Classes

Since 1893, the Charlestown Clubhouse has provided extensive extracurricular programs for the youth of Charlestown and its surrounding communities. Membership is open to kids ages 6 to 18.

Education: It offers one-on-one tutoring, computer instruction, homework help, test preparation, enrichment activities, and newspaper and science clubs.

Arts: Provides classes in visual arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Performing arts include music lessons and dance classes for children ten and up.

Social Recreation: Children are offered a variety of fun activities and events. These include dances, peer leadership groups, and tournaments.

Physical Education: It offers basketball and volleyball clinics, hockey and basketball leagues, and intramural sports.

Teen Center: Programs focus on college prep, tutoring, computers, and career prep. Social activities and field trips are also available.

Child Care Program: School-age child-care program for children ages 6 to 10 is provided from 2:30pm-6pm during the school week and 8:00am-5:30pm during school and summer vacations. Call 242.1775 ext 231 for information on eligibility and fees.

Sing-A-Lingo offers Spanish classes for young children with their caregivers. By singing original, catchy songs about daily life, the child/caregiver team learns together - practicing is easy and fun when you sing in the tub, while setting the table, while putting on your shoes, etc.! Enrollment includes a CD of original songs, all in Spanish.

Each session consists of eight classes, which meet for an hour each week. Parents can choose from two locations: the Gentle Dragon Preschool in Medford and One Whittemore Park, Arlington. Visit the website for the current schedule.

Since 1893, the Charlestown Clubhouse has provided extensive extracurricular programs for the youth of Charlestown and its surrounding communities. Membership is open to kids ages 6 to 18.

Education: It offers one-on-one tutoring, computer instruction, homework help, test preparation, enrichment activities, and newspaper and science clubs.

Arts: Provides classes in visual arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Performing arts include music lessons and dance classes for children ten and up.

Social Recreation: Children are offered a variety of fun activities and events. These include dances, peer leadership groups, and tournaments.

Physical Education: It offers basketball and volleyball clinics, hockey and basketball leagues, and intramural sports.

Teen Center: Programs focus on college prep, tutoring, computers, and career prep. Social activities and field trips are also available.

Child Care Program: School-age child-care program for children ages 6 to 10 is provided from 2:30pm-6pm during the school week and 8:00am-5:30pm during school and summer vacations. Call 242.1775 ext 231 for information on eligibility and fees.

Established in 1990, The Green Planet sells natural and environmentally friendly products, with a focus on natural, wooden, and cloth toys and games. The products are educational and encourage creative, open-ended play, including science kits, doll houses, puzzles, classic children's books, cooperative games, books about social issues, cotton stuffed animals, infant toys, puppets, arts and crafts kits, and music CDs and cassettes.

While you're there, check out the environmentally friendly household products (non-toxic pest control, for example), organic cotton clothing for babies, recycled stationery, yoga videos and supplies, and eco-friendly gifts.

For fun birthday parties, you can choose either yoga or "creative space" (art, music). Parties begin at $15 per child.

Yoga classes are available for the whole family, from pre-natal through adult. You'll find classes for children, toddlers, mommy and me, pre-teen, teen, and adult. Classes range from $12-$15/class.

There are also creative space classes for children in art, music, creative movement, and chess. Both yoga and creative class sessions range from 6 to 15 weeks, and cost from $12-$15 per class. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Plaster Fun Time is a drop-in art center where children can express themselves and have fun painting their own plaster pieces. They can pick from thousands of shapes, and paint using a selection of 26 colors. When it's finished, the piece is varnished, and your child can take the masterpiece home that day!

Plaster Fun Time is also a great destination for birthday parties. Parents bring the food, beverages and paper products, and the PFT staff supervises and hosts the entire party. Parties cost $10.99 per child, with a minimum of 10 children. Call for reservations.

Started in 2000, The Kids Place is an interactive art studio for children of all ages. Staff members are always on hand to help with a project, plan a party, or answer any questions you may have. No advance booking is necessary for the studio - drop in any time during business hours. Options include: mosaics, ceramics, tie dye, plaster, and mining for Gems.

The Kids Place is great for birthday parties. They provide the entertainment/project and clean up the mess! All parties include freeze dance, games, your craft of choice, and any extras you choose to add. Guests can paint ceramics, mine for gems and paint a treasure or jewelry box, create a mosaic masterpiece, paint plaster figures, or create edible art or tie dye. Goody bags, balloons, slush, cotton candy, face painting, tattoos, nails, color a cookie, autograph plate/picture, and sandy candy are additional options.

Alternatively, "Sleep under birthday parties" include cool crafts, movie, dinner, games, cotton candy and more for children ages 8 and up. Free invitations! Balloons, slush, face painting, and goody bags are also available.

The Kids Place On The Go is a unique service that has been utilized by corporations as well as area hotels. If you are planning a hotel-based event like a conference, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah party, or a wedding, anywhere in the Greater Boston area, a Kids Place event can occupy the kids. Kids Place On The Go includes interactive supervision by Kids Place members who bring games, crafts, and goodies. There are three packages which can be tailored to the number and age of the children, the time length (two-hour minimum) and your budget.

Boston's Best Babysitters/Nannies provides sitters to families in the greater Boston area. It accommodates parents in search of back-up child care, or a much-needed night out. The agency also does a lot of sitting for families staying in local hotels.

The agency's employees are professional nannies, graduate students, mothers, and grandmothers. All babysitters undergo a motor vehicle and criminal record check. They must also have completed CPR and first aid instruction.

Babysitting fees are $13 per hour with a $1 charge for each additional child, plus a $10 transportation fee. The agency fee is $35. The agency fee can be charged to Visa, Master Card or Am Ex, while nanny fees should be paid in cash at the end of the night. Tipping is at the discretion of the parent.

While the agency does do "at a moment's notice" placements, it admits that business has been steadily increasing. The owner suggests that you call sooner rather than later to book a sitter.

Boston's Best also places live-out nannies, who are typically paid $14-$16 per hour. The placement fee for a full-time nanny is $2500. Part-time fees vary according to number of weekly hours needed.

Boston's Best offers other services, too, like a nanny training school and nanny profiling by a child and family therapist.

Boston's Best Baby Sitters/Nannies offers Infant & Child CPR and First Aid through the American Red Cross to parents and caregivers. If parents or caregivers
wish to put a group of 8 participants together, then
9th person is certified free of charge. Otherwise,
classes are $55/person/class. (Note: CPR and First Aid are 2 separate classses). They also travel to desired location of parent or caregiver group, or parents and caregivers can join one of their monthly classes held in the Boston area.

Boston's Best also offer "Magic Touch" Infant Massage (under the same guidelines as CPR and First Aid groups), which is affiliated with the International Association of Infant Massage Inc. Plus, kids ages 11 to 15 can take part in the agency's Baby Sitter's Training classes. Class information can be found on the Boston's Best website or by calling 617.268.7148.

The Huntington Avenue YMCA provides programs for youth, teens, adults, and families.

The Arlington Boys & Girls Club offers children ages six months to 17 years a wide variety of classes, lessons, activities, and more throughout the year. It is affiliated with the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Pre-School and Pre-K Programs: Children (toilet trained) 2.9 to 5.11 can apply for the program at the ABC Preschool. Both morning and afternoon sessions are available. Special instruction includes a Water Adjustment Program, which gives parent and child an opportunity to become comfortable in a pool setting, a regularly scheduled gym program, and an introduction to computers. For more information, call Judy Andrews at 781.648.1617.

Afterschool Program: This program is available for school children ages six and up. The program includes outdoor and indoor play, arts & crafts, snack, activity time, computer and homework time, special events, and pool time. It operates from September through June, 2:15pm to 6pm. Early release and full day programs coincide with the Arlington Public School calendar.

Instruction/Classes: Children can participate in swimming, basketball, gymnastics, cooking. and more. Call for a schedule of classes.

Facilities: The club has an indoor heated pool for members. Open swim times, including family swims, are offered. The gym is open for free play at various times throughout the week. The Sunshine Room is a quiet area available to kids ages six through eight after school. A game room is open to intermediate and junior members and includes pool tables, board games, and more. A teen room features computers, TV, stereo, and video games. The teen room is open Tuesday through Saturday, September to May, but hours vary, so check the web site for an up-to-date schedule.

Drop In Program: The Clubhouse is open Tuesday through Saturday, September to May, for activities including swimming, open gym time, group games, arts and crafts, and more. Membership required for this program.

Summer Program: The Club offers a wide variety of summer activities including swimming and boating instruction and day camps.

Birthday Parties: The gym, pool, and game rooms can be rented for birthday parties from September to May. A pool party, for example, for up to 20 children ages six and up, is $150. This includes one hour of pool time, and one hour in the game room. A lifeguard is on duty during the swim times.

Fidelity House is a non-profit community center, which has been serving the needs of Arlington and surrounding communities for 50 years.

Programs include: Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten & After School Program; Drop-in member program for grades 1-12; Summer day camps for ages 2.9-13; and much much more.

Fidelity House can also be rented for birthday parties. Call for pricing and availability.

Hill House, Inc., founded in 1966, is an independent, non-profit community center which provides diverse programs, services, and activities for families residing in Boston's downtown neighborhoods. Through quality programs, collaborative partnerships, and volunteer support, Hill House builds and fosters a strong sense of urban community and improves the quality of life for residents of all ages.

Hill House offers courses and activities for everyone from toddlers to seniors at two locations, 127 Mt. Vernon Street and 74 Joy Street. Detailed course information is listed on their website.

Hill House also has summer day camps, soccer camps, and baseball camps, for children ages four to 12. Registration for Hill House programs and Summer Camp is available online.

Since 1893, the Charlestown Clubhouse has provided extensive extracurricular programs for the youth of Charlestown and its surrounding communities. Membership is open to kids ages 6 to 18.

Education: It offers one-on-one tutoring, computer instruction, homework help, test preparation, enrichment activities, and newspaper and science clubs.

Arts: Provides classes in visual arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Performing arts include music lessons and dance classes for children ten and up.

Social Recreation: Children are offered a variety of fun activities and events. These include dances, peer leadership groups, and tournaments.

Physical Education: It offers basketball and volleyball clinics, hockey and basketball leagues, and intramural sports.

Teen Center: Programs focus on college prep, tutoring, computers, and career prep. Social activities and field trips are also available.

Child Care Program: School-age child-care program for children ages 6 to 10 is provided from 2:30pm-6pm during the school week and 8:00am-5:30pm during school and summer vacations. Call 242.1775 ext 231 for information on eligibility and fees.

Children's Technology Workshops offers Robotics, Animation, Digital Video Production, Digital Art, Video Game Design, and more. Options include icamp by Children's Technology Workshop summer day camp, after school programs, birthday parties, introductory workshops, weekend programs, and much more! Sessions are available in various towns north and west of Boston. Check the website for specific locations.

Parties that Rock! CTWorkshop offers 5 party themes for a unique party experience. The trained and entertaining instructors bring all materials needed to your party location and run two-hour parties in Video Game Design, Pixilation, LEGO Build-a- Bug, Construct a Catapult, or Animation themes. They even send out personalized invitations to your guests. Perfect for birthdays, barmitzfas, grade-school graduations, or even Christmas gifts. Prices range from $20-30 per child depending on theme. Minimum 10 children per party. Email or call for more information [info@ctwboston.com; 617.395.7527].

Since 1893, the Charlestown Clubhouse has provided extensive extracurricular programs for the youth of Charlestown and its surrounding communities. Membership is open to kids ages 6 to 18.

Education: It offers one-on-one tutoring, computer instruction, homework help, test preparation, enrichment activities, and newspaper and science clubs.

Arts: Provides classes in visual arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Performing arts include music lessons and dance classes for children ten and up.

Social Recreation: Children are offered a variety of fun activities and events. These include dances, peer leadership groups, and tournaments.

Physical Education: It offers basketball and volleyball clinics, hockey and basketball leagues, and intramural sports.

Teen Center: Programs focus on college prep, tutoring, computers, and career prep. Social activities and field trips are also available.

Child Care Program: School-age child-care program for children ages 6 to 10 is provided from 2:30pm-6pm during the school week and 8:00am-5:30pm during school and summer vacations. Call 242.1775 ext 231 for information on eligibility and fees.

Kitchen Kids offers creative cooking classes for kids. Classes are available weekly, for birthday parties, and for Girl Scout and Boy Scout badges. Summer cooking camps are also available. Call for South Shore locations.

Kids ages three to 12 stir up cooking, learning and fun (and yummy recipes!) at Cooking to Learn. Cooking classes, parties, family wellness workshops, and special events are available in Boston and several surrounding communities.

Cooking Classes and Parties

Cooking classes provide engaging and fun activities for schools, day- and after-school care centers, community and recreation programs, and for your child at home.

While engaged in fun cooking activities, kids learn a range of skills, from math and science concepts to cultural and nutritional facts. Tailored to various ages, interests, and seasonal themes, classes include: professional chef instructors, personalized, hands-on instruction, all food and materials, child-safe equipment, and recipe cards.

Cooking parties are a great idea for your little chef's big day! Held at your home or location you secure, Cooking to Learn brings everything the little guests need to stir up a festive feast.

Wellness Workshops and Events

Perfect for parenting groups, community organizations, and schools, the Family Wellness Workshops provide information, ideas, and tools on a variety of food-related topics - from cooking with kids to guiding children to lead healthy lives.

Cooking events are perfect for fairs, festivals, and other community events.

Visit their website, email, or call for more information or to plan a class, workshop, or event.

It's not often that parents and kids agree on where to eat out, but everyone in the family will agree that the Full Moon is a wonderful spot.

This is grown up restaurant that kids love, and the secret is...toys! Tucked in the back of the restaurant, children will find a play area chock full of fun - a train table and trains, a kitchen set with tons of pretend food, a lego table, and a doll house.

For those who prefer adult company, there are baskets for kids who want to bring some of the smaller toys back to the dining table. Wooden puzzles and books can also be brought tableside. This play option is great for littler kids who don't feel like mixing it up with the older guys.

But fun does not come without rules. The restaurant requests that all children be supervised. No food is allowed in the play area, shoes and socks must remain on feet, and children have to use their inside voices. Parents are also asked to help with the clean up, if possible. As you can imagine, clean up is a never ending task, just like home!

Kids can choose from a children's menu that offers mac n' cheese, hot dog with fries, breaded chicken with fries, or cheese pizza. All kids' meals come with fresh fruit and a couple of carrot sticks thrown in for good measure. Prices range from $2.95 to $4.95; drinks are not included. If your child isn't able to drink from a "grown up" cup, sippy cups are on hand.

The adult menu offers homemade soups and pizzas, salads, grilled fish, chicken and steak, risotto, and pasta. Sample prices for dinner include the wild mushroom risotto for $8.95, and the swordfish with pesto, risotto, and an arugula salad for $18.95.

Adults won't find it difficult to finish their meals or their conversation. Kids may have a hard time keeping away from the toys. You'll have to work out a plan ahead of time to keep them at the table long enough to eat a few bites.

For dessert, the kids will enjoy homemade cookies and brownies. Parents can indulge in warm chocolate pudding cake or apple cobbler.

The service is another reason that this is a parent favorite. The waiters and waitresses don't merely tolerate your children, they're genuinely nice to them. The childrens' meals come quickly and are not flaming hot, making it easy for kids to eat quickly and get back to the fun.

The restaurant suggests that you come early to avoid waiting. This is not a huge place; there are about fifteen tables in the "kid zone". Full Moon does offer several tables away from the family scene for those who want more of an adult dining experience.

The restaurant also offers cooking classes for parents and children three and older. The cost is $20 prepaid per child, and space is limited, so you need to call ahead. Unfortunately, a regular schedule of classes has yet to be determined, so you'll need to call to see when the classes are being offered.

The Little Gym® offers developmental gymnastics, dance, karate, and sports skills, as well as summer and holiday camps.

The Little Gym® motor skill development program is for children ages 4 months through 12 years. Kids progress through friendly and non-competitive classes designed to provide increased skill development as they mature. The Little Gym® classes allow kids to have fun while focusing on achievement at their own pace.

The curriculum is divided into parent/child classes for infants and toddlers; pre-k/kinder classes for children ages 3-5; and grade school level for 6-12 year olds. Classes are taught by professionally trained instructors who are sensitive to each child's individual ability and personality to help guide you and your child to the most appropriate level. Kids can enter the program at any age.

Dance The Little Gym Way classes consist of 30 minutes each of dance and gymnastics, giving children the opportunity to build strength, coordination and motor skills. Classes are taught in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. For children ages 3-12.

Summer and Holiday Camps - The Little Gym® AnyTime Camp combines physical fitness and play with arts, crafts, and special events. The 3-hour sessions are for children ages three to eight and take place during the summer and school vacations. Check the website for the current schedule.

The Little Gym is a great place for kids to have a birthday party. Every party has the entire gym to itself, and includes plenty of music, movement, games, and fun created especially for each child. The Little Gym® handles everything from invitations to clean-up. Call for availability and pricing.

The Little Gym® offers developmental gymnastics, dance, karate, and sports skills, as well as summer and holiday camps.

The Little Gym® motor skill development program is for children ages 4 months through 12 years. Kids progress through friendly and non-competitive classes designed to provide increased skill development as they mature. The Little Gym® classes allow kids to have fun while focusing on achievement at their own pace.

The curriculum is divided into parent/child classes for infants and toddlers; pre-k/kinder classes for children ages 3-5; and grade school level for 6-12 year olds. Classes are taught by professionally trained instructors who are sensitive to each child's individual ability and personality to help guide you and your child to the most appropriate level. Kids can enter the program at any age.

Dance The Little Gym Way classes consist of 30 minutes each of dance and gymnastics, giving children the opportunity to build strength, coordination and motor skills. Classes are taught in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. For children ages 3-12.

Summer and Holiday Camps - The Little Gym® AnyTime Camp combines physical fitness and play with arts, crafts, and special events. The 3-hour sessions are for children ages three to eight and take place during the summer and school vacations. Check the website for the current schedule.

The Little Gym is a great place for kids to have a birthday party. Every party has the entire gym to itself, and includes plenty of music, movement, games, and fun created especially for each child. The Little Gym® handles everything from invitations to clean-up. Call for availability and pricing.

The Mass Motion Dance Academy has offered quality dance training since 1983. Mass Motion is under the direction of Terri Gordon, a former member of the Boston Ballet Company and Tanz Forum, the modern dance company of Cologne, Germany. The children's program begins at age two and continues through age 18. Individualized attention and limited class size in a professional and friendly environment ensure maximum student development.

Course offerings include Tiny Tots I (ages 2 1/2 to 4) and Tiny Tots II (ages 4 to 5), combination classes (ages 5 to 8), and hourly classes for students starting at age 9.

During the summer, the Academy offers dance camps for kids ages five to 11, a teen camp for those aged 12 to 18, as well as Mommy & Me classes for two- and three-year-olds and Tiny Tots classes for those aged three to five.

Etiquette Made Easy provides etiquette instruction to children, teenagers, and young adults. Etiquette classes are highly interactive and focus on developing the skills needed to succeed in academic, social, as well as professional settings and environments.

Programs can be tailored to a specific group or organization. Instructors have been specifically trained in education, as well as teaching children etiquette. Individual consultations are available by appointment.

Classes are held in the Block Room of the All Saints Parish, 1773 Beacon Street Brookline MA 02446 and are not religiously affiliated.

The Jon D. Williams Cotillion Program for Children helps students develop better communication and socialization, and dance skills that can have a positive impact throughout their lifetimes.

The program teaches contemporary etiquette skills and a wide range of traditional and contemporary dances including Foxtrot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Samba, Tango, Jitterbug, two/three step, and line dancing. The goal is to help kids feel comfortable and confident in a variety of social settings.

Age-appropriate programs typically run four to five weeks, one day a week, for 60-90 minutes each day. Each series concludes with a special event that parents may also attend. Children are required to wear dressy clothes for classes. Advance registration is required.

The Jon D. Williams Cotillion Program for Children helps students develop better communication and socialization, and dance skills that can have a positive impact throughout their lifetimes.

The program teaches contemporary etiquette skills and a wide range of traditional and contemporary dances including Foxtrot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Samba, Tango, Jitterbug, two/three step, and line dancing. The goal is to help kids feel comfortable and confident in a variety of social settings.

Age-appropriate programs typically run four to five weeks, one day a week, for 60-90 minutes each day. Each series concludes with a special event that parents may also attend. Children are required to wear dressy clothes for classes. Advance registration is required.

The New England Sports Academy unique, comprehensive, multi-activity facility for children that provides sports instruction, training, and related activities for children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. At the NESA, kids experience an unrivaled variety of instruction and activities provided by world-class coaches and instructors. NESA's mission is to provide a strong physical and mental foundation for kids. NESA provides training and instruction to more than 1,600 students in more than 20 different sports and activities.

In addition to classes scheduled throughout the year, NESA offers school vacation and summer camps. Students participate in basketball, soccer, hip hop dance, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, wrestling (ages 9+), martial arts, sports of all types, yoga, arts and crafts, and surprise programs.

Kids' parties are also available. They begin with a fun-packed gymnastics program, where kids enjoy the trampoline and foam pit, play parachute games, run relay races, and dance to music. A final half-hour is reserved for a traditional birthday celebration in a private Party Room. Parties accommodate up to 20 kids.

The Little Gym® offers developmental gymnastics, dance, karate, and sports skills, as well as summer and holiday camps.

The Little Gym® motor skill development program is for children ages 4 months through 12 years. Kids progress through friendly and non-competitive classes designed to provide increased skill development as they mature. The Little Gym® classes allow kids to have fun while focusing on achievement at their own pace.

The curriculum is divided into parent/child classes for infants and toddlers; pre-k/kinder classes for children ages 3-5; and grade school level for 6-12 year olds. Classes are taught by professionally trained instructors who are sensitive to each child's individual ability and personality to help guide you and your child to the most appropriate level. Kids can enter the program at any age.

Dance The Little Gym Way classes consist of 30 minutes each of dance and gymnastics, giving children the opportunity to build strength, coordination and motor skills. Classes are taught in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. For children ages 3-12.

Summer and Holiday Camps - The Little Gym® AnyTime Camp combines physical fitness and play with arts, crafts, and special events. The 3-hour sessions are for children ages three to eight and take place during the summer and school vacations. Check the website for the current schedule.

The Little Gym is a great place for kids to have a birthday party. Every party has the entire gym to itself, and includes plenty of music, movement, games, and fun created especially for each child. The Little Gym® handles everything from invitations to clean-up. Call for availability and pricing.

The Little Gym® offers developmental gymnastics, dance, karate, and sports skills, as well as summer and holiday camps.

The Little Gym® motor skill development program is for children ages 4 months through 12 years. Kids progress through friendly and non-competitive classes designed to provide increased skill development as they mature. The Little Gym® classes allow kids to have fun while focusing on achievement at their own pace.

The curriculum is divided into parent/child classes for infants and toddlers; pre-k/kinder classes for children ages 3-5; and grade school level for 6-12 year olds. Classes are taught by professionally trained instructors who are sensitive to each child's individual ability and personality to help guide you and your child to the most appropriate level. Kids can enter the program at any age.

Dance The Little Gym Way classes consist of 30 minutes each of dance and gymnastics, giving children the opportunity to build strength, coordination and motor skills. Classes are taught in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. For children ages 3-12.

Summer and Holiday Camps - The Little Gym® AnyTime Camp combines physical fitness and play with arts, crafts, and special events. The 3-hour sessions are for children ages three to eight and take place during the summer and school vacations. Check the website for the current schedule.

The Little Gym is a great place for kids to have a birthday party. Every party has the entire gym to itself, and includes plenty of music, movement, games, and fun created especially for each child. The Little Gym® handles everything from invitations to clean-up. Call for availability and pricing.