This article appears in our April 2016 issue of Indy’s Child Parenting Magazine. Flip through it here or pick up a copy today at your local Marsh or Kroger store, YMCA, public library or community center.
Are sports not really your kid’s thing? No worries – plenty of fun activities exist in the Indianapolis area for those whose interests and talents lie elsewhere. Here are few ideas your child can get excited about.
Junior Photographers Class
Got a camera-crazy kid at home? Indy Photo Coach offers a Junior Photographers class designed to inspire creativity through the exploration of a variety of photography techniques. Here, kids will learn about portraiture, nature photography, action shots and still life photos. This class requires a point and shoot camera or a camera phone, no DSLRs. Register for a session today at www.indyphotocoach.com.
Acting Class
If your child has caught the acting bug, then Christian Youth Theatre Indy is the perfect place to test out the stage. A multitude of classes are offered including drama, music, dance and technical theatre. Every session, including Spring, CYT Indy offers 10-week theater arts classes to kids ages 4-18. Classes take place once a week, and on the final week students put on a showcase for family and friends. To find out more about classes, schedules and locations check out www.cytindy.org.
LEGO Land Club
Calling all LEGO lovers! LEGO Land, a program offered through the Lawrence Branch Public Library, is designed with kids in kindergarten through 5th grade in mind. All are welcome to complete a LEGO challenge each month or just free build using their LEGO-loving skills. Some creations will even be displayed at the Library! Le-go and visit www.indypl.org to learn more.
Kids Yoga
A healthy alternative to a competitive sport is the calming art of yoga. CITYOGA, a school of yoga and health, offers classes for grades 1st through 6th. Here, mini yogis will learn a variety of exercises designed to build strength and flexibility, while also helping them relax. Namaste and register today at www.cityoga.biz.
Find more activities on the Indy’s Child Directories page.Â
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
Scout’s honor: The Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts program is a great place for young people to grow, learn and explore. With so many hands-on experiences, the scouts work to teach kids how to discover their own paths and interests, while also encouraging community service and leadership skills. To find a local troop, check out www.beascout.scouting.org or www.girlscouts.org
Volunteer on the Farm
Get your nature lover to Indy Urban Acres Farm where volunteers help weed, plant and harvest the land. This 8-acre organic farm donates 100% of the fresh fruit and vegetables they grow to local food pantries through a partnership with Gleaners Food Bank. Open volunteering takes place the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon. To learn more, visit www.indyparksfoundation.org.
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Leaders ClubÂ
Have a natural born leader? The Leaders Club at the YMCA is a great place to polish their skills. This program helps motivate tweens and teens to become responsible community servants. Clubs coordinate and implement service projects and other endeavors with adult guidance and mentorship. Go to www.indymca.org for more details.
Help your child find an interest that suits them – and you may find a new one too! Have fun exploring the many fun, exciting and creative endeavors just waiting to be discovered.
Lauren Lawson is a freelance writer passionate about all things parent-related. A transplant from Buffalo, New York, she now happily resides in the Cincinnati area with her husband and two young boys.
Watch for more of Lauren’s work in upcoming issues of Indy’s Child Parenting, Cincinnati Parent and Dayton Parent Magazines.
