School break care coverage

Last updated: February 13, 2025

School breaks can be a wonderful opportunity for kids to rest, explore, and spend quality time with loved ones—but they can also require some advance planning for working parents.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare

Plan early: Many camps and programs fill up quickly, so start researching options well in advance. Set reminders for registration dates, especially for popular programs. Don’t forget about in-service days and parent-teacher conferences in the fall!

Tip: Sign up for the UW parenting listserv for helpful reminders 6-8 weeks in advance of school breaks.

Take time off if possible: Use your vacation time off, personal holiday or comp time off when they can during school breaks. Whether it’s a family trip, a local outing, or a few days of relaxing at home, these moments can be meaningful for both parents and kids.

Lean on your community: Reach out to family, friends, and neighbors to see if they’d be interested in a care swap, playdate exchanges, or even sharing a babysitter for the week.

Activities for time off with kids

As a UW community member, you have a lot of great discounts and even free options available that can help you create a memorable day with your family.

UW based

Have you been meaning to take your kids to the University of Washington and share some of what campus has to offer? No matter the weather or the season, there’s perks you can take advantage of to have an amazing day with kids of any age.

The Burke Museum

The Burke Museum is the oldest research and collections-based natural history museum in Washington. The Burke Museum serves many audiences and communities, including Washington State residences, Indigenous and Pacific communities, researchers, scholars and students. It boasts a collection of more than 16 million artifacts, including the world’s largest collection of spread bird wings. UW employees and staff get in free with their Husky card.

While you’re there, enjoy some Frybread and coffee from Off the Rez.

Depending on the season, you can add another activity to round out your day:

Midwinter break: Check out the latest exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery. The Henry is always free for UW community members and their families.
Spring break: Bring your camera equipment and take a walk through the quad to view the world famous UW cherry blossoms and take some family photos. Or, go to the UW Botanic Garden and try out their Youth and Family Self-Guided Tours.
Summer break: Put your life jacket and some sunscreen on and head to the Waterfront Activities Center on the south side of Husky Stadium (very close to the UW light rail station). UW employees receive a 15% discount and UW Seattle students receive a 25% discount. Make sure you bring your Husky Card to get the discounted price! Rent outdoor gear from the Gear Garage and enjoy camping, biking, fishing, and more without having to store or pay full price for the gear.
November break: Get a day pass for you and the kids to the UW Intramural Activities Center (IMA) and try your hand at rock climbing or go swimming in the pool!
Winter break: Head back to the Gear Garage at the Waterfront Activities Center and pick up what you need for winter weather sports: snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, and more.

Outside of UW

University of Washington discount network

We’ve also got you covered with some great discounts though the UW discount network. Here’s some highlights that you may help you plan a memorable and fun family experience while taking time off with your family. Sign up for the parenting listserv and we’ll send you featured discounts for each school break.

Spring and summer adventures: 20% off Woodland Park Zoo admission perfect outing for animal lovers!
Take your family to a show: Take your family to a Broadway show at the Paramount with discounts of up to 20%.
Autumn Excitement: Get exclusive discounts on UW football, volleyball, and soccer tickets for family fun in the fall.
Winter Wonders: University Book Store’s Pack Rewards Program offers 20% off storewide on the first Tuesday of every month—great for stocking up on books, games, and learning materials.
Discounted lodging can make a family vacation even more fun during school breaks.

Out of school child care coverage

Planning ahead for child care coverage during school breaks can make a big difference in ensuring a smooth and stress-free time off for both you and your child. While some parents may be able to take time off, others may need additional support. Here are a few options to consider when arranging care:

Lean on your community: Coordinate with friends, neighbors, or family members for shared playdates or care swaps. This can be a cost-effective way to ensure kids have social and engaging experiences while parents manage work schedules.
Find a sitter through UW benefits: UW employees have access to Sittercity, a free caregiver database that helps connect families with vetted sitters for one-time or recurring child care needs. Whether you need a sitter for just a day or the entire school break, this benefit can be a helpful resource. See if other parents would like to team up with a sitter share so you can split the cost.
Explore UW youth and teen programs: If you’re looking for structured activities, the UW Youth & Teen Programs offer engaging camps and classes during school breaks, covering topics like STEM, arts, and outdoor exploration. Check out the UW Youth Program Directory for current offerings. Check with the camp for tuition assistance or scholarships even if they don’t list them on the site.
Local school break camps: Many community centers, museums, and sports programs offer school break camps that provide a mix of education and fun. Popular options tend to fill up quickly, so early registration is recommended. Check for reduced cost or free camps.

By planning ahead and utilizing available resources, you can create a fun, enriching, and well-supported school break for your child while balancing work commitments.

Other care options

Please know that we do not contract with or endorse the following care options. There are many care options on the market, and whatever you decide, we suggest that you thoroughly vet the care option before selecting it for your family’s care.

Boys and Girls Clubs: Affordable school break programs with fun, structured activities. Sliding scale fees based on income.

Child Care Aware of Washington: Offers guidance on affordable childcare options and financial aid.

Kids Out and About: KidsOutAndAbout Seattle provides a comprehensive guide to spring break camps in the Seattle area, featuring a variety of programs in sports, arts, STEM, outdoor adventure, and more. Families can easily find the perfect camp to keep kids engaged, learning, and having fun during their break.

KidsPark: Hourly, drop-in daycare centers designed for flexibility. Open during most school breaks.

Locations: Bothell, Bellevue, and Tacoma.

Mountaineers: The Mountaineers’ Seattle School Break Camps offer kids an exciting mix of outdoor adventure, hands-on learning, and fun activities during school breaks. With expert instructors leading climbing, hiking, navigation, and nature exploration, campers build confidence, make new friends, and develop a love for the outdoors.

SANCA: SANCA’s Seattle circus camps provide kids with a fun and supportive environment to learn acrobatics, juggling, trapeze, and more. Led by expert coaches, these camps help build confidence, coordination, and creativity through the joy of circus arts.

Saga School: SAGA School’s immersive German-language camps offer children a fun and engaging way to learn German through games, crafts, and outdoor play. Designed for all language levels, these camps foster cultural exploration and language development in a supportive environment.

Seattle Children’s Museum: Seattle Children’s Museum camps spark curiosity and creativity through hands-on, play-based learning experiences. With engaging themes and interactive activities, kids explore science, art, and imaginative storytelling in a fun and supportive environment.

Seattle Children’s Theatre Camps: Day camps available during breaks, focused on arts and drama.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Programs: Low-cost or free programs during school holidays and breaks.

The Little Gym: Offers holiday camps focused on physical activity and skill-building for children ages 3-12.

Trackers Seattle: Trackers Earth Seattle’s Spring Break Camps immerse kids in outdoor adventures like wilderness survival, archery, and nature exploration. Led by expert mentors, campers build confidence, teamwork, and real-world skills while having fun in the great outdoors.

Working Connections Child Care Program: Provides subsidies for eligible low-income families to access licensed childcare.

YMCA School Break Camps: Affordable, engaging programs that include activities like swimming, arts, and STEM projects.