The best after-school programs in NYC this year

Update: Online kids classes are currently available. 

Once youngsters taste-test the Dynamite Shop’s delicious dishes, they’ll come back hungry for more. The culinary school offers a glimpse into the inner workings of a real kitchen— but kids and teens are the chefs here! Founders and food writers Dana Bowen and Sara Kate Gillingham have devised the Make & Take program, in which young cooks prep dinner for their families each night. Bon appétit! (Prices TBD). Ages 8–13.

Update: The 2021 schedule is currently available.

In the Brooklyn Boulders Kids Academy, young participants receive basic coaching as they learn to climb, and a 1:5 teacher ratio makes sure everyone gets personalized instruction. Kids will learn how to safely use equipment and scale Brooklyn Boulders' climbing walls, as well as enjoy activities on the ground too! Ages 5 and up.

Update: Registration is now open.

When all is said and done, you're guaranteed to have a rock star on the rise. Brooklyn Music Factory offers an atypical method to music lessons, and your kiddos are going to love every second of it. The venue's program teaches the fundamentals through a game-based approach, so there's a lot to love about classes the jam-worthy offerings that focus on songwriting, keyboard and more. Ages 1 and up.

Update: The 2021 schedule is currently available. 

With weekly courses geared toward tots and teens, Brooklyn Acting Lab aims to hone kids’ talent through training that prioritizes collaboration and ensemble-based playmaking. In the Storybook Theatre program, kindergartners engage in games and improv exercises based on that week’s picture book. The classes focus on language and movement in classical, contemporary, physical and experimental theater; then, participants perform their favorite scenes. Also on offer are Musical Theater Ensembles, Improv and Acting on Camera, and the new Magical Musicals. Ages 3–18.

Update: Programs are being held virtually and in person.

Techies are introduced to basic engineering concepts as they build their own robot. 2020's offerings include S.T.E.A.M. RoboLab, an enrichment class for those ages 6–12, Robot Coders for those 9–13, among others. Explore all of the options online. Ages 2–13.

Update: In-person classes are available.

Helping New Yorkers juggle their unpredictable schedules, The Tiny Scientist has decided to offer pod science programs throughout the day: morning, early afternoon and after-school. Families are able to register for a minimum of three sessions per week over the two-week registration period. Pods will run at different times according to location. Each offering features hands-on science projects, nonfiction read-alouds, free play with STEM toys and more. Ages 5 and up.

In this interdisciplinary program at P.S. 189, educators teach your curious scholars about the arts, culture and STEM subjects using the museum’s 30,000-plus objects. Enrollment operates on a lottery system. Ages 5–11.

Update: In-person and online kids classes are currently available.

Brooklyn Game Lab’s after-school programs engage gamers of all interests by offering a choice of four different labs. Participants will learn the methods and mechanics of modern board and card games—no video games! Kids can also try their hand at recently released innovative games like Photosynthesis and Hive. For the adventurous, Quest Lab (ages 9 and up) combines roleplaying games and live-action role play. Note that the venue has several different locations. Ages 6–14.

Update: Online and in-person classes are available. 

Child’s Play NY tackles everything a performing arts program should. It invites students to immerse themselves in fantasy scenarios as they sing, dance, act and make use of props while bringing their characters to life on the stage. Kids are welcome to explore the venue’s opportunities—which are grouped according to age brackets. The fall 2020 semester will include outdoor play pod classes and online courses in production, scene studies, movie making and more. Check out the complete list of offerings online. Ages 2–16.

Update: The fall 2021 schedule is to be determined.

After a day of navigating the academic obstacle course at school, your favorite achievers—whether beginner, intermediate or advanced—can reach new heights on a rock-climbing wall. The Cliffs’ offerings allow developing bodies to build muscle strength and agility. For example, introductory sessions teach climbers how to tie safety knots and belay (that is, controlling the rope while they’re suspended in midair) as well as other basics, mastering them with hands-on games and activities. More experienced teens can try lead climbing and other advanced techniques. Ages 6–18.

Update: The fall 2021 schedule is to be determined. 

Library branches across the borough are offering a free after-school academic enrichment program. The first part of each session is reserved for homework help, and the remaining time is dedicated to other educational activities or unstructured fun. Led by a librarian and a team leader, the curriculum concentrates on STEM subjects intermingled with literacy-based exercises. Plus, students learn how to use the library’s resources to complete projects they're assigned throughout the week. Queens Public Library, various locations. Ages 6–14.

Update: In-person classes are available.

Your kids are likely to be hunched and antsy after sitting at a desk all day. Help them spring into action with flips, jumps and balancing challenges! Expert coaches teach the fundamentals of Olympic events for both women (vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor) and men (floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar). As the children grow stronger and more flexible, they’ll gain confidence and learn new moves that they can show off on the playground. The fall 2020 season will run from Sept 14–Dec 19. Some classes will run while others are on pause. Call LIC Kids directly for sign-ups and pricing. Ages 4.5–12.

Update: Programs are currently being held.

Help future chefs and tastemakers perfect new skills, from proper food preparation and kitchen safety to cooking, baking techniques and plating presentation. Some people use the program as a drop-in class, while members take the classes weekly and can track their growth as amateur cooks with monthly knowledge assessments, all while working toward a diploma and a MasterChef jacket. The academy may be just what you need for a picky little eater; some studies have shown that they’re more likely to try meals they prepared themselves. Bon appétit! Ages 4–18.

Update: The Fall 2021 schedule is currently available.

Find the leotard and start lacing those ballet shoes. Several levels of ballet (including parent-child classes) allow young twinkle toes to build their skills from the ground up. But that's not the only offering at the Long Island City School of Ballet. Atypical options include SportsDance for Boys, a program that uses athletic movements to teach the fundamentals, and Imagine Dance, where a different story serves as inspiration for the routines in each class. Classic offerings such as hip-hop, tap and jazz are also on the menu, should your dance machine want to check out a variety of genres. Ages 2 and up.

Update: The fall 2021 schedule is to be determined.

With a presence in its South Bronx community since the early 2000s, Renaissance Youth Center has a well-rounded, free five days-a-week program that offers homework help and specialized “majors,” including robotics, video editing, architecture design and zoology. For example, in architecture design, kids use online software to build 2-D and 3-D models of cities. In zoology, future veterinarians look after iguanas, geckos, snakes, turtles and other creatures in a state-of-the-art facility. One day a week is dedicated to practicing instruments and singing. Grades K–5.

The nonprofit community center’s broad academic-enrichment program ($3,100/year) aims to boost kids’ social and literacy skills while encouraging a healthy lifestyle and service to the Bronx nabe. Subjects and activities run the gamut, from homework help and STEM exercises to crafts, swimming and dance. Plus,the center’s swim academy gives lessons to all ages in its heated indoor pool. Grades K–7.

Update: The fall 2021 classes are currently open for registration.

Kid’s Space starts off with a healthy kosher snack, followed by homework help and, of course, the fun stuff: swimming, cooking, martial arts, musical theater and plenty of other pursuits. Make sure to call the Y to see whether transportation is provided from your child’s school. Grades K–6.

Update: The fall 2021 schedule is to be determined. 

If you’ve ever balked at the high cost of childcare or after-school activities, you won’t believe that this structured, all-inclusive program is completely free for Bronx kids. After the school day, local students head to the center after class and dive in to a variety of subjects such as arts, tech, engineering and even college help for those entering the SAT and application process. Ages 5–15.

Update: Programs are being held virtually and in person. 

Young people who want to develop serious artistic abilities will find their heaven at Bronx River Art Center, which offers courses on painting, drawing, ceramics, digital photography and printmaking—all taught by seasoned artists. In this class (free, but only 15 spots are available), pros give teens a behind-the-scenes peek at what it’s like to have a career in the visual arts and design industries. In December and June, the students’ work is showcased for all to see in the center’s gallery. Teen Project Studio Program is free but requires an application for admission. Ages 9–18.

At the newly renovated Edible Academy, the Dig! Plant! Grow! program’s themes change with the seasons. In Pollinator Pals, your special urban farmer studies how insects interact with the life cycles of flowers. The Three Sisters course investigates the close relationship between corn, beans and squash; for example, kids grind corn and make corn-husk dolls while learning about the crop’s role in Lenape history. In the Goodnight Garden class, little botanists find out how to prepare the academy’s green space for winter. Ages 2 and up.

Update: The fall 2021 schedule is currently available. 

Though the trees may still have their green leaves, this large rink maintains its year-round frosty temperatures for skating fun. Aspiring figure skaters and hockey players can all learn the basics of edge work, stroking and turns. Courses are offered every day of the week for a variety of interests and skill levels, and public and freestyle sessions are available for little Mirai Nagasus who want to spend some afternoons shredding the ice without instruction. Ages 4 and up.

Update: In-person classes are available. 

Instrumentalists who want to get into the groove can get one-on- one lessons at this family-owned and -operated shop that boasts a roster of musicians who have worked with bands and performers you may know, including Ingrid Michaelson and members of Guns N’ Roses. Kids can have their pick of woodwinds, piano, guitar, brass, drums and other instruments. Both half-hour and hour sessions are available. Ages 7 and up.

Update: Skill-based classes are being scheduled as private lessons. Call ahead for any questions.

For an exciting craft hour, MakerSpace’s State Island after-school program gives your moppet an understanding of the arts, engineering or design through hands-on experience in the studio. They’ll tackle individual and group projects in electronics, ceramics, construction and other neat areas. Ages 5–11.

Dancers can master basic moves, while more advanced movers can opt for competitive classes that concentrate on conditioning and fine-tuning techniques. No matter what style your kids prefer—tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary—professionals with a passion for the art form are on hand to guide them. Ages 4 and up.