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 Holiday Break camps in Lakeland and across Polk County.
Polk County schools will be out for 2 weeks over Christmas break – from December 17, 2022 – January 4, 2023. (Teachers return Jan 4, students return Jan 5 – see the calendar).
Be sure you’re signed up for our weekly fun-letter to get ideas for local family-friendly Christmas fun delivered straight to your inbox.
More Camps: Summer Camps | Spring Break Camps | Thanksgiving Break Camps
Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities 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
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.
Dates: Dec 19 – 23, 2022 (Mon-Fri) and Jan 2 – 4, 2023 (Mon – Wed)
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
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: Dec 19 – 22, 2022 (Mon-Thurs) and Jan 2 – 4, 2023 (Mon – Wed)
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.
Dates: December 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, Jan 3, 4 (register by the day)
Times: 9am – 2pm
Ages: Age 5 – 13
Location: 6935 South Carter Road, Lakeland, Florida 33813
More information & Registration: What’s Cooking Lakeland Website
Florida Children’s Museum Winter Break Camp
The Florida Children’s Museum officially opened on November 4 – look for Out of School Camps to return beginning with Winter Break 2022! Winter Break Camp is designed for children ages 5 through 10 and includes programming, museum exploration, field trips to Bonnet Springs Park, and more.
Dates: December 19 – December 23 and January 2 – January 4
Times: 9 am to 4 pm
Ages: 5 – 10 (must be enrolled in Kindergarten and have turned 5 before camp starts)
Location: 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland, Florida 33815
More information: Florida Children’s Museum Website
WonderHere Winter Workshops
Introducing the first ever Winter Workshops at the new WonderHere Farm! Workshops often have a “camp” feel to them, with lots of high energy activities, free play, arts and crafts, science experiments, team competitions, and more! Great for families who homeschool and do traditional schooling alike! At this year’s Holidays Around the World Winter Workshop, your child will enjoy a fun-filled week learning all about how different parts of the world celebrate the holiday season – Christmas, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, and more!
Dates: December 19 – 23 from 8am – 4pm
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.
Dates: December 19 – 21 from 9am – 1pm (ages 4-8 – age is flexible)
December 26 – 28, 2022 from 9am – 2pm (ages 5-11 – age is flexible)
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.
Dates: Check Minds in Motion website for Dates
Times: 7:30am – 6:30pm
Ages: 5 – 12
Location: 126 Horizon Court, Lakeland, Florida 33813
More information & Registration: Minds in Motion Website
AGT Athletics Camps
AGT Athletics will be open during Christmas 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: Check with AGT for Dates
Times: 6:15am – 6pm
Ages: 4 – 13
Location: 2335 Commerce Point Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33803
More info: 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.
Dates: December 19-23, December 27-30, Jan 3-4
Times: 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm
Ages: 5 – 12
Location: First Presbyterian Church – 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801
More information & Registration: Snapology Website
Art Centric Studio
Art Centric Studio is hosting MiNi ArT Camps during Christmas Break for ages 5 to 12.
Dates: Dec 19-20, Dec 27-28, 2022
Times: 10am – 1pm (ages 5-10) and 2pm – 5pm (ages 8-12)
Location: 1035 Florida Avenue South, Lakeland, Florida 33803
More information & Registration: Art Centric Website
Christmas Break Camps in Winter Haven
Winter Haven Parks & Recreation School’s Out Camp
Winter Haven Parks and Recreation will host School’s Out Camp during Christmas 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: Check website for 2022 Dates
Location: 801 Ave T NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
More information & Registration: Winter Haven Parks & Recreation website – call (863)-291-5675 to sign up
Check Back in 2022 – No Camps This Year
City of Lakeland Great Escapes Camp
Great Escapes is a youth enrichment opportunity available for elementary school-aged students (K-5th grade) during select school holidays. The program includes games, crafts, sports and lots of fun!
Dates: No Camps posted for Christmas 2022 – check back for Spring Break and Summer
Times: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Ages: K – 5th grade
Location: 404 Imperial Boulevard, Lakeland, Florida 33803
More information: City of Lakeland 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: No Camps for Christmas 2022 – check back for Spring Break and Summer
Ages: K – 5th grade
Location: 799 Johns Avenue, Haines City, Florida 33844
More information & Registration: City of Haines City Website
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.