Every parent wants to take a class from time to time with the kids.  They help you bond and create together, and allows you to meet other like-minded parents of similarly aged kids, which can be a real sanity saver.  But for working parents, it can be tough to find a class that fits your weekends-only time frame.  These great classes are not only on the weekends, they’re all also drop-in, so you don’t have to lock up every single precious Saturday morning.

                                                                                                           photo credit: lifeizphotography

Wondertree Kids
Wondertree Kids offers drop-in classes that are not only fun but also educational. Their most popular class is Music and Sign, which teaches parents the basics of American Sign Language and encourages babies to start signing at an early age. This class is offered during the week and on the weekends. The class starts for little ones as young as six months and goes up to 20 months. There’s also Music & Movement for kids of all ages. The class incorporates singing, dancing, movement games and instruments. They just ask you call two hours before you plan to go to a class in order to make sure it’s not full. And your first class is free.

710-A Allied Way
El Segundo
Phone: 310-535-000
Online: wondertreekids.com

                                                                                            photo credit: Orit Harpaz

Play
Is your kid in the mood to make a mess? If he or she is a toddler we’re guessing the answer is yes. Well, then Play offers the perfect drop in class for you. It’s a parent-and-child painting class that is actually called Messy Art for kids from toddler-age to five. All materials, as well as smocks for kids and adults, are provided. Play does a great job creating an easy and fun space for parents and their kids to paint together. Your little ones can create a masterpieces and you don’t end up spending the rest of your day wiping paint off your kitchen walls! The cost is $12 per child.  Class is Saturdays from 10:45 a.m.-noon, and it’s also offered at the same time on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, in case you ever play hooky.

5814 West Third St.
Phone: 323-988-1189
Online: play-losangeles.com

photo credit: Lovebug & Me Music

Lovebug & Me Music
These interactive music and movement classes are 45 minutes once a week and are for kids 0-4 years old.  They offer different classes in 8 week blocks, and the topics range from Rainbows and Raindrops to Around the World to bilingual classes in Spanish or Hebrew.  All their classes have an integrated, holistic approach that teaches babies and toddlers alike an appreciation for music while enhancing brain development, listening, communication, reasoning, social, and motor skills.  Whew! LoveBug & Me Music has a drop in option where you can come as often or as little as you like for $25 a class.  Grownups are free, and additional siblings are $10.  Just mention that you’re interested in the drop-in option when you call to reserve a class.

They offer classes at locations all over LA, so you don’t have to drive too far to find the one that’s right for you.  Right now weekend classes are offered at Books & Cookies in Santa Monica, Wallaby in Silverlake and The Cradle Company in Pasadena.  Check the website for times and locations.
Phone: 323-422-7300
Online: lovebugandme.com

                                                                                                                      photo credit: A Magic Forest

A Magic Forest
This Waldorf-inspired play space, toy store and café is a warm and friendly environment for babies and young children. It boasts a cool wood playhouse as well as toys made from wood, wool, silk, cotton, and other natural fibers. Drop-in play is $10 and is offered during the week and after 2 p.m. on the weekends. So here, you don’t have to take a class, you can just play and explore whenever it strikes your fancy, unlike many play spots that close for parties all weekend long.

12512 W. Washington Blvd.
Phone: 310-397-9400
Online: amagicforestculvercity.com

Purple Twig
On Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Purple Twig offers Open Studio where anyone can simply drop in and begin creating. The projects and materials change each month but can range from clay to sculptures to weaving. The cost is $15 per child and you can stay as long as you like. They even suggest bringing a snack or ordering in lunch from a nearby restaurant so you and your kids can spend the whole day creating art and special memories. One of the things we love most about this option is that the art projects are appropriate for all levels, so you can start bringing your kids here weekends in preschool, and continue the tradition all the way through elementary school.

2038 Colorado Blvd.
Phone: 323-254-8944
Online: purpletwig.com

Do you have other tips and tricks for great weekend activities or classes for working parents? We’d love to hear them in the comment section!

—Mia McNiece

Ready? Set? TUMBLE! All kids love gymnastics in some way or another – somersaults on the couch, balancing while walking along the sidewalk curb or hanging from anything that looks slightly like monkey bars. If you have a kid at home who could use an outlet for their energy, check out these spots in Portland that offer gymnastics and tumbling classes for children.

The Children’s Gym
The Children’s Gym has been teaching children to love this sport for over 25 years and there’s a reason why this gym is a Portland staple – they strike the perfect balance between letting the kids go wild and have fun and teaching them the basics to build a gymnastics foundation. Classes begin as young as 12 months and parent-involvement classes are available.

1625 NE Sandy Boulevard, Portland
Phone: 503-249-5867
Online: www.childrensgym.com

Kinetic Gymnastics Center
A gym that truly caters to the entire family, Kinetic Gymnastics Center in Southwest Portland is a great place to come if you have multiple aged kids who would like to take classes. Although they do have competitive teams at Kinetic, the beginning classes are no-pressure and all about having fun. Be sure to check out their open gym schedule as well (there’s even a drop-off option!). Classes begin at age six-months and parent-involvement classes are available.

10058 SW Arctic Drive, Beaverton
Phone: 503-372-9778
Online: www.kineticgc.com

Metro Gymnastics Center
Metro Gymnastics is a favorite for Portland families with little tumblers because their tots program, Mini Movers, is broken down into small age ranges, allowing children to focus on skills that are at their exact level with other children, who are also working on the same skills. They also have an excellent recreational gymnastics program for school-aged kids who want to do gymnastics, but without competing. Classes begin at age 12-months and parent-involvement classes are available.

18084 SW Lower Boones Ferry Road, Tigard
Phone: 503-620-8939
Email: info@metrogymnastics.com
Online: www.metrogymnastics.com

Oregon Gymnastics Academy
Families who are looking for a place to make gymnastics a big part of their lives will find a home at Oregon Gymnastics Academy. Classes build on each other and utilize all of the fun and cutting edge gymnastics equipment at the facility. OGA also offers classes on the weekends, including Sensory Sundays, where children with sensory processing disorders can explore the gym. Classes begin at age 12-months and parent-involvement classes are available.

16305 NW Bethany Court, Beaverton
Phone: 503-531-3409
Email: info@ogagym.org
Online: www.ogagym.org

The Playground Gym
There’s so much to love about The Playground Gym in Portland – they are locally owned and operated, not part of a bigger chain, the focus on both fitness and social skills that are age appropriate for your child, the facility is bright, colorful and clean, and they offer open play sessions six-days a week. And, classes at The Playground Gym are very reasonably priced. Classes begin at age one and parent-involvement classes are available.

505 NE Grand Avenue, Portland
Phone: 503-235-7529
Email: info@theplaygroundgym.com
Online: www.theplaygroundgym.com

Where’s your favorite place in the Portland area for children’s gymnastics and tumbling classes? At what age did you start your little one in programs?

— Katie Kavulla