Holiday Break. Nothing brings more joy to children than these two little words. Not so much for us parents. What are you going to do with the minions while you juggle work, the holidays and everyday life? School breaks are especially challenging for parents who can’t take off work.

If you’re short on vacation days, give your children a taste of summer camp at the YMCA’s Camp Lakewood Winter Camp. For three fun-filled days, 7-to-12 year olds can spend time playing with other children and doing activities designed to foster youth development through the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.

Camp Lakewood Winter Camp runs from Wednesday, December 27 to Friday, December 30. Situated on a 360-acre lake surrounded by 5,200 acres of forest-covered hills in Missouri’s Eastern Ozarks, Camp Lakewood is located only 90 short miles south of St. Louis. The fee is $195 per camper plus an additional $45 membership free for non-YMCA members.

• Why stay at home for the holidays when your kids can learn something cool at Craft Alliance’s Winter Break Camp? Designed for kids 4-to-15 years of age, this program helps young artists explore their own creativity through fun classes. Campers of all ages can learn the basics of clay by making sculpture with their own hands or on a potter’s wheel. Kids, clay and NO mess at your house — need I say more? Budding fashionistas can explore the many layers of fiber art with the Fashion Sew Fun class while 4-to-6 year olds can experiment with a variety of media to create Art Soup.

All camps meet from Tuesday, December 27 to Friday, December 30 for three hours a day. Tuition is $98 for Craft Alliance members and $110 for non-members. Materials and lab fees are an additional $10. Supervised lunch care is free for all-day campers or $5 for half-day campers. 

• For over 20 years, Vetta Sports has been known for their exceptional soccer leagues, tennis clinics and racquetball club. But they also offer a fun, safe, affordable environment for children during their Winter Break Camp. Junior athletes will enjoy inflatable obstacle courses, soccer, slides, bouncers, Nintendo Wii, Xbox Kinect and more.

Suitable for 5-to-12 year olds, Holiday Camps are taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, December 26 to Friday, December 30 at Vetta’s Manchester and St. Charles locations. Please check their website for more information on classes at a facility near you.

• When school is out, the Saint Louis Science Center is in! Whether you need someplace for your child to go while you’re at work or are just trying to prevent a case of winter boredom, Holidazed Day Camps are a fun and educational way to spend the day. Led by Science Center camp counselors, each class provides kids with fun, hands-on activities and projects to take home. Choose from over 15 different camps, including Wacky Weather, Sensational Safari, Paleo Plunge and Geology Rocks! Both morning and afternoon programs are available.

Please visit Science Off Center’s website for a complete schedule of classes. The cost for a half-day session is $25 for Science Center members and $30 non-members. Extended care options are also available.

• Do your kids like to express their creativity through art, dance or creating beautiful food? Outstanding visual art, drama and dance instructors will provide them with an experience they won’t soon forget during the COCA’s Winter Break Day Camps. Kids ages 3-to-5 can explore the marvels of the sea and sand at a Beach Party or get messy creating art during Icky Sticky Fun. Elementary school children can explore the basics of tap and jazz during Happy Feet or head to the big top during Circus Circus. Older kids can explore impressive desserts during Cupcakes and Trifles Jr. or pack their imagination and go Island Hopping.

COCA’s Winter Break Day Camps run from Monday, December 19 to Thursday, December 22. Each half-day class is $25 or spend an entire day at COCA for $45. Before and after care is available for an additional fee. Visits COCA’s website for a complete schedule of classes.

By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting

Photos courtesy of the Saint Louis Science Center