When the rainy season hits Seattle parents scramble to find activities and classes to keep their kids from bouncing off the walls. Now’s the time to register your sporty kid for a new program in the city. From ice hockey lessons for mini Kraken fans, to Bollywood dance and rock climbing, these classes are just what parents need in their lives right now. Here’s where to sign up!
Kraken Community Iceplex
It’s time for your little Kraken wannabes to take their shot at the newly opened Kraken Community Iceplex. It’s where all the cool kids will be taking ice skating lessons this fall, learning the moves they’ll need to skate like the pros. Kids as young as 3 can sign up for the Kraken Skating Academy’s Learn to Skate program. Skills like stops, edges, crossovers and turns will be taught alongside basic backward and forward movements. Once they’ve mastered the basics, kids can graduate to the NHL Learn to Play option (for kids 5 & up) that focuses on building fundamental hockey skills. Registered kiddos get a complete Kraken gear set too. Sessions run for seven weeks.
Insider tip: Our favorite part? That your kids might just run into their favorite players, since the Kraken team practices on one of the three indoor ice rinks. The ultimate photo op!
Good to know: Families can ooh and ahh over the new Iceplex during a public skate session.
Ages: 3 & up
Cost: $189/Learn to Skate; $220/NHL Learn to Play
1601 5th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA
206-279-7770
Online: krakencommunityiceplex.com
Eastside Dance
If you’re looking for a dance studio for your little mover and shaker that’s inclusive, warm and welcoming, the newly opened Eastside Dance is just the place. With classes for kids as young as 2 and adults as old as 76 (you’re never too old to learn something new!), this studio has it all—ballet, jazz, tap, studio hip hop, musical theater and combo classes (the most popular). Instruction for kids is based on Brain-Compatible Dance Education (developed by Anne Green Gilbert) that goes beyond teaching basic steps. In these classes, kids explore dance concepts and have autonomy too so the can become creators of art, not just mimickers of it. As Founder/Director and mom, Molly Davis, explains she wants Eastside Dance to be “a home for anyone who is interested in dancing.”
Insider tip: We love that the dance studio’s come as you are dress code policy that keeps classes accessible to all dancers.
Good to know: Eastside Dance is committed to providing a safe experience for all dancers. Please check out their COVID policies online to see how.
Ages: 2 & up
Cost: $75-$88/month, during the 5 month session + $30 annual registration fee
13200 Old Redmond Rd.
Redmond, WA
425-636-8494
Online: eastside-dance.com
Seattle HappyFeet
Looking for a soccer program your kids will get a kick out of? Seattle HappyFeet is up to the challenge. They work with kids as young as 2 to start building soccer skills Megan Rapinoes in the making. The HappyFeet program (for kids ages 2-5) uses creative storytelling to engage kids. It works through important concepts like problem solving, overcoming fear, optimism and more as kids are led through adventures, kicking a soccer ball along the way. Songs, games and repetition are all part of the fun during this 30-minute segment that’s followed by a 30-minute skills (and scrimmage) session.
Older kids get to kick it up a notch with the Future Legends (for kids ages 6-10) program. We love the flexibility here—kids drop in to the weekly practice session to learn and drill basic skills. Then everyone gets together on weekends for a 30-minute skills overview before hitting the field for a 45-minute scrimmage.
Insider tip: Not sure what your kid will think? Try HappyFeet’s park play program. Hosted at different parks around Seattle, parents can bring their tots (ages 2-5) to the playground for a 30-minute program ($15). Psst.. parents, bring a book or a little picnic to enjoy your brief respite.
Good to know: Seattle HappyFeet’s fantastic mutual aid based initiative, Play It Forward, helps to make soccer accessible by providing scholarships to kids in need. Check it out!
Ages: 2-10
Cost: $94-$114/8 week session
Held at parks in Seattle, Shoreline, Lynnwood, Renton, Mercer Island & Bellevue
636-288-8815
Online: seattlehappyfeet.com
The Mountaineers
Rather than letting them bounce off the walls, let your kids climb them when you sign them up for an after school program with the Mountaineers. Programs are three weeks long, and you can sign up for as many as you like. The Climbing Adventure program, held at Magnuson, teaches kids the ropes. It’s where they’ll spend time bouldering, climbing and figuring out rappelling tips and tricks so they can reach new heights.
Insider tip: Mountaineer members get a discount.
Good to know: All the equipment kids need to enjoy rock climbing is provided. Kids just bring sturdy shoes, snacks and a sense of adventure to class.
Ages: 6-13
Cost: $420/members; $470/guests
Seattle Program Center at Magnuson
7700 Sand Point Way N.E.
Seattle, WA
206-521-6000
Online: mountaineers.org/youth/kids-programs
Rangeela Dance Company
Whether your kids are big fans of Bollywood or have never seen a flick, they’ll love these Bollywood dance classes through Rangeela Dance Company. In small classes of 10 students (or fewer), instructors dive deep into the Bollywood world with little dancers, introducing them to the movie soundtracks and then working on popular Bollywood footwork, hip work and expressions. Kids love the way their dance steps tell a story and the music is as catchy as can be. At the end of the 8-week session, parents get to enjoy a performance, complete with traditional Indian attire.
Insider tip: Even if you’ve missed the first class for any session, call to see if there's space still available.
Ages: 3-8
Cost: $150
Various studios in Seattle
781-738-0108
Online: rangeeladancecompany.com
Emerald City Fencing
This class is all the rage with fans of the Princess Bride. After all it’s where kids can learn to parry, lunge and advance with the prowess of Inigo Montoya. During the 45-minute long Kids Beginner Fencing class, kids will set the stage for learning. They’ll work through the basic footwork and bladework in a fun and safe environment. En garde!
Good to know: All the equipment your future fencers need to participate is provided.
Ages: 5-12
Cost: $75-$125
825 N.E. Northgate Way, Suite 101
Seattle, WA
206-900-8088
Online: emeraldcityfencing.com
Parkour Visions
If your kid thinks that playgrounds are tops and occasionally vaults over your couch to get to something rather than walking around it, parkour may be their jam. Parkour is the art of movement where kids run, jump, duck, roll and vault around objects in a creative way. Parkour Visions uses the Leap to Lead curriculum, created to help “kids develop strong minds, bodies and communities of leadership.” Each play-based session incorporates the Four Elements (or 4E’s of movement education, civic empowerment, community engagement and self expression) in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Good to know: Classes are held in various parks around Seattle, Shoreline, Mercer Island & Bellevue
Ages: 5 & up
Cost: $264
206-923-8864
Online: parkourvisions.org/seattle
—Allison Sutcliffe
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