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The 10 Best Kids Afterschool Programs and Activities in Brooklyn

The 8 Best Kids Afterschool Programs and Activities in Brooklyn
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The 10 Best Kids Afterschool Programs and Activities in Brooklyn

As we get into Back to School mode, this is also when many of us parents start to look at our schedule, work, and life obligations to determine how the school year will come together. Afterschool programs and activities are not only great for the kids but also help them stay active, stimulated, and learning after that clock rings at the end of the day. Here are 10 Best Kids Afterschool Programs and Activities in Brooklyn to check out now!

The Ailey School
405 W. 55th St.
212-405-9000
alvinailey.org/school/first-steps-and-bounding-boys
alvinailey.org/school/programs/junior-division
The Ailey School’s Junior Division offers a highly structured curriculum for conservatory training. Students in the Pre-Professional program (ages 7 to 17) participate in after school and weekend classes during the school year. All levels include training in ballet and at least one other technique. As students progress, more techniques are added to their training such as jazz, Horton, modern, pointe, tap, and West African. In First Steps and Bounding Boys (ages 3 to 6), children develop an understanding between dance, rhythm, and music through a weekly series of fun exercises.

Allora Cultural Center
Gowanus: 304 Bond St.
Park Slope: 837 Union St.
allorabk.com
Allora Cultural Center offers a child-centered enrichment program, curated by a dedicated team of educators to teach the rich traditions and flavors of Italy. They offer afterschool programs that include cooking and art classes, like pizza dough-making and clay-sculpting. These programs offer students the opportunity for discovery and expression through hands-on learning and experiential exploration. Italian Child Psychologist Stefania Clementi, together with other experienced educators, designed the small class sizes to provide a nurturing setting tailored to children’s needs. Allora also offers special weekend events as well as pasta making birthday parties! Winter break and summer camps are also available. Enroll now for fall with an additional location in the heart of Park Slope.

Aviator Sports
3159 Flatbush Ave.
aviatorsports.com/sports
Aviator Sports is a child’s gateway to fun, fitness and growth. Their diverse youth sports programs, Gymnastics, Parkour/Ninja Warrior, Ice Skating, Ice Hockey, Basketball, and FC Copa Soccer, cater to every child’s interests and talents. Each seasonal semester is a new adventure, designed to foster skill development, teamwork, and physical fitness in a way that’s both enjoyable and educational. Aviator’s professional coaches deliver personalized attention, fueling the passion for sports and promoting an active lifestyle. At Aviator Sports, they are not just about athletic skills; they help children build confidence and nurture positive traits. From perfecting a gymnastics routine, mastering ice skating, to honing soccer skills, Aviator Sports provides a dynamic, supportive environment that pushes young athletes to reach their potential.

Brooklyn Ninja Academy
340 4th Ave.
nycninjabrooklyn@gmail.com
ninjabrooklyn.com
Every kid wants to be a ninja warrior! Brooklyn Ninja Academy offers unique and fun after school ninja warrior obstacle training classes for kids with fun and challenging ninja warrior obstacles, just like on TV’s American Ninja Warrior. Lessons are taught by certified ninja coaches, some of whom have been featured on the show! The progressive program teaches participants how to overcome ninja warrior obstacles by learning new skills and techniques for climbing, swinging, agility, balance and strength. Kids gain confidence as they master each obstacle, and gain strength. There is no better feeling than the ultimate thrill of hitting the buzzer at the end of a course, complete with exciting sound effects and lights!

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center
3 Lafayette Ave.
718-624-8400
markmorrisdancegroup.org/dance-center
Located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District and home to the world-renowned Mark Morris Dance Group, The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers dance classes in a multitude of styles and levels for children and teens, from newborns to 18 years. Their faculty provide progressive, non-competitive, and inclusive instruction with classes accompanied by live music whenever possible. Classes include Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Modern, and Tap, as well as Music and Singing. Each class in the Children and Teen Program (ages 6-18) takes place weekly over the course of two 16-week semesters, allowing students consistency that supports growth in understanding over time. The School also has classes for little ones, including We Dance: Postpartum (newborn to new crawlers), We Dance: Toddler and Grown-up Movement (ages 18 months to 4 years) and Creative Dance (ages 4-6).

NY Kids Club
nykidsclub.com
NY Kids Club enrichment classes provide children with access to a diverse array of experiences designed to ignite lifelong passions. From Cooking to Musical Theatre, these classes offer a rich, hands-on curriculum that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. Young chefs can explore the culinary arts in a fun and engaging environment, learning to create delicious global dishes while understanding the importance of nutrition. Budding performers can step into the spotlight in Musical Theatre class, where they develop confidence, teamwork, and artistic expression through acting, singing, and dancing. These enrichment programs, amongst the broad fall lineup of classes, are crafted to inspire curiosity and build foundational skills that children will carry with them throughout their lives. At NY Kids Club, every child has the opportunity to discover new interests, develop their talents, sparking lifelong passions!

Park Slope United
Locations Throughout Brooklyn
parkslopeunited.com
Park Slope United is Brooklyn’s premier youth soccer club. While there are many options for soccer classes for kids in Brooklyn, only one choice offers the promise of a full-service youth soccer club where your child can continue to grow and learn beyond the basics. As the borough’s largest club, PSU offers classes and programs in nearly every corner of Brooklyn for every skill level, from beginner classes to serious academy travel programs. All classes begin after Labor Day, and happen once per week for 10 weeks. They are staffed by professional coaches who have years of experience working across their Tot Footy (co-ed, 2-5 year-olds) and Developmental programs (5-12 year-olds). There are options for girls-only classes as well.

SKATEYOGI
Williamsburg: 58 North 9th Street @ Kent Ave
Prospect Lefferts Gardens: 140 Empire Blvd @ Bedford Ave
718-484-9777
skateyogi.com
Discover the joy of skateboarding with SKATEYOGI! At their two indoor skate spaces, SKATEYOGI offers skateboarding programs in a fun, creative environment for all ages (ages 2 to adults). Their small teacher-to-student ratio and ego-free approach make every student feel welcome. SKATEYOGI classes are a great exercise, a form of creative expression, and very adaptable to different learning styles. Weekly group classes, private lessons, birthday parties, and day camps on school holidays are available. They have after school pick-up at select schools including Brooklyn Arbor, PS 34, PS 770 and more. An open-level format welcomes absolute beginners to experienced skaters. Skateboard rental is included.

STREB Inc.
51 North 1st Street
718-384-6491
streb.org/kids
STREB’s kid programming offers dynamic, adventurous, and fun classes for children and teens ages 18 months and older. Guided by expert instructors, including STREB’s Action Hero team, kids can explore PopAction, Trampoline, and Flying Trapeze. Their state-of-the-art equipment ensures kids can build strength, coordination, and flexibility with confidence. Weekly classes across two semesters provide a consistent and engaging learning environment. STREB operates on a ‘personal best’ philosophy, making techniques approachable for all body types, ages, and skill sets. Give a child the chance to fly, fall, slam, slide, and soar with STREB. Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for over 20 years, STREB is affiliated with the world-renowned movement troupe, STREB EXTREME ACTION.

Super Soccer Stars
Multiple Locations in Brooklyn
212-877-7171, info@soccerstars.com
soccerstars.com
Soccer Stars has been a top soccer provider in Brooklyn for 24 years. Their program is designed to develop skills, teamwork, and confidence on the field. Each session is a blend of fun, education, and character development, ensuring that every child finds joy in the game and improves at their own pace. Their coaches are not just seasoned soccer professionals; they are mentors dedicated to inspiring your stars. With a deep understanding of working with children, their coaches make every class engaging and focus on each player’s personal development. Their curriculum is thoughtfully crafted, combining soccer, early childhood learning and life skills. It’s adaptable, catering to various age groups and skill levels, ensuring that every child gets the most out of their soccer experience. Fall registration is now open!

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Manhattan Mandarin

<p>Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools</p> <p>nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether</p> <p>in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our</p> <p>teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin</p> <p>language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to</p> <p>make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We</p> <p>look forward to working with you.</p> <p>- Jamie Keyte, Founder</p>

Child's Play NY Virtual Classes

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f0d8558c-7fff-41d5-daea-321d9ce61efc" style="white-space: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Child's Play NY is a Brooklyn-based company founded in 2009, committed to offering a diverse array of theater arts classes for children. They believe studying the art of acting encourages kids to be even more creative, collaborative and compassionate human beings. Since its inception, Child's Play NY has touched the lives of hundreds of students, worked inside dozens of schools and is consistently ranked as among the top theater arts programs. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is the 2019 winner of Brooklyn Family's Choice award for Best Performing Arts Class.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fall/Winter 2020-21 Virtual Class Guide</span><span style="color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make a Movie Class</span></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Experience creative fulfillment and movie magic with Child’s Play NY! Kids get to make and star in their own film, with professional actors, directors and designers. From development to design to editing choices too, kids can take ownership over the creative process. Their friends and family get to celebrate their accomplishments at a final watch party premiere! Deep project-based learning and peer-connection is at the heart of this 9-week experience which can be done remotely or in-person.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fall and Winter Virtual Classes</span></strong></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong>Hogwarts School (grades 1-3)</strong>: Come get sorted into your favorite house, jump on your Firebolt and let’s make some magic! Class culminates in a movie montage featuring our original scripted work from the session.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create Your Own Class</span></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make your own custom group to support social-emotional growth and play. Child’s Play NY provides a dynamic teacher and their lauded curriculum that puts peer-interaction at the front and center. Custom classes are a special way to nurture what your child loves most and share that excitement with their friends, in-person or online.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Playwriting (Grades 4-6)</strong></div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students will use their creativity, compassion and confidence to build a story they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. Individually, each student will craft a play, and together they will workshop their scenes, exercising their acting, directing, and most importantly, imagination skills. Over the course of the sessions, students will learn the basics of playwriting and be able to present any and all parts of their theatrical story. All classes will include individual assignments and collaborative opportunities. Each day will be structured so that all participants have the chance to learn and study other writers’ work, write for 10-15 minutes and share their words with each other. By the end of the semester they will have used their bodies, intellect and imagination to come up with an original play. By being confident, vulnerable and creative with each other and actively supporting and encouraging each other’s work, students will emerge with meaningful connections to each other and a strong sense of their writing and collaborative abilities.<br />Class culminates in a montage and packet of students’ original work.<strong><br /></strong></div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Musical Theater Lab (Grades 4-6)</strong></div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn how to be a triple threat in this dynamic class for budding performers with Child’s Play NY. Students focus on songs, dances and characters from Broadway’s most celebrated and kid-friendly shows. They work alongside professional performers with years of experience bringing their passion to children. Class culminates in a movie showcase of scenes and songs.<br />Join for the full session, or enroll as a drop-in!<strong><br /></strong></div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Shakespeare Scene Study (Grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12)</strong></div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Young people become confident with Shakespeare’s world, language and characters as they learn how to interpret a role with technique and courage. Classically trained professional actors assist the players in their physical, vocal and emotional transformations. All Shakespeare teaching artists are classically trained professional actors and have performed Shakespeare both on and off Broadway and in regional theaters across the country.</div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students jump into the worlds of Shakespeare in this robust mash-up of improvisation and classic text scene study class. After learning the plot and characters from several plays, they rehearse and memorize scenes from the original text. New material, devised by the cast, adds a contemporary through-line to their show and highlights the universality of Shakespeare’s themes.<br />Class culminates in a movie showcasing their work.</div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Big Twist: A New Musical (Grade 1-4)</strong></div> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this acting class, students get to perform a brand new musical based on The Wizard of Oz.<br />The Wicked Witch of the South wants to return Oz to a time when WITCHES reigned supreme, and all was evil. Summoning a dark magic Tornado, the Wicked Witch of the South sends Oz hurtling into an alternate Oz. With the Yellow Brick road destroyed, the Wizard left powerless, and the citizens of Oz scattered to the Wind, our heroes are forced into unlikely partnerships to stop the Witch and restore the world to order. The Wizard of Oz meets The Tempest.  Class culminates in a premiere of a movie starring the students, filmed over the last few days of the session.</div> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-57c50323-7fff-79ce-175a-5e25408c0e29"></span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-84ebe141-7fff-03c2-24cf-fead86e88df2"></span></p>

Music Together

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Music Together® is for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents/caregiver. The classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes and movement, and instrument play activities that are developmentally appropriate for the children and easy for parents and caregivers, regardless of their own musical ability.</span></p>