• Math tutors
• /
• Blog
• /
• 10 Best Winter Break Camps for Kids 2025-2026

10 Best Winter Break Camps for Kids 2025-2026

Kids might love their school holiday, but it can have a detrimental impact on their learning. In fact, studies have shown children experience 7.5% learning losses in math over winter break. An excellent way to keep your child sharp over the winter break is through winter break camps. As an experienced tutor, I have explored some of the best options for children, both online and in person. Let’s dive in!

Key points

• Idea Math and Alphastar offer exam contest preparation
• Great Books, Beanstack and Literary Focus inspire a love of reading books
• Stanford is a great option for children with college ambitions
• LAUSD, Fairfax and Northwestern offer local support in dedicated areas of math, reading and writing
• Brighterly offers personalized one-to-one tutoring in math and reading for children who are falling behind

What is the best winter camp for kids?

The best online winter camps for kids cover learning tailored to children’s exact needs and help prevent learning loss over the winter break. They should be intensive enough to allow children to make progress, and contain varied activities and hands-on learning experiences to make learning meaningful.

Best online winter camps & programs

• Brighterly Winter Math and Reading Program
• Idea Math 2025 Winter Contest Prep Program
• Great Books Winter Break Program
• Alphastar Academy Online Winter Math Camps
• Literary Focus Winter Course

Winter camps for kids comparison (online)

Program	Ages	Best for	Cost	Activities
Brighterly Winter Math and Reading Program	1st-9th grade	Personalized tutoring in math and reading	Lessons from $17.3 (for 3 classes/week)	Gamified learning, collaborative puzzles
Idea Math 2025 Winter Contest Prep Program	5th–12th grade	Contest preparation	$30.94 per class	Collaborative activities with fellow students
Great Books Winter Break Program	6th–12th grade	Learners who need reading and writing support	$450 flat fee	Community discussions, writing exercises, mentoring
Alphastar Academy Online Winter Math Camps	4th–8th grade	Students who need support with exam prep	$450 for live, interactive classes or $225 for self-directed study	Timed mock exams, online reports, group discussions
Literary Focus Winter Course	7th–12th grade	Children who need support in English literature	$225 per course, or a half-year program (three courses for $200 each)	Literary analysis, reading classic books, essay writing

#1 Kids winter break with Brighterly

Best for: Kids from 1st to 9th grade who need support in math, writing and reading

The Brighterly math and reading platform offers online winter camps to help kids get ahead of their next term and prevent learning loss. You can choose between math and reading camps — or opt for both if your child needs support in each subject.

With Brighterly’s winter camps, your child will receive one-to-one personalized tutoring from highly qualified tutors. You can schedule these tutoring sessions at your own convenience, so you can be sure that lessons won’t interfere with your family plans.

Additionally, you can apply for Brighterly Winter Scholarship, a valuable opportunity for motivated students who are eager to learn but have limited access to academic resources. Scholarship winners receive a $500 cash prize along with a 6-month free personalized curriculum constructed and delivered one-on-one by an experienced Brighterly tutor.

Benefits of Brighterly

• Highly qualified tutors
• Personalized math and reading programs

Highly qualified tutors

Brighterly has a rigorous vetting process to ensure it only hires the best and brightest math and reading tutors. Each must have qualifications and experience that show their talent in tutoring children and improving their grades.

Tutor reviews highlight their expertise, but they also focus on the tutors’ attitudes and ability to improve children’s confidence and engagement. Even kids who are reluctant to learn look forward to their lessons!

Personalized math and reading programs

Brighterly’s comprehensive math and reading winter break programs for kids cover everything kids need to know in their grade to excel. But importantly, each program is tailored to the individual student.

This is kick-started by a diagnostic test, which highlights kids’ areas of strength and weakness. From this, Brighterly’s tutors create a personalized learning program that focuses only on the areas where they need support.

Brighterly pros and cons

When considering your options, it’s important to look at both pros and cons, so let’s explore them for Brighterly’s program.

Pros	Cons
Diagnostic test used to create a fully personalized curriculum	Limited subject offering
Affordable pricing from just $17.3 a lesson	Some children may prefer in-person learning
Flexible lesson scheduling to fit around your family’s needs
Highly qualified and thoroughly vetted tutors

Brighterly cost

Brighterly offers an affordable way for children to access expert tutoring, with lessons starting at just $17.3. 

In addition to the affordable winter camp for kids with private tutoring, Brighterly offers free math and reading resources. Its fun math or reading worksheets for kids provide gamified learning and can be completed independently, thanks to their answer sheets.

In addition, Brighterly offers online practice math tests and reading tests that allow children to test their knowledge and get instant feedback. Modelled on real school exams, they offer a comprehensive way for children to prepare for tests too.

#2 Idea Math 2025 winter break camp

Age groups: 5th–12th grade

Ideal for: Students looking to enter into math competitions

The Idea Math 2025 Winter Contest Prep Program is a great winter break online camp if you’re looking to improve your child’s knowledge for children to compete in statewide or nationwide competitions.

The course offers 8 lessons that align with math competitions across the country, helping students to prepare effectively. Pupils will take part in collaborative activities with their fellow students.

Idea Math 2025 Winter Contest Prep Program: Features

• Online lessons every Sunday for 8 weeks 
• Small group lessons with individual support for each student
• High-quality learning materials used in past math competitions

Idea Math 2025 Winter Contest Prep Program: Pricing

The Idea Math 2025 Winter Contest Prep Program is available for a flat fee of $495 for 8 lessons, which works out at $30.94 per lesson.

Idea Math 2025 Winter Contest Prep Program: Pros and cons

Here are some of the biggest pros and cons of this program:

Pros	Cons
Offers dedicated competition prep for students looking to excel	Learning material may be advanced for struggling learners
Group sessions with personalized attention	Rigid scheduling offers little flexibility
Led by instructors involved in varying math competitions	No opportunity for one-to-one support without a group environment

#3 Great Books online winter camp

Age groups: 6th–12th grade

Ideal for: Learners who need hands-on writing instruction as well as reading improvement

The Great Books Winter Break Program is a three-day intensive program that encourages students to think critically and engage with a range of books. This year, the winter break camp for kids has also added a writing segment.

Pupils will take part in a range of activities for three half days, including poetry exploration, informative seminars and hands-on writing exercises, led by qualified college instructors.

Great Books Winter Break Program: Features

• Three-day intensive program that features seminars and hands-on activities 
• Newly added writing segment to enhance this skill
• Teaching methodology focused on asking questions to dig deeper

Great Books Winter Break Program: Pricing

The Great Books Winter Break Program is available for a flat fee of $450.

Great Books Winter Break Program: Pros and cons

Now, let’s delve into the specific pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Learning delivered by college professors	High cost for short course time
Support from program assistants	Rigid course timings mean kids need to be free for three consecutive days
Variety of reading, writing and analysis activities	Mentoring available, but only in group settings

#4 Alphastar Academy winter break online camp

Age groups: 4th–8th grade

Best for: Test preparation and familiarity with math exams

The Alphastar Academy Online Winter Math Camps offers a 12-week course designed to help students prepare for exams. Choose between the live, interactive program, which allows kids to attend live group classes, or a self-study option, where they get access to recorded sessions.

There are different programs available with this winter break online camp. Kids will also carry out four mock exams and get the chance to discuss concepts with their classmates.

Alphastar Academy Online Winter Math Camps: Features

• 12-week program with regular mock exams
• Choose from live sessions or recordings at a lower price
• Regular exams for practice and online progress reporting

Alphastar Academy Online Winter Math Camps: Pricing

The live interactive course is available for $450, giving students access to live sessions and the ability to ask teachers questions. The self-study option allows access to recordings of live sessions for $225.

Alphastar Academy Online Winter Math Camps: Pros and cons

Let’s consider both the pros and cons of this program.

Pros	Cons
Two options available based on income	Personal support is unavailable with lower-tier package
Mock exams get students familiar with testing formats	Inflexible lesson scheduling means kids must be available
Courses focused on subject mastery	Additional homework may be overwhelming for students

#5 Kids winter break with Literary Focus Winter Course

Age groups: 7th–12th grade

Best for: Students who need support in English literature

Literary Focus Winter Courses offer winter break programs at three different levels, depending on your child’s grade, each focusing on different classic novels.

The four-week winter break online camp focuses on four pillars of literary analysis: diction, imagery, language and syntax. Students will analyze and discuss literary classics, as well as write essays that help them prepare for AP literature exams.

Literary Focus Winter Course: Features

• Approach that focus on four pillars of literary analysis
• AP literature exam practice with three types of essay writing: poetry analysis, passage analysis and literary argument
• Reading materials that align with school syllabus

Literary Focus Winter Courses: Pricing

Each Literary Focus Winter Course is available for the price of $225. You can also sign up for a half-year program, which includes three courses for $200 per program.

Literary Focus Winter Courses: Pros and cons

These courses offer dedicated literary analysis, with both pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Hyper-focused on literary analysis and school-aligned learning materials	Class times are set in stone and not flexible
Exam prep built in with essay writing	Small class sizes for maximum participation, but no one-to-one support
Scholarships available	Limited scope for additional reading materials

Best in-person winter break camps for kids

• Beanstack 2026 Winter Reading Challenge
• Stanford Math Circle
• Northwestern CTD Weekend Enrichment Program
• LAUSD Winter Academy
• Tutoring in Fairfax Winter Math Camp

Winter break programs comparison (in-person)

Program	Ages	Best for	Cost	Activities
Beanstack 2026 Winter Reading Challenge	All ages, from toddlers to adults	Children motivated by prizes	Free	Reading a curated stack of age-appropriate books
Stanford Math Circle	9th–12th grade	High school students preparing for college	$500 online or $525 in person	Mathematical modeling, hands-on tasks, philosophical questions
Northwestern CTD Weekend Enrichment Program	Preschool–8th grade	Students looking to excel in certain areas of math or reading	$395 per course	Accelerated content, movement and brain breaks
LAUSD Winter Academy	Grades 3–12	Free academic enrichment in LA	Free	Small group and one-to-one instruction
Tutoring in Fairfax Winter Math Camp	K–8th grade	Children who need a refresher in Washington	$500 per child	Private tutoring, refresher content

#1 Beanstack 2026 winter camp for kids near me

Age groups: All ages, from toddlers to adults

Best for: Introducing children to age-appropriate books

The annual Beanstack 2026 Winter Reading Challenge is back for a 9th year. It sets an age-appropriate reading list for children, who will then log their reading progress online. 

 

This program is delivered locally by libraries and other learning organisations, meaning there is an in-person element of accessing the books, but an online element as kids log their progress. Kids can win prizes for their progress.

Beanstack 2026 Winter Reading Challenge: Features

• Pre-determined reading list for learners determined by age
• Available to learners of all ages
• Prizes available (location-dependent)

Beanstack 2026 Winter Reading Challenge: Pricing

It’s free to enter the Beanstack 2026 Winter Reading Challenge, but children can win prizes depending on their progress through their reading list!

Beanstack 2026 Winter Reading Challenge: Pros and cons

This reading challenge is a great opportunity to get children into reading for free, but there are also some drawbacks.

Pros	Cons
Freely available competition children can enter locally	No dedicated support for children
Prizes available (location-dependent) for extra motivation	If children are behind their reading grade, the books might be too advanced
Pre-selected, age-appropriate resources and online progress tracking	Progress tracking limited to books and activities completed

#2 Stanford Math Circle winter break camp

Age groups: Grades 9–12

Best for: High school students looking to prepare for college

Stanford University, ranked as the #4 university in the US, offers an online and in-person Math Circle camp delivered in winter and designed to prepare high school students looking to progress to college.

The program offers weekly lessons, each with a different expert tutor, designed to go deeper than high school classes to give students the best possible foundation for progressing to college.

Stanford Math Circle: Features

• Intensive pre-college program with instruction from expert mathematicians
• Blend of learning instruction including mathematical modeling and practical tasks
• Available both online and in-person

Stanford Math Circle: Pricing

The in-person course is available for $525 per student. Those not in the Stanford area can apply for the online course for $500 per student.

Stanford Math Circle: Pros and cons

This course is designed for ambitious high schoolers and has its own pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Delivered by one of the most reputable universities in the US	Requires a lot of base knowledge, so not ideal for struggling learners
Available both online and in-person	Rigid weekly sessions don’t offer flexible scheduling
Dedicated college prep for ambitious high schoolers	The program is highly selective, so not available to all

#3 Northwestern CTD Weekend Enrichment Program winter camp for kids

Age groups: Pre-K–8th grade

Best for: Students looking to refine knowledge in specific math or reading areas

Northwestern University, ranked as #7 in the US, also offers winter programs for elementary students and middle schoolers. Children can choose specialist math courses in Algebra I and II, analytics, speaking and creative writing.

 

The courses take place each Saturday for six weeks in the learning center in Evanston and Chicago. Kids will benefit from intensive classes blended with movement and brain breaks, which allow kids the opportunity to absorb their learning.

Northwestern CTD Weekend Enrichment Program: Features

• Wide range of course topics that cover many math, reading and writing topics
• Hands-on education that prepares children for the future
• Instruction from university-level teachers

Northwestern CTD Weekend Enrichment Program: Pricing

Each Northwestern CTD Weekend Enrichment Program is available for a flat fee of $395.

Northwestern CTD Weekend Enrichment Program: Pros and cons

This prestigious course has a lot of benefits, but there are also some drawbacks parents need to consider.

Pros	Cons
Education delivered by university-level experts	Selective process based on grades from 2nd grade up
Opportunities for specialisms and focus on problem areas	Limited personalization within specific courses
Hands-on educational activities and advanced learning	Locations may be limiting for many children across the US

#4 LAUSD Winter Academy winter camp for kids near me

Age groups: 3rd–12th grade

Best for: Free enrichment for students in LA who need additional support

The LAUSD Winter Academy is a free enrichment program for students in LA in grades 3–12. It’s held at two locations in LA and comes with free transportation for eligible children. 

The program consists of before and after-school programs during kids winter break designed to improve kids’ learning in different subjects. This includes arts and crafts, STEAM, writing and math. The program also offers additional enrichment including financial literacy.

LAUSD Winter Academy: Features

• Free enrichment program for children requiring education interventions
• Before and after-school clubs
• Additional enrichment in areas including financial literacy

LAUSD Winter Academy: Pricing

The LAUSD Winter Academy is completely free.

LAUSD Winter Academy: Pros and cons

This free program is beneficial to children in the LA area, but we must consider both its pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
No cost attached to the program	Limited to the area of Los Angeles
Enrichment in core subjects of math and English, as well as performing arts	Rigid before and after-school activities may not work for some families
Free transportation included for eligible students

#5 Tutoring in Fairfax Winter Math Camp winter camp for kids

Age groups: K–8th grade

Best for: Children in Washington who need additional math support

Tutoring in Fairfax is offering a one-week intensive math camp for children who are struggling in math and need a better understanding of foundational math concepts. Educators will assess students’ needs and provide tailored learning to upskill them in math.

The winter break camp runs from Monday to Friday in December and January for two hours a day. Children will build a strong number sense, get their heads around key math operations and more.

Tutoring in Fairfax Winter Math Camp: Features

• One-week intensive boot camp
• Improving kids’ foundational math knowledge
• Small groups of 2–4 students

Tutoring in Fairfax Winter Math Camp: Pricing

This winter math camp costs $500 for the one-week intensive course.

Tutoring in Fairfax Winter Math Camp: Pros and cons

Now, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this math camp:

Pros	Cons
Convenient for children in Fairfax	Expensive for a short course
Focus on foundational math skills	Location is limited to children in Fairfax
Tailored learning that comes from an assessment of students’ knowledge	Rigid scheduling may not work for some families

Conclusion

Here, we’ve covered the 10 best online winter camps for kids, all of which have their own strengths and unique offerings, to help you make an informed decision.

• If you want exam or contest preparation, Idea Math and Alphastar are ideal options
• To encourage your child in reading books, consider Great Books, Beanstack or Literary Focus
• For children with college ambitions, Stanford is a great option
• For dedicated support in areas of math, reading and writing, LAUSD, Fairfax and Northwestern are great winter camp for kids near me

But for private, personalized tutoring in math and tutoring, Brighterly is the clear winner. Book free lesson if you want to get expert tutor matching, diagnostics test that determines personalized curriculum, flexible scheduling for online tutoring and free resources including workbooks and practice tests.