Keep Your Kids Busy During Mid-Winter Break

Mid-winter break is Feb. 21 through 25. The kids look forward to it, but for working parents, the week-long break from school creates child care and schedule challenges. 

We’ve compiled a list of organizations that are offering special activities to keep your children safe and busy during the week off from school. 

Cheney Family Boys and Girls Club
8502 Skansie Ave., 253-502-4670 

The Gig Harbor Boys and Girls Club will offer mid-winter break activities Tuesday, Feb. 22 through Friday, Feb. 25. Club hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Next weeks’ activities for members and non-members alike include athletics in the gym, computer lab access, outdoor time, arts and crafts, reading time, lunch and other fun activities. 

“That’s what our goal for the week is, to focus on pure fun,” said Heidi Gerling, program director.  

Fees are $10 per day for club members and $25 per day for non-members. For those interested in joining the Boys and Girls Club, membership is $15 annually plus $30 to $90 a month depending on family income level. Middle school and high school students pay only $5 a month for membership. 

Gig Harbor Family YMCA
10550 Harbor Hill Dr., 253-853-YMCA (9622) 

The YMCA will offer a Surf and Turf  mid-winter break camp for members only with aquatics and land activities for children ages five to 12. The camp runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 25. 

Children will spend the morning hours in the pool, have a lunch break, then play in the gym in the afternoon. The fee for the week is $75. Campers need to bring a brown bag lunch, a snack, swim suit, gym shoes, towel, water bottle and wear appropriate clothing for play. 

Contact Travis Lensing at 253-534-7864 or Dana Bierman at 253-534-7860. dbierman@ymcapkc.org. Parents must sign a liability waiver and can register their child for the camp until Tuesday, Feb. 22. 

Discovery Village
4835 Borgen Blvd., 253-592-8702

Discovery Village will offer “Camp ALOHA” from Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Friday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Camp ALOHA One is for Pre-K & Kindergarten children; Camp ALOHA Two is for children in first through third grades. Hawaiian-themed activities will include games that incorporate the hula and limbo, balancing games that mimic surfing; projects that include making wave bottles and a volcano as well as tropical paper mache master pieces; snack making in the kitchen classroom using tropical fruit such as pineapple, mango, papaya and coconut (yes, it’s a fruit) with Chef Ashley. The fee is $95.

Other options that will fill your children’s winter break with fun:

Jump!
9808 44th Ave. NW #102, 253-777-3403     

An indoor activity center with a giant inflatable slide, bounce houses, obstacle courses and more. JUMP! allows kids to be active in a safe, clean, all-weather environment.

Mid-winter break hours for Monday, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 25 are 9:30-11:30 a.m. for ages six and under, 12:30-2:30 p.m. for all ages, 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for all ages. Admission is $7 for the first child and $5 for siblings. Call in advance to reserve a spot for your child or for groups.

Harbor History Museum
4121 Harborview Dr., 253-858-6722 

For family friendly learning and fun all year long, the Harbor History Museum allows families to interact with each other while learning about the history of Gig Harbor with a fun, hands-on approach.

Learn about how Gig Harbor was discovered at the museum’s newest exhibit: An Excellent Little Bay: The U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. It is the first original exhibit at the museum, and it'll be available until May 29. 

And don't forget to ask about the museum’s Backpack Program—a backpack filled with kid-friendly activities and games designed to enrich the museum experience for younger visitors. The museum’s Midway School also offers a look at what it was like to learn in a one-room school house. 

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free for members, $6 for adults, $4 for youth ages seven to 17, free for children six and under and $5 for military personnel and seniors.