From mini-camps to afternoon films, we’ve rounded up a variety of activities to help keep the kids busy during winter break.
HOLIDAY CAMPS
Beginning Monday, December 22: Holiday Camp at Asphalt Green
Asphalt Green will host several holiday day camps for children ages 4-12 over the winter holidays. Campers will participate in activities such as swimming, martial arts, yoga, soccer, and arts and crafts. Sessions last between 8:45am-3:15pm, and cost $125 per child per day. asphaltgreen.org
Beginning Monday, December 22: 1-Day Camps at TADA! Youth Theater
Children ages 6-11 can explore the performing arts as they act, sing, and dance at TADA!’s variety of day-long camps. Focusing on musical theater, the camps include theater games, improv, and dramatic play. Families are invited to watch the last 20 minutes of the day. Camps run from 9:30am-5:30pm (with flexible drop-off from 9-9:30am), and cost $110 per child. tadatheater.com
Beginning Monday, December 22: Winter Holiday Camps at Super Soccer Stars
This holiday season, Super Soccer Stars is offering three mini-camp sessions: from December 22-26, December 27-28, and December 29-January 2. Mini-camps for ages 2.5-5 are divided by age group for 2.5 hours of soccer skills development, followed by arts activities with Private Picassos and a snack. There are also 4-hour soccer skills development camp options for ages 6-12. Locations and prices vary by camp program; for more information, visit newyork.supersoccerstars.com.
Beginning Monday, December 22: Holiday Cookie Camp at Tastebuds Kitchen
Join Taste Buds Kitchen for some baking fun, starting December 22 until December 26! Children ages 4-8 can make a variety of cookies and treats while listening to festive holiday music. Sessions run from 9am-12pm, and cost $395 per child per week, or $100 per day. tastebudskitchen.com
Beginning Monday, December 29: Holiday Sports Camp at the Field House at Chelsea Piers
Chelsea Piers is offering two sessions of sports camps for the upcoming vacation season! The first session runs from December 22-26 and the second option runs from December 29-January 2. Children ages 5-12 are invited to engage in a variety of athletics including soccer, handball, basketball, and volleyball. Each day is $135 per child and there is a 3-day minimum requirement. chelseapiers.com
Monday, December 29-Tuesday, December 30: Winter Zoo Camp at the Central Park Zoo
During this two day winter camp, children from pre-K-grade 4 will participate in activities such as live animal encounters, theater performances, crafts, and making special treats for the zoo animals. Snacks will be provided. $250 per child, or $225 for zoo members. wcs.org
MUSEUM EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Beginning Wednesday, December 24: Weekend Family Programs at the New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum will be hosting a variety of events for all ages on December 24, 26, 30-31 and January 2! Bring children ages 2-5 to the Discovery Room between 10:30am and 12pm to play with toys, complete puzzles and read books. The museum will also be hosting, “Transit Mysteries,” from 1-2pm in which all ages are welcome to check out relics from various collections. web.mta.info
Thursday, December 25: Christmas Day at the Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum will be open on Christmas Day from 11am-4:30pm! Art workshops including stamp-making and collage techniques will be held December 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 beginning at 12:30am. This event is recommended for children 3 years or older and is free with museum admission. thejewishmuseum.org
Saturday, December 27-Sunday, January 4: Holiday Express: December School Vacation Week at the New York Historical Society
Stop by the New York Historical Society beginning December 27 until January 4 between 10am-6pm to take a look at toys and trains from the Jerni collection! Participate in an I spy scavenger hunt or listen to train-themed stories and make a craft at 2pm. All ages are welcome and admission is free with a museum pass. The New York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West. nyhistory.org
Starting Friday, December 26: Chuck Jones Matinees at the Museum of the Moving Image
Animator Chuck Jones will be celebrated in an afternoon of animation at the Museum of the Moving Image on December 26, December 30-January 2 and January 4. 35mm prints from Jones’ private collection and the Academy Archive will be on display. Films such as “One Froggy Evening,” “Duck Amuck,” and “What’s Opera, Doc?” will be shown in tandem with Jones’ exhibit. moving.image.us
CONCERTS & PERFORMANCES
Saturday, December 27: Peter and the Wolf Presented by The Little Orchestra Society
The Little Orchestra Society will be hosting a performance of Sergi Prokofiev’s classic story of Peter and the Wolf at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) on December 27 at 11am and 1pm. Enjoy music from Russian composers and stunning scenery as you watch the narrated ballet performance! Recommended for ages 6-12. bam.org
Saturday, January 3: From Frosty Iceland to Symphony Space: Elska Performs
Join Elska and her trustworthy companions the Arctic Fox and the Goobler during a winter-themed performance at Symphony Space, on January 3 at 11am! Using colorful props, puppets, and her own music Elska (Shelley Wollert) will bring her story to life! Tickets range from $12-21 and Elska costumes made in Iceland will be available for purchase. symphonyspace.org
Through Sunday, January 4: Cirque Ziva at the New Victory Theater
Watch Chinese acrobats swing from the ceiling in dazzling costumes this holiday season! Performances between at noon, 2pm and 7pm, and will be held in the New Victory Theater. Artists will juggle and demonstrate their acrobatic skill. All ages are welcome and ticket prices range from $19-55 per person. For available dates and tickets, visit newvictorytheater.org.
Through Thursday, January 8: Hansel and Gretel at the Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera will host a child-friendly rendition of the classic Grimm’s fairytale, Hansel and Gretel, until January 8! Watch the brother and sister duo take on the evil witch at the opera, located at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. This production is recommended for school-age children and ticket prices range from $25-175. For performance times and tickets, go to metopera.org.
