Has this spring weather got you wishing you had more reasons to leave the house? If you’re anything like me, the un-hibernation process catches me unaware every year. Your kids are bored with legos and play spaces, and you’ve set the limits on screen time. What to do? Not to worry, there is still room in these offbeat classes, camps and workshops that will put a spring in your kids’ steps and motivate everyone to try something new.
Feel the mud between your toes in this outdoors-y class. Photo: Tinkergarten
Living in an urban jungle means finding nature in green spaces all over the city. Tinkergarten is an outdoors class that meets in parks across Brooklyn, where families can explore the natural habitats that we live and discover what it means to be part of the life cycle. These classes are for parents and kids up to 5 years old, who will practice motor skills, getting dirty, and imaginary play. Building an outdoor kitchen, hunting for the wind and making an egg roll are just a few examples of this woodsy class. Brooklyn and Queens locations include Cadman Plaza, Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, Gantry Plaza State Park, Owls Head Park, Shore Road Park, Astoria Park, and Alley Pond Park. These weekly classes start next week and run through the beginning of June. $260 for 8 classes.
Celebrating Sally Maria Diggs at the Brooklyn Historical Society
History and art collide in this Brooklyn workshop. Photo by Willie Davis for The Brooklyn Historical Society
Using the sculpture by Artist Meredith Bergmann as inspiration, families will combine art and history in learning about the life of Sally Maria Diggs, “an enslaved female whose freedom was gained through funds raised by the congregation of Brooklyn Height’s Plymouth Church.” Kids will take a closer look at the sculpture, celebrate freedom, and recreate the piece using collage materials provided by the museum. Afterwards, families can walk right by the historic Plymouth Church, which is only a block away. Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights, Saturday April 9th, 11am-12pm, $5 suggested donation per child.
Crystal Children at Maha Rose
Train a future generation of healers in this weekend crystal workshop for little earth lovers. Photo: Maha Rose
The “crystal”generation”, the New Age term for kids born after 2000, who (according to New Agers) are here to heal the world have a big job to do. Let them get started early by playing with crystals at this three part workshop at Maha Rose. In this class, kids will sing healing songs, cultivate energy through breathwork and dance, and, of course, play with crystals. Each class will end with building a crystal grid, which may just replace your child’s love for Legos. This class is for ages 3-6 years old. Saturdays April 9th, 16th and 23rd. 10am-11am. Maha Rose, 97 Green St., Greenpoint. Cost for all 3 classes is $85; drop in to one is $35.
Circus Camp with Brooklyn Beanstalk
Kids will be encouraged to clown around in this circus camp that runs during Spring Break. Photo: Brooklyn Beanstalk
Have your kids run away and join the circus this spring break. Kids ages 5-11 years old can engage in acrobatics, physical comedy and acting games. Juggling, spinning plates and balancing objects can actually help with self-confidence–plus it’s really fun! Absolutely no prior clown or circus experience is necessary, just the ability to try new things and make new friends. This camp runs from April 25th-29th, but you can sign up for the day or the entire week. 9am-3pm Center For Anti-Violence Education 327 7th St #2, Park Slope $125/ day.
Thursday Robotics classes at Geek Forest
Geek Forest, which is celebrating its Grand Opening tomorrow in Williamsburg, just began their spring classes this week, but there is still space in their Thursday afternoon robotics classes. Junior Robotics will introduce kids ages 5-7 to building and programming robots using the Lego WeDo sets, and at same time, kids ages 8-12 can enroll in da Vinci Designs and use Lego Mindstorm sets to recreate some of the Rennaissance Man’s most famous contraptions. A second afternoon class for the same age group, Robo Battles, promises just that–battling bots the kids make themselves. They’re prorating the $385 for 9 classes fee--just email or call (917) 259-6908. If you’re looking for a STEM-filled camp, their Minecraft spring camp for 5- to 12-year-olds is also filling up fast. $120/day, $500/week.
