After-School Classes in NYC: Sports, Dance and Nature

8/30/15 - By Jody Mercier

Returning to the back-to-school routine is challenging enough for most NYC families, but add in finding enriching after-school care to the mix and suddenly we're feeling totally overwhelmed.

Luckily, Mommy Poppins is here to help you sort this all out. Recently we told you about the city's FREE after-school care program that runs 3 to 6pm every school day at recreation centers in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. Now we're rounding up the best NEW after-school class options for NYC kids so you can wish those summer days good-bye a little easier and possibly–maybe?–turn that "school's starting" frown upside down.

Find more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.

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Epic Sports – Upper West Side
248 West 60th Street
Grades 1-12
This new basketball program, which is short for "Every Player Is Crucial," exists under the umbrella of the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center and is run by veterans of Fastbreak Sports. Its after-school offerings range from "Fundamentals First Training" where children in grades 1-4 will learn the basics of the sport, all the way up to "High Intensity Training" for those in grades 4-12 who have already been schooled in the fundamentals. One-on-one and small-group training are also available as are basketball leagues and an AAU program.

Recess d.u.m.b.o – Dumbo
81 Washington Street
Ages 3-8 years
This new play space in downtown Brooklyn has expanded its class schedule for fall. While this spot hosts classes in the mornings and early afternoons for little ones, the after-school hours feature classes for all interests. Recess has partnered with outside organizations such as Child's Play NY, Chess at Three and Capoeira Brooklyn to bring in theatrical arts, chess and Capoeira classes. Its ever-popular hip-hop class will also be on offer, as well as yoga from a Karma Kids-certified teacher. For a full schedule visit the website, and be sure to check out our review of Recess for more information.

RELATED: Entering NYC Kindergarten: 5 Things to Know

Preschool PE – Battery Park City
Asphalt Green BPC, 212 North End Avenue
Ages 3-4 years
If you've scored a half-day pre-K spot, Asphalt Green has a physical supplement to your child's schooling. This new program introduces youngsters to a variety of sports to build their fitness skills and love of the game long before they're of age to join a local league. Bonus points for burning off energy, too.

I Can Do That NYC – East Village
Town & Village Synagogue, 334 East 14th Street
Ages 3.5-8
A pair of Broadway veterans-turned-mom-and-dad founded this dance and theater company in 2014. Its after-school options include a pair of dance-theater classes divided into two age groups: 3½ to 5 years and 5½ to 8 years. Children will be exposed to a variety of dance styles from ballet to break-dancing and learn basic acting and improvisation techniques.

Beam Center – Red Hook
60 Sackett Street
Grades 2-8
Though the Beam Center has offered after-school classes since 2012, the makerspace moved to a new, larger location in February allowing for an expanded slate of programming. Workshops run in four- and eight-week sessions. Its diverse topic list seems to offer something for every NYC kid from art classes like ceramic making and finger-painting all the way to inventive classes where kids will construct a boat and set it sail in New York Harbor.

RELATED: 5 Easy, Packable Back-to-School Lunches

GAALS – Various locations in Queens
Visit the website for locations.
Pre-K to 6th grade
Short for "Girls Athletics and Life Skills," GAALS aims to bring the benefits of team sports to girls in a non-traditional setting by combining physical activities—jumping rope, hula-hooping and yoga—with traditional team sports, all the while teaching life skills to its participants. Each week's workshop will marry a new physical skill with a life skill in hopes of teaching girls a love of physical activity, but also helping them learn teamwork, cooperation, leadership and self-confidence. The organization also runs programs for Girl Scout troops and will set up special one-off workshops for small groups or birthday parties. For more information, check out the Mommy Poppins in-depth profile on GAALS

Brooklyn Nature Days – Prospect Park
Drop off at Third Street and Prospect Park West
4-8 years
Brooklyn Nature Days operates a preschool during the mornings, but turns its attention to the big kids with this inventive after-school program. Lessons at this "nature school" are inspired by the season, plants and animals as children explore Brooklyn's Prospect Park and burn off  energy each day—come rain, sleet or snow! The website does not yet list after-school information, so contact it via email for more information or to register.

City Conservatory – Various Locations
Visit the website for a complete list of locations.
Ages 4-5 years
After a successful summer camp, this newly launched performing arts school is turning its attention to after school. City Conservatory will offer an after-school option for 4 to 5 year olds in the fall of 2015 and is hoping to expand the program to older kids (6 to 8 years) in the spring and 8 to 10 year olds soon after that. Students will have a full period of dance and separate music class each session, followed by rehearsal for a culminating performance. City Conservatory was started by Vanessa Hylande, a veteran dancer, choreographer and mother of four.

YMCA – Various Locations
Ages vary
The YMCA hosts more kid classes than we can count, and the organization added several new ones for this fall, including Broadway Beginnings, an intro to musical theater, at the Vanderbilt Y, a slew of dance programs and karate at the Ridgewood Y and break-dancing and tennis in Chinatown to name a few. Find the full rundown in the YMCA’s fall program guide, and remember that popular options fill up fast. The first fall session begins September 8 and another session begins November 2, running into late December.

Still looking for after-school options? We profiled inventive new options in 2013 and 2014. Find even more ideas in our Classes Guide.

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Movement & Arts Center/Epic Sports.

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