Cool After School Activities

Gone are the days when t-ball and piano lessons were the only options for after school activities. Now it’s easier than ever to find fun and unique opportunities that will pique your child’s interest and keep them busy after classes let out. Check out these Cincinnati area places for a new experience your kids might like to try!

For your budding chef

Looking for a fresh and interesting creative outlet for your child? Try out Amy Corcoran’s cooking classes with Healthy Hands Cooking. She specializes in introducing kids to the kitchen and offers a variety of classes for kids ages 2-13. Her classes encourage creativity and freedom and teach kids the importance of nutrition and healthy eating. Start off with a “Just a Taste” class or host a party. If cooking is definitely your child’s thing, consider putting him in an 8-hour core class (2-hour classes once a week) or the advanced class.

For your sports enthusiast

Do you have a kid climbing the walls at home? Take them to a rock climbing gym where they can test their mental and physical skills on a variety of routes. RockQuest on the north side offers two climbing teams for kids. The recreation team meets on Mondays from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm and is a low-pressure environment where kids can receive coaching from a trained staff member while playing games and attempting challenges with other kids their age. The Cincy Slopers competitive team is for more advanced climbers who want to test their skills against others. These climbers meet twice a week to develop their skills and participate in competitions. Fees are $75/month for the rec team and $150/month for the Cincy Slopers.

Rock Quest
Rock Quest

For your talented artist 

Perhaps your child has expressed interest in painting or jewelry making and you are looking to broaden her artistic horizons. Happen Inc. is just the place for you. Free open sessions are available Tuesday – Thursday from 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Come work at your own pace under the knowledgeable eye of an instructor on projects ranging from ceramics to paper products. Happen Inc. also features a toy lab where kids can put their creativity to the test and build their own toys from scratch.

For your outdoor adventurer

If your kid loves learning about the outdoors, consider signing up for a program at the Cincinnati Nature Center. Saturday classes are available for kids up to 13 years that blend outdoor skills, exploration and hands-on learning;  $45 for members or $65 for non-members will get you four monthly sessions for your child. The Nature Center also offers clubs for kids 8 and up covering a variety of interests like astronomy, birding and nature photography.

For your energetic musician

Classes at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center are as unique as your child’s interests – and you will be hard-pressed to find another African drumming class or Hoop Dancing class in town. The CCAC also offers yoga for kids and comic drawing. Classes range from $7-$15 per session.

Clifton Cultural Arts Center
One of may classes taught at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center is Dance

For your little academic

WordPlay offers kids K-8 the Young Writers Circle and Book Club where they can learn about storytelling, writing and critique. Kids in junior high and high school can sign up to be a STEM Scholar, meeting twice a month to learn about science, technology, engineering  and math with a focus on environmental sustainability. The best part about WordPlay’s classes? They’re completely free.

WordPlay
WordPlay

With so many after school activities in our area, who wouldn’t want to be a kid again? Have fun exploring these and other interesting opportunities with your child this school year.

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