From art to indoor skiing, these new options on the after-school activity scene will keep your kids active and engaged after the bell rings.
On the Eastside
The Art Room PDX
Kids are free to explore their creativity in a chill environment at The Art Room’s after-school art club, Club Create. The sessions are completely child-led with materials and light guidance provided. Three different one-day-a-week sessions available for $360 a semester each, with sessions going from 3:30-5 pm. Early walking pick up from Rose City Park Elementary at 2:30 pm is available, as are sibling discounts. 5212 NE Sacramento St.
The Hangout PDX
If your kid loves having a choice of art projects whether it’s making a comic book, painting, or filming a stop-motion animated movie, The Hang Out will keep them busy and happy after school. Teachers also provide art lessons that challenge kids to explore new art concepts. The Hang Out provides walking pick up from Glencoe and Sunnyside Environmental Elementary Schools and complimentary bus transportation from Richmond, Le Monde French Immersion and Atkinson Elementary Schools. Students from all other schools are welcome, but must provide their own transportation. Rates start from one day a week (2:30-6 pm) for $211 a month to five days a week for $765 a month. 4707 SE Belmont St. and 4011 SE Belmont St.
Kidokinetics of Southeast Portland
Kids bursting with energy will love trying out a wide variety of sports in a fun, noncompetitive environment with Kidokinetics of Southeast Portland (pictured above). In addition to camps and weekend classes, this fall the company will offer after-school enrichment one day a week ($89 a month) at Troutdale and Riverdale Elementary Schools, plus a kindergarten class with City of Tualatin Parks & Recreation. Check their website as more options are finalized closer to the start of the school year.
The Paladins League
If you want your kid’s after-school time to focus on connection, teamwork and imagination, take a look at the board game-centered offerings from The Paladins League (pictured right). Each club runs one day a week for two hours, September to December. Choices include a Cooperative Board Game League for third to fifth graders, Worldbuilders Club for sixth to eighth graders; and Dungeons & Dragons for fourth to eighth graders. Check website for price. 4765 NE Fremont St.
On the Westside
Empire Skatepark
Kids can not only skate, scooter, roller blade or bike at Empire Skatepark’s after-school sessions, they’ll also learn a bit about the history of their chosen sports as well. Sessions run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 pm. Parents can pay by day ($39), week ($59), or up front for the full 10-week session ($469). 5439 NE Century Blvd., Hillsboro
PTO Ski & Snowboard
If your kid would rather hit the slopes than do anything else, the after-school enrichment at PTO Ski & Snowboard will be a perfect fit. This indoor ski and snowboard training facility (how cool is that?!) offers 60-minute sessions one day a week for eight weeks in the fall for $400. You can choose from sessions starting at 3:30 pm, 4:45 pm or 6 pm. 5639 SW Arctic Dr., Beaverton
Whimsy Wees Art Studio
Student artists get to explore watercolors, oil pastels, line drawing, acrylic paint, collage, modeling clay and building with recyclable items at Whimsy Wees, which provides two types of after-school enrichment. The fall session of its after-school art classes start on September 22 in its Bethany studio. There are two sessions of 75-minute art classes, one starting at 3:30 pm and another at 5 pm, $30 per class. There’s also a drop-in option available. And Whimsy Wees also offers enrichment classes held once a week onsite at select westside schools starting in October ($250 for 10 weeks): Bonnyslope, Findley, Springville, Bethany, Oak Hills, Terra Linda, Sato, Cooper Mountain and Forest Park Elementary Schools.