Along with all of the holiday festivities and Christmas celebrations over the holiday break, we know you might need some “mom time” before December 25 to get things done, or maybe a few planned activities for those last few days before the kids go back to school… you know, when the new toy fun has worn off!
Luckily there are plenty of local options for camps over the Winter Break! {Christmas break? Holiday break? We aren’t sure what to call it.}
Whether you’re looking for activities to keep your kids busy, or if you need childcare while you’re working that week, we’ve got a list of Winter Break camps near you in Lakeland and across Polk County.
Christmas Break for Polk County Schools lasts for 2.5 weeks. Winter Break is from December 21, 2024 – January 7, 2025. (Teachers return Jan 7, students return Jan 8 – see the 2024 – 2025 Polk Schools calendar). If you go to a Charter or Private school, check your school calendar for holiday break dates.
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More Camps: Summer Camps | Spring Break Camps | Thanksgiving Break Camps
Don’t miss our 2024 Christmas Events + Holiday Activities Guide for a full list of things to do this holiday season in Lakeland and Polk County including Christmas Light Displays, Santa Photos, Christmas Tree Lots, Christmas Parades, Holidays Concerts, Live Performances, Holiday Markets, Ice Skating, Toy Donation Needs, and more.
Christmas Break Camps in Lakeland
* FEATURED CAMP *
Bricks 4 Kidz Winter Break LEGO® Camp
Let your child make the most of their school holidays with the Bricks 4 Kidz camps. Inspired by the idea of edutainment, our unique camps build a strong interest in STEAM for kids aged 5-13 while having fun. Children will enjoy using LEGO® Bricks to build specially-designed Bricks 4 Kidz models, play fun games and explore the world of engineering, architecture, robotics, coding, video game design, animated movie-making, and more.
Ages: 5 – 12
Location: 1515 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland, FL 33803
More information & Registration: Bricks 4 Kidz Website
Camp Fire Vacation Station
Vacation Station Day Camp is held most weekdays, throughout the school year when Polk County Public Schools have holidays. 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.
Ages: K – 5th grade
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.
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 School’s Out Holiday Camps
Join What’s Cooking Lakeland during the Christmas Break for fun-filled camp days where your child can cook and learn kitchen skills. Each day at camp kids will make breakfast, lunch, and a take home family dinner, plus other special treats that vary by day.
Ages: Age 5 – 13
Location: 6935 South Carter Road, Lakeland, Florida 33813
More information & Registration: What’s Cooking Lakeland Website
WonderHere Winter Workshops
Sign your child up for Winter WONDERland Workshop on the WonderHere Farm – kids will enjoy learning about holidays around the world – each day a different continent! Crafts, recipes, play, and exploring new cultures with new friends! PLUS handmade gifts, lots of time spent in nature, interactions with farm animals, and more.
Ages: Elementary age children
Location: 5120 Colbert Road, Lakeland, FL 33812
More information & Registration: Wonder Here 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.
Ages: 5 – 10
Location: 701 East Sparkman Road, Plant City, Florida 33566
More information & Registration: TimberNook Website
Minds in Motion Winter Break Daily Drop In 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! Your child does not need to be enrolled in the after school program in order to attend winter camps or any camps during school breaks.
Ages: 5 – 12
Location: 126 Horizon Court, Lakeland, Florida 33813
More information & Registration: Minds in Motion Website
Snapology Holiday 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. Register for a 1/2 day up to a full week.
Ages: 5 – 12
Location: 3201 South Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803
More information & Registration: Snapology Website
Art Centric Studio
Art Centric Studio is hosting MiNi ArT Camps during Christmas Break for ages 5 to 12.
Location: 1035 Florida Avenue South, Lakeland, Florida 33803
More information & Registration: Art Centric Website
J Hoops Basketball Training Christmas Camp
Join J Hoops Basketball Training for a basketball camp over the holiday break. Campers will receive instruction from former college basketball players and current basketball coaches.
Ages: Boys and Girls ages 8 – 14
Location: Lakeland Christian School
More information & Registration: J Hoops Basketball Website
Florida Children’s Museum Winter Break Camp
The Florida Children’s Museum hosts Out of School Camps on school holidays! Winter Break Camp is designed for children ages 5 through 9 and includes programming, museum exploration, field trips to Bonnet Springs Park, and more.
Location: 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland, Florida 33815
More information: Florida Children’s Museum Website
Christmas Break Camps in Polk County
Winter Haven Parks & Recreation School’s Out Camp
Winter Haven Parks and Recreation will host School’s Out Camp during Christmas Break with 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.
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
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!
Ages: K – 5th grade
More information & Registration: City of Haines City Website
In addition to these Christmas Break camps near you, we also have a huge Summer Camp Guide, Spring Break Camp Guide, and Thanksgiving Break Camp Guide.
Do you know of a school holiday camp we missed that is open over Winter Break? Contact us and we’ll add it to our list.
Christmas Events + Holiday Activities
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities to find more things to do including Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays, FREE Christmas Events, Santa Photos, Christmas Parades, and more.