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arts entertainmentThings to Do

Keep the kids busy at holiday camps and classes in D-FW

Sign the kids up soon for holiday camps during Thanksgiving and winter breaks

Editor’s note: This story has been updated for 2019.

As the holidays approach, kids look forward to days of no school and all play. Parents may need a different plan, one designed to keep those little hands and minds productive while school is out. Here’s a sampling of Thanksgiving and winter break day camps and activities available for children and teens. Remember to register your child early as the camps may fill up fast.

CAMP CAN-I-COOK

Young cooks ages 4-16 will prepare a variety of seasonal recipes in half-day sessions.

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Dec. 26-27 from 9 a.m. to noon or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Young Chefs Academy, 8855 Preston Trace Blvd., Frisco. $60-$150. Register here.

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COOKING CAMP

Kids ages 6 and older will work in teams to prepare popular dishes from scratch in one-day, three-hour sessions. Choose morning or afternoon sessions.

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Dec. 23-24, 26-27, 30-31, Jan. 22-3 from 9 a.m. to noon or 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at My French Recipe Cooking School, 3033 W. Parker Road, Plano. $49 per session.

DALLAS COWBOYS FOOTBALL ACADEMY HOLIDAY CAMP

One-day skills and drills camps with former NFL players are open to athletes of all skill levels in grades 1-8.

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Dec. 30, Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington. $150. Register here.

Jerald Harper competes against Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes in a game of...
Jerald Harper competes against Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes in a game of knockout during the Mavs Basketball Academy Hoop Camp.(Brandon Wade / Special Contributor)

DALLAS MAVERICKS HOLIDAY HOOP CAMP

Mavs Camp coaches lead basketball skills camps for ages 8-18. Players can learn the fundamentals of the game in fun sessions held at the Mavs practice facility in Dallas, Carrollton and Murphy. Register here.

Dec. 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mavs Practice Facility, 1530 Inspiration Drive, Dallas. $65 ($40 until Dec. 16)

Jan. 2-4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Prestonwood Sports and Fitness Center, 6805 W. Park Blvd., Carrollton. $175 ($150 until Dec. 24)

Jan. 2-4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PSA Murphy, 330 N. Murphy Road, Murphy. $175 ($150 until Dec. 24)

DALLAS ZOO WILD ADVENTURE CAMPS

Zoo tours, playtime, arts and crafts, and animal experiences are offered in single-day camps for kids 3 years old through grade 5. Before- and after-care is offered.

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Dec. 26-Jan. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas. $45 per day. Register here.

DCC DANCE ACADEMY YOUTH CAMP

Dancers 6-16 will practice technique and learn about the importance of self-esteem in a one-day camp led by current Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Campers will receive official DCC poms.

Dec. 30, Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington. $150. Register here.

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Fourth graders are excited to see the hippopotamus swimming in their new tank as part of the...
Fourth graders are excited to see the hippopotamus swimming in their new tank as part of the African Savanna exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo. (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

FORT WORTH WINTER ZOO CAMP

Children in grades 1-5 will explore wildlife in the zoo and in the classroom. Before- and after-care is offered.

Dec. 30-31, Jan. 2-3, Jan. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth. $85 per day in November. Register here. Prices for later sessions will be announced soon.

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FC DALLAS WINTER BREAK MINI CAMP

Three-day soccer skills camp for players ages 6-9 includes instruction in defending and attacking and an intro to goalkeeping.

Dec. 27-29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Toyota Stadium, 6000 Main St., Frisco. $120. Register here.

GALLERIA ICE SKATING MINI COURSE

Children are grouped by age and ability for a three-day mini ice skating session. Includes three days of 30-minute lessons, skate rental included, and free skate time after class on the Galleria’s indoor rink.

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Session 1: Dec. 23-26, Session 2: Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas. $45 per session.

HOLIDAY BROADWAY CAMP

Children will spend the week learning theater technique and rehearsing a show that will be performed on at 5 p.m. on the final day of camp. Casting assignments will be made on the first day and all kids will be cast.

One-week session, Dec. 30-Jan. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at ArtCentre Theatre, 1400 Summit Ave., Suite E., Plano. $200. Register here.

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J’s WINTER ART CAMPS AND WORKSHOPS

J’s Art Studio offers a four-day art camp for ages 5 and older. Workshops in sewing and creating a teen portfolio are offered for teens and tweens.

Dec. 30-31, Jan. 2-3 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at J’s Art Studio,17630 Davenport Road, Dallas. $112. Register here.

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HEARD MUSEUM MINI-CAMPS

Children from pre-K through grade 6 are grouped by age to explore different nature themes with indoor and outdoor activities and a craft project.

Dec. 27, Jan. 2-3 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Heard National Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. $22 per day. Register here.

NINJA NATION DAY CAMP

Kids ages 5-12 can learn to navigate the obstacle courses like contestants do on American Ninja TV show. Drop in for open gym time or sign up for a class.

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Dec. 23-Jan. 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; prices vary by selection. Ninja Nation. 7140 Dena Drive, Frisco. $70 per day. Register here.

NTPA FALL AND WINTER CAMPS

Theater camps are available at North Texas Performing Arts locations in Plano, Fairview and Frisco. Younger children (in grades K-5) can engage in full- or half-day Creativity Camps. Older students (grades 4-12) can sign up for theater workshops in Plano or join the cast of the production Dystopia! The Hungry Maze Game of Divergent Death in Fairview.

Creativity Camp — Dec. 23, 27, 30, 31; Jan. 1, 2, 3, 6 (camp dates vary by location, check website for schedule) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m. $40-$80 per day.

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Into to Tech Theatre — Dec. 30-31 from 1 to 5 p.m., Plano only. $160. northtexasperformingarts.org/camps.

Intro to Acting —Jan. 2-3 from 1 to 5 p.m., Plano only. $160. northtexasperformingarts.org/camps.

Dystopia — Rehearsals: Dec. 30-Jan. 3, Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Performances: Jan. 4 at 7:15 p.m., Jan. 5 at 2:15 p.m. $325.

Willow Bend Center for the Arts, 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano (in the Shops at Willow Bend); Fairview Youth Theatre, 302 Town Place, Fairview; NTPA, 6500 Preston Road, Frisco. Register here.

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PEROT MUSEUM DISCOVERY CAMPS

Wee Bots — Pre-K kids will learn about robots. Four-day session, Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-3 from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. $200.

Robots, Robots, Robots — Campers in grades K-4 will get hands-on with robots, experiment with programming platforms and have fun with robot races and challenges. Four-day session, Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $292.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 Field St., Dallas. Before- and after-care is offered. Register here.

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PLANO LIBRARIES

Tots, tweens and teens can enjoy a variety of age-appropriate activities at Plano public libraries over Winter break. Activities are free, but some require tickets, which will be distributed 30 minutes before the program.

Dec. 20-23, Jan. 2-6 (times vary by activity) at Davis Library, 7501-B Independence Parkway.; Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Road; Harrington Library, 1501 18th St.; Parr Library, 6200 Windhaven Parkway.; Schimelpfenig Library, 5024 Custer Road. Free. See complete schedule here.

PSA WINTER BREAK CAMPS

Ages 5-14 can play indoor sports and spend time doing craft projects, playing games and more at PSA locations in Plano (PSA1), Murphy and McKinney. In addition, a variety of three-day specialty camps in sports, dance, arts, martial arts and STEM are available. Before- and after-care is offered.

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Dec. 23-24, Dec. 26-27, Dec. 30-31, Jan. 2-3, Jan. 6 (PSA1 only) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; specialty camps meet 8:30-11:30 a.m. or

1-4 p.m. At PSA1, 6500 Preston Meadow, Plano; PSA Murphy,

330 N. Murphy Road, Murphy; PSA McKinney, 7205 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney. $40-$45 per day, $81-$111 for specialty camps. Register here.

SCHOOLS OUT ART CAMP

Young artists 5-12 and toddlers 2-4 can learn to create colorful paintings and holiday projects in one-day camps led by artists.

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Dec. 30, Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon, noon to 3 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. at Oil and Cotton, 837 W. Seventh St., Dallas. $50. Register here.

SCI-TECH HOLIDAY FAMILY WORKSHOPS

Kids and parents can sign up for morning or afternoon workshops at Sci-Tech Discovery Center. Options include hands-on STEM and STEAM activities and creative maker classes. Parents can register to work alongside their child. Non-participating parents and siblings receive discounted admission to Sci-Tech.

Dec. 26-27, Jan. 2-3 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Sci-Tech Discovery Center, 8004 Dallas Parkway, Frisco. $25. Register here.

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THANKSGIVING AND WINTER BREAK CAMP AT THE J

The Jewish Community Center of Dallas offers a day camp for ages 5-13 during Thanksgiving and winter breaks. A gymnastic skills clinic is offered during Thanksgiving break for beginner- through competitive-level boys and girls. Before- and after-care is offered.

Dec. 23-Jan. 3 (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for camps, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for clinics at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas. $20-$25 (per clinic), $84 per day (camp). Register here.

WINTER BREAK DROP-IN DAY CAMP

Kids ages 5-12 can swim, do crafts, play games and take part in other activities at a drop-in camp at the McKinney’s Apex Centre.

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Dec. 30, Jan. 2-3 from 8 to 5 p.m. at the Apex Centre, 3003 Alma Road, McKinney. $70 per day (discount for Apex members). Register here.

WINTER BREAK FIT AND FUN CAMPS

Each day is different at two-day fitness camps for children 5-13. Campers, grouped by age, take part in sports play, inventive games, relay races and more.

Dec. 27-28, Jan. 2-3 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Cooper Fitness Center, 12100 Preston Road, Dallas. $100. Register here.

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WINTER DAY CAMPS

Students ages 6 and older will use their imagination to create new characters and new worlds at Arts Mission Oak Cliff camps. Pack a lunch for your camper. Discounts are available for siblings. Email contact@artsmissionoc.com for discount code.

Jan. 2, 3, 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Arts Mission Oak Cliff, 410 S Windomere Ave., Dallas. $50 per day. Register here.

WOGA CAMPS

Full- and half-day camps at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy locations in Frisco and Plano are available for boys and girls 3-14. Supervised by safety-certified coaches, activities may include gymnastic training, tumbling, trampoline, games and arts and crafts. Walks-in are welcome.

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Dec. 23 (Frisco only), Dec. 27, Dec. 30-31, Jan. 2-3 from 9 a.m. to noon (for age 3) or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., WOGA, 5936 Nancy Jane Lane, Frisco, and 1937 W. Parker, Plano. $40-$50 per day. Register here.

YMCA HOLIDAY CAMPS

Select YMCA locations offer traditional day camp activities for children 5-12. Campers should take a nut-free breakfast and lunch.

From 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. $35 per day. Register here.

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Coppell: Dec. 23, 26, 27; Jan. 2-3 at Towne Center Elementary, 185 N. Heartz.

Dallas: Dec. 23, 26, 27, 30; Jan. 2, 3, 6 at T. Boone Pickens Family YMCA, 601 N. Akard.

Frisco: Dec. 26-27; Jan. 2, 3, 6 at Shawnee Trail Elementary, 10701 Preston Vineyard.