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12 Cool Classes for Cool Kids
If there is one thing we have learned, it's that we should all follow our passions. It's our job to help our kids find out what that passion is, and not all kids dream about hockey or ballet. So here is a variety of slightly less-than-mainstream activities that might just be the spark that leads to a deep and abiding interest in an activity, sport, hobby or simply a fun-filled day.
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3D Magic
Our minds have been blown by the sheer potential of 3D printers, and our kids think it's amazing too. At 3D Printing Saturdays, you and the kiddos can print fun things like decorations, toys, dinosaurs, action figures, phone cases, jewelery, puzzles, and much more!
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Rugby Tots
So the kids make dandelion chains during soccer and have a strong dislike of ice? Maybe rugby is their thing, instead. The no-contact Rugbytot play sessions (for boys and girls aged 2-7) are based on key motor skills such as passing, kicking, catching, running agility and awareness of space and balance. And they are a whole lot of fun!
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Amazing Animation
There's more to animation than Disney, and at these stop motion animation classes, tykes can push the edge of their creativity. They'll work on storyboards, characters, sets and props by experimenting with paints, canvas, LEGO and modelling clay. Pretty amazing, right Walt?
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I, Robot
For a smattering of the many cool ways that technology is transforming our lives, head down to TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace for a variety of emerging media and artistic workshops and stations. The kiddos will likely fall in love with the Modular Robotics area. That's where they can make their own unique robot using Cubelets (snap-together magnetic blocks that require no programming or wires). Prepare for the invasion of artificial intelligence!
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OutPlay
Got a wannabe Survivorman on your hands? Evergreen Brickworks has done it again with their Nature Nut Kids' Club March Break Camp. The small fry will explore nature in winter forest and ravines, learn about survival from winter-savvy animals, track down some chickadees and winter edibles, and cap it off with snow fort creation and fire building.
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Minecraft Magic
Haven't heard of Minecraft? We envy you. And while we totally recognize its learning potential… we just don't 'get it'. But the people who run the Minecraft Thursdays drop-in program sure do. Attendees can play Minecraft (supervised) and learn how to create skins, install mods, and explore adventure maps—you know, all the things that we can't do!
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Print Magic
There is a very tactile satisfaction for kids with print-making. From using mixed media to make a 'plate' (drawing, scraping, scratching, etching) to the inking and wiping. The final pressing of the paper or canvas to reveal the proof of the vision is the culmination of a pretty cool creative process.
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Cool Coding
Our schoolager already knows more about computers than we do and that's about to get even more obvious with rp4K's programming sessions. While developing a 3D Magic Show, kids learn programming concepts such as camera manipulation, comments and proper coding techniques, loops, objects and methods. Top that off with math concepts (fractions, decimals) and we think we have a mini Zuckerberg on our hands.
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Not Your Archie Comics
We've come a long way from Archie Andrews in the comic book world. This class has kids drawing comic books in a variety of different styles, from Japanese manga to underground experimental. They'll learn how to adapt stories into graphic narratives and complete their own comic, drawing inspiration from everything from movies to music. And yes—traditional superheroes like Spiderman definitely play a starring role in this cool class.
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iCool
Kids love iPads. Kids love art. This amazing AGO iPad art course guides kids through the use of painting apps that includes tools like pencils, brushes, rollers and spray paint to obtain painting effects with a swipe of the finger. Kids will mix paints to come up with new colors and layer paint to build texture while building a virtual sketchbook.
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Yes, It’s a Hoot
For those in pursuit of nature and fans of Harry Potter's Hedwig, Kortright's Owl Prowl is an evening adventure not to be missed. Spending twilight in a snowy forest reminds us that often the environment is all the entertainment we need.
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The Right Kind of Graphic
We'd be very happy if our kids' love of drawing or gaming could be parlayed into a thriving skill set. That's certainly on the table with CTWorkshop icamp. Working at their own skill level, children work through activities on and off the computer with a focus on engineering and robotics, video game creation, animation, and graphic design.