By MICHELLE SCHMIDT Inland360.com
It’s just like your mom may have told you one summer long ago: There’s no excuse to be bored. But for kids (and parents) who are looking for some mid-summer inspiration, here are a handful of activities for kids ranging from artistic to athletic:
Festival Dance Performance Art Workshops
Kids looking to be in the spotlight can take one of the summer workshops offered by Festival Dance in Moscow. The Princess Ballet workshop introduces 4- to 7-year-olds to ballet basics; no prior ballet experience is necessary.
During the daily one-hour class, kids explore creative movement and decorate their own tutu, magic wand and tiara, which are worn for a Friday parent performance and Moscow Farmers Market performance on Saturday.
The Imagination Arts workshop is a musical theater experience for boys and girls ages 6 to 12. This year’s mini-musical, “Revin’ Up for Rio,” is based on next summer’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics and explores Brazilian music, sports and a healthy lifestyle. After a week of music, dance and crafts, the group performs at that Saturday’s Moscow Farmers Market.
When: Princess Ballet Workshop —There are two sessions offered, one 10 to 11 a.m. and another at 11 a.m. to noon Monday through July 18; Imagination Arts Workshop — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 21-25 Where: University of Idaho P.E. Building Studio 110 in Moscow Cost: Princess Ballet Workshop $65/child, Imagination Arts Workshop $85/child. Register online at www.festivaldance.org or call (208) 883-3267.
Summer Creativity Series at Dahmen Barn
Now in its eighth year, kids are invited to the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn for the Thursday afternoon art workshop series. Two topics are covered each session; this year’s topics include scratchboard, weaving, masks and making maracas. A healthy snack is served in between sessions. Kids ages 6 to 12 can come to all six of the sessions or just one, but registration is required by the Sunday evening prior to the class.
When: 1 to 3:45 p.m. Thursdays, next Thursday through Aug 21 Where: Artisans at the Dahmen Barn, 419 N. Park Way in Uniontown Cost: $15/child for each class. Registration is required by 6 p.m. the Sunday preceding each class. To register and find out what topics are offered each session, visit the website at www.artisanbarn.org or call (509) 229-3414.
Rendezvous for Kids
Rendezvous for Kids offers two options for experiencing a variety of artistic disciplines: a three-hour program that requires pre-registration and a walk-on program where kids can dabble with projects at their own pace.
During the main program, kids are separated into four groups based on age. Each group rotates through different stations, spending 45 minutes at each. Stations include tin can banjo-making, collage art, tile coaster creation and Zumba. One of the four stations is Art Stops, comprised of eight to 10 tents that house mini-workshops, including bubble making, tie-dye and gum art.
Participants in the walk-on program must be accompanied by an adult and have access only to the Art Stops mini-workshops. They can move at their own pace and stay as long or as short as they like.
The workshops wrap up at noon, at which time lunch is served and entertainment is provided on the park stage.
A preschool program, similar to the main program, but with preschool-age crafts, is also offered. Both the preschool and main program participants receive a Rendezvous in the Park T-shirt.
When: Main Program 8:30 a.m., Walk-on Program 9 a.m., Preschool Program 10 a.m. next Thursday through July 18 Where: East City Park, 900 E. Third St. in Moscow Cost: Preschool Program (ages 3-4): $15/morning or $30/both mornings, Main Program (entering kindergarten through sixth grade): $20/one morning or $35/both mornings, Walk-on Program: $10/morning. Preschool and main program participants must register in advance online at www.rendezvousinthepark.com/rendezvous-for-kids/registration/ or call (208) 883-8417.
Kids Triathlon
Triathlons can be a major athletic undertaking, but this is one that kids of all ages and abilities can succeed at and enjoy. Participants swim a length in the pool, bike around the track and run around the track at a distance based on the participant’s age. For example, 5-year-olds swim one width of the pool while 14-year-olds swim four lengths of the pool.
The event begins with the oldest competitors and moves down to the youngest. It is not timed and everyone who finishes gets a medal and all who participate get a T-shirt. It’s more about finishing something and introducing kids to the sport than it is about winning, says Lynn Welch, event coordinator.
All participants must provide their own bikes and wear their helmets during the bike ride. Training wheels are acceptable event gear, as are life jackets.
When: 9:30 a.m. Aug. 16 Where: Bert Lipps Pool and Sweeney Track, 604 13th St., Lewiston Cost: $25 per child. Register at the Lewiston Parks and Recreation office by Aug 8.
Schmidt can be contacted at themichelleschmidt@gmail.com or at (208) 305-4578.
