October 2nd 2013
October kicks off the start of autumn with a bunch of fun-filled activities for youngsters. Whether it’s uncorking the creative juices of your little ones or giving your teens the time to train and tone up, it’s important to find the right outlet for all that boundless energy. No matter what age, no matter what stage, we could all use some help in keeping our kids busy and engaged.
Get Moving
Get active and teach your kids how to bend it like Beckham with
Kinder Kicks soccer classes. The group welcomes children aged 2-5 to classes every day of the week. The term lasts from September to December, with free trial lessons available for newcomers.
Staying in Hong Kong over the midterm holidays? Then sign your kids up for holiday soccer classes at
Asia Pacific Soccer Schools. Taking place at King’s Park in Jordon or Sandy Bay in Pok Fu Lam, the classes will run from October 15th to October 18th.
If your girl can outdo the boys in terms of strength and stamina, then Diva Training is the perfect programme for her. The female-only group from
Rock Fitness invites teenage girls to have fun while shaping up with like-minded and energetic peers. Girls aged between 15 and 18 can also check out
Primal Strength’s after-school girls' class, running every day from 3.20pm.
If your children are more interested in perfecting their slam dunks, dribbling and three-pointers, enroll them in the
I'm Pro Basketball Academy's Saturday basketball sessions at South Island School. Lessons run from 11am to 1pm each weekend.
The Sound of Music
See your children hit the high notes at
Katterwall’s Hullaballoo programme, specially designed for kids aged 5-7 and running every Thursday from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. For the slightly older kids aged 8 -11, Katterwall's Children’s Music Theatre is a great way to bring out their inner thespian. Classes are held every Saturday from 10.30am to 11.45am. Alternately, give them some focused attention by signing them up for one-on-one singing lessons with internationally-trained teachers.
Arts and Crafts
Unleash creativity by packing the kids off to a fun-filled class at
Fabric Art, or make it a social affair and arrange a Fabric Art Party with all their friends. Kids will learn how to use diverse mediums to design and make a range of gorgeous fabric items. They may even bring something nice back for the house or your wardrobe. Fancy a custom-made tote bag, stenciled and embellished with small fabric pre-cut birds, textured wings and other sequences? Fabric Art can make it happen!
If your little ones are more about cutting and sticking, register them for a fun session of paper crafting at
Firefly instead. And if you have real faith in your little Picasso, enter them in
Little Parisians’ drawing contest, running until December 15th. Lots of cool prizes are on offer for the winner of the Design your Dream Dress competition. Lastly, if you fancy getting messy with colour and clay, sign up together for the pottery painting session for both children and parents at
My Happy Sunflower.
Out and About
When the kids start getting cabin fever at home, take them out for some sea air and cinema on the big blue. Hop on
Hong Kong Yachting’s Aquatic Cinema Cruise on October 4th and watch “The Goonies” on deck for a fun and funny evening with the family.
For a family day out the kids will never forget, join
Hebe Haven Yacht Club‘s 24-hour Charity Dinghy Race. Running from 12 noon on October 26th to 6pm on October 27th (you don't have to stay the whole time), the event will challenge young sailors to race each other in support of the Children’s Cancer Foundation.
Mind and Mediation
After all those adrenalin-inducing activities and sugar-fueled parties, teach your children how to relax with Buddhist life skills at
Kadampa Meditation Centre. The October 8th class will introduce children to meditation through fun activities and discussions specifically designed for youngsters. Kadampa also offers more advanced meditation classes for children aged 6-12, teaching them how to stay calm through story-telling and other techniques.
They’re never too young to learn and benefit from the art of yoga, especially in today’s busy world of school and extracurricular activities. Enroll your tiny tot in Toddler Yoga for 10-month to 2-year-olds at
Gecko Yoga. The 45-minute class encourages pre-verbal communication and enhances physical confidence.
Alternately, get your under-fives loose and limber at Yoga in the Jungle from Jungleroo. Via animal asana poses, songs and games, the class focuses on mobility and encourages physical exploration in a fun environment. Jungleroo also offers English, Mandarin, visual arts, maths and music courses aimed at strengthening your child’s development.
