BROOKLYN — Doing homework after school doesn’t have to be dull.
The roundup of after-school programs ready for students this fall offer children fun and safe places to polish of their homework or maybe even pick up a new skill.
From foreign language classes at the Language and Laughter Studio or a kids’ band at the Brooklyn Music Factory, students have a rich array of opportunities in the borough.
“Our program is about getting kids excited about making music in a group setting,” said Peira Moinester, a founder of the Brooklyn Music Factory. “The structure of private music instruction often puts off group performing until later in their music career, but our program uses it as a fun way to get children started in the creative process of music making.”
DNAinfo.com New York rounded up some of the best after school programs from around the Borough:
Brooklyn Music Factory
The Brooklyn Music Factory, located at 441 Warren St., in Boerum Hill offers a chance for children to learn how to play and create music in a group setting.
Young musicians can choose from a variety of band types to join, including rock, country and “girl pop.” Each band is designated to a certain age group.
The youngest group includes children 4 to 6 and the kids in the oldest group are 11 to 14.
The program runs for a trimester, or 10 classes, and children will have the opportunity to perform on a live stage at the end of the trimester.
The studio is fully equipped with instruments like the bass, guitar, and keyboard, so children do not need to bring their own instruments, although it is permitted.
The cost of a trimester is $365.
For more information, visit www.brooklynmusicfactory.com.
Toy Design with Curious Jane
Curious Jane, a company that supplies after-school activities for local schools, is offering another year of programming at P.S. 29 in Cobble Hill.
This year, Curious Jane will be bringing back its toy design class, which guides students through projects that include miniature environments, costuming, and one that lets kids design a toy for a friend. Some of the projects will include LED light-up elements and moving parts.
Each class lasts for about an hour and meets every Monday. The cost for 10 classes is $300. The course is reserved to children from kindergarten to second grade. P.S. 29 also offers programs for older children, including sports, chess and 3D model magic.
For a list of all after school programs held at P.S. 29, visit www.ps29brooklyn.org/ps29plus.
Brooklyn Heights Montessori School
Brooklyn Heights Montessori School, located at 185 Court St. in Cobble Hill, offers an after school program for its students and local children in the community.
The Montessori After School Program, called MAP, offers a place for children to do homework, guidance from a nurturing staff, and a chance to play inside or in the school’s rooftop playground. The after school program is available for children from Preschool to grade four, and lasts until 6 p.m. every day.
As a courtesy, small groups of children from nearby schools who attend MAP will be picked up by a member of the BHMS staff and walked to the school.
Classes offered in the program include Weird Science, Mandarin Chinese and Little Chefs.
The cost of registration is $290, which includes a registration fee. The deadline for the fall period is Aug. 27.
For more information or to register, visit www.bhmsny.org/programs/after-school/index.aspx.
Painted Pot
The Painted Pot, located at 339 Smith St. in Carroll Gardens, offers a hand-building and wheel pottery class for children after school.
The fall program, which runs from Sept. 16 to Dec. 8, exposes children to a working pottery studio where they will explore the pottery wheel, handbuilding, glazing and other pottery methods. More experienced children will be challenged with more advanced techniques.
The 10-week course will take place every weekday from 4-6 p.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Cost is $340 per student and an extra $18 for a tool kit.
For more information, visit www.paintedpot.com.
Language and Laughter Studio
The Language Laughter Studio, located at 137 Nevins St. Boerum Hill, offers a variety of afterschool language classes for children as young as 2 and up to 14.
Each class is designed for a certain age group, and includes classes in French and Spanish. Classes for young ages use music and dance to expose children to a new language, and classes for older children include a writing class and a French Theater Workshop.
Tuition cost ranges from $420-$490, depending on the child’s age, and each class lasts for about an hour. The fall session begins Sept. 17 and ends Dec. 21.
For more information or to register, visit www.thelanguageandlaughterstudio.com.
