Last updated: November 3, 2026 · By Heather Shorr
School’s out for almost three weeks, but work isn’t. LA winter break camps with confirmed 2026 dates, what they cost, and how to piece together the holidays without losing your mind.
Winter break sneaks up on LA parents every year.
For LAUSD families, school lets out for close to three weeks, from just before Christmas until after New Year’s. That’s a long stretch to fill if you’re working, and holiday travel, grandparents and “let’s just have a cozy week at home” usually cover only part of it.
The good news: a number of well-established camps run winter break sessions. The less good news: they’re usually shorter and smaller than summer camps, and popular weeks fill up.
Here are winter break camps around Los Angeles and the Valley with confirmed 2026 dates, plus how to plan the break so you’re not scrambling on December 20.
Dates and prices below were checked in October 2026. Always confirm details with the camp before registering.
Quick Picks
- Most variety (and covers all three weeks): Camp Wildfolk, Valley Village
- Sports-loving kids: Got Game Camp, including Encino and Woodland Hills
- Most flexible schedule: Steve & Kate’s Camp
- Lowest cost: City recreation centers and the YMCA
Winter Camps at a Glance
| Camp | 2026 dates | Where | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Wildfolk | Dec 21 to Jan 8 (3 weeks) | Valley Village | $520 to $660 per week | Pre-K to grade 5 (plus teen program) |
| Got Game Camp | Dec 21 to Jan 8 | Encino, Woodland Hills, West LA, Mid-City | See website | Sports, arts, games |
| Steve & Kate’s Camp | Dec 21 to Dec 31 | Valley Village, Mar Vista, Pasadena | See website | Flexible day passes |
| City rec centers and YMCA | Varies | Citywide | Usually lowest | Budget-friendly |
When Is Winter Break 2026?
Most of the camps below run sessions from Monday, December 21, 2026 through early January, with no camp on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. That lines up with the typical LAUSD winter break, but private and charter school calendars vary, so check your own school’s dates before you book.
1. Camp Wildfolk, Valley Village
Most variety, and it covers all three weeks
Camp Wildfolk, which also appears in our summer camp guide, runs a full three weeks of winter break camp at its East Valley location in Valley Village. It’s one of the few programs we found covering the entire break.
What makes it stand out is the range of programs. Instead of one camp for every age, Wildfolk offers several tracks:
- Young Folks (Pre-K, TK and kindergarten, ages 4+): Art, movement, sensory play, imaginative play and storytime. $560 per week for weeks 1 and 2, $660 for week 3. Single days are $150 if space allows.
- Wildfolk Free-Range (grades 1 to 5): Grade-based teams plus interest “hubs” like crafts, robotics, games and sports, and drama. $520 per week for weeks 1 and 2. Single days are $140 if space allows.
- Film Makers Camp (grades 1 to 5): Small groups write, shoot and edit short films, with a screening at the end of the week. $540 for weeks 1 and 2, $630 for week 3.
- Tinker Explorers (grades 1 to 5, week 3 only): Robotics and tinkering with LEGO, circuits and gears. $630.
- Fiber + Felt Makers (grades 1 to 5, week 3 only): Needle felting, weaving and other fiber crafts. $650.
- GITs (grades 7 to 11): A casual leadership program where teens help with camp.
- Dates: Week 1: December 21 to 24. Week 2: December 28 to 31. Week 3: January 4 to 8, 2027. No camp on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, and no afternoon extended care on December 24 or 31.
- Location: 12020 Burbank Boulevard, Valley Village
- Contact: 818-299-4151
- Website: campwildfolk.com
2. Got Game Camp
Best for sports-loving kids
Got Game runs winter camp at four LAUSD elementary school campuses, including two in the Valley. Despite the name, it isn’t only sports. Campers choose from team sports like basketball, soccer and baseball, plus arts like dance, theatre and music, technology, karate, and games like chess and dodgeball.
For kids who’d happily run around all day, it’s a great way to burn off holiday energy.
- Dates: December 21, 2026 through January 8, 2027
- Locations: Lanai Road Elementary (Encino), Woodlake Avenue Elementary (Woodland Hills), Kentwood Elementary (West LA) and Hancock Park Elementary (Mid-City)
- Pricing: Weekly, daily and sibling rates are available. Check the website for current prices.
- Website: gotgamecamp.com
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3. Steve & Kate’s Camp
Most flexible schedule
Steve & Kate’s is known for letting kids choose what they do all day, with options like baking, filmmaking, sewing, music and building, and for its flexible day-pass model, which is ideal for an unpredictable holiday schedule.
For winter break, Steve & Kate’s lists three LA-area locations, including one in Valley Village.
- Dates: December 21 to December 31
- Locations: The Country School, 5243 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Valley Village; Citizens of the World Charter School, 11443 Gateway Boulevard, Mar Vista; and Walden School, 74 South San Gabriel Boulevard, Pasadena
- Good to know: If your employer offers Bright Horizons Back-Up Care, Steve & Kate’s camps are included
- Website: steveandkatescamp.com
Our parent tip: Notice the Steve & Kate’s dates end December 31. If your school is out until after January 4, you’ll need a separate plan for that last week. Camp Wildfolk and Got Game both run into January.
4. City Recreation Centers and the YMCA
Lowest cost
Many City of Los Angeles recreation centers and local YMCA branches run winter break day programs. They’re often the most affordable option and close to home, but schedules, ages and hours vary a lot by location, and details are often posted just a few weeks before the break.
- LA City Recreation and Parks: Check your neighborhood recreation center’s page or call the center directly. laparks.org
- YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles: Many branches offer day camps during school breaks. ymcala.org
From our family: We’ve been to the YMCA with Ford for all kinds of events, and it always ends up being a good time. Everything is well organized, and we’ve actually made some great friends there.
Other Places to Look
Winter break camps are less centralized than summer camps, so it pays to check a few less obvious places:
- Your child’s own school or after-school provider, which sometimes runs a holiday program for enrolled families
- Your child’s current classes: gymnastics gyms, martial arts studios, swim schools, art studios and theater programs often run short holiday camps for existing students
- Museums and zoos, which sometimes offer winter break programs. These tend to be announced late and sell out quickly.
How to Plan Winter Break Without the Scramble
Map the break first. Before you look at a single camp, write down every weekday your kids are out of school and mark the days that are already covered by travel, family or time off. You may only need camp for five or six days, not three weeks.
Book your must-have days early. Winter camps are smaller than summer camps, and the weeks around Christmas tend to fill. If there are specific days you absolutely need covered, lock those in by early December.
Watch the half days. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve often have shortened hours or no extended care. Check before you plan a full workday around them.
Use a camp your kids already know. If your child loved a summer camp, check whether it runs a winter session. A familiar place and familiar counselors make a short camp week much easier, especially for younger kids.
Don’t overschedule the whole break. Kids need some downtime too. A few days of pajamas, holiday movies and nothing on the calendar can be the best part of winter break.
More guides for LA parents: 50+ things to do in LA with kids, best parks in LA for kids and kids birthday party places.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do winter break camps cost in Los Angeles?
Among the camps in this guide, weekly prices run roughly $520 to $660, and single days around $140 to $150 where offered. City recreation centers and YMCA programs are typically less expensive. Ask what’s included, since extended care and lunch are sometimes extra.
When does winter break camp start in 2026?
Most camps listed here begin on Monday, December 21, 2026. Some, like Camp Wildfolk and Got Game, run into the week of January 4 to 8, 2027, while others, like Steve & Kate’s, end December 31.
Are there winter break camps in the San Fernando Valley?
Yes. Camp Wildfolk and Steve & Kate’s both have Valley Village locations, and Got Game runs winter camp at elementary schools in Encino and Woodland Hills.
Are camps open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve?
Often yes, but sometimes with shortened hours or no extended care. Camp Wildfolk, for example, has no afternoon extended care on December 24 or 31. Confirm the schedule for those days before you plan around them.
Find More Camps Near You
School breaks are exactly when parents end up searching dozens of websites, camp listings and parent groups to find something open, nearby and right for their kids.
That’s the problem we’re building AfterschoolSearch to solve: one place to find camps, classes and activities for kids around Los Angeles County.
Dates, prices and locations were checked in October 2026 and can change. Always confirm current details directly with the camp before registering.
AfterschoolSearch is launching soon in Los Angeles County
Get early access to the easiest way to find kids’ activities, sports leagues, classes, camps and events near you. No spam, just launch news and parent guides like this one.
