Hellobee

We haven’t enrolled the kids in that many activities because their preschools, after school programs, and summer camps have many built-in activities, and being exposed to a wide range helps figure out where their interests lie. But many of Charlie’s friends have started specific classes and lessons this year (piano, gymnastics, softball, etc.), and I’ve really started thinking about it too now that they’re getting older and their interests more apparent.

These are the activities the kids have done since birth, memberships we’ve purchased, what’s been worth it, and what we’re thinking about doing next!

6 Months – Music Together

Music Together classes are for kids from birth on and can be found all over the world. In these once a week classes kids attend with parents, you sing songs, dance, play instruments, and do the parachute of course. There are mixed age classes, which is what we attended with kids from 0-5, as well as age specific classes. Costs vary in each region, but in our neighborhood it’s currently $320 for 10 weeks. We definitely enjoyed Music Together and it was a great introduction to classes for an infant. It was pricier than other music classes in our area, but you know you’re getting a solid program.

Another mixed age music class we loved even more was a Saturday drop-in class we took at a music conservatory when Olive was 1 and Charlie was 3. I liked that we didn’t have to make a commitment and could just pay every time we attended; I believe it was $10/class and it was well worth it. We also told all our daycare friends about it and many of them attended, which made it even more fun. Taught by young, energetic musicians, each class had a theme like “disco” and we would learn about music from that era. The kids were introduced to a wide variety of real instruments they could play, and there was plenty of free play as well. If this class were still going on, I think we’d drop in now and then!

Once Music Together was over, we enrolled Charlie in a Gymboree style music class and then a movement class. 9 months was a great age to start these classes because he was down to 2 naps and on a more predictable schedule. These classes are typically pretty pricey in our neighborhood, but the biggest perk was also gaining access to their play gym. Our winters are long and cold and having access to the indoor gym was a godsend.

During this time we also did one-off drop-in singalongs and storytimes. Storytimes at the library, bookstore or cafes were free, while singalongs typically cost $5-$10. I like the noncommittal nature of drop-in classes because you never know when a nap is going to mess your schedule up with young kids.

15 months – 3 years: Memberships

We didn’t enroll either kid in any classes between the ages of 15 months – 3 years. They were getting a lot of different activities at school, and then we either did playdates or spent a lot of time at the playground. At 13 months we did get a Children’s Museum membership, and used that quite regularly on cold and rainy days.

Over the years Charlie has touched worms, turtles, snails, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and more at the Children’s Museum.

3 years – Karate

I’ve always wanted Charlie to do some form of martial arts since it’s a big part of both Mr. Bee’s and my culture (karate for him, taekwondo for me). 3 is the youngest age they’ll accept students at our local karate studio (taekwondo studios didn’t accept until older) so I signed Charlie up for a one month trial class. It was a 3-4 year old class and he had a lot of fun, but I felt that he was a little young at the time to follow all the directions so we didn’t continue with the classes after the month trial. I think 4 would have been a better age to start.

3 years – Ballet

I enrolled Olive in a 2-3 year old ballet class at a Gymboree type place. It was probably more relaxed than a ballet studio and a perfect introduction for Olive. She loved it so much and we would have continued classes, but the 3-4 class conflicted with her preschool schedule. Once she’s in pre-k come fall, I think we’ll start ballet again!

3 years – Korean School

Charlie and Olive started Korean school shortly after Charlie turned 5 and Olive turned 3 because 3 is the minimum age you can enroll. It’s 4 hours every Saturday which I think is a little too long for a 3 year old after a long week of school. Charlie on the other hand loves Korean school, particularly because they also learn taekwondo with a fantastic teacher. Because we don’t speak Korean at home, I knew that the language acquisition process was going to be slow. But now they really identify with being Korean, and I like that the kids are exposed to Korean culture.

2 years – Current: Botanical Garden Membership

We’ve had memberships to the children’s museum, zoo, history museum and the botanical garden over the years, and our botanical garden membership is hands down our favorite and most used. Mr. Bee blogged about that here! You just never get tired of being in nature when you live in the city, and I always feel much more relaxed when I’m at the botanical garden. They also have many different children’s events throughout the year, as well as special members-only events; we attend almost all of them! For instance last night was a jazz themed rose garden event since the roses are in full bloom. They had a jazz band playing, people were dressed up in their 20’s finery, and they sold alcohol or you could BYOB and picnic.

I love that they always have some sort of craft or activity for kids. Last night’s was making hats for the hat parade, and the kids absolutely adored it.

We don’t get tired of going there like the zoo or children’s museum; it’s so much more hands-on and it engages all 5 of your senses!

stopping to smell the roses

5 years – Swimming and More

Charlie takes swimming classes once a week in his after school program, and I’m looking into private lessons over the summer or in the fall. We have friends who have taken swimming classes for over a year, and it really is much more economical and quick when you take private lessons because they can usually pick it up in about 5 lessons. Group classes are a great introduction though to get them comfortable in the water.

Charlie really identifies with being an artist and loves arts and crafts. He hasn’t shown much interest in playing sports. I asked him if he’d rather play a sport like soccer or softball, or learn the piano, and he said that he’d prefer to learn the piano. I don’t want to have too many activities going on for the kids so I think we’ll sign them up for one each in the fall. Ballet for Olive, and maybe piano for Charlie. And then next summer instead of signing up for one summer camp all summer like we have the past two years, I think we’ll experiment with a couple of shorter camps that cater to their interests. Olive is a budding artist like her big brother!

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What classes has your little one taken? Which ones have they most enjoyed?