenue South, Lakeland, Florida 33803
More information & Registration: Art Centric Website
AGT Athletics Camps
AGT Athletics will be open Monday through Wednesday of Thanksgiving Break for all day care. AGT Athletics creates a positive environment empowering children of all ages to explore and develop their talents. Our goal is to provide a safe education, enrichment, and youth program. Summer Camp, Before & After school care, holiday care, early release days, e-school, drop in care.
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Times: 6:15am – 6pm
Ages: 4 – 13
Location: 2335 Commerce Point Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33803
More info: AGT Website
Fall Fun Program at Christian Preparatory Schools
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Times: 9am – 2:30pm with before + after care available
Ages: K-12th grade
Location: 3151 Hardin Combee Rd, Lakeland, FL 33801
More info: Summer Fun Programs Website
Haines City Parks & Recreation Camp
Haines City Parks and Recreation hosts Holiday Camps for children currently in grades 1-5. We will play at Lake Eva Park, enjoy arts and crafts, play games, go to the basketball gym, and more!
Dates: Monday – Wednesday
Ages: K – 5th grade
Location: Oakland Head Start Building – Haines City, FL
More information & Registration: City of Haines City Website
Do you know of a school holiday camp we missed that is open the week of Thanksgiving? Contact us and we’ll add it to our list.
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More to Explore:
Check out our November + Thanksgiving Guide for things to do in November, restaurants open on Thanksgiving, places to order Thanksgiving turkey, sides, and pies, places to Donate and Volunteer this holiday season.
Get a head start on the holidays with our Christmas + Holiday Guide featuring Lakeland’s best Christmas light displays, Santa Photos, local Christmas Events, places to find a Christmas tree, Christmas Parades, and so much more!