Once you become a member of the Downtown Community Center, a wide variety of classes, programs and experiences are instantly available to you and your family. Click on any of the links below to explore and learn more about how we Play, Create, Move, Swim, Explore and Learn! Click here to register for swim lessons.
Explore the natural world with art projects that teach your child about their environment and the animals in them! From tigers and lions, to squirrels and raccoons, let you children learn about the wild side of animals. Take a peek at our bearded dragons, turtle, and fish as well!
Students will create fun and creative crafts and art pieces while learning about different techniques in paint, collage, clay and mixed media. Children will take inspiration from famous pieces of artwork and the world around them.
These beginner swim lessons offer more personal instruction and a progressive curriculum for children who are ready to take the plunge! Along with increased comfort in the water, children learn basic breath control and arm and leg movements. Through a more structured class setting, swimmers are introduced to swim vocabulary used throughout all levels of our Learn-to-Swim program and learn to independently follow the lead of the instructor. After completion of the Begin2Swim program, swimmers may be ready to move up to the first level of our Youth Swim Lessons.
This drop-in class helps new swimmers become comfortable in and around the water. Songs and games introduce beginner swim skills (such as kicking, splashing, and blowing bubbles) and create a fun, positive experience for young children in the pool. This class is included in Family Membership to the Downtown Community Center.
With a firm focus on the techniques and form of classical ballet, classes aim to fire up young imaginations while teaching the fundamental elements of dance. The classes develop co-ordination and boost confidence but most importantly you can twirl, pirouette, plié, jeté and pointé your toes all day.
Your little one will get creative based on the belief that children need to explore the world of art: hands on! This unique curriculum includes finger-painting, food art, and lots of messy fun! Your child will be able to creatively use our space to the fullest by utilizing walls and floors as canvases. Come dressed to Make a Mess! These classes require registration and are open only to members.
Is your child a mini chef? Join our new Make A Mess: Cooking class to further their expertise! Children learn food groups, shapes, flavors and cooking techniques in a fun and accessible way. Adult and child work together to create their very own snack in every class! Adult participation required. These classes require registration and are open only to members.
Science becomes fun in this class that helps children develop their scientific mind! Let your child explore their curiosity with sensory bins all while learning about colors, shapes, and textures through their observations. This class allows for exploration of things we find in our natural world through fun scientific experiments! Led by our experienced head art teacher, this series of classes gives your child the opportunity to grow within their class for an accelerated learning environment. Each class focuses on one specific area of creative learning: Cooking, Painting, Science, and Crafts. Your child will acquire new skills and knowledge all while having fun! These classes require registration and are open only to members.
You and your child (ages 2 - 3 years) can drop into our ceramics studio for a class. Working with wet clay and glaze, you will go through the whole process of ceramics, making works of art as well as functional pieces. This medium helps develop motor skills, coordination and expression using a material that is easy for children to work with. All materials are non-toxic and lead-free, and pieces may be brought home when finished.
This early childhood music class invites children and their parents or caregivers to experience music from around the world. Classes develop musical intelligence through song, rhythmic exercises, instrument play and movement activities. Musical material will come from a wide array of American, European, and African folk traditions and songs will be sung in English, Spanish, French, and African languages. The class will tap into the active and creative abilities of children, encouraging the exploration of sound and movement while fostering confidence in their musical abilities.
Come play with your child in our indoor playground. This fun-filled room features play houses, puppets, and other age-appropriate activities for toddlers. It is a place where children can play and socialize together in a fun and nurturing play space. To maintain a safe and clean environment, we ask parents and caregivers to remain in the room while children are playing and keep cell phone use to a minimum. Ages 6 months to 4 years.
Your child will learn to jump, wiggle, skip and dance to new music and rhythms. Children develop a musical ear, coordination and self-esteem while bopping to the beats. Ages 12 months to 4 years.
Our Muscles gym classes will get kids moving, lifting, jumping and climbing their way to fun! Your children will develop a sense of self-awareness, balance and coordination while learning fun and exciting new skills! Ages 12 months to 4 years.
Our dance studio is open to members Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons! Little toddlers will have the opportunity to explore and practice balance and coordination using our gym equipment and props. Big kids can get their energy out and participate in different games each week such as soccer, basketball and dance. Parents can relax and socialize in this open class environment which means a less rigid weekend schedule!
Your children will be introduced to stretching, warm-up, and beginning tumbling skills through games, obstacle courses, body-movement activities, and one-on-one spot teaching. Please note that this is not a drop-off class - parents and caregivers are required to stay and help their children participate. Ages 12 months to 4 years.
Choose from an extensive collection of bisque ware such as mugs, plates, piggy banks and boxes to paint. We will glaze and fire your pottery so you can take the piece home for the family to enjoy!
The Manhattan Youth Swim School offers small group lessons for children from 3-5 years of age. Classes are taught by highly experienced, certified instructors. Children are placed into classes by age and ability and class size is limited to 3-6 children per instructor (depending on the age and skill level of the swimmers). We offer classes for all swimming levels – from the inexperienced to advanced swimmers.
Early childhood programs provide your child with educational stimulation in a safe environment. This daily educational playgroup gives children the opportunity to gain self-confidence and independence while developing the skills needed for preschool readiness. This class focuses on lessening separation anxiety, friendship-building, socializing, and the routine of a classroom. Registration Required.
Named "Best Music Class 2010” by New York Magazine, songs for seeds is a rockin' music program that encourages children newborn to 5 years to sing, dance and play along with a live, three-piece band. We "travel" to a new country every week, create well-known nursery rhymes through visual art, perform magic tricks to highlight numbers and counting, and spin the animal wheel to reinforce animal names and sounds. By mixing our original kids rock 'n' roll with adult contemporary music, the band is sure to please little ones and their adults. Registration Required. Classes at Manhattan Youth-Downtown Community Center.
Our MY Tennis classes at the Downtown Community Center provide a fun environment that will help participants to establish a base for gross motor and athletic skill development. Instructors will use fun tennis games that not only teach kids how to throw, catch, and track balls, but also educate them on tennis specific rules and skills to help them learn the game. Begins 11/1.
This time with your child will help strengthen specific muscle groups infants need to roll over, sit and crawl. Provided baby friendly toys will establish the perfect encouragement for crawling, reaching and grabbing. Mats provide a soft and sanitary surface for your child to practice crawling. Ages 4-12 Months.