Best After-School Program
Lyceum Village
Sometimes parents don’t have the time to drive students to all their extracurricular activities. However, at Lyceum Village students get the chance to do their homework and other exciting extracurricular activities that they enjoy all in one place. Whether it be activities that help students excel in their music practice, math drills or sports training, students get to do it all in one place. Students from kindergarten all the way to eighth grade can take part in Lyceum Village’s after-school programs.
lyceumvillage.org | Tustin
Best Competitive Gymnastics Class
Olympica Gymnastics
Family-owned and -operated Olympica Gymnastics provides a 16,000-square-foot facility for toddlers to teens to excel and learn the joys of gymnastics. Equipped with the most modern safety equipment, parents can let their kids enjoy the freedom and creativity of gymnastics. The center prides itself on their attention to each gymnast and the individual care given, regardless of their age or skill level.
olympicagymnastics.com | Laguna Hills
Best Dance Studio for Children
Avanti Dance Company
Avanti Dance Company prides itself on its multifaceted programs that range from hip-hop to musical theater to tumbling and acrobatics. No matter what your schedule is, dancers can choose from preschool, home school, traditional day and night programs, master classes, and summer camps. The dance company even has a comfortable parent lounge where parents can come and watch their kids learn the joy of dance.
avantidancecompany.com | Costa Mesa
Best Horseback Riding Facility
Irvine Regional Park’s Country Trails and Riding School
Irvine Regional Park’s Country Trails and Riding School is home to nearly 30 seasoned lesson and trail horses. And those horses are ready to take you and your family on guided trail rides or riding lessons. This is the 15th time Parenting OC readers have named it best riding facility.
ctriding.com | Orange
Best Kids Yoga Studio
Fit First Youth Fitness Training
The founder of Fit First Youth Fitness Training, Coach Adam Krell, is a NASM-certified trainer who is also a certified teacher with years of experience in child development. With technology and media playing a bigger role in children’s lives, Krell set out to help children find a healthy youth-focused fitness program. The program focuses on beneficial ways for kids ages 1 to 15 to learn to manage their stress and emotions, develop perseverance and goal setting, and become responsible for their health.
fitfirstfamily.com | Irvine and Newport Beach
Best Language Program
LangoKids Irvine
As the only After School Spanish Immersion Program in Irvine that offers Spanish classes as well as summer and winter camps, LangoKids prides itself on encouraging students from every background to learn a new language. Kids from ages 2 to 9 years old can participate in these camps and classes, and kids over 10 are assessed for higher-level classes. LangoKids instructors have years of experience to help young kids flourish in language learning.
langokidsirvine.com | Irvine
Best Martial Arts Class
Team Kwon Tae Kwon Do
Once again Team Kwon Tae Kwon Do claims the title for Best Martial Arts Class. The programs, led by World Tae Kwon Do Federation-certified instructors, will teach your child about setting goals, gaining strength and building character. They also offer special themed camps during summer break and even host private birthday parties.
teamkwon.com | Brea and Orange
Best Swim Class
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
When COVID-19 hit, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools created a thoughtful and flexible policy for their programs and classes. These programs are offered year-round, and instructors pride themselves on the attention they pay to each young swimmer. Because of this attention and care, Aqua-Tots is a fan favorite for parents with young kids wanting to get into the pool.
aqua-tots.com | Multiple Locations
Best Theatre Class
Creative Kids Playhouse Children’s Theatre of Orange County
Founded in 2011, founders Elizabeth Ramirez and Michele Sheehy-Bowren set out to create an exciting and encouraging environment for young kids to experience the joys of performing with a group of young actors. Offering a variety of programs online and in the theater, kids get the chance to perform in two-act productions, one-act musicals, workshops, and summer camps and classes.
creativekidsplayhouse.com | Mission Viejo
Best Special Needs Activity
The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding
The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding’s Summer Horse Camp is an integrated day camp for kids with and without special needs. Each camp is a five-day introduction to horseback riding in a safe, controlled setting. It is a chance to learn how to appreciate and care for horses and provides an opportunity to meet and interact with other kids, some with special needs.
sheacenter.org | San Juan Capistrano
Editor’s Choice
Best Acting Classes
South Coast Repertory
South Coast Repertory offers 10-week acting classes in a warm and welcoming setting, where students gain a deeper understanding of acting and the artistic process, and learn valuable life skills through teamwork, communication and discipline. Skills are built progressively and students study with their own age groups.
scr.org | Costa Mesa
By Sarah Mosqueda, Diana Jarrah and Jessica Peralta
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