Vacation Programs are offered during mid-winter and spring vacations. These programs give curious kids an opportunity to dive into specific interests in architecture and test out their own ideas. Each program explores a different theme through art and building activities, design challenges, and guided investigations of architectural examples. Our educators strive to accommodate all learners. Classes are taught in a group setting and students engage independently to design and build projects. Classes include 12 to 16 students, 1 teacher, and 1 assistant.
Vacation Programs run three days (Tue–Thu), 9am–4pm.
Need-based partial scholarships are available. Upon completing program registration as a “scholarship applicant”, you will automatically receive a confirmation email which includes a link to the Scholarship Application. Your registration is complete once you submit the Scholarship Application. If you are selected to receive a scholarship, you will be notified by email within one week of the due date. At that time, balance payment will be due.
Looking for Summer Programs? Please go here.
Check out our Youth Programs FAQs. For further questions, please email k12education@centerforarchitecture.org.
Upcoming Vacation Programs
Information and Registration for 2026 Vacation Programs is available below.
Skyscrapers (Grades 3-5) Tuesday, February 17–Thursday, February 19, 2026 - SOLD OUT
Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Price: $435
From One World Trade Center to the Empire State building, New York City is full of remarkably tall buildings. This class will explore what makes these structures strong and how their design enables them to reach such dizzying heights. Students will take inspiration and ideas from amazing skyscrapers in New York City and around the world as they design, draw, and build their own skyscrapers.
*This program is during NYC Public School February Break*
Scholarship Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 27
This program is SOLD OUT. To be added to the waitlist, email k12education@centerforarchitecture.org.
Digital Design: Transit Architecture (Grades 6–8) Tuesday, February 17–Thursday, February 19, 2026 - SOLD OUT
Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Price: $435
New York City would be very different without the complex subway system running above and below its busy streets. Students will learn about the history and design of the New York City subway and compare it with notable systems around the world. They will explore how the subway’s extensive network operates, as well as the social, environmental, and engineering challenges it faces today. Inspired by the new Interborough Express which will connect 17 subway lines between Brooklyn and Queens, students will use 3D design software to create a transit hub to support the city’s growth and connectivity.
Students will need to bring their own laptop and charging cord with Windows 11 or 10 or Mac OS 26 (Tahoe), 15 (Sequoia), 14+ (Sonoma), or 13+ (Ventura) for this class. Students can bring their own mouse or CFA will provide a wired mouse for student use. Students will be sent a link to download the free SketchUp trial software prior to the first day of class. Students with Chromebooks can use the free web-based SketchUp software. Tablets and phones cannot be used for this program. Please check your system requirements here.
*This program is during NYC Public School February Break*
Scholarship Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 27
This program is SOLD OUT. To be added to the waitlist, email k12education@centerforarchitecture.org.
Dream House (Grades 3–5) Tuesday, April 7–Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Price: $435
A dream house could be a penthouse apartment, a modern beach house, or a castle in the hills. In this program, students will design and build their own personal dream house or apartment through drawings and models. Examples of amazing houses from around the world will provide ideas and inspiration, but the final designs reflect each student’s imagination.
*This program is during NYC Public School Spring Break*
Scholarship Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 17
House of the Future (Grades 6–8) Tuesday, April 7–Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Price: $435
Students investigate the history of housing and consider what’s in store for the future. This class will explore historic homes to see how people lived in the past, discover advancements in green architecture today, and speculate about how we might live in the future. For their final project, students will work collaboratively in small groups to design and build a scale model of a house of the future.
*This program is during NYC Public School Spring Break*
Scholarship Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 17