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 16, 2023 – January 3, 2024. (Teachers return Jan 3, students return Thursday, Jan 4 – see the 2023 – 2024 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 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
* FEATURED CAMP *
Bricks 4 Kidz Winter Break LEGO® Camp
Join Bricks 4 Kidz this holiday season for some LEGO fun! This camp will be full of Lego® robots, Lego® mosaics, 3D brick art, arts & crafts, games and more! Build Santa’s horse & Sleigh, a snowy winter landscape, speeding skier, Lego® locomotives, AND get a preview of our new summer 2024 Lego® models!
Your Master Builder will take home a custom-built Lego® minifigure as well as arts & crafts projects. PLUS camp counselors take photos throughout camp that we send to parents at the end of the week.
Dates: Dec 18 – 21, 2023 (Mon-Thurs)
Times: 9am – 4pm, half-days available for 9AM-12PM or 1PM-4PM
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.
Dates: Dec 18 – 22, 2023 (Mon-Fri)
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 18 – 21, 2023 (Mon-Thurs)
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: Dec 18 – 20, 22, 28-29, Jan 2-3
Times: 9:30am – 2pm
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.
Dates: Dec 18 – 22, 2023 (Mon-Fri)
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: Dec 18 – 21 and Dec 27 – 29, 2023
Times: 9am – 1pm or 2pm
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.
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: AGT 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 18 – 22, 2023
Times: 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm
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.
Dates: Dec 18 – 19, 20 – 21, 27 – 29, 2023
Times: 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
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.
Dates:Â Dec 18 – 21, 2023 (Mon – Thurs)
Times:Â 8am – 3:30pm
Ages: Boys and Girls ages 8 – 14
Location: Lakeland Christian School
More information & Registration:Â 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.
Dates: 2023 – No Winter Break Camps
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
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: December 18 – 22 and 27 – 29, 2023
Times: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
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
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.