Looking for the perfect extracurricular activity for your child? You probably know by now that the options are virtually inexhaustible—not mention overwhelming. That’s why we decided to put together a list of what we consider to be the coolest kids’ classes around, whether traditional or out-of-the-box (Action Hero Dance, anyone?).
Pick Up A Second Language—At Preschool
Parents who want to give their preschooler a bilingual education will want to consider the preschool programs offered by The Language Workshop for Children. Available in French, Spanish, Chinese, and Italian, the preschools preschool immerse children 2 to 4 year old in a new language and build early childhood skills. Teachers develop pre-reading, pre-math, and socialization abilities through LWFC materials, LWFC methods, stories, music, play, puzzles and more. (languageworkshopforchildren.com)
Follow The Yellow Brick Road
Roar like the Cowardly Lion and cackle like Wicked Witch at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s “The Wizard Of Oz” theater class for kids age 6 and up. Kids will put a unique spin on their favorite characters from “The Wizard of Oz” by creating costume pieces and learning improvisation techniques and actors’ movement exercises. Experienced theater artists and teachers help children explore themes from the story using a mixture of theater, music, movement and art, culminating in a final class performance. (cmom.org)
Prep For Preschool
NYC Elite Gymnastics offers preschoolers the opportunity to learn gymnastics, arts and crafts, dance and games designed to advance their motor development and coordination, all with highly qualified early development teachers. Need to run an errand or want to enjoy a relaxing morning? A drop-off option is available! (nycelite.com)
Make Music Like Mozart
At The Early Ear, highly-skilled and educated music teachers and pianists work together to introduce the magical world of music to children. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, kids engage in sing-alongs, movement, musical games and stories and imitate their teacher in making music ensembles with friends. (theearlyear.com)
Take A Private Piano Lesson
Don’t have time to schlep across the city for a music class? Piano Teacher USA brings the joy and tradition of piano right into students’ homes through a program that combines historical and popular methods and styles specifically tailored to each student. (pianoteacherusa.com)
Get Crafty
At The Craft Studio’s “Back to School Workshop: Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Lunch Pail,” kids can use materials like glitter glue, neon fabric markers, ribbon, sequins and gems. No more throw away brown bags—your sandwich will make it to school in style! (craftstudionyc.com)
Twirl With Your Tot
Learn to dance with your child at Ballet Academy East, well-known for their Mother & Child program for 2-year-olds. Children and their parents and caregivers share the joys of dance and music in a joyful and enriching environment, and all classes are accompanied by pianist. (baenyc.com)
Join The Circus
Karma Kids’ CircusYoga class blends the consciousness of yoga with the communal celebration of circus through connection, play and communication through circus skills (juggling, devil sticks, and more), group games, acrobatics, flying partner yoga, balance pipe, and creative movement. (karmakidsyoga.com)
Learn Through Play
At Tribeca Learning Center, students are exposed to weekly themes related to the season, holidays and the world around them. Students are exposed to the dramatic and creative arts daily through music, songs, dances, books and art and science projects. Emphasis is put on freedom of choice and learning through play. (tribecalearningcenter.org)
Culture Kids
ArtKids
cultural tours for kids enable students to visit a different city
museum, art gallery or auction house weekly and participate in hands-on
learning projects related to the exhibition. Kids can also roam the
galleries of the Met with special ArtKids iPod tours that can be
downloaded from the ArtKids website. (artmuseny.com)
Have An Animal Encounter
Go
on an animal adventure with the Art Farm in the City—kids will jump
with the frogs, hop with the bunnies and learn about a new animal every
week. Beginning with music and dancing and incorporating crafts,
structured play and story time, this class culminates with a
highly-anticipated visit from the “Animal of the Week.” (theartfarms.org)
Racket Around On Randall’s Island
The QuickStart Tennis program for 2 to 5-year-olds at SPORTIME Randall’s Island/Manhattan is an exciting format for learning tennis, where kids get to play right away! Utilizing specialized equipment, shorter court dimensions, and modified scoring, QuickStart provides an optimum learning environment for young children. Adult private and group tennis lessons are offered at the same time, and a complimentary nursery is open for siblings. (sportimeny.com/manhattan)
Go Dancing
Parents and children can learn together at The Joffrey Ballet School’s Dance With Me, a program for children as young as two with a parent or caregiver as a dance buddy. Classes help build fine and gross motor skills, develop basic understanding of music and rhythm and create an environment for children to explore movement through creativity and imagination. (joffreyballetschool.com)
Play And Learn At Poppyseed
Poppyseed
Pre-Nursery’s classes for toddlers and two’s meet two to three times a
week, providing enrichment through music, art and play. Participation by
a parent or caregiver, and frequency of contact add to each child’s
sense of security and self-confidence.
Rock Out In The Big Apple (And Beyond!)
apple seeds’ popular “songs for seeds” music class has expanded to the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Brooklyn and New Jersey! Families can drop in for a class at any of these new locations, or at apple seeds in the Chelsea/Flatiron district. (appleseedsnyc.com)
Be A Scribble Sleuth
At Scribble Press’ new creative writing class, “The Case of The Missing Miss Terious,” students learn critical thinking and writing skills as they delve into the mystery story. Their imaginations and vocabulary will grow as they embark on their own mystery writing adventure, and they’ll take home their own book at the end of the semester. (scribblepress.com)
Get Set For School
Gymboree Play & Music’s “School Skills” preschool alternative mixes academics, socialization and physical play, giving children ages 2, 3 and 4 the tools to master abstract thinking and personal and social skills. Leapfrog technology supports language, plus science and discovery, music, art, reading and physical exercise. (gymboreeclasses.com)
Have Twice The Fun
Two-for-one
is much more fun! 74th St. MAGIC’s “Double Time” class combines 45
minutes of “Tumble Time” in the fully-equipped gym with 45 minutes of
“Classroom Time,” which focuses on group socialization and hands-on
activities. Classroom Time introduces children to nursery school themes
using fun art, cooking and science projects. (74magic.com)
Step It Up
At the JCC in Manhattan’s “Hip Hop Dance” class, students ages 7-9 learn freestyle hip-hop in high-energy workouts choreographed to today’s popular music. Plus, the JCC’s convenient pick-up service will transport students to class from most public and private schools in the area! (jccmanhattan.org)
Learn To Swing
At Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop classes, parents and kids learn about Jazz ABCs! Classes focus on swing, blues, improvisation and other jazz essentials. Over the course of eight weeks, parents and children ages eight months to five years explore their imagination, creativity and musicality. (jalc.org/webop)
Get Fit
Generation
D, a brand-new individualized fitness program at Dasha Wellness, helps
improve kids’ athletic skills, like hand-eye coordination, agility and
balance, while instilling a lasting dedication to healthy eating,
fitness and mental and physical health. Programs are customized
according to the child’s strengths, weaknesses, interests and goals;
kids can choose from everything from Pilates and yoga to golf, soccer
and baseball. (dashawellness.com)
Flaunt It With Flamenco
At
Hola! A Playgroup In Spanish, kids can learn basic flamenco rhythms
through clapping “palmas,” “braceo” (arm movement), “marcaje” (body
coordination) and “taconeo” (footwork) for beginners. Students also
learn to appreciate the diverse musical styles found in traditional
flamenco and classic Spanish music. (holaplaygroup.com)
Do The Weave
Weaving
studio Loop of the Loom’s Fiber Arts Kids Class introduces children
ages 7-14 to the art of Saori, a type of weaving that emphasizes free
expression and results in one-of-a-kind pieces. The class encourages the
development of children’s manipulative skills through felting, spinning
and sewing. (loopoftheloom.com)
Act Your Age
The Atlantic Acting School’s after-school “Performance and Playwriting” class for kids in grades 4-6 introduces kids to the world of acting and playwriting through fundamental exercises, bringing together the elements of storytelling and performance with a final performance written, directed by and starring the young group. (atlanticactingschool.org)
Work It In The Water
Asphalt Green’s “Intro to Swimming” class is a gentle introduction to swimming for any child who is anxious or brand new to the water. Instructors introduce submersions, bubbles, streamlines and proper arm movement while helping to build confidence. (asphaltgreen.org)
Stretch It Out
Yogi
Beans’ Mommy & Me class for moms and toddlers ages 2-4 incorporates
games and poses that actively engage both parent and child. Animated
breathing exercises, partner poses, and other interactive activities
help to develop toddlers’ physical coordination and verbal communication
skills. No previous yoga experience required. (yogibeans.com)
Rock Out, Baby
Everyone’s favorite bands from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and today set the backdrop for Applause New York City’s interactive “Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies” class. Each session includes puppet time, educational activities and musical instruments to help increase children’s musical knowledge and creativity, and teach rhythm and dynamics to each little Rock Star! (applauseny.com)
Get Rhythm
Sokol
New York’s “Rhythmic Gymnastics” class for kids ages 6-7 combines sport
and art together to promote grace of movement, muscular flexibility and
strength as well as good posture. Participants learn tumbling, dance
moves, leaps, turns and traveling steps as well as manipulation of the
hand apparatus (hoops, balls and ribbons) and choreographed dances to
music. (sokolnewyork.org)
Animation Creations
At
the class “Animation with Joe Vena” at the Children’s Museum of the
Arts, kids ages 6-12 can explore the moving image through a variety of
2D and 3D animation techniques. Students experiment with claymation,
found-object animation, pixilation, cut-outs, and more. (cmany.org)
Be Part Of So
mething Bigger
This fall, Gymtime Rhythm & Glues is unveiling a brand-new space, and families are invited to come feel the energy of their new sunny, expanded facilities. They’ll be offering more classes to enhance the growth and experience of each little gymnast! (gymtime.net)
Bump, Set, Spike
Big City Volleyball’s Fall Youth Volleyball Classes are designed to help boys and girls between the ages of 10-16 learn the fundamentals of volleyball, with two hours of drills in setting, passing, overhand serving and hitting, all in a fun and friendly environment. (bigcityvolleyball.com)
Tap It Out
The School at Steps’ “Pre-Dance/Pre-Tap” class for kids ages 4-6 introduce body coordination 
and rhythmic awareness, opening a path to each student’s creativity and imagination. Pre-Dance/Pre-Tap classes are part of the Young Dancer Program that includes Little Steps (ages 2-4) and Isadora Duncan (ages 4-6). (stepsnyc.com)
Travel The World Through Art
Take an art adventure around the world with the 92nd St. Y’s “Art Around The World” class for kids ages 5-7. Children explore styles and techniques from different cultures and time periods, such as South African house creations, Moroccan textiles and Chinese paper lanterns. Each child “travels” from country to country, building an extensive global visual vocabulary. (92y.org)
Paint And Play
From Da Vinci to Dali and Beethoven to the Beatles, Three Little Birds music classes encourage children to learn through musical play. This fall, students will learn about art and music during “Colors with Cozmo.” Each week, children explore a new color through famous paintings and music inspired by art and color. (tlbmusic.com)
Capture The Flag
Whether your child is a Giants fan or a Jets fan, Chelsea Piers’ new flag football class for kids ages 7-10 is a great outlet for his or her football passion. The 10-week program will provide an introduction to the game of football in a fun and dynamic environment. Classes consist of skill development and game play. (chelseapiers.com)
Make Math Fun
Through tutoring and enrichment programs, Mathnasium helps students in grades Pre-K through 12 build a solid math foundation while developing confidence and a love for math. Students receive both homework guidance and a customized program that fills in skill gaps and builds fluency with numbers. (mathnasium.com)
Get In Motion
Kids will love “Motion Evolution” at Jodi’s Gym, a new fitness program for kids in grades 1-4. Motion Evolution incorporates strength training, cardio fitness, flexibility, nutrition and overall fitness education. The importance of good nutrition and making healthy food choices are also an integral part of the program. (jodisgym.com)
Move To The Musik
Join ABC Do-Re-Me for Kindermusik, a music and movement class designed for children from birth to age 7. Each week in class, children play, explore their creativity, socialize, listen and dance to music that will impact them in profound ways. (abcdoreme.com)
Be A Water Baby
Swim Jim’s “SwimBaby” class helps babies learn socialization skills, water safety, gross motor skills, peer motivation and self-esteem through happy songs and fun games. The students also begin to explore breath control, balance and buoyancy. Ideal for children 16 months to three years old. (swimjim.com)
Be A Kid
So many ways to play! Kidville’s “Run, Wiggle, Paint and Giggle” class engages toddlers through stories, ball play, block exploration, art and sensory play, and the finale: wiggling with one of Kidville’s own rockin’ musicians! A predictable, structured routine lets little ones gain confidence about transitions and knowing what happens next, all while having fun and making friends. (kidville.com)
Metro Mamas
Culture-themed social group Metropolitan Moms goes on regular private museum tours, gallery walks, architectural and historical neighborhood walks, artist studio visits, culinary excursions and more—all with their little ones in tow! (metropolitanmoms.com)
Get Artsy
Citibabes’ “Studio Art” class for kids ages 3-5 provides hands-on opportunities to discover, experiment and gain visual appreciation with a variety of art materials. Each week, different visual reproductions of famous works are presented and students learn to discuss works of art with basic art vocabulary: line, shape, color, form balance and scale. (citibabes.com)
Say “TADA!”
TADA! Youth Theater’s classes involve singing, choreography and theater games and always end with a performance. The T.O.T.S. (Theater On Their Scale) class introduces little ones and their caregivers to the joys of theater. (tadatheater.com)
Take Tiny Steps
Two-year-olds will love Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Tiny Steps creative movement program, in which instructors led children and their caregivers through playful dance exercises that help children develop body awareness, control and creativity. (alvinailey.org)
Say It In Spanish
Spanish language school Instituto Cervantes offers a The Children’s Theater Workshop, which develops social skills and confidence in a fun, creative environment, encouraging each child’s imagination and improving Spanish skills. (newyork.cervantes.es)
Tell Stories Through Song
The Diller-Quaile School of Music’s “Giving Voice To Stories” class for two-year-olds explores visually engaging storybooks through song, movement and play. Percussion instruments, stuffed animals, puppets, and props enhance the story experience, using music to help build vocabulary and teach communication skills. (diller-quaile.org)
Climb The Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Boulders offers kids the opportunity to challenge themselves on rock climbing wall—and even scale a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge! Kids ages 5-10 will love Brooklyn Boulders’ BKB Kids League, an after-school instructional course for beginners involving stretching, climbing games, roped climbing and slacklining. (brooklynboulders.com)
Compete And Create
Kids In Sports’ Creative Athletes program combines the sports training of the classic Kids in Sports program with arts and crafts, story time, socialization skills and more. In the sports portion of Creative Athletes, children learn skills for baseball, basketball, football, soccer and many other sports, while during the classroom section, children interact with different tactile objects, puzzles and complete art projects. (kisnyc.com)
Kick It Like A Star
Super Soccer Stars’ Advanced Skill Development Clinics for kids ages 6-9 include a three-hour intensive and friendly game play. Students develop skills, self-confidence and teamwork in a fun, non-competitive environment. Positive reinforcement and low child-to-coach ratios ensure that students improve soccer skills through warm-ups, drills and games. (supersoccerstars.com)
“Bellissimo!”
At Italian language school Collina Italiana, toddlers can learn basic Italian words and phrases through songs, games, dance, film and arts and crafts. Classes are also available for elementary and middle-school kids. (collinaitaliana.com)
Make Music Like A Big Kid
At Eastside Westside Music Together’s “Big Kids Family Music” class, children ages 5-6 and their accompanying adults participate in game songs, folk dances, jam sessions, dramatic play and more. Children develop interests and skills in singing, dancing, improvising, playing instruments and taking dramatic roles, while parents will learn how to support their children as they grow musically. (eswsmusictogether.com)
It’s Great To Skate
At Wollman Rink’s “Snow Plow Sam” class for first time skaters ages 5-6, kids learn basic balance, proper falling and getting up, beginning forward skating and two foot glides. Students work on forward marching with speed, simple turns, beginning backward skating and stops. (wollmanskatingrink.com)
Slam Dunk
Popular basketball program dribbl offers expert training that’s focused on teamwork, fundamentals and sportsmanship. The original dribbl program aims to develop and refine fundamental basketball skills such as shooting, passing, footwork and ball-handling. Children ages 3 through pre-K can participate in
dribbl jr. program, now available at Kidville. (dribbl.com)
Be A Hero
Spring like Spiderman and bound like Batman at Discovery Programs’ Action Hero Dance class, designed for pre-school boys with a sense of rhythm who love to move! Students incorporate dynamic movements into high energy and fun routines. (discoveryprograms.com)
Bundle Up
At My Gym’s “Little Bundles” class, babies begin their first visual, audial and spatial exploration while parents are guided through a program designed to carefully introduce music and movement through baby exercises, songs, dances, infant-safe rides, unique swings, and other Parent & Me adventures. Each week, parents participate in a dialogue about their children’s development and leave with informative handouts. (my-gym.com)
New Kids On The Block
Cupcake Kids!
Kids
have been learning to measure, sift, mix, knead, zest and more with
Cupcake Kids! for years, but now the popular cooking program has a
kitchen to call its own. Classes, camps and parties are now held at 109
West 27th Street—the first kitchen studio in Manhattan designed and
built exclusively for kids. (cupcakekids.com)
Carousel of Languages
Offering morning and afternoon classes in Italian, French, Spanish and Mandarin, Carousel of Languages bases its teaching methods on early childhood learning standards. Each class is taught by a native foreign language instructor. Check out their Extended Immersion Program, a 3-hour drop-off class focusing on cultural and music exploration. (italianfortoddlers.com)
Chelsea Piers
Long known for their quality educational programs for little ones, the famous sports complex now offers an enrichment program for children with developmental needs ages 18 months to 5 years. Called “CP Building Blocks,” the program targets language development, cognition, motor development and socialization. Each week children learn a new language concept and practice its use through gross and fine motor activities, multi-sport activities, story time, music and cooking. (chelseapiers.com)
