I’m sure you’ve heard the Christmas carol “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.” When I was a child I had a love/hate relationship with the song. I loved the tune but hated the line “..and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again!” When the song was played on the family Hi-Fi during the holiday season my parents would laugh and look knowingly at each other. I, on the other hand, remember being utterly offended by the yuletide ditty. “They think we’re a pain at Christmas. That’s why they can hardly wait for school to start again!” I muttered to myself. “The nerve of some people!” The irony that my siblings and I had just had a battle to the death over cookie dough while my poor mother tried to make Christmas cookies was completely lost on me.

Now that I’m an adult the sentiment of the song is a little clearer. As much as we love the holidays–and our little munchkins–the combination of the two begin to wear on your nerves after Dec. 26. Get your little cookie dough-eaters out of the house (and out of your hair) at one of these fabulous area camps.

Who wants to learn about animals? Photo: Dallas Zoo

Travel the globe without leaving North Texas at one of the Dallas Zoo‘s Snowfari Winter Camps. Junior can explore festivals celebrating animals from around the world and participate in activities like outdoor play, close-up animal experiences, and Zoo tours unique to each day’s theme. The camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are divided into grade-level appropriate classes.You can do just one day, or  if you’re feeling really stressed, sign up for multiple days. The winter camps run Tuesday through Thursday this week and Tuesday through Friday next week.

Spend the day doing code sequencing. Photo: Renegades of Code

Campers 7 to 12 interested in robotics, art, electronics, or coding should check out a Winter Maker’s Camp put on by Renegade’s of Code. These attend-by-the-day camps feature multiple “maker” projects where kids can learn to construct circuits, soldering, and can build an original electronic creation. Attendees are encouraged to bring in old, broken and/or useless electronic components and their project ideas, too. The popular camps are being offered this Tuesday through Thursday.

Make a fantastic fascinator for New Year’s. Photo: Oil and Cotton.

Everyone know you can’t celebrate the new year without a proper party hat. Little revelers can make the perfect golden crown, crazy cap, or fancy feathered fascinator at Oil and Cotton‘s Party Hats! Afternoon Camp. This is an afternoon camp, but you can sign up for a morning session and camp from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  Be sure to pack a lunch for your little camper if you decide to go all day.

Ignite creativity at a SPARK! winter camp. Photo: SPARK!

Parents that work outside the home will appreciate the 5-day Winter Creativity Camp at SPARK! The camp meets 9 a.m – 4 p.m. January 2-6, plus before and after care is available. Campers will create ceramic ornaments, paint winter landscapes, make digital comics, paint in 3-D virtual reality and more. When they are not creating artwork kids are free to take a spin on SPARK’s awesome Climb, Crawl, Slide Sculpture.