Your guide to October art classes, family fun, learning, and more

Auditions, art workshops, tutoring, classes – plus lots of information you need to keep kids learning and having fun all year long! Does your child want to go on stage? Do you need to connect with other parents or find a story time? Here’s where to start!

Family fun, learning and more

Physical education lessons at home are offered to children ages 5 to 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Thomas E. Hannah Family YMCA and Mondays and Wednesdays at the Middle Tyger YMCA. From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., participants participate in a fitness class including a warm-up, stretching, basic strength and endurance exercises, and a dynamic warm-up. Each week, students also work on developing sports skills by learning the fundamentals of basketball, soccer, pickleball, volleyball, golf or another sport. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., participants take a guided swimming lesson based on their skills and abilities. For more details and to register, visit spartanburgymca.org/home-school-pe.

BlocHaven Team for ages 6 to 18 practice indoor climbing in a fun and supportive environment where young people develop their strength, resilience and confidence. Coaches cater to all skill levels, with an emphasis on personal growth and a love of the sport. The competition is not obligatory. To learn more, join a no-obligation introductory practice, held on the first and third Friday of each month. To learn more and sign up for an introductory practice, visit blochaven.com/teams.

Well the walkers is offered on October 1, 3, 8, 15, 17, 29 and 31 at the Bon Secours Well-Being Arena. The arena lobby will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone who wants a temperature-controlled space to exercise. Each loop around the concourse is a quarter mile. Well Walkers is a free event with no registration or advance notice required. Free parking for participants is provided in the arena’s VIP parking lot, located off Church Street. For more details, visit bonecoursarena.com.

STRIDESa nonprofit program, provides individualized instruction to children ages 6 to 20 who need to catch up before school starts. Students with disabilities or ESOL are welcome. Virtual teaching is offered. In-person tutoring is available in seven locations. Scholarships are available. For details, call 864-246-9898 or stridestutor.org.

Every step of the waya monthly email newsletter from Greenville First Steps, specifically targets your child’s age and development. The newsletter is completely free. Parents, grandparents and guardians can register as many children as they wish, from birth to 5 years old. Sign up at greenvillefirststeps.org/newsletter and learn more about free programs for parents and educators at greenvillefirststeps.org.

Little Learners Club, available through the Greenville County Library System, is designed specifically for children under age 5 to encourage the development of kindergarten preparatory skills using Palmetto fundamentals. Details are at greenvillelibrary.org/kids/little-learners-club.

Free books – Greenville First Steps has launched a pilot project of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Greenville County. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a preschool literacy program that sends free, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children, ages birth to 5 years old. Currently in Greenville County, children in categories 29690, 29611 and 29669 can enroll at the Imagination Library. Registration is available at ImaginationLibrary.com.

Story times

Story time is at 10 a.m. Thursday at Barnes and Noble in Greenridge. For more details, visit stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2221.

Family story time for birth ages – 5 years old is Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Pendleton and Lander Memorial Libraries, Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Powdersville Library, and Thursday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library in ‘Anderson. Visit andersonlibrary.org.

Storytimes for preschools and toddlers are available at Spartanburg libraries. For more details, visit Spartanburglibraries.org.

Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5, Tuesdays at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the Anderson Main Library. Visit andersonlibrary.org.

Story time for toddlers for ages 18 to 36 months, Wednesdays at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the Anderson Main Library. Visit andersonlibrary.org.

Preschool story times for ages 2 to 5 are offered at the Pickens County Library. Call 864-850-7077 or visit pickenscountylibrarysystem.com.

Arts

Workshops – Audition Series: Monologues are 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 12 and 19 at the Spartanburg Youth Theater. During each workshop, students will participate in a mock audition and receive personalized advice from SYT staff on audition techniques and how to “get that role!” Workshops are open to students in grades 3 to 12. The cost is $55 each. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes at noon on the Wednesday before each workshop so that actors have time to prepare their play before the workshop. Visit Spartanburgyouththeatre.com.

Auditions for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (play) presented by Spartanburg Youth Theater are from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on October 21 or 23 at the Chapman Cultural Center. Auditionees only need to audition on one of the two nights and can arrive at any time during the 2 hour block. SYT welcomes young people from grades 3 to 12 to audition. View audition requirements and information online at spartanburgyouththeatre.com/auditions.

Kimilee Bryant Studio accepts new singing students and piano beginners. Vocal students must be at least 7 years old and able to read. Competition coaching (talent, interview and presentation) is also offered by appointment. Regular students participate in recitals and events throughout the year. Email [email protected] for fees and information.

Art lessons are offered at the Spartanburg Art Museum. For details and registration, visit spartanburgartmuseum.org.

Art lessons for ages 6 and up are offered at A Cut Above Maker Space in Spartanburg. For cost, registration and details, visit acutabovemakerspace.com.

Art lessons are offered at GCCA – Greenville Center for Creative Arts. For more details, visit artcentergreenville.org.

South Carolina Children’s Theater offers courses for grades K-12. For more details, visit scchildrenstheatre.org.

Get involved in music at Lawson Academy of the Arts – Private lessons and group lessons are offered for musicians of all ages and levels, with instruction from Converse University faculty and student teachers. Learn to play the piano or join an ensemble. For details, call 864-596-9022.

Art programs are at TR Makers. Programs include Homeschool, Afterschool Makers Elementary (grades K5 – 5), Afterschool Art School (grades 2 – 6), and more. For cost and registration, visit trmakersco.org.

Musical Adventure Course are at 10 a.m. Monday at the Swamp Rabbit Café. Classes are aimed at pre-K – K but all ages are welcome. The cost is $15 per class ($5 for each additional sibling) and includes coffee and a pastry. For more details and to register, visit @musicadventure on Instagram or email [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Family Classes and Programs for October