Winter break 2026 camps for kids in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia

Need a plan for the days between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1? The Tri-Cities park districts have already posted their winter break programs. Here is what is open for registration as of Oct. 22, with dates, ages and prices as published. Some spots are already filling.

St. Charles

Winter Break Nature Camp, Hickory Knolls Discovery Center. Kids ages 5 to 11 spend three days on hikes, nature crafts, games and animal encounters, indoors and out, at 3795 Campton Hills Road. Session 1 runs Dec. 21 to 23 and Session 2 runs Dec. 28 to 30, Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each session is $225 for residents and $275 for nonresidents. When we checked, Session 1 had 11 openings and Session 2 had 10.

Winter Farm Camp, Primrose Farm. Kids ages 8 to 12 collect eggs, feed livestock, bake and warm up with hot cocoa at the farm, 5N726 Crane Road. Camp runs Monday, Dec. 28 and Tuesday, Dec. 29, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., sold by the day. It is $75 for residents and $113 for nonresidents per day. Pack a sack lunch, a snack and snow gear.

Mini dance camps. The park district's one-day holiday dance camps at Pottawatomie Community Center (Frozen Friends, Holiday Hip Hop and Princess) were already listed as full on Oct. 22.

Register online through the St. Charles Park District or call 630-513-6200.

Geneva

Day Off Fun Zone, Winter Break. The Geneva Park District runs its day-off program for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade at Western Avenue School, 1500 S. Western Ave. Each day mixes games and crafts with a field trip. Winter break dates are Dec. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30. There is no program Dec. 24, 25 or 31 or Jan. 1.

• Core day, 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.: $52 for residents, $82 for nonresidents
• Early care, 6:30 to 8 a.m.: $15, or $23 for nonresidents
• Late care, 2:15 to 6 p.m.: $29, or $44 for nonresidents

Registration closes Dec. 14 and must be done online, not by phone. Residents and nonresidents are both welcome, and kids do not need to be in the Kids' Zone after-school program. Field trip destinations were still listed as coming soon.

Geneva's Winter 2027 program guide goes online Nov. 19, with resident registration opening Dec. 8 and nonresident registration Dec. 15.

Batavia

Klub Fun. The Batavia Park District's day-off program for ages 5 to 10 runs during winter break on Dec. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 and 31, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren St. Each day is $63. Field trips leave at 9 a.m. and return at 2 p.m., and kids should bring a sack lunch and wear closed-toe shoes. Transportation to and from Klub Fun is not provided. Withdrawals close seven business days before the first day, so plan ahead.

Youth Pickleball Camp. Beginners and intermediate players can learn grips, serves and volleys at the Civic Center, 327 W. Wilson St., on Mondays and Tuesdays from Dec. 21 to 29. Ages 6 to 9 play from 9 to 10 a.m. and ages 10 to 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. The camp is $50 and paddles are provided.

Register online through the Batavia Park District or in person at the Callahan Community Center, Civic Center or Eastside Community Center.

Libraries

Library calendars were not posting late-December programs yet when we checked. The Batavia Public Library's calendar showed no events listed for Dec. 21 to Jan. 2 as of Oct. 22. Watch your library's events page in late November, and see our library card guide for free programs and passes.