Head to an arcade like Lucky Strike for some post-Christmas thrills. Photo by Jennifer Voit
Long Island's Top Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids
Have a ball this winter at indoor fun centers on Long Island like Nana’s Wonderland. Photo by Gina Massaro
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 34 Best Things To Do with Kids on Long Island
The Long Island Children's Museum's New Year's Eve party has themed activities, a ball drop, and a confetti-filled dance party. Photo courtesy LICM
Long Island New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Long Island Kids
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
Fifth Street in Ronkonkoma is aglow with Christmas lights during the holidays.
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and 2025 Holiday Lights on Long Island
LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park this Christmas season. Photo courtesy LuminoCity
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows on Long Island 2025
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Kids can hop on tricycles and ride around the indoor track at L.I. Salty Kids Cove.
21 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Suffolk County
Xplore Family Fun Center's birthday parties include pizza, drinks, and arcade cards. Photo by the author
Top Birthday Party Places on Long Island for Kids
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
Summer camp is a great way for kids to make new friends and learn new skills
GUIDE
Long Island Summer Camp Guide
Speed down the slides at Bellmore's Planet Play.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Nassau County
Bounce! in Syosset is a trampoline adventure destination that includes a toddler playground for younger kids. Photo by Jennifer Voit
15 Family Fun Centers on Long Island
Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Long Island
Photo of Liddle Bites play space in Long Beach by Lisa Fogarty for Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Long Island Kids
Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center's interactive exhibits are free. Photo by Gina Massaro
Top Free Things To Do Indoors on Long Island: Free Places To Play Indoors
The Vanderbilt has a planetarium, an expansive mansion, and a museum, making it a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
25 Things To Do Indoors on Long Island on a Rainy Day
Find free fun for Long Island kids at the free play space at the Broadway Mall. Photo courtesy the mall
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do with Long Island Kids
Families gather at Northport Park as the sun sets on the scenic Northport Harbor. Photo by the author
Best Cute Towns on Long Island with Walkable Main Streets
A day at Sunken Meadow State Park can feature playground games, a walk on the beach, and more. Photo by Kimberly Chacon
Best Playgrounds on Long Island for Kids
Speed down the slides at Bellmore's Planet Play.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Nassau County
Celebrate with a themed birthday at Sippy Cups. Photo by the author
Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids on Long Island
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for Long Island Kids
Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Long Island
Winding paths, ponds, and streams line the lush grounds of Clark Botanic Gardens.
17 Secret Long Island Spots Kids Love
Encourage an introduction to STEM education at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
Best Long Island Science Museums for Kids
Long Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern seaboard. Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island
Ultimate Long Island Bucket List: 100 Things To Do on LI with Kids Before They Grow Up
Host an affordable birthday party at Whimsical Vine Party Hall. Photo by Chofit the Man to Call via Pexels
Inexpensive Birthday Party Room Rentals on Long Island
Babies 2 and younger can pet the goats, alpacas, and ponies for free at Fink’s Country Farm.
12 Free Places to Play on Long Island with Babies and Toddlers
Photo of Liddle Bites play space in Long Beach by Lisa Fogarty for Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Long Island Kids
Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
Best Museums for Kids on Long Island
Keep the kids busy at Applebee's with games on a tableside tablet. Photo by Anne Caminiti - Momee Friends of Long Island www.momeefriendsli.com
Long Island Restaurants with Fun Entertainment for Kids
Photo by Dora Somosi via Instagram
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for Long Island
Grab the brass ring and get a free ride at Greenport's carousel. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
Top Attractions in Long Island: Best Things to See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas

Best School Holiday and Spring Break Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Sports like basketball are just some of the fun activities kids can enjoy during spring break camps.
Sports like basketball are just some of the fun activities kids can enjoy during spring break camps.
3/3/24 - By Christine Mooney

Traveling during every spring break and school holiday just isn't possible... nor is taking time off work. That's why many parents look to camps to keep their kids busy during days off from school.

From sports camps to music camps to dance camps, there's a school holiday or spring break camp for kids of any interest. Here are some top picks for school holiday and spring break camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

And while you're thinking of camps, don't forget to start planning for summer! Summer camps fill up quickly, and our DC Summer Camp Guide can help you you prepare. It lists everything from STEM summer camps to sports summer camps throughout the DC area.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Holiday and Spring Break Camps in Washington, DC

Busy Bees Spring Break Camp

Capitol Hill
Ages 2-7
Busy Bees' Spring Break Day Camp features daily interactive activities, music class, and an art project for all campers, plus trips to local playgrounds and other field trips (safety-, age-, and weather-permitting). READ MORE

DC Way Soccer

Multiple locations
Ages 5-11
DC Way offers soccer camps, skills clinics, leagues, and instruction for kids ages 4 and up. Its Kids Academy introduces children ages 4-8 to soccer through six weeks of age-appropriate classes with licensed coaches. Skills clinics for ages 6-12 focus on the development of individual skills such as dribbling, shooting, passing, and receiving. Camps are offered for ages 4-13.  READ MORE

Home Run Baseball Camp

Spring Valley
Ages 6-12
Home Run Baseball Camp is for kids ages 4-12 of all experience levels. The camp, which runs from 8:30am-2:30pm, focuses on teaching technical proficiency, hard work, and respectful play.  READ MORE

HoopEd Nation

Multiple locations
Ages 5-13
HoopEd Nation offers basketball, All Sports and Games, and Girl Power camps for kids ages 5-13 at various locations. There are also a variety of basketball skills classes and outdoor games for kids in grades 1-12.  READ MORE

Polite Piggy's Spring Break Camps

Multiple locations
Ages 3-10
Piggy’s Day Camp provides nurturing care and education for kids ages 3-10 in a clean, safe, and healthy environment. The program includes daily lessons, outdoor play, and field trips. READ MORE

Holiday and Spring Break Camps in Maryland

CREATE Arts Center

Silver Spring
Ages 6-12
CREATE Arts Center offers Summer and No School Day Art Camps. Experienced teaching artists inspire creativity by teaching various art-making techniques and help campers draw inspiration for their artwork. Summer camps are weeklong, and the no-school day camp schedule aligns with Montgomery County Public Schools, DC Public Schools, and several local private schools and charter schools. READ MORE

DC Way Soccer

Multiple locations
Ages 5-11
DC Way offers soccer camps, skills clinics, leagues, and instruction for kids ages 4 and up. Its Kids Academy introduces children ages 4-8 to soccer through six weeks of age-appropriate classes with licensed coaches. Skills clinics for ages 6-12 focus on the development of individual skills such as dribbling, shooting, passing, and receiving. Camps are offered for ages 4-13.  READ MORE

HoopEd Nation

Multiple locations
Ages 5-13
HoopEd Nation offers basketball, All Sports and Games, and Girl Power camps for kids ages 5-13 at various locations. There are also a variety of basketball skills classes and outdoor games for kids in grades 1-12.  READ MORE

Silver Stars Gymnastics

Silver Spring
Ages 4-15
Silver Stars Gymnastics offers gymnastics, tumbling, trampoline, and ninja classes for kids ages 6 months to 17 years. Full-day and half-day camp programs are available for ages 4-15. READ MORE

Steve & Kate's Camp

Multiple locations
Ages 4-12
Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own camp experience. Campers ages 4-12 choose from a variety of activities in real time including sewing, stop-motion animation, music, coding, sports and recreation, crafts, baking, and more. Families can buy as many days as they’d like and use them at any time, no reservations required. Camp runs from 8am-6pm, and lunch and snacks are included.  READ MORE
Theater fans will love Encore Stage and Studio Camp. Photo by Cindy Kane Photography
Theater fans will love Encore Stage and Studio Camp. Photo by Cindy Kane Photography

Holiday and Spring Break Camps in Northern Virginia

Children's Science Center

Fairfax
Grades 1-5
Campers entering first through fifth grades participate in hands-on STEM projects ranging from engineering to chemistry. With five themes throughout the summer, young scientists learn about space, movement, the Earth, and more through lab work and experiments. READ MORE

The nZone

Chantilly
Ages 5-14
This large indoor complex offers five-week programs in which kids learn fundamental and sport-specific skills and build sportsmanship. The nZone also provides summer camps and school-holiday camps in which kids ages 2-14 learn and play sports, do crafts and science experiments, and take cooking classes. READ MORE

Encore Stage and Studio

Arlington
Grades K-5
Encore's half-day summer camp for preschoolers includes songs and movement, music and rhythm, theater, storytelling, and crafts with a new theme each week, such as Doc McStuffins and Blue's Clues. Camp takes place 9am-12pm. There is a special sharing day for families on the last day of camp. Encore also offers school-holiday mini camps and spring break camps.  READ MORE

Pentagon MMA

Arlington
Ages 4-11
From football to soccer to archery and table tennis, each day of Spring Camp at Pentagon MMA features a different sport from around the world. READ MORE

Steve & Kate's Camp

Multiple locations
Ages 4-12
Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own camp experience. Campers ages 4-12 choose from a variety of activities in real time including sewing, stop-motion animation, music, coding, sports and recreation, crafts, baking, and more. Families can buy as many days as they’d like and use them at any time, no reservations required. Camp runs from 8am-6pm, and lunch and snacks are included.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article: