Thanks to Berkeley Playhouse, Sarah's Science, Trackers Bay, Claremont Kids Club, Monkey Business Camp, Camp Bladium, MOCHA, and Hands-On! Berkeley for sponsoring our Guide to Winter Camps for East Bay kids' school breaks.
Most, if not all, East Bay schools have Winter Recess from Monday, December 23, 2019 through Friday, January 3, 2020. 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 a la carte days for those in need of Berkeley & Oakland winter break camps.
Berkeley Playhouse Conservatory Holiday Break Camps (Berkeley)
Dive into the world of theatre arts with Berkeley Playhouse’s grades K-2 and 3-6 holiday break camps. Each three- or four-day session will include curriculum and a final performance based on Frozen (Grades K-2) and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Grades 3-6)
Camp Bladium (Alameda)
Includes a wide variety of activities: rock climbing, inflatables, basketball, dodgeball, kickball, arts and crafts, NERF®, Laser Tag, and LEGO®. Each camp features a different fun theme. Lunch and snacks included. Ages 5-14.
Claremont Club & Spa Kids Club (Berkeley)
Spend winter break with the Claremont Kids' Club. Games, hiking, cooking, swimming, arts & crafts, music and more! Register by emailing cla.kidsclub@fairmont.com.
Hands-on! (Berkeley)
Drop-off STEAM camp includes chemistry, art, engineering and more. Dress for a mess. Ages 5 to 11.
MOCHA (Oakland)
MOCHA fills in with day camps, exposing your children to various art media to engage children’s minds while exploring projects that stimulate problem solving skills, encourage innovative approaches and deliver complete works of art at the end of the day/week. Ages 5-12.
Monkey Business Winter Camp (Berkeley)
Art, cooking (organic, Kosher options), group games and basketball, board games, LEGOs and bubbles, plus special weekly fun with face painting with professional painter, bounce jump house or Carnival games with prizes. Ages 4.5-10, with youth leaders 11+. Locally grown and operated, 20 years in the Bay, certified green business.
Sarah's Science Winter Camp (Berkeley, Oakland)
The theme this winter at Inventor's Workshop is "Do-It-Yourself-Science". Offers DIY hands-on science projects for kids ages 4 to 11 to design, build, and take home each day. All materials included. Plus creative arts and crafts, active outdoor play, and experienced and nurturing staff.
Trackers Bay Winter Camp (Berkeley)
New Berkeley location! Winter is a perfect time to get outside. Join in learning the ancient skills of wilderness survival, fishing, foraging, and archery. Make new friends as you quest through the beautiful wintery landscape in search of magical beasts. A wonderful adventure celebrating the season awaits every child. For age 4 through 18.
Boys on the Go or Girls on the Go (Berkeley)
Field trip camps for children age 9-13, with youth leaders 16+, fostering welcoming, cooperative community, with a lot of fun and games. For those who like to get out and about the town. Ice-Skating, rock climbing, trampolining, going to see movies by foot, bus or BART. Locally grown and operated, 20 years in the Bay, certified green business.
Art Yowza (Alameda)
Every school holiday focuses on a different art media (painting, sculpture, drawing, cartooning, mixed media) paired with eco-themes related to clean air, single use plastics and alternative energy, etc. The campers use their skills to do good in the world. Ages 5 to 11.
Circo Day Camp (Oakland)
One day camp options are filled with clowning, trapeze, juggling, acrobatics, climbing and general circus happiness. Your child will leave exhausted…and with many fun memories! Grades 1 to 6.
Cooking Round the World (Albany / Kensington, Oakland, Lafayette / Moraga / Orinda)
Full- or half-day cooking camp for the entire week with Celebrity Chefs theme. Fees include apron, lunch, afternoon desserts, and recipes emailed home.
East Bay Dance Center (Oakland)
Offers kids jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, tumbling and African dance with kids their own age and experience level for ages 5 to 16.
East Bay SPCA Animal Camp (Oakland)
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.
Kids N Dance (Oakland)
Dance adventure and youth theater offerings for all interests. This year includes Circus and Frozen for preschool-aged performers. Ages 3 to 16.
Monkey Ninja Camp at Athletic Playground (Emeryville)
Turn your world upside down. Get ready to climb, invert, swing, vault, flip and gain a new perspective with this parkour and acrobatics camp. Ages 5 to 12.
Pac West Winter Break (Fremont, Newark / Union City)
Structured gymnastics lessons, arts & crafts, fun and friends
Strings and Piano Camp at Crowden (Berkeley)
Features a variety of music activities, including chorus, instrument technique, ensemble classes, and music games. Designed for beginning- to intermediate-level violin, viola, cello, or piano players. Beginners welcome! Ages 7 to 16. Enroll before Dec. 1, Crowden will contact registrants to schedule a placement interview.
Twirl (Alameda)
Winter wonderland and New Years camp offer time to do a little of everything: art studio, pretend play, walking to the park, projects, and tons of fun. Ages 4 to 8.
Winter Wonderland (Alameda)
Day camp activities include arts, crafts, games, outdoor play, short walking trips for grades K to 5th.
Yama Kids Yoga winter yoga camp (Berkeley)
At camp, the kids will learn yoga poses, meditation, and mindfulness plus crafts, collaborative art, and a bit of running around. Limited to 15 kids.
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 Berkeley Playhouse, Sarah's Science, Trackers Bay, Claremont Kids Club, Monkey Business Camp, Camp Bladium, MOCHA, and Hands-On! Berkeley 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]
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