We know: the kids just got back in school. And now they’re out again! (For the Jewish holidays, Columbus Day, Election Day, Veterans Day…) If you need some coverage, a school holiday camp is a lifesaver. We’ve rounded up single day camps offering all kinds of fun, including cooking, climbing, playing, crafting, tinkering and more! Treat the kids (and yourself) to one!
Cook with The Dynamite Shop
The Dynamite Shop
At this Park Slope kids cooking spot, try Cake Camp on 9/30, Pasta Camp on 10/1, and Food Science Camp on 10/9. Cost is $150 for 9-2:30 p.m., and camps are for kids ages eight and up.
This upper east side spot boasts that it offers the “best art classes for kids in Manhattan," and it holds half-day workshops on Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Campers get to exercise their creative juices through projects such as mask-making, puppet creation and papier mache. Camps are for kids ages four-and-a-half and up, run from 9 a.m. to Noon, and cost $95 a day.
1412 2nd Ave. Upper East Side 646-832-4886 Online: kidsatartnyc.com
Hang with Wildlife at the Queens Zoo
WCS
The Queens Zoo is another place that holds camp every single school holiday. Camps are for kids pre-k (age four) to second grade, and third to fifth grade. Themes include "What's the buzz about?" (learning about birds, bees bats and other pollinators); Caring for Wildlife, and Election Day's "Vote for Wildlife", dedicated to advocating for animals. Camps run from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and are $100/day for non-members, and $80/day for members.
53-51 111th St. Corona, Queens 718-271-1500 Online: queenszoo.com
Get Swinging at Court 16
Court 16
Court 16, which has locations in Gowanus and Long Island City, is a members-only club, but it's open to non-members for camps when school is out. Designed for kids ages four through 12 tennis day camps are designed to help kids build confidence through tennis games in small groups, and develop social fluency with fun off-court activities as well. Full day camps run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are $145; half-day camps are 9 a.m. to Noon, and are $115.
526 Baltic St. Gowanus 718-875-5550 Online: court16.com
Court 16 LIC Long Island City 718-875-5550 Online: court16.com
Code, Build, Play at Robofun
DavidSacha/Robofun
This uptown tech spot offers classes in robotics, coding, circuitry and Minecraft, and you can register for either a half or full-day option on any of the upcoming days off from school. Robofun's project-based curriculum ensures that your child will have fun while also "leading their learning" in the STEM realm. Camps are $85 for a half-day (9 a.m. - Noon), $170 for the full day, and early drop off or extended day (to 5 p.m.) is offered for an additional $20.
2672 Broadway, Loft A 212-245-0444 Upper West Side Online: robofun.org
Climb High at Brooklyn Boulders
Brooklyn Boulders
Adventure Days at Brooklyn Boulders Gowanus are a out more than just scaling the walls. Climbing, team-building exercises and S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) activities keep kids busy and engaged. Camps run from 9 a.m to 3:30pm, with the option of Extended Day for $20/climber—and there's complimentary early drop-off starting at 8:30 a.m.!) Cost is $139/day, Brooklyn Boulders and snack included. (In Queens? There's a location there, too!)
Kick in the Pool and On the Field at Asphalt Green
Asphalt Green
Asphalt Green brings its popular summer day camp model to school break and holiday camps. These mini-camps incorporate various swim, sports, fitness, and recreational activities to keep kids active, learning, and engaged all day. Mini-camps are for kids ages 4 to 12, and children are split into coed age groups with a low counselor-to-camper ratio. Camps run from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., with early drop-off and late pickup options available for an extra fee. The cost is $150 per day.
Brooklyn Bricks does LEGO fun outside, weather permitting, with a move indoors to local church if needed. The theme for 9/30 and 10/1 is "Castles" ( with a focus on towers and turrets), and 10/9 is dedicated to "Fun Fair," with rollercoasters, big wheels and other rides. Camps run from 9 a.m. -3 p.m., ($90) with an extended day option until 5 p.m. ($120) Register here.
Drop-in for creative play in a variety of mediums any time at one of Playday's locations (Long Island City or Gramercy Park), or do a half-day or full-day or creative play. If school's out, they're open. Playday is for kids ages five to 12, and you get a 50 percent sibling discount. Cost is $36/hour, $75/half-day and $150 for a full day. (Read our story on Playday here!)
PLAYDAY LIC 5-37 51st Ave Long Island City Online: playday.com
PLAYDAY Gramercy Park 122 East 25th St. Gramercy Park
Parkour with The Movement Creative at Astor Place
The Movement Creative
Does your kid have a lot of energy? Get them to a parkour camp with The Movement Creative, where they'll run, roll, vault, crawl, and leap for hours. Maybe that will tire them out. (A little.) Camps are from 9 a.m. to 3 pm. and are $150.
Don't need a whole day of coverage? Check out Day Off School Mini Camps at The Craft Studio, in Tribeca or on the Upper East Side. At these "mini parties", artists get lunch, craft, and play games. Camps are for kids ages four to nine, and run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and are $140. (You can also drop in for an hour if you want; rate is $37/hour.) For older kids ages eight and up, try the Tween Drop off from 2 - 4 p.m. These sessions are for more advanced artists who are ready to dive deeper and develop their skills with more techniques and mediums, working with the latest art project trends.
Despite its name, The Brooklyn Robot Foundry's reach extends beyond the borough, with locations in Tribeca and on the Upper East Side, in addition its Boerum Hill and South Slope storefronts. Full-day camps for kids K through fourth grade have campers learning basic mechanical engineering and electrical principles while creating two super-fun robots. (Both go home at the end of the day.) The Robot Foundry's approach to engineering encourages students' imagination and artistry in the building process. Got a returning camper? Repeat students in third to fifth grades can choose to enroll in the Robot Inventors program, in which they'll design and build their very own robot creations. Camps run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with option to extend until 6 p.m.; cost is $120-$200, depending on location.
Kids get a full day at Long Island City fitness facility Gantry Kids & Teens. Activities include free play, organized game time, and a field trip. Past destinations have included the Museum of Moving Images, Domino Park, the American Museum of Natural History, biking on Governors Island and even ice skating. Camps are small in size with a minimum coach to kids ratio of 1:6.; the camps are best for ages 5-11, although younger children may be able to attend. Cost is $138, and pickup is between 5 and 6 pm. at no extra charge!
Gantry Kids & Teens 10-19 46th Rd. Long Island City 917-426-4650 Online: gantrykids.com
