Enter to win a free photo session with Santa Claus, at Amber Salinas Photo Studios, just by leaving a comment on any family column post. Winners announced in the Dec. 3 family column. Good luck!

By Lara Alexander

Looking for kids camps for winter break?

The Mountlake Terrace Parks and Recreation department offers kids camps for kindergarteners through 6th graders, on scheduled non-school days in the Edmonds School District. Care is available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a daily maximum of 10 hours. Kids should bring a bathing suit, towel and a sack lunch. DSHS subsidies accepted for qualified applicants.

Pre-registration is required. Daily fees are $29 per day for Mountlake Terrace residents and $32 per day for non-residents. The deadline for the week of Dec. 20 is Dec. 14. The deadline for the week of Dec. 27 is Dec, 21, but will likely fill quickly. For more information: 425-776-9173

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Edmonds Parks & Rec is offering a half-day gymnastics camp for kids ages 5 to 12 years old. The camp will take place Monday through Thursday, Dec. 27-30, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $83. To register, call 425-771-0230 or go to their website at www.reczone.org

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The City of Lynnwood’s Parks & Rec department is also hosting a kids camp for school break. Their Camp Holidaze is for kids kindergarten through 7th grade, and will take place Dec.20-22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Lynnwood Elementary School gym. Kids will enjoy “winter wonderland”-themed games and crafts, while sipping hot cocoa! The cost is $45 per day for Lynnwood residents and $50 per day for non-Lynnwood residents.

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The new Dale Turner YMCA offers winter break camps at two nearby locations, Chase Lake Elementary in Edmonds and at the Family Enrichment Center in Shoreline. Care will be provided for children ages 5 to 12 years old. Dates are Dec. 20-24 from 6:15 a.m.-6:15 p.m., and Dec. 27-31. They will close early on the 24th and the 31st.  All participants must register through the YMCA, and the daily cost is $40. For more information, contact Brooke Brumbleow at 206-569-7012 or bbrumbelow@seattleymca.org.

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The Edmonds Boys and Girls Club offers child care during school breaks and non-school days. This winter break, they will offer winter break child care to kids aged kindergarten through 6th grade at their downtown Edmonds location, 310 6th Ave. N. Parents should pack a backpack daily with a sack lunch, rain jacket and warm clothes, as kids will be enjoying field trips as part of the fun planned for them. A Boys and Girls club membership is required, as well as a $25 deposit. The camp will run from Dec. 20-23, and Dec. 27-31, at a cost of $150 week or $38 per day. DSHS payments are accepted. Pre-registration is required. Direct questions to 425-774-0630.

The SmileMobile is coming to Edmonds!

The SmileMobile mobile dental clinic will be at Cedar Valley Community School Dec. 6-17. The SmileMobile offers dental care to low-income children from first teeth through high school. The Smilemobile accepts DSHS Medicaid and offers a sliding scale fee for uninsured families. Services  include dental exams, fillings and minor dental surgery. The SmileMobile is operated by Washington Dental Service Foundation in partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital. Register ahead and sign up for an appointment by calling 425-431-7390.

Coming next week:

* Are you ready for winter weather?

* Opportunities to promote reading with kids…

* and more!

Did you catch last week? Find it here!

* Edmonds holiday gift bazaars, craft fairs, and fun for families!

* Where and when to spot Santa Claus…

* Will you be there when Edmonds lights up the tree?

Edmonds mom Lara Alexander keeps busy chasing after a toddler, growing and cooking good food, and writing about it all. You can find more of her writing on her blog at www.food-soil-thread.com. If you have Edmonds-specific family activities for possible inclusion in Lara’s column, email them to family@myedmondsnews.com.