The kids are off from school and that means you will need a way to occupy them for the day. Looking for last-minute ideas? Don’t fret! We compiled this list, complete with full-day camps, half-day classes, and even drop-in daycare for an hour or two. Here’s what we found around the metro area:
Camps & Classes
Art Garage School Day Out Classes
February 17, 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m.
Choose from a morning class (9 a.m. to noon) creating a collaborative mural, or an afternoon class (1 to 4 p.m.) making miniature winter villages, scenes, and decor using found objects and recycled materials. $45 half day class. The Art Garage, Denver.
Camp Shai School’s Out Camp
February 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sign up kids ages five to 12 to participate in a day of fun activities, crafts, games, and indoor swimming. Registration closes 3 business days before each program. $75, before and after care available for an additional fee. Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center, Denver.
Dinosaur Ridge Day Camp
February 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Treat your dino-loving kid to a full day of exploration at Dinosaur Ridge. Kids will create their own growing crystals, go on a field trip to collect local rock samples, and explore fossils, rocks, and minerals with microscopes. Ages six to 11. $70, post-camp program available from 3-4 p.m. for an additional $10. Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison.
Marine Biologist for a Day: Grades 5-8
February 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Have an animal loving kiddo? See if they have what it takes to be a marine biologist. Kids will help prepare food, feed animals in the exhibits, and learn how the biologists take care of the animals. Registration required. $65 plus tax. Downtown Aquarium, Denver.
Monday Madness at Apex Center
February 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A day full of fitness and creativity, kids participate in tumbling, gymnastics, and obstacle course activities before ending the day with a craft. Ages five to 13. $60-$75. Apex Center, Arvada.
Presidents Day Camp at Dinosaur Ridge
February 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Spend a full day enjoying arts and crafts, engaging activities, a guest speaker, hiking, and outdoor fossil discovery (weather permitting). Ages 6-11. $70. After-camp program available from 3-4pm for $10. Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison.
Presidents Day Camp: Coral Adventure
February 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Experience the launch of the new Florida coral reef exhibit and discover how coral reefs are made and the animals that live there. Full- and half-day options available. Ages 5-12. Registration required. $36-$60. Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster.
School Break Days in the Workshop
February 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drop kids off for a day of art making in the studio. Camps include snacks and outdoor play time. Ages five to 11. $85, after care available for an additional fee. The Craftsman & Apprentice, Denver.
SPREE Holiday Camp: FBIs
February 17, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Take a deeper look at the living things in our ecosystem that help decompose—fungi, bacteria, insects, and scavengers—with a day of games, crafts, and top secret missions about the environment. Students must be at least 6 years old and in grades K-5. $55. Johnson Habitat Park, Denver.
University of Denver School Days Off P.A.S.S. Camp
February 17, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Keep the kids active on a school day off with a camp filled with sports, including rock climbing, ice skating, gymnastics, aquatics, and swimming. Registration required. $60 full day, $35 half day. Lunch and before and after care available for an additional fee. Ritchie Center, Denver.
Childcare
4 Places That Offer Drop-In Childcare
Arvada YMCA
Open Mondays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Reservations required. Limit of four hours per day. Non-members are welcome. Open to ages 12 months to 12 years. $10 per hour for one child, packages and discounts for multiple children.
Club4Kids, Centennial
Open Mondays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hourly drop-in childcare center for ages 12 months (walking) to 12 years. Drop kids off for 15 minutes or up to 6 hours. Pay only for the time you use. New families receive the first hour for free. Hourly rates start at $11.
Kids Town
Open Mondays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Drop-in childcare is available at four south metro Denver locations. Pay for only the hours you need. Visit the website for a coupon and get $10 off for first time registrants. There is a one-time registration fee, or parents can pay an extra $2 per hour/per child instead of registration fee. Locations in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Parker, and Smoky Hill.
Take-A-Break Child Care, Lafayette
Will send trained childcare staff to your home for up to five children (Boulder county only). In-home care starts at $22 an hour for one child. Also offer drop-off rates for $74 for the day, which includes a field trip. Drop-off reservations are required and there is a small added fee for the field trip.