Winter break in Santa Clarita doesn’t have to mean weeks of cabin fever and endless screen time for youths. From low-cost city day camps and cozy story hours to wild animal encounters and building LEGO towers, local families can fill the calendar with creative outings that keep kids busy, curious and connected.
Winter Adventure
Families looking to keep kids active, creative and connected during the long school break will find a full slate of options at the city’s Canyon Country and Newhall community centers. Both centers are rolling out structured, low-cost (and in some cases free) day camps that blend art projects, games and sports.
Programs run through Friday, January 9, 2026.
The Canyon Country Community center will host three age-based options: Winter Buddies for young first-time campers, Winter Adventures for elementary-age kids and a free Winter Teen Experience for older youth.
Winter Buddies offers an “intro to camp” experience for 4½- and 5-year-olds, with small-group activities on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon at $15 per week per child for city residents ($20 for nonresidents).
For ages 5 to 11, Winter Adventures runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at $40 per week per child ($45 for nonresidents), giving working parents a full-day option.
Teens get their own dedicated space through the Winter Teen Experience, a free program for ages 12 to 17 offered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., where participants can expect a mix of arts and crafts, organized sports, group games and seasonal activities that emphasize fun as much as growth.
The Canyon Country Community Center is located at 18410 Sierra Highway in Santa Clarita, and staff can be reached at (661) 290-2266 for details or registration help.
Over in Old Town, the Newhall Community Center is focusing its winter offerings on teens with a free Winter Teen Experience of its own. Aimed at ages 13 to 17, the camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features festive activities, sports, art projects, games and excursions.
The Newhall Community Center is located at 22421 Market Street in Santa Clarita, with more information available by calling (661) 286-4006. Parents can also find winter program details through the city’s online recreation catalog and Seasons registration system.
For details and enrollment, families can browse the city’s winter offerings and register at santaclarita.gov/seasons.
Animal Tracks Weekend Public Experience
Weekend visitors to Agua Dulce can trade screen time for wild time at Animal Tracks Sanctuary’s Weekend Public Experience, a guided outdoor tour that runs Fridays at 1 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Each small-group visit offers families a rare chance to stand just a few feet from rescued wildlife while hearing how these “animal ambassadors” came to the sanctuary and why they can’t return to the wild.
As guests follow staff and volunteers along the sanctuary paths, they learn how each animal fits into its native ecosystem and how human choices — from the illegal pet trade to habitat loss—have shaped their stories. The emphasis is on observation and respect rather than hands-on encounters, so visitors enjoy meaningful, close-up views that keep the animals’ comfort and safety front and center.
The experience is designed with families in mind and is best suited for kids ages 5 and up with adult supervision, with capacity capped at about 45 people per tour to keep things personal. Practical details are straightforward: arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to check in, wear closed-toe shoes and layers for changing outdoor weather, and plan to purchase drinks or snacks in the barn if you get hungry.
Behind the scenes, every ticket helps fund Animal Tracks’ mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide lifelong care for animals impacted by human activity, especially the exotic pet trade. Visitors are encouraged to carry the message forward by sharing photos responsibly on social media and using hashtags like #notapet, #rescuedanimal and #keepwildlifewild to remind friends that these creatures belong in sanctuaries and natural habitats—not living rooms.
Animal Tracks Sanctuary is located at 10234 Escondido Canyon Road in Agua Dulce, with admission currently listed at $49.95 for adults, $30 for children and free entry for kids under 3. Families can reserve a spot by selecting “Weekend Public Experience” and clicking “Book Now” at www.animal
tracksinc.org, or by calling (661) 362-8898.
