Horseback riding and grooming lessons are a child’s dream activity! Zenko’s Family Farm provides riding lessons (western & english) for kids 4 and up—weekly after 4 pm until 7 pm. 

181 Bagburn Hill Road, Monroe, CT 06468, (203) 261-7162

At All About Art there are an After School Enrichment classes for ages 5+.  Each day a new art element or artist will be studied. Through a variety of different mediums; pencils, chalks, pastels, collage, paints and sculpture, children will gain a well-rounded understanding of an artistic style. They use references from art history, storybooks and demonstration. 

641 Main St. (Route 25), Monroe, CT 06468, (203) 452-8801

Enchanted Garden programs are based on the premise that the arts are vital for a well-rounded education. "The Enchanted Garden" began as a public access television show based on the parent-child music program Judy Hirt-Manheimer developed in 1989 to teach music to a handful of friends and their young children. The school now offers private music and voice lessons, additional dance and drama programs, a recording studio, performance space, gymnastics program, and ongoing art exhibits.

The Enchanted Garden Studios offer arts-based early childhood programs from babies through preschool, a unique children's gymnastics program (Gymnastics Safari), dance, theater, music and voice lessons, yoga and Zumba for adults, summer programs (from rock ensembles to Shakespeare), a recording studio (audio and video), and award-winning birthday parties.

Studio One, 165 Danbury Road (route 35), Ridgefield, CT 06877, (203) 431-3350

Studio Two, 529 Ethan Allen Highway (route 7), Ridgefield, CT 06877, (203) 894-1987

Sew Create & Celebrate offers after school classes in sewing and knitting for all ages. They also offer camps and parties.

5 Guild Dr, Norwalk, CT  06850, (203) 847-2561

While there are many gyms that offer gymnastics, Gymnastic Spectrum offers only non-competitive classes for all ages. They have gymnastics, soccer, Tae Kwon Do martial arts program, and music classes.  Their classes are arranged by ages into different “Bear” groups: Baby Bears, Bears to Be, and Tumble Bears.

69 Kenosia Ave, Danbury CT, (203) 790-8034

The Crystal Theater offers a low cost theatre group that allows any child a chance to participate. They offer theatre classes for every age, too.  There are 10-16 weekly classes per show, depending on the number of shows scheduled. Material is written to fit the children, to allow them to explore roles, different personalities. Scheduling more than one performance of each show allows for multiple casting. This gives each child a chance to perform in a larger role, while at the same time teaches each one what it means to be a team player and the importance of supporting the entire show.

12 June Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850, (203) 847-4850

Originally published on 9/12/11.