Mom, I’m bored! Winter camps an option

It’s 10 minutes into your kids’ winter break and they’re already bored. Sound familiar?

With two weeks off from school, most parents struggle with how to keep the little ones occupied — especially if they’re stuck working.

Many cities, counties, zoos, museums and after-care programs offer mini camps during the break. Here are just a few:

Palm Beach County

Sea Turtle Savers

Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach, 561-627-8280, marinelife.org

Your aspiring scientist will enjoy a full-immersion marine science experience. Participants will learn about the journey of sea turtle patients through and about conservation tools. Camp runs Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $60 per day.

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium Holiday Camps

4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach, 561-832-1988, sfsciencecenter.org

■ Age of Extinction (Ages 4-12): Journey back in time and explore how dinosaurs lived, where they went, and which are alive today. Camp runs Dec.

26-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $140

member/$155 non-member.

■ Holiday C.A.D. (Ages 7-14): Artistry in the digital world takes on a whole new form as campers dive into a winter wonderland of technological joy and cheer. Mold digital snowflakes and design holiday hardware. Camp runs Dec. 26-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost:

$170 member/$185 non-member.

■ Sub-zero Space (Ages 4-12): Outer space may have plenty of stars, but it’s not as hot as you think. Explore the frigid frontier using liquid nitrogen, dry ice and experiment with a vacuum chamber. Camp runs Jan. 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $140 member/$155 non-member.

■ MinecraftEDU: Baby It’s Code Outside (Ages 7-14): Explore the familiar blocky world with some unfamiliar winter twists such as snowing chickens, minecart sledding, and ice orbs that can instantly freeze water, all changed with the power of coding. Camp runs Jan. 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $170 member/$185 nonmember.

■ Virtually Impossible (Ages 7-14): Immerse yourself in the digital world of virtual reality. Design your own virtual landscape, then travel inside and look around as if you were actually there. Camp is on Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to

4 p.m. Cost: $55 member/$60 nonmember.

Aquatic Winter Break

YMCA of the Palm Beaches, 2085 S. Congress Ave., West Palm Beach, 561-968-9622, ymcapalmbeaches.org

Get your child active and involved

during winter break. The YMCA of the Palm Beaches has an indoor heated swimming pool always at 86 degrees. Camp runs Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4. Call for times and cost.

Winter Break Workshop

Showtime Performing Arts Theatre, 503 SE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, 561-394-2626, showtime boca.com

Your child will spend their break singing, acting, dancing and performing. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 26 through Jan.

4. Extended hours available. Winter camp theme this year is Disney’s Z-OM-B-I-E-S. Campers will learn songs, scenes and choreography from the movie. $195 per week; $375 for both weeks. There is a

20 percent sibling discount.

Winter Break Camp

West Jupiter Recreation Center, 6401 Indiantown Road, Jupiter, 561-694-5430, discover.pbcgov.org

Children ages 5-12 may participate. Camp is hosted Dec. 26-31 and Jan. 2-7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early bird and late bird times are available. $140/participant or $35 per participant per day fee.

Jr. Winter Olympics

Sandhill Crane Golf Club, 11401 Northlake Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-630-1160, pbgfl.com

Your little Olympian (ages 4-13) can hone their golf skills and then compete for a medal. A ceremony will present campers with their hard-earned prize. Parents have two weeks to choose from. Week One takes place on Dec. 26-28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Week Two takes place Jan. 1-5 from 9 a.m. to

2 p.m. Fees range between

$150-300.

Camp Shalom Winter Break Camp

Mandal JCC, 5221 Hood Road, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-712-5200, pbg.jcc online.com

Two weeks of fun including theme days, swimming, art, sports and field trips. Camp runs Dec. 24-Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $70 per day. Before and after care are available. There is also a special needs camp — Tikvah Winter Break Camp — running during the same time. Cost is $75 per day.

Camp Boca

City of Boca Raton, 150 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton, 561-393-7888, myboca.us

Your child will enjoy days filled with fun activities. Camp runs select dates from Dec. 24-31 and Jan. 2-7. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fees range from $42-59 per day.

My Gym Winter Camp

3755 Military Trail, Suite

B10, Jupiter, 561-575-2434, mygym.com/jupiter

Enroll your child in a half-day or full day of games, relays, songs, dances, zip line, rock climbing, gymnastics and sports. Ages 3-10 are welcome at the camp, which runs Dec. 24-28 and Dec. 31-Jan. 4 from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. The camp costs $40 per three-hour session.

Winter Break Social Skills Group

Sugar Sand Park Community Center, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton, 561-347-3900, sugarsand park.org

Kids (ages 4-15) will partake in activities while practicing social interaction and communication skills. Activities will be conducted by therapists and include yoga, making snow, winter songs, snowman contest and more. Sessions are held Jan. 2-4 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $60 per session.

Sugar Sand Park Winter Break Specialty Programs

Sugar Sand Park Community Center, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton, 561-347-3900, sugarsand

park.org

■ Fun & Fitness (Ages 5-11): Sport games, hip hop dance, gymnastics, arts & crafts, theater games, and more. Camp runs Dec. 24, Dec. 26, Jan. 3 and Jan. 4. Cost per day: $65

resident/$81.25 nonresident or $180 resident/$225 nonresident for all four days.

■ Kidnastics (Ages 5-11): Aerobics, relay activities, an obstacle course, and outside activities. Camp is on Dec. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $45

resident/$56.25 nonresident.

■ Bright & Smart Coding, Robotics & Engineering (Ages 7-14): Students will design, create, and code to communicate with computers to program their own animations. Lego bricks, 3D printers, and laptop computers will help to teach engineering skills. Camp runs on Dec. 24, Dec.

26 and Jan. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost per session:

$75 resident/$93.75 nonresident.

■ Drama Kids (Ages 6-13): Students learn acting and confidence-building skills with fun activities. Silent scenes, improvisations, mini-scripts, and theater games. Camp runs on Dec.

26-28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $180

resident/$225 nonresident.

■ Ooey Gooey Mad Science Slime Day (Ages 6-11): Children will combine polymers, study matter, and test formulas to find the best sticky substance. Camp runs on Dec. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $80

resident/$100 nonresident

■ Zap! Electricity Day (Ages 6-11): Explore the world of electricity with hands-on experiments. Play with static electricity, explore a tesla coil, and complete simple and complex circuits. Camp runs Dec. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $80

resident/$100 nonresident

■ Curtain Call: 4 Days of Theatre Fun! (Ages 6-15): Four days jam packed with skits, theatre games, acting, music, and more. Class runs on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2-4 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost for four days is $250

residents/$312.50 nonresidents.

Animal Adventures Day Camp

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca raton, 561-544-8605, gumbolimbo.org

Children (Grades 3-5) will learn about the ocean. Themed days include Shark Science, Animal Anomalies and Sensational Sea Turtles. Camp runs Jan.

2-4 from 8:30 a.m.–noon. Cost per day: $25

member/$30 non-member.

Winter Break Camp

Kids Choice Sports, Dance and Fitness, 6500 W. Rogers Circle, Boca Raton, 561-998-4225, gokidschoice .com

Campers will participate in a variety of games, art and crafts, free play, movies, sports, gymnastics and more. Early drop off and late pick ups are available. Camp runs Dec. 26-29 and Jan. 2-7. Cost: $308.70 half day/$396.90 full day. Lake Worth Playhouse Winter Break Camp

713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth, 561-586-6410, lake worthplayhouse.org

Death Aboard the Duchess - A Murder Mystery is a week-long winter camp for children ages 8 to 14. This short, simple mystery features engaging characters and fun twists. Camp runs Dec. 31-Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The performance takes place on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. Cost is $240 and $216 for siblings.

Broward County

Camp Discovery

Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW 2nd St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-713-0930, mods.org

Museum of Discovery and Science offers campers three options of winter camps: one-day Winter Wonderland camp (Dec.

24), three-day Museum Explorers camp (Dec.

26-18), and five-day Ecosystem Voyagers camp (Dec.

31-Jan. 4). All day camps include an IMAX film adventure. Fees range from

$50-$225 depending on camp choice.

City of Fort Lauderdale Winter Break Camps

Multiple park locations, 954-828-7275, fortlauderdale.gov/parks

Eight fun-filled days of activities including arts and crafts, fitness, field trips, team sports and more. Camp runs Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost: $180 resident/$270 nonresident.

Winter Wonderland Art Camp

Coral Springs Museum of Art, 2855a Coral Springs Drive, Suite A, Coral Springs, 954-340-5000, coralspringsmuseum.org

Winter Wonderland is a special themed art camp, where kids (ages 6-13) will draw, paint and sculpt to create something new. Camp runs in two sessions – Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4 – from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost: $165 member/$180 non-member.

Camp Live Oak

Two locations: Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale and Dr. von Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach, campliveoakfl.com

Activities include sports, arts and crafts, swimming, hiking, archery, hands-on science activities and more. Camp runs Dec. 24-28 and Dec. 31-Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to

3 p.m. The camp offers a

$65 daily rate or weekly rates of $250 (week 1) and

$310 (week 2). Sibling discounts are available.

City of Miramar Winter Camp

Multiple camp locations, 954-602-4780, miramarfl .gov

Campers will enjoy days of fun-filled activities that include a variety of sports, field trips, arts & crafts, games and more. Camp runs Dec. 24-28 and Dec.

31-Jan. 4 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.Cost: $72 per week

residents/$86 per week nonresidents.

Tigertail Lake Recreational Center

580 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, 954-201-4500, tigertaillake.com

Pack up the kids and head out for some outdoor fun. The center offers an 8,000 square foot inflatable water obstacle course, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding on its five-acre lake.

Twisters Holiday Camp

American Twisters, 6805 Lyons Technology Circle, Coconut Creek, 954-725-9199, american twisters.com

Children will enjoy winter-themed gymnastics, games, movies and arts & crafts in a 15,000 square foot facility. There’s even a castle and bounce house. Camp is hosted on Dec. 24, 26, 27, 28 and 31. Parents have a variety of camp times and rates to choose from.

Jr. Chef Camp

Vizcaya Park, 14200 SW

55th St., Miramar,

954-883-6800, miramarfl .gov

Winter Jr. Chef Camp takes participants on a journey to become culinary giants. Camp runs Dec.

24-28 and Dec. 31-Jan. 4 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost:

$80 per week resident/$95 per week nonresident.

Kids Day Off

Cooper City Community Center, 9000 SW 50th Place, Cooper City, 954-434-4300, coopercityfl.org

Campers participate in indoor and outdoor games, crafts, field trips and more. Only available to Cooper City residents. Camp runs Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $25 per day.

JCC Mini Winter Camps

Nina & Louis Silverman Campus, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie, 954-434-0499, dpjcc.org

David Posnack JCC offers two camps – a variety camp and a sports camp. Arts & crafts, cooking, dancing, sports and swimming will be enjoyed by the variety campers while the sports campers will learn or improve in basketball or karate. Week one of the camp runs Dec.

24, 26-28 and week two runs Dec. 31, Jan 2-4. All dates are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prices range from

$55-$70 a day. Weekly rates are available.

Lauderhill Winter Break Camp

Register at Veterans Park, 7600 NW 50th St., Lauderhill, 954-572-1459, lauderhill-fl.gov

Children will participate in a variety of activities, adventures and trips including Xtreme Action Park, Miami Seaquarium and Off The Wall Trampoline. Camp dates run Dec.

26-31 and Jan. 2-4 from

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily rate: $25 residents/$40 nonresidents.

Young at Art Winter Day Camp

751 SW 121st Ave., Davie,

954-424-0085, youngatart museum.org

Kiddies will work on their creative abilities and participate in art activities, interactive workshops with professional artists, outdoor play days, movie days and more. Camp runs Dec. 24, 26-28, 31 and Jan. 2-4 with a different theme each day. The day runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $55 per day for members and $60 per day for non-members.

Holiday Hours at Xtreme Action Park

5300 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale,

954-491-6265, xtreme actionpark.com

With more than 220,000 square-feet of attractions, children will have plenty to keep them busy over the winter break. Indoor go karting, roller skating, arcade, escape rooms, ropes course and more. Xtreme Action Park is open later during the winter holiday break which means more fun!