Well done for surviving this far with kids to amuse at home but if you’re like me then you might be wondering what you’re going to do from now to the end of term and then right through the summer holidays. My boys have been missing the after school clubs they took part in so I’m on the hunt for a variety of activities.
I’ve had a good look around and been passed on some recommendations so hopefully you’ll find some great options for online classes and activities for teens, tweens, preschoolers and inbetweeners.
TOP RECOMMENDATION
Cultivating Wonder deserves to have a very big shout out as it can be so difficult to find something that will captivate teens and tweens. The online photography course for children aged 5 to 9 years and 10 to 16 years starts on Monday 3rd August. What really appeals to me is the very unique combination of photography and mindfulness with the promise of a little sprinkling of magic. Designed to awaken a sense of wonder about the world, it takes children on a voyage of exploration and creativity through photography. They’ve had amazing reviews from their last course and I’m looking forward to joining my boys as they try it out. CLICK HERE to find out more.
Baby & Preschooler Online Classes
BusyLizzy – the bees knees when it comes to classes as you only pay one amount per month and then have access to all the classes. You can join in live or watch back when it’s best for you. Classes include Baby Music, Massage & Signing as well as Toddler Dance, Yoga & Ballet. They also have pre & postnatal Yoga & Pilates, postnatal Aerobics & Bootcamp. Abbie volunteered as a Red Kite Reporter to try these classes out with her kids. Check out her review.
Monkey Music – babies can start from 3 months old and progress with Monkey Music right the way up until they start school. Over this period they will learn many musical skills including reading and composing basic music themselves. Class are streamed live with separate classes for babies 3 months-12 months, toddlers aged 1-2 and preschoolers aged 2 to 3 years.
Sing and Sign – SingandSign@Home, online 10-week course of streamed classes for you to enjoy in your own living room!
Melody Music – virtual classes direct to your living room! 4 weeks of weekly pre recorded classes for you to enjoy whenever and as many times as you wish.
Together Time – next online baby massage course starting soon.
Mini Professors – classes have moved online to provide small groups of customers with interactive live classes. Attend with your child using a resources list sent to you in advance. Suitable for 2-7 year olds. Classes taught in 2-4 and 4-7 age groups. (until 17th July)
Tumble Tots Aylesbury – pre recorded videos on You Tube for children aged walking to 5 years old and also a few videos specifically for babies who are not yet walking. All of the videos are between 15-30 minutes long and are fun, physical activity, games and songs/music and don’t need any special equipment – they can all be done with items you have at home.
Tot Bot – fun, funky and imaginative classes online, perfect for 1-9 year olds
Phonics with Robot Reg – entertain and educate your little one this Summer. Taster classes are FREE and split into two different age groups; 1-2.5yrs – Fri 9.30am, 2.5-5yrs – Friday 10.30amand 2.5-5yrs – Saturday 10am
Urban Tots – Completely FREE online classes 3 times a week developing positive attitude to physical activity.
Music with Mummy – 5 week online Music With Mummy (and all the family!) set of classes for toddlers up to about 4 and Jolly Babies classes suitable from birth
Tiny Talk Baby Signing – interative, fun, friendly and relaxed, aimed for babies from birth to toddler age (around 18 months) then up to pre-school age
Online Creative, Theatre & Dance Classes for Children
Norden Farm Youth Theatre – this amazing theatre has taken the lockdown in it’s stride and is bringing lots of it’s classes straight to you online via Zoom. Youth Theatre. There are different youth theatre classes running on various days through the week.
Creation Theatre – bringing last summer’s sellout School of Creativity direct into your houses with a new, exciting programme of digitally-delivered weeklong workshops and daylong masterclasses that explore theatre-making and performance for young actors aged 5 – 19.
Stagecoach – live and online drama classes for children. These vary by the area you are in with Kidlington & Oxford running by zoom on a Saturday morning.
Tot Bot – fun, funky and imaginative classes online, perfect for 1-9 year olds
Crafty Cooks – moved online with their virtual cookery classes. Lots of variety and a great way to encourage fussy eaters to try something new.
AMC School of Dance – dance classes and facebook lives to join.
Creation Station – online art classes with the craft box of supplies delivered in advance. My boys did a couple of these from Creation Station Witney & Kidlington and it was brilliant. They were totally occupied for an hour and as it was live and interactive in a small group, everyone had the chance to talk and show each other the artwork they created.
Online Sports Classes for Children
Chill Club Yoga – online through Norden Farm for children aged 5-11 years
Matt Fiddes Martial Arts – zoom / facebook life classes. There are a number of different Matt Fiddes groups so probably best to find the one nearest you in case you want to continue in person when things are back to normal. Oxfordshire, Bicester, Wantage, West Berkshire, Buckingham, Gloucester