Open Houses and Free Trial Classes for Boston Kids

9/3/14 - By Tara D

We love that there are so many options for enrichment outside of school for our kids. From music to art to robotics, Boston has it all. What we don’t love is how difficult it can be to choose from all those options. We definitely don’t relish the idea of blindly committing to several weeks of a class when we’re not even sure who the instructor is or what our kids will actually be doing in the class. Really, if you can sample ice cream before deciding on a flavor, shouldn’t you be able to try a class before you register? We think so, and luckily, so do the places on this list.  Some are hosting open houses where you can check out programs and meet the instructors, while others offer a free trial class – try before you buy, so to speak. 

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New School of Music
Chamber Music Introduction Workshop: Let's Play Together!
September 6, 2014 from 1:30-3:30pm
25 Lowell Street, Cambridge, MA
617-492-8105 | marketing@newschoolofmusic.org

Give playing music as a group a try at a free Chamber Music Introduction Workshop on September 6, 2014 from 1:30-3:30pm. RSVP by contacting info@newschoolofmusic.org or 617-492-8105. The New School of Music is a community music school located in Cambridge for students of all ages and levels. NSM offers programs in a non-competitive, student centered learning environment from professional musicians with a passion for teaching.

New School of Music offers private and group lessons, master classes, vacation programs, seasonal family events, and faculty and community concerts. Class offerings in the 2014/15 school year include early childhood music & movement classes, beginning piano and violin for children through adults, and musical theater. 


Einstein's Workshop
3D Printerfest / Einstein's Workshop Open House
Saturday, September 6th from 1-5pm
25 Adams Street, Burlington, MA 01803
781-202-5645 | info@einsteinsworkshop.com

3D Printerfest at Einstein's Workshop aims to showcase the exciting 3D printer technology in a family-friendly way, engaging kids, adults, and everyone in between! See examples of 3D prints created by kids, teens, and adults, demonstrations of multiple types of 3D printers, and workshops introducing how to design a 3D-printable object. One lucky participant will win entry into a class in which students will construct their own 3D printer to take home. RSVP here


Jam Time
Free Trial Class
Jam Time Maynard, 86 Powder Mill Road, Maynard, MA 01754 | 978-897-2917
Jam Time Natick, 251 West Central Street, Natick, MA 01776 | 508-651-2917
info@jamtime.com

Jam Time is offering Mommy Poppins readers a free trial class for new Jam Time families.  The offer is valid through October 31, 2014 on any fall 2014 class (excluding Music Together classes) at either Jam Time location and based on space available.   You must call to reserve your space: Just mention that you are a Mommy Poppins reader and that you would like to enroll in a free trial class, specifying which location you would like to take the class.  Class schedules can be found at www.jamtime.com.

Jam Time offers infant and toddler music and movement classes, jammin' science, music together®, and tiny toes ballet. All classes are custom designed for little ones 3 months through 6 years of age. Jam Time also has a drop-in indoor playground for little ones. It features climbing structures, slides, imaginative play houses, ball pit, play tables, and baby soft play area. 


Guard Up! Family Swordsmanship
103 Terrace Hall Ave, Burlington, MA 01803
781-270-4800 | stephen@guardup.com

Guard Up! has an open-ended offer of a free trial class in one of its Fencing, Foam Sword, or Nerf classes for kids. There are also classes for teens and adults, like Stage Combat and Historical Sword Classes. Sign up for a free trial class by calling (781) 270-4800. In addition to its regular class offerings, Guard Up! has vacation week and summer camp programs. 


Heirloom Kitchen
Heirloom Kitchen Kids Cooking Classes
125 Washington Street, Dedham, MA 02026
781-326-4060 | gcoakley@heirloomkitchen.com

Every Tuesday from 4-4:45, Heirloom Kitchen offers a free cooking class for kids (ages 3-9). Register for culinary classes in advance on Heirloom Kitchen's website. Parents get a 10% discount when ordering dinner at the class.


Tony Williams Dance Center
Open House
Saturday, September 6, 2014 from 11am to 3pm
284 Armory St, Jamaica Plain, MA
617-524-4381

Check out the free Open House at the Tony Williams Dance Center to learn more about the studio's classes. Class offerings include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Belly Dancing, Mexican Folk Dance, and Flamenco, and are for ages 3 and up.


The Concord Conservatory of Music
Fall Open House
Saturday, September 6th from 1 - 3 pm
1317 Main St., Concord MA 01742
info@ConcordConservatory.org | 978-369-0010

Visit the Concord Conservatory of Music on Saturday, September 6th for the Fall Open House. Feel what it’s like to play the violin, cello, and other instruments at the Instrument Petting Zoo. Sing and play musical games with your young child in a Music Kids class. Let your elementary-schooler experience the fun of learning piano with friends in a Group Keyboard class. Meet the faculty, who teach everything from percussion to piano, and have performed on every continent except Antarctica. Demonstration classes will be held for the Music Kids program at 1pm and 2pm, and for the Group Keyboard program at 1:30pm and 2:30pm. The Instrument Petting Zoo will run from 1pm to 3pm.


Chai Kidz
JBabies Musical Mommy & Me Open House
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 9:30am to 10:30pm
The Chai Center, 105 Saint Paul St., Brookline MA 02446
617-278-2424 | shifra@chaikidz.com

Chai Kidz has a Musical Mommy & Me with a Jewish twist! The first session of the creative music and movement class is a  free Open House. Classes are for little ones ages 0-3 and their parent/caregiver and meet Wednesdays from 9:15 to 10:15 am.


My Gym of Greater Boston
Various locations and open house times

My Gym is a space with several locations around the Boston area for active tots to tumble, sing, and dance. The gyms in Greater Boston are opening their doors to families at various times from Thursday, September 4 to Sunday, September 7.  Visit the My Gym in Boston, Newton, or Medfield to get a glimpse of My Gym's classes and programs for young children. My Gym is also a great birthday party spot for little ones.


South Shore Conservatory
Family Arts Festival
Hingham: September 6, 2014 10am to 11:30am
South Shore Conservatory, One Conservatory Drive, Hingham MA
Duxbury: September 6, 2014 1:30-3:00pm
Ellison Center for the Arts, 64 St. George St, Duxbury MA

Families can spend time together exploring music, theater and dance at the South Shore Conservatory Family Arts Festival. The morning in Hingham and the afternoon in Duxbury begins with an SSC faculty performance, followed by an open house with a sampler of SSC programs. Families are welcome to tour the facility, meet faculty and staff, and learn more about the broad range of programs offered for children of all ages. 


Photo courtesy of Empow Studios