Five after-school activities around Canberra you may not have thought of…
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School is nearly back in, and that means that many Canberra parents will be starting the familiar ferry to after-school activities. For most, that may be ballet or swimming lessons or some other sport…but there are actually loads of really interesting ways for kids to spend time after the school bell rings. Here are five of our favourites…
Dancing
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that dancing is the second most popular sport in Australia at the moment…but when it comes to kids, it’s usually ballet or a derivative of it, that gets most of the attention. But it’s totally cool to learn to dance with a partner, and Canberra has a few different options.
The International Dance Studio has classes for a Ballroom and Latin movement class for kids aged four to seven years at 4:15pm each Friday in Forrest (term starts Friday 7 February). It’s a very fun and easy way for your boy or girl to learn to dance. Download details of times and prices here.
For children aged seven to 14 years, there are Junior Dance Classes – an excellent way to learn Ballroom, Latin & New Vogue and there are also Teenage Latin Classes on Thursdays.
Kokoloco in Phillip also runs junior salsa lessons in line with school terms (details TBC) – usually 4pm on a Wednesday or Thursday. My kids have been doing these classes for a year, and instructor Becky knows how to keep the kids interested with a great combination of play and learning.
Drawing & Creative Arts
DRAW FUN STUFF is a cartooning and comic art class for young people aged 8-12, run by Arran McKenna, an illustrator and animator with over 10 years experience. The classes will cover all the basics needed to get a grasp on cartooning…your kids don’t need any previous skill – just the ability to hold a pencil and use it to make a mark.
Classes will be held from 4pm-5:30pm every Tuesday afternoon from February 11 to April 8 at the Playing Field Studio, 2 Kingsley Street in Civic. The cost is $300 for the course or $320 for the course and an essentials pack (a kit of all the essential materials you’ll need). The class is strictly limited to 10 spots so make sure to reserve your spot today.
If you’ve got a creative kidlet on your hands, Aeoncademy have been offering after school programs for nearly 15 years – everything from visual creative art to dramatic make believe!
Kids can start at the beginning of term or integrate with the program at any stage during the term. Attend for one day only, or more days, or all five days. Core sessions commence at 4pm each day in the Yarralumla Primary School Art Wing, Loftus Street, Yarralumla.
Drama
Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art (CADA) provides weekly classes in school terms in drama and communication skills for children aged 4 and up, right through to vocational actor training for adults to Advanced Diploma level.
The ‘Speech Bubbles’ program is designed specially for 4-6 year olds and works on both communication skills (speaking and listening) and the more creative drama skills; the Drama 4 Kids program (ages 7-12) aims to build children’s confidence as performers and teaches children how to use scripts, project their voices, experiment with character development, and perform on stage; and the Acting 4 Teens program is suitable for 12-17 year-olds and focuses on acting skills and techniques.
CADA has classes around the Capital – check out their timetable and fees at their website.
Cooking
Kids Pantry in Garran has a fantastic and fun after-school program, which encourages the love of cooking in kids aged five and up. Classes kick off the first week of February and run for nine weeks!
Some of the skills the junior chefs will learn include: food hygiene, knife safety skills and, of course, preparation of some delicious meals, with a fair dollop of English, Math and Science skills thrown in too (but the kids will barely notice!) Classes also include that thing that gets all parents excited — teaching them to clean up after themselves!
Check the Kids Pantry website for class times and prices.
Language
Whether your child is keen to learn French, Italian, German, Filipino, Mandarin or Spanish, you’ll find an after-school class to suit. Just click on the language to find out more at the schools’ websites!
Images via Kokoloco and Kids Pantry Facebook pages.
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