Welcome to the 2024 Macaroni KID Back-to-School Guide! We're rounding up a listing of programs and activities that are being offered by local businesses and organizations this fall. Be sure to check back often as we are adding programs as we receive it each week. Don't forget to share this guide with your friends and let these businesses know that you read about them in Macaroni KID! When you mention us, it helps reinforce to our sponsors that parents turn to Macaroni KID to help plan their family fun during every season of the year.
Would you like your program to be added to this guide? Email meghanf@macaronikid.com.
For more detailed information about each of the programs, just click on its pink title in the Guide below or visit their web site via the Register Now or Learn More buttons!
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Affinity Esports, Newtown
Through our recreational programs, your children are introduced to the world of esports, full of new and emerging career paths, experiential learning, and highly engaging social activities. Each of these programs has been structured to reinforce critical life skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem solving. Through their time with us, we will guide your children to build healthy habits and harness their passion with an extreme commitment to balancing wellness, education, mentality, competition, and socialization. Esports have been linked to powerful outcomes, such as improved social and emotional skills, problem solving, future career viability, and academic performance.
- Dates: Session A runs 9/16- 10/25; Session B runs 11/4 - 12/20
- Ages 7-17 at all skill levels
- Choose from classes in: Gaming & Esports Foundations, Game Creation and Coding, Content Creation and Live Streaming, Pixel Art and Game Design
- NEW! After-school "Study & Play" Program! Get your homework done and then enjoy socializing while playing games!
- Register by Sept. 15th and SAVE 15% with code MACKID15
- Ask about Club Teams, Weekly Game Nights, Birthday Parties and more!
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The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is open Sundays through Friday from 12pm-5pm (closed Tuesdays) and on Saturdays from 10AM-5PM. The Museum is one of the few independent, non-collecting institutions in the country and the only museum in Connecticut solely dedicated to the presentation of contemporary art. Join us this fall for Story Time for Kids: Have You Ever Seen a Flower on Saturday, September 21 from 10:30 to 11:30am, an All Ages Discovery Tour on September 21st at 1PM and September 29th at 2pm and Story Time for Kids: Maybe You Might on Saturday, October 19 from 10:30 to 11:30am. Also, visit the Museum for FREE the third Saturday of every month as part of our Third Saturdays program.
- Dates: Special events on Sept. 21, Sept. 29 and October 19
- Save the Date: Community Day - November 17 (Grand Re-opening of the Sculpture Garden)
- All ages
- Free admission on the third Saturday of every month
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Bach to Rock is THE music school for kids, teens and adults of all ages. We start them young with music, rhythm and motion that supports cognitive development, learning and motor skills. We use an innovative approach to music instruction based on the belief that everyone learns faster playing the music they like, whether it’s rock or Bach, the technical foundation is the same. From Bach to Blue Oyster Cult, from Mozart to Mayer, Cash to Clash and Puccini to Perry (Katy or Steve), Bach to Rock (B2R) offers a wide variety of lessons in all music genres for all ages. We teach guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keyboard, brass, strings, ukulele and even a DJ program. As students progress, we take music education a step further by placing kids and teens in bands and providing performance opportunities with gigs in the local community!
- Dates: Ongoing enrollment
- Ages: 5- Adult
- Individual and group lessons available
- Performance opportunities in the community!
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Brookfield Craft Center’s after-school and homeschool programs offer engaging, hands-on learning experiences that enhance creativity and practical skills. With expert instruction in a safe, supportive environment, your child will enjoy personalized attention and develop problem-solving abilities through creative crafts and art. Our flexible scheduling and small class sizes make it easy to integrate these enriching activities into your child's routine. Enroll today for a valuable educational experience that complements your child's academic growth. Brookfield Craft Center is dedicated to teaching traditional and contemporary craft skills and fostering the appreciation of fine craftsmanship. Our historic 2.5 acre campus is located six miles north of Danbury on the banks of the Still River, with an historic Mill Building as its centerpiece. Our six vintage buildings house eight fully-equipped studios, an exhibition gallery, a retail craft gallery and seasonal gift shop. Dates: Open Tuesday through Sunday; Closed Mondays. Online reservations required.
- September: 6-week Homeschool programs on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays from 10:00am-12:30pm (9/9 - 10/30) in Forge, Modern Craft/3D Modeling, Ceramic and Woodworking Studios
- October: 4-week After-school programs on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30pm (10/8 - 10/30) in Forge, Modern Craft/Digital Illustration, Ceramic, Woodturning, Jewelry, Printmaking and Art Journaling
- Ages: 9-17
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This September 13-14, children, teens and adults are invited to audition for the Nutcracker! This wonderful Danbury tradition has been presented by the Danbury Music Centre for over 50 years. Featuring over 200 dancers, it showcases talented dancers from the greater Danbury area a part of this wonderful holiday tradition -- a fully staged production at Danbury HS with a live symphony orchestra! Also this fall -- Does your child play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass? Danbury Centre Strings provides a strings program that is free for school-aged children! The program is a challenging, exciting, and FUN educational ensemble experience for string players. Children will study standard string repertoire appropriate to their level of playing. They will develop playing technique, listening skills, orchestral technique, and ensemble experience. The Danbury Music Centre, is 501(c)(3), non-profit organization located at 256 Danbury Main Street housed in a beautiful 19th-century building, formerly the public library.
- Nutcracker Auditions will be September 13th & 14th; Performances December 13, 14 & 15. $175 to participate.
- FREE Fall Strings Program for children - Runs September through May!
- Keep an eye out for more classical community music experiences through ensembles and events throughout the year!
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Danceline Bethel is a local dance studio in the heart of Bethel, CT. We offer classes in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater for all ages. We are dedicated to forming well-rounded, knowledgeable, and creative dancers. We offer smaller classes which allows for students to receive individualized time and attention. This creates a more personalized learning environment for each student which better suits their learning needs. Despite our hometown feel, we have the skills, passion, and work ethic to provide training that is comparable to larger dance studios. There is something for everyone this fall at Danceline from ballet, tap and musical theater to jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop!
- Dates: September through January
- Ages: 3-18
- Recital in January for family and friends!
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The museum offers hands-on exhibits and programming to spark imagination in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and math -- great for after-school exploration and enrichment learning. EverWonder also provides field trip style visits for home school groups from Pre-K to 6th grade. The program options work well with various curriculum, particularly those rooted in STEM. This school year, Newtown residents can take advantage of their Early Dismissal program where students ride the bus to EverWonder!
- Fall Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday; Closed Mondays.
- Ages: 0-12
- School field trips & outreach programs are booking through spring 2025 now!
- Early Dismissal program available for Newtown students who can ride the bus from school to EverWonder
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Join us for the Fiddle Song Collection this Fall! You’ll learn twenty-five beloved Music Together songs and activities you can recreate at home. During the chant “Sounds of Fall” your child will be mesmerized as the class expresses the sound and movement of leaves falling and birds chirping and flying. In “Old King Cole” you will don the persona of the King, Queen, Prince, Princess, and Baby as you sing, drum, and fiddle together. In addition to your weekly classes, your tuition includes recordings and materials for you to use at home, online access to the songs through the Music Together app, and a family newsletter full of resources and music-making ideas.
- Dates: Classes begin the week of Sept. 16
- Ages: 0-5
- Location: Outdoor Classes at Brookfield at Town Hall (Thursdays or Fridays)
- Tuition includes a CD and Songbook, access to the Music Together app and Family Music Zone
- Macaroni KID readers save $40 on Fall Classes, including siblings! Just mention Macaroni KID in the comments on the registration form!
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The Regional YMCA has lots of programs for the entire family this fall season including a new, expanded Youth Sports Program for all ages! This fall kids can join Soccer (ages 2-7), Sports Spectacular (ages 4-7) which is intro to soccer, football, t-ball/baseball, field hockey and camp games, Volleyball (ages 7-9) and Tae Kwon Do (All ages). Whether its gaining the confidence that comes with learning a new sport, building the positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, or learning new skills, participating in sports at the Y is about building the whole athlete, inside and out. See the 2024 fall program guide here for more information!
- NEW Youth Sports Programs! Fall 1 Session runs Sept. 3 - Oct. 27; Fall 2 Session Oct. 28 - Dec. 22
- Plus other YMCA program favorites like Aquatics, Health & Wellness, Family Night Events and More!
- All Ages (Children, Teens & Adults)
- School's Out Child Care Program available (based on Brookfield School District Calendar)
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Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool
Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool is a private co-ed day school educating students in Preschool - Grade 8. The Ridgefield Academy community celebrates childhood, pursues excellence, and cultivates kindness. An intellectually inspiring educational program fosters joyful learning and mutual respect. Each student is empowered to rise to their authentic self, preparing confident graduates who shape their future with ingenuity and integrity. With the right balance of challenge, individual attention, and support, students emerge from their RA/LP academic journey with the knowledge and confidence to achieve success in high school and beyond.
- Dates: Ongoing enrollment
- K - Grade 5 Open House: Saturday, October 19th from 9:30-11:30
- Ages: PK - Grade 8
- A broad-based, challenging curriculum enhanced by a wide variety of extracurricular activities in athletics, the arts, and community service.
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Rising Starr Horse Rescue saves, rehabilitates, retrains and rehomes abandoned, neglected or abused horses and educate about at-risk horses and the importance of protecting them. By giving America's horses a second chance at life we give the community the chance to experience the love, patience and compassion horses have for humans. Our Fall Riding Program lessons include ring work, occasional trail riding, ground horsemanship, medical and barn lessons. We have found from experience that students progress further and have more fun in small group lessons with peers although private lessons are also available. New students will receive a free 30-minute evaluation for placement in a class. Lessons run rain or shine. If we cannot ride due to cold, wind, or extenuating weather conditions, unmounted instruction will be given indoors. Come visit us and experience horse ownership and friendship!
- Dates: August 26, 2024 – November 18, 2024 (Due 8/5 - CLOSED 9/2, 9/10-9/15 2024); December 2, 2024 - March 3, 2025 (Due 10/15 - CLOSED 12/23 - 1/5); March 10, 205 - May 26, 2025 (Due 2/15 - CLOSED 5/26, open 6/2)
- Ages 6+; Group and Private lesson options available
- No experience necessary
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Winter Garden Ice Arena is a privately owned, nonexclusive ice arena, open to the entire community. Winter Garden offers recreational skating, figure skating, youth and adult hockey programs, and a host of special events and clinics. We are home to one of the largest youth programs in Connecticut. Our mission is to bring together the finest facilities, programs and people. Winter Garden management appreciates the support from all neighboring towns, and attempts to design programming which is accessible to everyone. Winter Garden Ice Arena offers a progression of programs for every level of skater this fall whether it be a focus on figure skating or hockey.
- Dates: Sept. 7- Nov. 9
- Skating Programs: Ice Mice (ages 3-6) and Learn to Skate (ages 5-Adult)
- Hockey Programs: Rangers Learn to Play (ages 5-10) and Ridgefield Jaguars (ages 4-15; divided by birth year)
- Ages 3+; Group and Private lesson options available
- No experience necessary
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WorkspaceCT was formed by Cooperative Educational Services (CES) and EdAdvance to provide students and educators in western Connecticut with a unique setting to enhance learning and create educational opportunities. WorkspaceCT has 32,000 square feet with a variety of rooms for math, coding and virtual-reality gaming; studios and theater space for creative movement, music, screening, and recording; a science research lab; full commercial kitchen; woodworking workshop; conference center; and a co-working space with individual learning stations. This fall, programs are being offered in the areas of theatre: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Teens), Creative Drama (ages 5-7), Center Stage (ages 8-10), Teen Scenes & Improv (ages 12+), Culinary: Fall Baking, Halloween Cookie Making and more, STEAM: Beginner Sewing, Holiday Crafting and more!
- Dates: After-school enrichment programs run September through November (dates vary)
- Ages: 3+
- Programs for Adults, too!
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE AT OUR LOCAL PARK & RECREATION DEPARTMENTS:
Danbury Youth Sports, Bethel, Ridgefield, Redding, Newtown, New Fairfield, Brookfield, New Milford
List your business here and reach thousands of local parents! Email meghanf@macaronikid.com for Back-to-School Guide pricing information.
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Macaroni Kid Greater Danbury is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in our local area specifically: Danbury, Bethel, Ridgefield, Brookfield, Redding, Newtown, Sandy Hook, New Fairfield, New Milford, Sherman and Bridgewater, CT. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, event and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more.
