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Where to Find Awesome Classes for NYC Kids This Fall

With a variety of classes for all ages, including programs for the whole family, the YMCA is the place for kids! Photo courtesy of YMCA of Greater NY
With a variety of classes for all ages, including programs for the whole family, the YMCA is the place for kids! Photo courtesy of YMCA of Greater NY
8/13/18 - By Jessica Laird

Back to school season isn't just new backpacks and long lists of school supplies. It's also time to get your little New Yorkers signed up for fall classes!

Thankfully, this city's got something for kids of all ages, from babies and tots to tweens and teens. Whether you're looking for a morning mommy-and-me class or an awesome after school program, there's no shortage of sports, dance, art, theater, and academic options to keep everyone happily busy.

You can search through dozens of classes by type or location in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings, but we've also rounded up some of the top options for fall 2018. Take a look at these family favorites!

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Activity Centers

New York City's YMCA - Manhattan, Bronx, SI Classes

Various Locations - Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island
From pre-school and stroller strut to lifeguard training and college prep, the Y offers a wide variety of classes for infants, tots, kids, teens, parents, and even grandparents! With more than 22 branches across greater New York, you're bound to find a conventient location. READ MORE

New York Kids Club - Classes

Various Locations - Brooklyn, Manhattan
This private enrichment space hosts innovative classes (think karate and chess), creative camps, and one-of-a-kind birthdays and events for children from 8 weeks to 12 years old. NY Kids Club's academic approach inspires kids' love of learning in an energetic environment. READ MORE

92nd Street Y - Classes

Upper East Side
The 92Y offers a huge assortment of engaging classes for the whole family, from newborns to teens. Baby swimming lessons include those for Polliwogs (6 to 18 months), Minnows (18 to 36 months), and Guppies (3 to 5 years). Classes are offered year-round at the Y's large indoor pool. Other class options include everything from gymnastics to parkour and more.  READ MORE
Learning comes to life through the Kids Club STEAM, Dance, Music, and Gymnastics programs. Photo courtesy of New York Kids Club
Learning comes to life through the Kids Club STEAM, Dance, Music, and Gymnastics programs. Photo courtesy of New York Kids Club

Sports Programs

Advantage QuickStart Tennis Classes

Various Locations - Bronx, Manhattan, Roosevelt Island
Advantage QuickStart's custom teaching method is real tennis customized for kids by age and ability. Girls and boys ages 4-12 learn with appropriately sized racquets and slower bouncing balls to make tennis fun from Day 1. Lessons are offered at seven NYC locations.  READ MORE

Aviator Sports and Events Center - Classes

Marine Park
With its 175,000-square-foot indoor sports complex and 35 acres of outdoor fields and event space, this premier Brooklyn recreational center offers programs and activities for kids 12 months and up. Choose from golf or gymnastics, fencing or figure skating, and much more. READ MORE

Chelsea Piers - Youth Classes

Chelsea
Chelsea Piers offers dozens of sports classes for kids of all ages. Its huge fieldhouse allows for plenty of space, and class sizes are currently limited, putting health and safety first while focusing on building strong bodies and minds. Options range from gymnastics to parkour and more. READ MORE
In addition to the wide variety of sports classes including baseball, basketball, soccer, and Parkour, the Field House at Chelsea Piers offers a flag football program for children ages 7 – 10 that consists of skill development and game play. Photo by Scott McDermott
In addition to the wide variety of sports classes including baseball, basketball, soccer, and Parkour, the Field House at Chelsea Piers offers a flag football program for children ages 7 – 10 that consists of skill development and game play. Photo by Scott McDermott

Creative Classes

The Diller-Quaile School of Music

Upper East Side
Diller-Quaile’s Early Childhood Program—created for children ages 3 months through 5 years—fosters musical, intellectual, social-emotional, and physical development by introducing kids to the joys of music and visual art through instrument and voice lessons, classes, and ensembles. READ MORE

In Grandma's Attic

Various Locations - Manhattan
In Grandma’s Attic offers alternative, fantasy-based dance programs for children ages 2 through 17. Classes combine age-appropriate dance training with dress-up, make-believe, and improvisation to bring fairytales and original tales to life through ballet. READ MORE

Launch Math + Science Centers - Classes

Upper West Side
Launch offers engaging and effective instruction and STEM-based camps and classes for kids from kindergarten to eighth grade. Hands-on classes offer instruction in coding, robots, rockets, electronics, architecture, engineering, chemistry, physics, and more. Tutoring, after-school, and summer camp options are also offered. READ MORE

TADA! Youth Theater

Chelsea
At this well-known performing arts program, seasoned theater pros teach kids the core elements of musical theater, including singing, dancing, and acting their way through popular Broadway hits and TADA's original productions. School break camps, summer camps, and classes are also available.  READ MORE

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