Camps and classes

Back in simpler times — like the 1980s — we spent spring break sitting on a bean-bag chair and watching Day of Our Lives. Of course we’re all for kids having unstructured time, but we know watching the soaps is the opposite of enriching. (It’s not even fun!) So with spring break right around the cor

The chill in the air still calls for a jacket, yet crocuses have popped up in the garden, and anticipation for spring is building! For parents of school-aged children (and younger), this time of year means one thing when it comes to their kiddos: summer camp planning. We're here to help inspire you

Has your kid caught the acting bug? Does she show star potential? Or are you the only one who thinks she lights up the room? Seattle has a wealth of professional theaters and training programs geared specifically for kids and designed to nurture budding talent. We even have a few child stars of ou

Choosing the right summer sports camp can be tough — there are so many options! How do you narrow them down to find that one great camp experience? Here are a few things to consider as you ponder the vast assortment of camps listed in these pages. Follow their passion Let your child’s interests b

Getting a taste of the arts in elementary school — learning an instrument, performing in a play — should, it seems, be a given. In Washington state, however, education in music, drama and art at the public elementary school level has become endangered. A 2005 Arts Education Resourc

Food fights, hilarious pranks, young summer crushes: these are romantic images of the overnight summer camps of your childhood and countless movies. Toss in a few sleepless nights and mosquito bites, and suddenly reality hits you: Your own kids may soon be old enough to head to an overnight summer c

We know why tweens should move — our couch-potato nation is at risk for diabetes, heart disease and obesity — but sometimes it’s a challenge to introduce theory to practice so they play nicely. How to find the right activity? How to motivate a reluctant tween? How to find the time just to think abou

For many children, camping away from home offers the first taste and test of independence. There are ups — new friends and fun activities — but there are sometimes downs, too, such as homesickness. Those downsides can be minimized with a little preparation. Think of this suggested timeline as a reci