15 Top Basketball Programs for Kids in NYC

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15 Top Basketball Programs for Kids in NYC

Basketball involves a lot of skill, such as dribbling, shooting, agility, and speed. If your child is interested in being the best, it take practice and training. That is why having a convenient and trustworthy list of basketball programs in the five boroughs is a great way for you to help your kids gain confidence doing something they love. Even if your child needs to burn some energy or likes making new friends, there are basketball programs for them too!

Does your family like to play sports? Here is an article just for you! Check out The 7 Best Winter Sports for Kids in 2021

Manhattan

Fastbreak Sports 
1629 1st Ave., New York, NY 10028
212-724-3278
teamfastbreak@fastbreakkids.com

Fastbreak Sports wants to cultivate a love of sports with their focus on the small details which make a player great. They offer after-school basketball classes, weekend training, elite training academy, girls classes, private training, and basketball 101. The ages accepted range from 4 to 17. In the Spring, Hoop academy for boys between the ages of 7 and 13 is available. Some winter classes still have open spots!

Chelsea Piers
Pier 62, New York City
212-336-666
info@chelseapiers.com

Chelsea Piers believes in development of the mind and body through play, practice and competition. They offer programs for age groups from 2 to 18 years old. They also have school break camps for ages 3 to 12. If your child is interested in a little competition there is an AAU travel basketball team for children between the ages of 8 and 13.

Yorkville
415 E 90th St., New York, NY 10128
212-360-0022
info@yyaa.org

Yorkville is about honoring a sport and supporting the dreams of the children who play. They offer winter basketball, basketball skills development for preschoolers and kindergarteners, basketball skills training for third to eighth graders.  Their elite training and AAU travel basketball programs are a little more challenging. Although winter registration is over, you can look toward Spring!

Basketball City
299 South St., New York, NY 10002
212-233-5050
info@basketballcity.com

Basketball City is about closeness as they teach fundamentals in small groups and teach responsibility when they give back to their community. Their programs at a state of the art sports facility include youth development for 7 to 10 year olds and 11 to 17 year olds. They also have one day clinics, spring break camps and one-on-one training if your child needs a little extra attention. Some programs have been canceled due to Covid-19, but Spring sessions are still open.

Brooklyn

Aviator Sports
Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11234
718­-758-7500
Eliot@AviatorSports.com

Aviator Sports focuses on creating a solid foundation by teaching the fundamentals and challenging their players’ skills. At the moment, open basketball and private lessons are closed due to Covid-19, but youth development is available! They also have a travel basketball team and a Summer basketball camp. Aviator Sports welcomes children between the ages of 5 and 17.

Brooklyn Basketball Academy
8711 18th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11214
1724 Avenue P, Brooklyn, NY 11229
gio@bkbasketballacademy.com

Brooklyn Basketball Academy focuses on maintaining a friendly, safe environment where kids can feel supported. They also want their players to become more mindful and grow from their experiences at the Academy. The programs offered here are holiday and Summer camps, small group training and basketball skills training for 7 to 10 year olds, 11 to 13 year olds, and 14 to 16 year olds. Their travel team is by tryout only. 

Queens

Elite Skills
231-02 67th Ave., Queens, NY 11364
347-696-1989
Info@EliteSkills.org

Elite Skills believes in teaching responsibility and accountability in an effort to develop character on-and-off the court. On the court there will be a lot of drills and repetition, because practice makes perfect! They offer day and week camps on school holidays and a nine week Summer camp. The ages accepted at Elite Skills are 3 and up. Fall season is coming to a close, but you can sign your kids up for the Spring and Summer!

Artistic Stitch Sports Complex
79-08 Cooper Ave., Glendale, NY 11385
718-416-1380
info@artisticstitchsportscomplex.com

Artistic Stitch Sports Complex combines practice and play for their instructional programs. They split their groups by gender, age, and skill for smaller, evenly distributed groups. The programs they offer are Friday basketball open sessions, one-on-one lessons for 5 to 10 year olds, and a Summer clinic for 10-13 year olds. Generally, they welcome kids between the ages of 3 and 18.

First Shot Basketball School
Locations Vary
718-275-7974
Firstshotbball@aol.com

First Shot focuses on child sensitivity and building confidence in order to promote a healthy respect for sports later on. First Shot accepts kids between the ages of 3 and 15. They offer non-competitive lessons for beginners, such as super tots, pee wee and basic basketball. The competitive, advanced classes for older children are Olympix, Advanced Olympix and Powerball. 

Bronx

Bronx House
990 Pelham Pkwy. South, Bronx, NY 10461
718-792-1800
info@bronxhouse.org

Bronx House teaches fundamentals such as agility, balance and coordination, as well as trying to bolster social skills and culture at their community center. Programs offered here are Pre-K winter basketball, co-ed indoor basketball for grades first to sixth, family open gym on the weekends and other youth sports. There is also court time designated for teens between the ages of 15 and 18 which sounds like a great spot to make new friends! At Bronx House masks must be worn inside at all times.

DePhillips Athletic Club
Locations Vary
347-252-1154
Dacmarksmensports@gmail.com

DePhillips Athletic Club was started by Tony De Phillips, a baseball player, but basketball and other sports have been included to create a well-rounded sports club. The basketball programs offered here are young players basketball class, skills training and game play, and a winter league. There is also basketball training for older kids 9 to 11 and 12 to 14. Generally, DAC welcomes kids between the ages of 4 and 14.

Citywide:

Asphalt Green
555 East 90th St., New York, NY 10128
212 North End Ave., New York, NY 10282
212-369-8890 (Upper East Side), 212-298-2900 (Battery Park City)

Asphalt Green focuses on helping kids develop physically, emotionally, and socially. They believe physical activity can reduce stress, raise self-esteem and improve academic achievement! Programs they offer include school break camps, private basketball lessons, developmental academies for ages 3 to 13 and youth basketball leagues for ages 5 to 13. There is also a travel basketball team, that is tryout only, for ages 10 to 12.

Dribbl
170 E 83rd St., New York, NY 10028
212-717-7651
info@dribbl.com

Dribbl reinforces a fun and supportive environment for their players. Programs offered here are Spring weekend classes, limited winter weekend classes, a Presidents’ Day camp and a Summer camp. In these programs younger kids work on motor skills, while older kids can use their skills in timed league games so every child gets a chance to play! Dribbl welcomes kids between the ages of 3 and 14.

NYC Basketball League
212-390-1776

NYC Basketball League teaches life lessons and wants players to develop their skills and achieve their goals. They offer classes, a youth development league, Spring break camps and a Summer camp. NYC Basketball welcomes kids between the ages of 5 and 17 at their multiple gyms. There are also competitive basketball teams for ages 8 to 17 with tryouts.

Breakaway Hoops
127 W 127th St., New York, NY 10027
646-776-2021

Breakaway Hoops focuses on teamwork, communication, self-discipline and self-confidence. The basketball programs offered here are after school clinics for 8 to 16 year olds, weekend clinics which teach fundamentals to 5 to 16 year olds, three-on-three leagues, tournaments, private training, and Spring camps. Levels of play at Breakaway Hoops include beginner, intermediate, and advanced so your kids can be placed in the best skill level suited to their abilities! At Breakaway Hoops masks and proof of vaccination are required.

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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! 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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>

Joe's Music & Dance Academy

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Private and group music lessons & dance classes for Guitar, Bass, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass, Drums, Piano, all woodwind & brass instruments, Choir, Preschool Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Step, African and Modern Dance and more. Helping thousands of students begin and continue on their musical journey since 1998!</span></p>

Steps on Broadway Youth Programs

<p class="m_6201101365486487057m_1751229968981391907gmail-m-6447730382188674378msonospacing" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For 40 years, the Youth Programs at the internationally celebrated Steps on Broadway have nurtured young dancers, ages 18 months to 18 years.  Whether seeking a fun dance experience or comprehensive pre-professional training, there is a program suited for everyone.  Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, theater dance, hip hop, contemporary, modern, pointe and more.  Taught by a faculty of internationally-recognized concert, ballet, Broadway and celebrated guest artists, every student is encouraged to discover their artistic uniqueness, deepen their passion for the art form, while growing as dancers and individuals. </span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Classes are offered throughout the academic year and summer.</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">First Steps (ages 18 mos – 5 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Kids & Teens (ages 6-18 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Pre-Professional Program (ages 7-18 yrs, by audition only)</span></p>