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Published on 5/12/08
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The coming two-week winter school break is bound to put every parent’s bag of keep-’em-busy tricks to the test. There are only so many movie outings/trips to the children’s museum/playdates you can plan before the crowds get stifling, the kids complain that they’re bored, and you drop to your knees and pray for school to start again. If your regular sitters are off somewhere sunning or skiing, don’t fret. We’ve rounded up a list of winter-break camps that offer something to please every kind of kid. At press time, all still had spots available.
If your kid is a ... mini Matisse
Try Winter Camp at Unicoi Art Studio (2059 W Belmont Ave between Hoyne and Damen Aves, 773-975-6515, unicoistudio.com)
Dates Dec 26–29, Jan 2–4
Price $35–$90 per day, depending on schedule
Activities Artsy types ages five to 12 can get their creative juices flowing by experimenting with materials like clay, paint and oil pastels, and trying out different art mediums. Drama games and free-play time are also included in longer camp schedules.
If your kid is a ... budding thespian
Try Emerald City Theatre’s Winter Wonderland Camp at the Apollo Theater (2540 N Lincoln Ave at Lill St, 773-935-6100, emeraldcitytheatre.com) orWinter Wondercamp at Beverly Arts Center (2407 W 111th St at Western Ave, 773-445-3838, beverlyartcenter.org)
Dates Emerald City: Dec 26–29, Jan 2–4; BAC: Dec 27–28, Jan 3–4
Price Emerald City, $150 for three half-day sessions; aftercare available. BAC, $125 for two days that go from 9:30am–2:30pm.
Activities Emerald City’s camp for dramatic souls ages four to seven includes improv basics, theater games and music exercises designed to teach kids the nuts and bolts of theater and boost self-esteem. BAC’s camp is divided into two age groups, six to eight and nine to 12. Music, dance and drama lessons are pulled together for a mainstage performance centering around a theme (“It’s Snowtime” in December and “Caribbean Creativity” in January.)
If your kid is a ...toddler with a penchant for dress-up
Try Bubbles Academy’s Superhero, and Princess & Knight Winter Camps (1504 N Fremont Ave at Weed St , 312-944-7677, bubblesacademy.com)
Dates Superhero camp: Dec 27, 9am–noon; Princess camp: Dec 28, 9am–noon
Price $75; kids must be toilet trained
Activities Just the thing for the child who won’t take off that cape or crown, these single-day classes for three- to five-year-olds will channel all that boundless energy with a pretend-play extravaganza, including crafts and games. (Similar eight-week sessions start in January.)
If your kid is a ...sports nut
Try Chicago Machine Winter Camp at Darien Sportsplex (451 Plainfield Rd, Darien. Call 312-255-1522 or go to chicagomachine.com to register.)
Dates Dec 27–29
Price $125
Activities Lacrosse players in fifth grade and higher can hone their skills with help from the pros on the Chicago Machine, a major-league team based in Bridgeview, during three-hour training sessions. Drills and games will focus on stick skills, offensive and defensive strategies, face-offs and shooting. Kids must bring their own equipment.
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