Thanks to Monkey Business Winter Camp, LIV & CHIU art studio, KidzToPros, Inspire Behavior, Camp EDMO, Brooklyn Robot Foundry, and The Crowden School for sponsoring our Guide to Winter Camps for East Bay kids’ school breaks. Camps meet in person unless otherwise indicated.
Most, if not all, East Bay schools have Winter Recess from Monday, December 20 through Friday, December 31, 2021, and returning to school on Monday, January 3, 2022. Call it childcare or call it camp: sometimes we need to give kids a fun place to go during school vacation days. Here are some options, along with pricing for those in need of Berkeley & Oakland winter break camps. Please note that most camps do not provide a la carte days.
Call of the Wild Winter Nature Camps (Berkeley, Oakland)
Inspire's Call of the Wild winter nature camps are adventures in the forests of the East Bay! Kids ages 5-10 (grades K-5) enjoy outdoor enrichment in biology and language arts. Kids hike and climb, read and write, explore nature, journal, tell wilderness stories, create and play winter animal theme games, and more. Meet in small, stable groups for a safe and fun mix of education and recreation! They also celebrate diversity and welcome kids with disabilities. Rain or shine.
Crowden Winter Strings and Piano Camp (Berkeley)
Ages 7 to 14. Designed for beginning- to intermediate-level violin, viola, cello, or piano players, participants cap off the year with music-making. Experienced musicians are grouped with similar-level peers. Complete beginners are welcome -- they learn the parts of their instrument, as well as proper positioning and form (instruments provided). All experience a variety of music activities, including an all-camp chorus, instrument technique and ensemble classes, music games, and visits by guest artists.
KidzToPros Winter Camp (Emeryville, Fremont, Walnut Creek / Concord, East Bay (Other))
Kids ages 4-12 can expand their creativity and sportsmanship by exploring new fields that could fuel their future. On-campus Holiday Camps bring together KidztoPros' most popular activities for a mix of STEM, sports, and arts -- from Minecraft coding and LEGO robotics to basketball and origami. Many locations.
Liv & Chiu Holiday Break Art Camp (El Cerrito)
For kids ages 5 to 15, students will spend their time at the studio creating and exploring various art projects, learning different techniques, using tons of different art-making materials. All levels are welcome. Materials included.
Monkey Business Winter Camp (Berkeley)
Make art, play basketball, board games, LEGOs, and bubbles in a space for kids to get swept up in the joy of playing and with structured time led by a creative, dynamic staff. MBC will use 23 years of experience hosting unplugged outdoor camps (17 months of camps with Covid-19 safety measures). Ages 6-10 (some exceptions for older 5-year-olds), with youth leaders 11+, in smaller, stable groups for entire eight days. Local, certified green business.
💻 Brooklyn Robot Foundry Online Winter Fun Days (East Bay (Other))
For ages 6 to 10, kids can build a better winter break with Brooklyn Robot Foundry 3-hour "fun days". Each online Foundry Funday features a different cool robot project, plus games, crafts and other fun to keep kids engaged and socializing. As always, the Robot Foundry will send you all of the supplies in their cool boxes.
💻 EDMO Holiday & School Break Online Camps (East Bay (Other))
For grades Pre-K to 5, EDMO online camps are live, interactive, Zoom-based programs that provide opportunities for kids to navigate design challenges, practice mindfulness, and get a little silly! EDMO programs integrate social and emotional skill-building and movement so kids spend time out of their seats moving their bodies and absorbed in hands-on projects. Online camp is offered daily in 2.5-hour sessions twice a day - sign up for one or both on any day.
Themes: Holidays around the World, Winter Celebration & Minecraft EDMOtopia.
Athletic Playground Winter Camp (Emeryville)
Kids, ages 7 to 12, can jump, vault, flip, invert and do obstacle courses for hours.
Berkeley Playhouse Conservatory Winter Break Camps (Berkeley)
Dive into the world of theatre arts with Berkeley Playhouse’s grades K-2 and 3-6 holiday break camps. Each four- or five-day session will include curriculum and a final performance based on Alice in Wonderland (Grades K-2) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Grades 3-6).
Brushstrokes Winter Break Art Camp (Berkeley)
Fall and winter youth programs are for ages 6 to 10. Camp projects go far beyond painting pottery and include working with wet clay, glass fusing, mosaics, mask-making, map-making as well as other 2D/3D art media
Cooking Round the World Winter Camp (Albany / Kensington, Oakland, Lafayette / Moraga / Orinda)
Cooking Round the World gives children the opportunity to learn about countries ‘round the world by cooking…. and eating. Fees include apron, lunch, afternoon desserts, and recipes emailed home. Ages 6 to 12.
Darcio Lira Jiu Jitsu Camp (Castro Valley)
For ages 4-7, a daily Jiu-Jitsu camp will be offered by Darcio Lira Jiu-Jitsu. See page 39 of the linked recreation guide for more information.
East Bay SPCA Animal Camp (Oakland, East Bay (Other))
East Bay SPCA Animal Camp is the purr-fect fit for children who are passionate about pets, want to make a difference for shelter animals, or just need a little experience before adding a furry friend to the family. Grades 1 to 5.
Fad Pad Winter Break Playshops (Oakland)
Kids, grades K to 6, enjoy fun art and drama games at Mary Ellen's home studio. All art, gardening, and cooking supplies are included in the fees. Themes for winter break are Winter Wonders and Harry Potter.
Head Over Heels Gymnastics Winter Camp (Emeryville)
Highly skilled and compassionate staff will introduce campers to the fundamentals of gymnastics all while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Gymnastics and circus activities, arts and crafts, and games for potty-trained children ages 4 to 12.
Kris Kringle Offensive Moves Basketball Camp (Piedmont)
Kids, ages 6 to 14, will learn how to score from triple threat position, off the dribble, off the pass. They will learn to finish strong at the basket as they become a stronger offensive threat.
MOCHA Winter Break Camp (Oakland)
MOCHA campers work on a variety of innovative, hands-on, COVID-conscious art projects based on weekly themes. For children, ages 5.5-12 (grades 1-7).
One Big Love Art Winter Camp (Oakland)
This Winter holiday art projects will be whatever the young artists, ages 6 to 11, are called to create. Maybe drawing, painting, or sculpting with high-quality art materials. Art supplies, lunch, and snacks are provided.
Piedmont Rec Winter Camps (Piedmont)
For ages 5-11, Piedmont Rec offers two 4-day holiday camps for kids: Soccer (ages 5-10) and Creative Drama (ages 6-11). Fees range from $220-$330/session for residents plus materials fees. More info on p. 29 of the linked recreation guide.
Trackers Bay Winter Camp (Emeryville)
Winter is a perfect time to get outside. Join in learning the ancient skills of wilderness survival, fishing, foraging, and archery. For grades K through 8. Pick exciting survival themes by day.
Winter Wonderland (Alameda)
This City of Alameda day camp's activities include arts, crafts, games, outdoor play, short walking trips for grades K to 5th. Two Alameda sites to choose from: Harrison Center/Lincoln Park or Washington Center.
We carefully researched this guide and apologize for any errors or totally awesome but already-sold-out camps. If we missed your favorite this year, please share it below in the comments!
Thanks to Monkey Business Winter Camp, Camp EDMO, KidzToPros, Inspire Behavior, The Crowden School, Brooklyn Robot Foundry, and LIV & CHIU art studio for sponsoring our Guide to Christmas Break Camps for East Bay kids’ school breaks. There are so many fun choices, you’ll never hear, “MOOOOMMMMM! I’m bored!”
[Photos provided by our sponsor camps as indicated, all rights reserved]
6 thoughts on “Winter Break Camps for East Bay Kids”
Sienna Ranch is offering Holiday Camps in 2021 https://www.siennaranch.net/holiday-camp/
Kinetic Arts Center has winter camp. https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/asp/main_enroll.asp?fl=true&tabID=113
TechKnowHow’s Winter Break Camp Sweepstakes – Enter to Win a Free Week of Online Winter Break Tech Camp for Ages 5-17. One winner will be selected at random to receive 1 Week of Half-Day Online Winter Break Camp (up to $295 value). Plus, 5 additional winners will receive a digital coupon for 50% Off Any Online Winter Break Camp. Enter at https://www.techknowhowkids.com/blog Entries must be submitted by Monday, December 6 at 9 am PST.
Camps include Minecraft Adventures, Roblox Game Design, Python Programming, Scratch Coding, and LEGO Engineering. Camps run Mon-Thu, December 20-23 or December 27-30, or Mon-Fri, January 3-7. See Online camps at https://www.techknowhowkids.com/winterbreaktechcamps
The Berkeley Chess School (2622 San Pablo Avenue) is offering In-person and online winter chess camps for ages 6 -17, Dec 20th -30th. In-person camp makes great use of our spacious outdoor playground, weather permitting, with sports, arts, and crafts in the mornings, and chess in the afternoons. Participants must be fully vaccinated. Full and half day options, enroll by the day or the week. Early bird discount ends December 18th. For more information or to enroll, visit our website at http://www.berkeleychessschool.org
Twirl is hosting their in-person Holiday camps, including a session to end the year with imaginative travels to New York and a balloon drop to kick off the New Year. Lots of fun projects to keep your kiddo engaged, 9 am-4 pm for ages 5-9.
Cost and Timing: December 27-30, $320
OPRYD- Winter Camp https://www.oaklandca.gov/departments/department-of-parks-recreation-and-youth-development
Session 1: Dec 20, 21, 22, 23
Session 2: Dec 27, 28, 29, 30
Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Ages: 5-13
Cost $160
Location: 3131 Union St, Willie Keyes Recreation Center