February Break Camps for New York City Kids: 32 Cool Programs for Midwinter Recess

New York City public schools are closed Presidents Day week for midwinter break, and a lot of kids (like ours) are already counting down the days. You could take a mini-vacation, or do a day trip to a nearby ski resort, snow tubing spot or indoor water park. There's just one problem: While the kids get a break, many grown-ups still have to work.

Luckily, lots of NYC spots offer February break camps where kids can pursue all kinds of interests, from athletics to arts to academics. Some programs offer full coverage throughout the week; others are only a few hours a day in case you just want to get the kids out of the house for a bit. And while some of these camps are expensive, we've included lower-priced programs that sound like great deals. One is even free!

Art Camps

Spring Art Colony – Hudson Square
Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton Street between Hudson and Washington Streets
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9am-5pm.
$595
Ages 6-12
The museum offers a pair of midwinter break programs at its fabulous new space.

In Mixed Media Collage and Assemblage, kids explore two- and three-dimensional art works by Duchamp, Cornell, Bearden, Raschenburg, Calder and contemporary artists, and then make their own.

In Radio Podcast, kids hit the museum's state-of-the-art sound booth to create their own radio podcasts. They'll work on writing, vocal performance, storytelling, recording and editing.

JCC Winter Camp: Art Studios Intensive – Upper West Side
334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th Street
Tuesday, February 21-Friday, February 24 9am-noon
$470
Ages 6 and up
Working with professional artists, kids can experiment with a variety of materials and mediums, including ceramics, wood, jewelry and print making.

TADA! Musical Theater Camps – Chelsea
15 West 28th Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9am-2:30pm, extended hours available for an additional fee
First-eighth graders
$450
Aspiring Broadway hoofers work with theater pros to create a mini-musical, which is performed on the final day.

HiArt Crazie Mazie Holiday Art Camp – Chelsea
227 West 29th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9:30am-3pm
$800 for the week, $175 per day, $95 per half day
Ages 5-14
Creative kids can enjoy all kinds of art experiences, including drawing manga and anime, painting, doing mixed media, making sculptures and visiting local galleries. Preschoolers can also attend from 9am-noon, but a caregiver must be present.

Guggenheim Midwinter Break Camp – Upper East Side
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue
Monday, February 20-24 9:30am-4pm
$500
Ages 8 to 11 years
Kids will explore the museum's works and then create their own sculptures, paintings, collages and digital media pieces.

Art House Astoria – Astoria
23-35 Broadway between 23rd and Crescent Streets
Tuesday, February 21-Friday, February 24 9am-5pm
$350 for the week, $175 for a week of half days
Ages 6-15
This nonprofit music and art conservatory offers kids a chance to get creative over break. Divided into two groups (ages 6-9 and 10-15), campers get to sing in the choir, write prose and poetry, do yoga and art, and even watch a short movie.

Academic Camps

NYChess Kids Camp – Murray Hill
PS 116, 210 East 33rd Street between Second and Third Avenues
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24, half-day and full-day sessions available.
$375 for the full week, $250 for five half days, $85 per full day, $55 per half day.
Ages 4 and up
Chess players of all levels, even beginners, are welcome at this camp. Kids will hone their skills, attend lectures and, of course, play lots of games. There will also be sports and snack breaks.

Adventures in Time Winter Break Mini-Camp: Happy 280th Birthday George – the Bronx
Van Cortlandt House Museum in Van Cortlandt Park, Broadway at West 246th Street
Tuesday, February 21-Thursday, February 23 10am-3pm
$70 for three days, 25 per day
Second-fifth graders
One of the Bronx's oldest buildings invites kids to travel back in time to the days of George Washington. They'll make paper three-cornered hats, write with quills and ink, take part in an outdoor military drill (weather permitting) and even throw a 280th birthday party in honor of our nation's very first President.

Winter Science Camp: Plant Pioneer – the Bronx
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9am-4pm
$225, extended hours available for an extra fee
Ages 8-10
This brand-new camp at the NYBG is a great deal and also sounds like a lot of fun. The week's focus is legendary botanist, scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. Kids will participate in plant experiments, hands-on activities, and do science games and crafts on the garden's beautiful grounds.

Midwinter Wildlife Mini Camp at the Queens Zoo – Corona
53-51 111th Street
Thursday, February 23-Friday, February 24 10am-3pm
$150
Ages 6-10
Young animal lovers can spend two days behind the scenes at the zoo, enjoying face time with the residents, making nature crafts and exploring the natural world.

Robotics & Video Game Animation Camp – Upper West Side
RoboFun Studio, 2672 Broadway near 102nd Street
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9am-4pm, extended hours available for an extra fee
$660 for the week, $390 for a week of half days.
Ages 6-12
We're big fans of RoboFun's programs. Kids work on LEGO Robotics in the morning and video game designs in the afternoon using special computer software.

Winter Break Week at the Quad – Tribeca
The Quad Manhattan, 54 Reade Street near Broadway
Tuesday, February 21-Friday, February 24, 9am-12:30pm or 1-4pm depending on age.
$445 plus fee for materials.
Ages 6-11
This educational and recreational center hosts a pair of half-day camps specifically designed for "gifted kids with and without special needs." .

In the morning Winter Quad Makers Camp, children ages 6-8 can choose from three interrelated projects that involve art and technology.

In the afternoon Winter Tinker Tech Camp, 8-11-year-olds will mess around with computers and other equipment.

Schools Out Ships In Camp at the Intrepid – Midtown West
Pier 86, Twelfth Avenue at 46th Street
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9am-5pm, extended hours available for an extra fee
$500 for the week, $90 per day.
Ages 5-13
February break means Kids Week at the Intrepid is back! Although this program is open to the public, campers get first dibs on all the fun, like hanging with Star Wars and Sesame Street characters, meeting Spider-Man and celebrating the air craft carrier's 30th birthday. Other activities on tap include the Intrepid's usual educational programming, where kids can explore sea, air and space.

Chocolate Lover's Camp – Chelsea
Taste Buds, 109 West 27th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 noon-3pm
$395 for the week, $100 per day
Ages 4-8
Who can resist five days of chocolate? In this tasty camp, chefs-in-training learn how to mix and measure the sweet stuff as well as other kitchen basics.

Sports Camps

Chelsea Piers Holiday Sports Camps – Chelsea
23rd Street and the Hudson River
The massive athletics complex offers five different programs over midwinter break.

Junior Golf Camp
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 8:30am-4pm, extended hours available for an additional fee
$575 for the week, $250 for two days
Ages 6-16
Participants enjoy individualized golf instruction in a group environment, and get to hit the driving range and the simulators.

Multi-Sport Camp and Gymnastics Camp
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 8:45am-3:30pm, extended hours available for an additional fee
$590 for the week, $270 for two days
Ages 5-12
In the Multi-Sport Camp, kids play soccer, baseball, handball and basketball, as well as bowling, skating and rock climbing. In the Gymnastics Camp, children hone their skills on the facility's state-of-the-art equipment.

Little Athletes
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9am-noon, extended hours available for an extra free.
$360 for the week, $75 per day with a two-day minimum
Ages 3-5
Toilet-trained preschoolers can opt for this half-day program, where they get to try a variety of activities including rock climbing, art, soccer and dance.

Urban Adventurers
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9am-3:30pm
$590
Ages 13-16
Teens can do team-building exercises designed to develop self-confidence, collaboration and communication skills. Other activities on tap include rock climbing, basketball, soccer, volleyball, ice-skating, yoga, dance and indoor cycling.

Asphalt Green – Upper East Side
555 East 90th Street between York and East End Avenues
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 8:45am-3:15pm
$500 for the week, $115 per day
Ages 4-12
The uptown athletic center groups kids by age (4-5, 6-7 and 8-12) and lets them play all kinds of sports, including soccer, baseball, basketball, gymnastics and swimming in an Olympic-size pool.

JCC Tennis and Basketball Mini Camp Intensives – Upper West Side
334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th Street
Tuesday, February 21-Friday, February 24, hours vary.
$790 for four full days, $520 for four half days
Ages 6-9
Kids can hone their tennis skills in the morning, and then play basketball in the afternoon. Campers can also opt for half days if they're only interested in one sport.

Super Soccer Stars – Manhattan and Brooklyn
Whether your young Pele is just starting out or wants to bend it like Beckham, soccer camp is a great way to keep the kids entertained while burning off all their energy. This popular program offers a number of different options at various locations, including the Upper East and West Sides, Brooklyn and Tribeca.

Mini Camp
Tuesday, February 21-Friday, February 24, times vary.
Tuition varies by location: $240-$280
Ages 2 1/2-5
Young athletes learn basic soccer techniques and also enjoy arts and crafts, and free play.

Kick It Clinics
Tuesday, February 21-Friday, February 24, times vary.
Tuition varies by location: $260-$295
Ages 6-12
Older kids can develop their soccer skills and play friendly games.

Aviator Sports & Events Center Holiday Break Camps – Marine Park
Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Avenue
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 9am-4pm, extended hours available for an extra fee
$385 for the week, $88 per day
Ages 5-15
Kids can have all kinds of athletic fun at this massive Brooklyn facility. Ice-skating, soccer, basketball and gymnastics are just some of what's on tap.

General Interest Camps

Parks Department Vacation Camps – Citywide
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 hours vary
FREE
Ages 6 to 13
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation runs a pair of free programs for kids.

The Recreation Center Vacation Camps are offered at centers throughout the city. You can find a complete list on the website. Kids play games and sports at the indoor facilities, go on trips, do arts and crafts, and other activities. Hours vary by location and you need to apply in person at your chosen rec center. It's first come, first served and spaces fill up quickly.

The Parks Department also offers Learn to Swim Camps at rec centers with indoor pools. The program runs two hours each day. Again, there's a list of locations on the website and you must enroll in person.

ACT Holiday Camp – Morningside Heights
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street
Tuesday, February 21-Friday, February 24 9:30am-4pm, extended hours available for an extra fee
$40 per day, plus additional fees for field trips
Ages 5 to 12
One of the least expensive camps in Manhattan, this program is a great deal (and it's actually where one of our staffers, Raven, sends her daughter). Kids enjoy arts and crafts, cooking, reading and playing right under the iconic Cathedral (or on the grounds, weather permitting). Fun on tap includes field trips to the New York Hall of Science, ice-skating and a cook-off.

The JCC Winter Break Camps for 3s, 4s and 5s – Upper West Side
Tuesday, February 21-Friday, February 24 9am-1pm, 2pm or 3pm, depending on age.
$95-$110 per day
Ages 3-5
Preschoolers get to try a little bit of everything—cooking, arts and crafts, sports, swimming, science and more. Children are dismissed at different hours depending on age. Some sessions are already sold out so if you're interested don't wait.

Manhattan Youth – February Fun Vacation Camp – Tribeca
Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24 8:30am-5:30pm
$85-$100 per day
Kindergarten-fifth grade
Housed in PS 89, but open to all kids, this general interest camp features sports, crafts, theater, swimming and other fun. Tuition includes breakfast, lunch and a snack.

The Clubhouse Camp: Mini-Winter Camp – East Village
Town and Village Synagogue, 334 East 14th Street between First and Second Avenues
Tuesday, February 21-Thursday, February 23 9am-4pm
$250
Ages 4-15
Kids are put in mixed age groups at this funky and artsy family-style camp. Art, music, chess, martial arts, beading, storytime and magic are just some of the fun in store.

For other great things to do over midwinter break, check out our Indoor Activity Guide and our Winter Fun Guide.