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The 7 Best Classes and Things to Do When School Is Out in Charlotte (2026–27)

By Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen · Updated October 2026

 

The short answer: The best things to do in Charlotte when school is out include drop-off cooking classes at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen (ages 7–18), adventure camps at Mission Grit, art camps at Small Hands Big Art, gymnastics camps at Perfect Balance, theater camps at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, a museum day at Discovery Place Science, and indoor climbing at Inner Peaks.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has more than a dozen teacher workdays and school holidays this year, and most land on regular workdays. Whether you need a teacher workday camp, a school holiday camp, or just something to do on a no-school day, Charlotte has half-day and full-day options in every part of town. This list works for CMS, Union County Public Schools, private school, and homeschool families.

Here are seven we recommend. The first five are drop-off; the last two are for days you’re off too.

#1 Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

On CMS teacher workdays and school holidays, our Lower South End kitchen becomes a drop-off cooking class for ages 7 to 18. Kids learn real techniques with real equipment and cook a full menu from scratch. Then they sit down and eat the lunch they made, so there’s nothing to pack. Most no-school classes run 10 am to 2 pm and are $80. Kids go home with recipes to make again. Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen has taught Charlotte kids since 2013 and has been featured on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and at the James Beard House.

Upcoming no-school classes:

  • Wednesday, October 14, 2026: Kids + Teens Class: Italian Subs (ages 7–14, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm)
  • Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Kids + Teens Fall Cooking Class
  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (Veterans Day): Fall Comfort Foods
  • Monday, January 18, 2027: MLK Day
  • Monday, February 15, 2027: Presidents’ Day

 

Address: 4001-C Yancey Rd #100, Charlotte, NC 28217

Visit our website, chefalyssaskitchen.com/classes/kids-teens, for scheduling.

#2 Mission Grit

Mission Grit’s no-school day camps in South Charlotte, off Carmel Road, are built around obstacle courses, team-building challenges, and problem-solving games. The focus is on physical, social, and character development, not just keeping kids busy. Groups stay small so every child gets attention. Camps run a full day, 8 am to 4 pm, for ages 7 and up. A strong pick for kids who need to burn off energy.

Address: 6311 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226

Visit their website, missiongrit.com, for scheduling.

#3 Small Hands Big Art South Charlotte

When school is out, Small Hands Big Art’s art and pottery studios at Waverly in South Charlotte fill up with young artists. They run three-hour drop-off mini-camps for ages 5 to 14 on teacher workdays, winter break, and spring break. Each camp runs like a day of summer camp, and kids usually take home two finished mixed-media projects. The focus is fine art over simple crafts, with painting, drawing, chalk pastel, and more. Camps are led by the studio’s core team of experienced art educators.

Address: 7415 Waverly Walk Ave, Suite F2A, Charlotte, NC 28277

Visit their website, smallhandsbigart.com/south-charlotte, for scheduling.

#4 Perfect Balance Training Center

Perfect Balance runs full-day school holiday camps at its gymnastics center on Monroe Road in East Charlotte. Kids rotate through instructed gymnastics, games, and themed activities in age groups. Camps are open to ages 5 to 12 at every skill level, from first-timers to team athletes. The program also puts real weight on confidence, goal-setting, and work ethic.

Address: 8850 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212

Visit their website, perfectbalancecharlotte.com, for scheduling.

#5 Children’s Theatre of Charlotte

Children’s Theatre runs one-day camps on CMS teacher workdays and during spring break. Teaching artists lead kids through acting games, storytelling, and creative theater activities. Every date has its own theme, so kids can come back more than once without repeating. Camps run 9 am to 4 pm in Uptown.

Address: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Visit their website, ctcharlotte.org, for scheduling.

#6 Discovery Place Science

If you’re off work too, Uptown’s hands-on science museum makes an easy full day. Three floors of interactive exhibits cover everything from chemistry to the human body. Kids can see live animals in the aquarium and rainforest, then catch a film in the IMAX Dome Theatre. A membership pays off quickly if you’ll use it on more than one day off.

Address: 301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Visit their website, discoveryplacemuseums.org, for scheduling.

#7 Inner Peaks

Inner Peaks is Charlotte’s indoor climbing gym, with locations in South End, Matthews, and NoDa. It runs school-break climbing camps for ages 6 to 14, with small groups and trained coaches. On days you’re off together, walk-ins are welcome with no experience or reservation needed. A day pass includes gear, and kids 12 and under can boulder with an adult after a quick youth orientation.

Addresses:

South End: 2220 S Tryon St, Suite 170, Charlotte, NC 28203

NoDa: 1837 N Tryon St, Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28206

Matthews: 10715 Independence Pointe Pkwy, Matthews, NC 28105

Visit their website, innerpeaks.com, for scheduling.

Book early

No-school camps fill fast, and most cap their numbers. Our October 2 class sold out before the date arrived. Find your date on the Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen Kids & Teens calendar and save a spot.