ML Interest Tag: maniac

Sweat Sesh! 25 Workout Songs to Keep You Motivated

by Aimee Della Bitta

Workouts look different for everyone these days, especially moms. Whether you’re back to hitting the gym, fast-strolling through your neighborhood, or dancing around the kitchen with your new babe, one thing that’ll help motivate you to move your body is a stellar playlist. Here are 25 songs to power your workout playlist. Who knows, one of these catchy tunes might just become your new sweat-sesh anthem!

To Get You Moving

iStock

Like laying out your workout clothes the night before, just creating a fitness playlist can make it easier to stick to a workout routine. So here's a list of songs that'll nudge you to lace those sneakers and spark your heart rate. 

  • "Motivation” by Normani
  • "Believer" by Imagine Dragons
  • "Electric Bodega Trap Remix" by Beyoncé
  • "Pressure (Alesso Remix)" by Nadia Ali, Starkillers and Alex Kenji 
  • "Feel That Fire" by Dierks Bentley
  • "Break Free" by Ariana Grande
  • "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton
  • "You Know You Like It" by DJ Snake AlunaGeorge

 

To Keep You Dancing

iStock

As a busy, hardworking mom or mom-to-be, it's extra tough to find time in the day for a full workout. So instead, try squeezing in a dance session you can do anywhere at any time. These tunes will keep you grooving and your endorphins flowing. Sometimes all you need to do is shake it out! 

  • "Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna
  • "Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas
  • "Leave the Door Open" by Bruno Mars
  • "Maniac" by Carpenter Brut & Yann Ligner
  • “Good As Hell” by Lizzo
  • "All I Want to Do" by Sugarland
  • "Still Cool" by Beka
  • "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake

 

To Push Your Limits

Peloton

Fitness pros know that just the right song can push anyone through an intense workout. So add these go-to anthems that'll motivate you to keep going when you're dead-tired and ready to quit. 

  • "Level Up" by Ciara
  • "Don't Stop the Party" by Pitbull
  • "Survivor" by Destiny's Child
  • “Formation” by Beyoncé 
  • "Disco Inferno" by 50 Cent
  • “Jump” by Armin van Buuren & Van Halen
  • “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
  • “Jumpman” by Drake & Future 
  • "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi

—Aimee Della Bitta

RELATED STORIES:

Let’s Get Physical! The Gear & Tips New Moms Need to Get Active

8 FREE YouTube Workouts You Can Do With Your Baby

Win Back 30+ Minutes in Your Day, New Moms!

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Finding Gratitude Isn’t Easy

By Trista Heffner

Given the time of year, most people are taking some time to reflect on their lives and think about the things and people that they find themselves grateful for. Thinking about this myself, I have to think more intently on what gratitude really looks like to me, and whether or not I turly express it to the depth that I feel it. The answer in the majority of cases, is unfortunately no.

Raising children is difficult.

Then add special needs.

And a pandemic.

Sleepless nights.

Clinical, PTSD-level anxiety.

Communication struggles that turn into meltdowns.

Meltdowns that turn into aggression.

Just so much uncertainty.

But, with each of those struggles, comes something so beautiful—so many things to be grateful for.

Grateful for the excitement and pure joy a new skill brings.

Grateful for that moment when you hit a breakthrough, and communication gains shine through.

Grateful for a supportive husband that recognizes when a break is needed, even though he is tired from a full day of work himself.

Grateful for a helpful, loving, teenage sibling that knows she is her little brother’s person—and will do anything to see him smile.

Grateful for supportive parents that will FaceTime multiple times a week—to only be talked to for maybe two minutes of the half-hour they are on the call. ‘Cause just being connected and accessible to your son calms him, knowing he can see more of his people.’

Grateful for a tribe of friends that get your life, share in your struggles, acknowledge your successes, and champion each other. Love y’all—the ones that lift you up during the hard, no matter the time of day…or night.

Grateful for the team of therapists and teachers, the ones that go above and beyond, so far beyond their call of duty to provide the best format for your child to flourish, and gracefully work with him even when he’s struggling, just being stubborn or even when he’s acting like a maniac squirrel that fell in a barrel of Mountain Drew and drank his way out.

There are just so many things to be grateful for. Yes, this special needs journey has its share of hardships. If not for these struggles, the hard, or the difficult, the good, the gains, and the friendships would likely have never shone through so brightly.

I’m grateful for each and every one of you.

 

This post originally appeared on Hurricane Heffners.

Trista is a mother of two, Allayna and David. David was diagnosed with moderate ASD. She is married to her husband Drew and they live in Wisconsin where she works full-time from home. She enjoys spending time with her family, large amounts of coffee and sharing her family's journey.

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Dear Moms, I Know Why You Are Exhausted

By Michelle Zunter

I know why you are exhausted. It’s because you are giving. It’s because you are cleaning. It’s because you are watching. It’s because you are working. You pour your coffee every morning, knowing you’ll probably never get to finish it without microwaving it five times.

Someone needs you, wants you or is talking to you. Always. You are inevitably pulled in several different directions as the sun slowly wakes from her slumber. Sometimes you get up early—in the darkness—just to take a hot shower or drink your coffee in peace. Sometimes you stay up way too late just so you can take a quiet breath.

I know why you are exhausted. It’s because you are worrying. It’s because you are questioning. It’s because you are confused. It’s because you are learning.

You struggle to get everyone to where they need to be on time. You often rush around like a maniac and then wonder what it’s all for.

You scold others for not doing as they were told. You sometimes cry in utter frustration because no one seems to be listening. You feel like you explain the same thing over and over—a thousand times over.

You keep trying to do what you think is the best thing. You step up to the plate, again and again, to give it another shot.

I know why you are exhausted. It’s because you are negotiating. It’s because you are planning. It’s because you are arguing. It’s because you are yelling.

You wake up every day telling yourself you’ll be calm. You tell yourself won’t lose your sh*t or yell and scream. You tell yourself you’ll meditate, do yoga or—find your “zen.” But you don’t. You get busy. You have to go somewhere, be somewhere, take someone somewhere. You get distracted. You get frustrated. You yell.

You sometimes compare yourself to other moms, thinking you’ve lost the race. You think you’ve lost the race of who’s the calmest, the most organized or the most energetic. But all the other moms are running their own race in their own minds. They have their own battles, worries and torrential fears of failure. The other moms are exhausted, too, even the ones who look flawless. Appearances can be utterly deceiving.

I know why you are exhausted. It’s because you are self-defeating. It’s because you’re having a bad week, day, hour or moment.

You are a mom. You are everything to everyone. You get tired. You get scared. You get frustrated. Being a mom is not for the faint-hearted.

Being exhausted does not mean you are failing at motherhood. It just means you need to rest. And it’s okay to rest.

You’re exhausted because you revolve your life around your family by planning, supporting, working, cleaning, driving, helping, hugging, kissing, mending and bending over backward to adapt to every change, every challenge and every choice.

You are a mom. A glorious, messy, smart, frazzled, wondrous, confused, determined mom. Nothing runs without you, and you can’t run on empty. So, it’s really okay to just rest.

This post originally appeared on The Pondering Nook.

Michelle Zunter is the creator of The Pondering Nook where she writes and shares about relationships, marriage, divorce, parenting, step-parenting, body-image and much more. Michelle is also a co-host at The Broad's Way Show podcast where similar topics are discussed. She is also an artist, mom, stepmom, wife, partner and friend.

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How Laundry Balls Changed Our Cleaning Routine & More Household Chore Hacks

By Maggie McComb

We’re generally pretty good about keeping things tidy, but it’s the actually cleaning part of cleaning that does me in.

I’m all for saving the planet and being eco-responsible, but I haven’t quite taken the step toward making my own detergent and line drying my clothes yet. I did, however, purchase a set of six wool laundry dryer balls for 8 bucks, and immediately saw the benefits of doing away with single use dryer sheets.

Yes, I’m still hoping to save the planet, but the immediate benefit that was revealed to me was: my tween daughter suddenly ran to the dryer every time she heard it ding. Just like that, she was doing the chore on her own without being asked to do it.

Why, you ask? Because her humor still revolves around boobs and farts (so does my husband’s, now that I think of it) and those wool dryer balls became affectionately known as “booby balls” in our household. She does the same thing every time: 1) Pulls all the clothes out of the dryer. 2) Starts the scavenger hunt for the six balls. 3) Proceeds to stuff them into shirt. 4) Prances around laughing like a maniac. 5) Repeats with the next load.

So, any misogyny aside, we found the trick to making a boring chore fun. What else could we do?

In the kitchen, we bought matching $5 chefs hats, and we address each other as “chef” and “sous chef” while cooking. I also bought a pair of $9 kid-size cut-resistant gloves so my daughter could do her chopping with confidence.

For gardening, we bought a few pairs of cute kids’ gloves and gathered a basket of small tools from second hand stores. You can also find small versions of rakes and spades, often in bright colors.

Repairs around the house? Nearly every hand tool comes in a small, mini, or stubby version. You can put together a real toolkit with extras you have around the house or from secondhand stores, or buy a 32-piece set for $25.

And finally, we picked up a used sewing basket and I tossed in a few spools of thread and various sewing supplies. Now when we sit down to do a quick mending project, my daughter practices on scrap pieces of fabric.

So move over, Marie Kondo—Mary Poppins has it goin’ on over on Cherry Tree Lane: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap! The job’s a game.”

Maggie and her family roost in the Pacific Northwest and share their travels, homeschool field trips, curriculum ideas and lifest‌yle tips from a city-based homestead. Maggie is a cooking enthusiast and avid student of history and science. She's also mother to an "old soul" tween daughter. 

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Minecraft Mania: Pixel Perfect Parties & Play in LA

by Christina Montoya Fiedler

Creepers, survival modes, the Nether, Steve; if you’ve heard these terms floating around your house, you might have a Minecraft fanatic, er, enthusiast on your hands. Here are our favorite Los Angeles locations where kids can get crafting and moding at camps, parties and workshops.

photo: SuperLeague Gaming

Minecraft Rules at Rolling Robots
Minecraft Party Palooza
Host the ultimate party for your Minecraft loving kid at any of Rolling Robots three Los Angeles locations. Your aspiring gamer and pals can explore the expertly built Rolling Robots Minecraft server while pros help newbies and experienced players alike wade through survivor mode and pick up some new techniques along the way, like creating your own survival packs. If this all sounds like Greek (geek?) to you, you’re not alone. Parents are welcomed to join in on the fun, pick up a controller and play along. You might just get hooked; you’ll definitely get cool parent points.

Yearlong Minecraft Camps and Classes
If just a few hours at a party isn’t enough, try sending your little Minecraft maniac to a week long camp or a day long class. Level one lets builders learn all about the world of Minecraft from the bottom up. They’ll learn to build villages, spawn farm animals, fight zombies, and more. Level two slowly integrates coding (yes, coding!) into the mix by showing builders how to change the appearance of their characters (a.k.a. modding) and the game through JAVA script.

Good to know: Take advantage of the sibling discount and drop everyone off at one location for summertime fun. Half and full day camps are available.

Locations in Palos Verdes, Glendale and West LA
Online: rollingrobots.com

photo: SuperLeague Gaming

Big Screen Minecraft with SuperLeague Gaming
Forget about playing Minecraft on a teeny handheld device; try playing on a larger-than-life movie screen. Created by dads who love Minecraft as much as their kids, Super League Gaming has combined forces with AMC, Regal and Cinemark to turn theaters into giant interactive gaming arenas during a four week Minecraft tournament. Kids bring their laptops and connect to the super league server, and then real time play is projected onto the big screen. These game-offs happen on a continual basis, with locations and starting dates varying.  Check the website.

Good to know: Don’t worry if your child is new to Minecraft. Member’s of the SuperLeague’s Action Squad will be available to walk your child through any on screen issues for a frustration free week.

Online: superleague.com

photo: Digital Dragons

Parties and More at Digital Dragon
Minecraft Mania Camp for Newbies and Beyond
The motto at Digital Dragon is “learn how to create tech instead of jut consuming it,” and that’s exactly what your kids will be doing here.  At either summer week-long camp sessions or during the year at weekly classes, kids will explore the digital Minecraft world and encounter rare finds like ender dragons and withers. More advanced Minecraft fans can use modding to mold the game into their own unique version with new skins, textures, creatures, machines and maps. Just don’t tell them that they’re actually learning the basics of coding and computer science. Check the website for class and camp schedules.

Party Like Steve
It’s Minecraft as far as the eye can see, if you choose to have your birthday party at Digital Dragons. Think Creeper centerpieces and Steve themed cupcakes. Top it all off with the ultimate Minecraft tournament with your best buds. From Minecraft games to hands on crafts, it’s a full blown block building extravaganza.

3026 Nebraska Ave.
Santa Monica
424-280-4654
Online: digitaldragon.co


Bonus: Explore Los Angelcraft
Ever wonder what our city would look like if it were made entirely out of Minecraft blocks? Los Angelcraft takes you on a tour of Los Angeles as build through the eyes of a Minecraft fanatic. All the landmarks are there: Gruaman’s Chinese, L.A. Live, the Santa Monica Pier and more. Log on and see what you can spot…

Online: planetminecraft.org

What are your favorite Minecraft inspired camps and classes? Tell us in the comments below.

Christina Montoya Fiedler

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Travel to OC for A LEGO Travel Adventure

by Christina Montoya Fiedler

If you have a LEGO lover at home, a visit to the Discovery Science Center’s LEGO Travel Adventure exhibit is not a should-do, but a must-do. Those brightly colored stackable, linkable, lovable bricks are out in full force from now until May 10. With travel being the main theme, young creators can build vehicles of all shapes and sizes that will drive, float and fly through exotic terrains.

photo credit: Discovery Science Center Orange County

Welcome, Builders!
Let the kids loose on huge interactive displays where they can race hand made LEGO vehicles down ramps and through tunnels. First stop: building the car.  Second stop: racing.  Then kids can even snap and share photos of their creations at the designated booths located through out the exhibit.  Their work is now immortalized.

photo credit: Christina Montoya Fiedler

Learn from LEGO Master Builders
Just like Emmett in The LEGO Movie, a LEGO Master Builder can build anything and everything out of LEGOS. Dozens of these real life LEGO geniuses were hired to create lifelike recreations of great moments in travel history: panning during the Gold Rush, the building of the first Model T, the Wright Brothers flight at Kitty Hawk and others. Look closely and you might just spy a Storm Trooper skiing or SpongeBob flying a kite. The more you look the more you’ll find.

photo credit: Christina Montoya Fiedler

Play and Pretend
Before your LEGO experts sit down to create, have them suit-up as a pilot, ship captain, or race car driver to find inspiration for their vehicle. Afterwards, take advantage of some perfect photo ops like the kid-sized race car made from LEGOs and the minifigure cut outs.

photo credit: Christina Montoya Fiedler

Something for the Toddler Set
Little LEGO lovers are welcomed with special areas designated for smaller hands. A Duplo station (those larger LEGOS that don’t fit as easily in little mouths) is set up for pint-sized museum-goers. As is an oversize block building section.  What we like about this most is that it’s for littles only, so they’re not fighting for space with the big builders.

Beyond the Brick
If the kids ever leave the LEGo Adventure exhibit (and they might not) you can roam around the rest of the museum and check out other favorites like the eco-grocery store and the science of hockey displays.  If you leave enough time you can even check out the other new, limited time exhibit: National Geographic presents Earth Explorers.

photo credit: Christina Montoya Fiedler

You Fed the Mind, Now Feed the Body
The only food option inside the museum is Taco Bell. So if your family tends to live a more organic, less saturated kind of lifestyle, you may want to bring your own. One great eating option is to take a sunshine break and picnic at nearby Fisher Park.

There is currently limited parking ($4) due to construction. Finding parking across the street at the Main Place Mall is a good alternative.

The Lego Travel Adventure exhibit is open daily from January 17-May 10, 2015 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tickets are $16.95/adult, $12.95/kids 3-14 and kids under 2 are free.

Discovery Science Center
2500 N. Main St.
Santa Ana
Online: discoverycube.org/oc/

Here’s a tip: if you’ve got a Lego maniac, we’ve rounded up all the best ways to get your Lego on in LA, even after this exhibit is long gone.  What do you do to feed the imagination of your master builder?

—Christina Montoya Fiedler

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LEGO Love: The Best Spots to Feed Their Obsession

by Shannon Guyton

You love that your kids love LEGOs—they make for such imaginative and tactile play! But when those primary-colored, sharp little bricks cover your house like a (very painful) carpet, or your little builder needs new inspiration, it’s time to try one of these awesome, local LEGO activities.

video credit: Movies by Kids

Action! LEGO Animation Workshop
At MBK Studios’ LEGO Animation Workshops kids 7 & up make all of their LEGO scenes and help their created worlds come to life, literally. Instructors offer kids hands-on help in writing, building (LEGOs provided!), directing, and recording their visual masterpieces.

Locations: Los Angeles and Irvine (See website for workshop details.)
Online: moviesbykids.com

photo credit: Play-Well TEKnologies

LEGO Summer School
Kids won’t even know they’re getting an education this summer at Play-Well TEKnologies’ Engineering With LEGO camps and classes. In a curriculum designed by engineers and teachers, kids 5-11 gain engineering and architecture skills using over 20,000 bricks (that’s a lot of bricks).

Locations: Various locations around Los Angeles and Orange County, check website for details.
Online: play-well.org

photo credit: Orsolya D. via yelp

Mini-Build Events at LEGO Stores
On the first Tuesday of every month, at 5 p.m., LEGO stores around LA host a specially-themed “mini-build” event (for example, February’s theme is Space Shuttle). Models used for class are not available for sale, so your 6-14 year old gets not only a free set, but a special, limited edition one! If you can’t get to a build event and want the instructions for what was built, step-by-step instructions are posted here.  Parent tip:  These lines get long.  Like really, really long. (Because, free LEGOs, duh.) So make sure you arrive early, with snacks and something to keep them occupied while they wait.

Locations: Glendale, Canoga Park, Anaheim and Mission Viejo
Online: lego.com

photo credit: playparty.net

LEGO Birthday Party
Brick-building enthusiasts turning 4-10 will think “everything is awesome” when you arrange to have Play Party bring LEGO-mania to their next birthday party. And you’ll think it’s awesome that they do all the work. Play Party brings four play stations (more for groups bigger than 20), tables and chairs, they oversee the activities and then swoop it all out like a magic party fairy.

Locations: They come to you!
Online: playparty.net

photo credit: Doug Kline via flickr

Discovery Cube OC LEGO Exhibit
From January 17 to May 10, 2015, check out the LEGO Travel Exhibit at Discovery Cube OC. At this hands-on event kids can build vehicles, view model sculptures by Master Builders on display for inspiration (including a kid-size LEGO racecar!), and create virtual LEGO vehicles that can move through various terrains. It’s an afternoon in LEGO paradise.

Location: 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana
Online: discoverycube.org

photo credit: mathnificent.com

LEGO at the Library
At participating Los Angeles public libraries, join other LEGO lovers for free Game Days (which include LEGOs plus other board games to enjoy as a family), or the LEGOs-only Bricks 4 Fun, Block Parties and Brick Building Clubs, where kids 2-11 can build to their heart’s content using the library’s collection. DUPLO are often offered for the youngest builders.

Location: These activities are offered at multiple locations, check with your local branch or online to find the participating library nearest you.
Online: lapl.org

photo credit: Rolling Robots

LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Class
LEGO Mindstorms, if you haven’t heard of it yet, is a brand of LEGO that you can assemble and then program to do really cool stuff like go over all kinds of terrain or wrestle. It’s super expensive to buy (these bots are really complex!) so the best way to try them out is to take a Mindstorms class from a seasoned facility like Rolling Robots or Bricks 4 Kidz. At Rolling Robots, ages 4-14 can enroll in their “Bots with Brains” classes that are offered mid-day for homeschoolers, as well as afterschool and on weekends. Bricks 4 Kidz offers preschool and afterschool programs for 3-13 year-olds.

Rolling Robots
Locations: Los Angeles, Glendale and Rolling Hills Estates
Phone: 1-888-ROBOT-08
Online: rollingrobots.com

Bricks 4 Kidz
Locations: Brentwood, Hacienda Heights, Huntington Beach, Eagle Rock, South Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, Thousand Oaks
Online: bricks4kidz.com

photo credit: Meghan Rose

LEGOLAND
This wouldn’t be a complete list of SoCal LEGO fun without mentioning Legoland, which is easy driving distance away in Carlsbad. Your family will ooh and ahh over the ever-growing and changing LEGO village featuring full, often animated replicas of scenes and characters from Star Wars to Washington DC to Las Vegas. Kids (especially those under 10) love the many age-appropriate LEGO-themed rides, and in the summer everyone enjoys getting wet at the water park.

Location: 1 LEGOLAND Dr., Carlsbad
Phone: 760-918-5346
Online: legoland.com

Read our in-depth tips about visiting the Legends of Chima Waterpark or staying at the Legoland Hotel.

Have we missed any spots that thrill your little LEGO-Maniac?  Let us know!

-Shannon Guyton

 

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Just Opened: The LEGO Store Flatiron District

by Mimi O'Connor

Got a little LEGO maniac in the house? Good news! The Danish company recently unveiled its newest flagship store, and it’s smack dab in the middle of Manhattan’s Flatiron district. (That’s right — you won’t have to head to tourist magnet Rock Center anymore to get your mega LEGO on.) The shop’s grand opening is this weekend — see what LEGO has planned and take a look inside!

The Brick Basics

Located at 200 5th Avenue between 23rd and 24th Streets, the LEGO Store Flatiron District is a whopping 3,500 square feet. (The store’s impressive footprint is what earns it the label of “flagship”; LEGO’s other properties dubbed as such can be found in Minnesota’s Mall of America and at Disney’s Florida and California parks.)

The Flatiron store reflects its home in both the macro and micro sense. The front windows along 23rd St. feature multiple New York scenes rendered in oversized LEGO murals. Inside, LEGO sculptures depicting the evolution of the Flatiron District itself — from farmland to circus site to current day business and residential area — preside over the colorful sales floor. (Fast fact to impress your kids/friends: many of the more elaborate LEGO creations were designed and built by LEGO Master Builders — that’s a thing? — in a Czechoslovakian shop and shipped over by boat.)

Only in New York

Other unique features of this LEGO Mecca include an eight-foot-tall LEGO model of the Statue of Liberty (she lights up!); a striking LEGO sculpture of the flagship store’s mascot, Brickley the Dragon, which weaves throughout the space, and a miniature replica of the store and surrounding neighborhood for kids to build upon. Is your little builder seeking a LEGO in a transparent lime hue? You’re in luck!: the store is also outfitted with a “Pick-a-Brick” wall, where shoppers can load up on individual LEGOs by the cupful. The majority of the store’s inventory is a dizzying number of LEGO kits, which can be assembled to create everything from superhero and space scenes to castles, architectural monuments, and sushi.

The store will also include the first-ever LEGO Lounge. With the mini LEGO store replica as its centerpiece, the lounge will be outfitted with comfortable seating and charging stations for presumably weary parents, as well as a Library of LEGO books, a LEGO carpet, and even Duplo LEGOS in a preschool building area.

Grand Opening Plans

The LEGO Store Flatiron District will host its grand opening on Columbus Day weekend, with festivities kicking off on Friday from 4-6 p.m. As part of the celebration, LEGO Master Builders will be constructing a 20-foot-tall LEGO model of the Statue of Liberty in nearby Madison Square Park throughout the holiday weekend, and everyone is invited to help. (All participants will receive a “Certificate of Achievement” for taking part.) The statue will remain on display in the park after its completion for several days. (In store, LEGO will be rewarding customers who make minimum purchases with a different LEGO premium each day of the grand opening festivities.)

Beyond the opening weekend events, you can expect monthly Mini Model Builds for kids ages six to 14 on the first Tuesday of every month, during which children can make a seasonally-themed model and take it home — for free! The store will also host LEGO Club Meetings.

The LEGO Store Flatiron District
200 5th Avenue between 23rd and 24th St.
Flatiron
212-245-5973
Online: stores.lego.com/en-us/stores/us/flatiron-district

What’s your favorite LEGO store? Tell us in the comments below!

— Mimi O’Connor

 

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Paint the Town: 10 Summer Camps for Budding Artists

by Natalia Dotto

With the end of the school year in sight, it’s time to break out the calendar and frantically get those summer camp schedules squared away. Instead of the same old camp routine this year, why not let your budding artists nurture their inner Picasso or Frida Kahlo? With these 10 summer art camps, your kiddos can paint, play, and express themselves, all with the added bonus that there won’t be any paint splatter or mess for you to clean up.

City Art Farm
City Art Farm inspires kiddos to create faster than you can say “ee-i-ee-i-oh”. Joan Engelmeyer has been an artist for more than 25 years, 15 of them teaching art to youngsters, and City Art Farm is her studio in South Seattle. It’s also her city farm where her menagerie includes a dog, cats, goats and chickens and plenty of vegetables in her garden. Summer camps are geared towards campers ages 7 and up and include Encaustic Painting, Needle Felting Sculpture, Silkscreening, Masterwork, and Garden Inspirations.

Helpful Hint: Classes fill up fast; get on the registration bus now!

City Art Farm
3959 Renton Ave. S.
Seattle Wa 98108
206-327-3297
Online: cityartfarm.com/City_Art_Farm/Home.html

Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio
Located in a cheerful, light-filled space in Ravenna, Roaring Mouse offers creative arts classes and mini day camps for little artists as young as 2 1/2. Campers can register for one, two or three days per week and explore, construct, invent and collaborate freely through a variety of art materials.  

Helpful Hint: Register online for camps now before they fill up.

Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio
7526 20th Ave. N.E.
Seattle 98115
206-522-1187
Online: roaringmouse.org

Gage Art School
Gage Art School Summer Workshops are dedicated to inspiring kiddos through art and movement. Art workshops are paired with dance/movement classes to help kiddos stay focused and interested. Instructors at this Capitol Hill art school are hoping they can guide little artistes to find their voices through art and build some artistic skills they can use throughout their life. Among the summer workshops: Creating Rainbows and Brazillian Groves, World Pottery and Hip Hop, and Robot Drawings and Capoeira. No matter which camp your lil’ artist chooses, he or she will be given the chance to share their artwork at 3 p.m. on the Friday of summer camp.

Helpful Hint: Classes are popular and fill up fast so check the online registration; waiting lists are available. On May 31, 2014 learn more about the Gage’s youth programs at a special open house. As a special bonus, new students who register for a summer class or workshop at the open house will receive a 10% discount off tuition.

Gage Academy of Art
1501 10th Ave. E., #101
Seattle, Wa 98102
206 323-4243
Online: gageacademy.org/index.php

Arts Aloft
Located in the Madrona neighborhood, Arts Aloft’s entire focus is on helping students ages 4-12 experience the pleasure of artistic self-expression while learning the techniques of the grand masters through multiple media, including tempera, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, ink, plaster, and clay. Kids can choose from a variety of summer camps including Renaissance Days, Pirate Camp, African Safari, Charlotte’s Web, and Harry Potter.

Helpful Hint: Kids must be at least 4 1/2 to attend summer camp. Classes fill up fast; register online.

Arts Aloft
3302 E. Spring St.
Seattle, Wa 98122
206-920-2015
Online: artsaloftforkids.com/index.html

Circle of Art Studios
If your little one’s fave toy is his markers and your home is littered with clay sculptures, paintings, and imaginative creations, it’s time to upgrade your kiddo’s knack for creativity at Circle of Art Studios. This special studio is all about fostering creativity in a fun, safe and encouraging environment. The Circle of Art Studios features artistic opportunities for kiddos ages three and up to create collages, sculptures, paintings, and more. And beyond their art camps and kid-centric classes, you’ll find kids art night outs and a bevy of birthday party offerings.

Helpful Hint: Summer camps begin June 16, 2014. Register online.

Circle of Art Studios
2821 Thorndyke Ave.
Seattle, Wa 98199
206-602-9776
Online: circleofartstudios.com

Art Maniac Studio
In addition to giving some of the most fun arts and crafts lessons in the city, owners Celine and Barbara even teach some of their lessons in French so your little artists can practice their français for that upcoming trip to the City of Lights. From clay to collage to jewelry to sewing, the diversity of offerings at Art Maniac Studio this summer will please any budding artist.

Helpful Hint: Full and half-day summer camps are available. View the summer camp schedule online.

Art Maniac Studio
13457 SE 27th Pl. (between N. 134th Ave. & S. 136th Ave.)
Bellevue, Wa 98005
206-499-5783
Online: artmaniacstudio.com

Local Community Centers
You don’t have to look much further than your neighborhood Community Center to find a variety of art camps. Whether it’s art, pottery, theatre or dance, local community centers have a little bit of everything. With 26 community centers around the city there are dozens of camps to choose from for kiddos as young as 3.

Helpful Hint: Dates and camp costs vary; view the summer camps catalog online.

Online: seattle.gov/parks

Thrive Art School
At Thrive Art School mini-Monets will learn new art techniques, focus on fun art projects and build self confidence. Summer camps cater to ages 5-8 and 8-12 and themes for the summer include the beach, Mexico, Wonderland, Cartoons and Clay, and America The Beautiful. Weekly camps are held in the mornings and afternoons and are three hours long.

Helpful Hint: Kiddos show off their masterpieces on the last day of camp at an art reception, something moms and dads won’t want to miss!

Ravenna Location  
6329 Ravenna Ave. N.E.
Seattle, Wa 98115
206-522-1659

Madison Park Location
2900 E. Madison St., Suite #200
Seattle, Wa 98112
Phone: 206-522-1659
Online: drawingschool.com

Kirkland Arts Center
On the Eastside at the Kirkland Art Center, little artists are encouraged to experiment and explore. Weekly summer camps delve into a variety of artistic experiences so campers can choose different weekly themes based on senses, storytelling, Global Art or space exploration. Along with learning about art and creating their own projects, campers will venture out on field trips.

Helpful Hint: Summer camps are held at the Eastside Prepatory School for campers ages 5-8 and 9-12.

Phone: 425-822-7161
Online: kirklandartscenter.org/?q=content/summer-art-camp-2014

Smart with Art
During Smart with Art camps, budding artists will paint, draw, sculpt, design, imagine, sketch, collaborate and explore using a wide variety of materials and techniques, all in a fun and supportive atmosphere. In addition to the outdoor summer camps at their Snoqualmie studio, camps will be offered in Bellevue, Mercer Island and Kenmore for kids in preschool through 6th grade.

Helpful Hint: Classes range from Under the Sea to Under the Big Top. View the available camps online and be sure to register soon; classes fill up quickly.

Phone: 425-420-2677
Online: smartwithart.net/index.html

Where will your little artists be creating this summer? Let us know in a comment below.

–Natalia Dotto

Photo credit: Gage Art School, Joan Englemeyer, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Arts Aloft, Thrive Art School & Kirkland Arts Center

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