Winter 2023-2024 Enrichment Programs

Art Programs

Animal Art Education (1-3 years)

In this art class, students will focus on a different animal each week, learning about what makes them special like where they are from and what they eat. After learning about the animal, students will create an art project inspired by the animal, merging zoology with creating!

Art & the Environment (3-5 years)

Get artsy while saving the planet! You won't believe the treasures we'll create out of often-overlooked household items. We'll also create sculptures from nature as well as introduce different art techniques. Creating art while learning about our environment is the way of the future!

Art with Loose Parts (1-3 years)

Grab your curious creator and get ready to build some skills! This class will teach the importance of problem solving through various materials. It will also be an introduction to 3D art and sculptures through fun projects.

Clay Creations (3-5 years)

This class will encourage your young artist to expand their creativity and explore the world of clay making both practical and decorative art. These projects will encourage each student to bring their creativity to life in 3D! Get ready to mold some magic!

Fashion Design (5-8 years)

Get ready to explore the world of fashion, from creating your own textiles to sewing up cool outfits, you will learn the ins and outs of what's in and what's out. This class will focus on the basics of hand sewing, color, fashion illustration, and textiles. Participants will create outfits for their favorite dolls or stuffed animals, learn to create fun and interesting patterns, and create a fashion portfolio of their dream outfits. Unleash your inner fashionista in this exciting new class.

Little Printmakers (3-5 years)

Join us for Little Printmakers where artists will begin exploring textile arts, printmaking and book binding. This class will allow preschoolers to explore a field of art full of creativity and driven by their interests.

Mixed Media Art (8-12 years)

Mixed Media Art will use various artistic mediums to inspire their vision and imagination. We will explore line, color, texture, shape and pattern through two-dimensional art projects; and develop our three-dimensional senses through sculptures in various materials and styles. This class provides children with inventive art instruction and projects that will bring to life the wonderful world of creative expression.

Mundo de Colores (1-3 years)

Art projects and crafts will help your little one learn simple Spanish words and phrases. With interactive activities and songs included, your child will become more comfortable with the Spanish language. Mundo de Colores promotes development of hand-eye coordination, visual and fine motor skills, sequencing and arranging abilities. While getting messy and creative, young artists will start to become aware of different colors, shapes, shades and textures.

Open Art (members only)

For members only! Enjoy doing arts & crafts without the stress of a weekly commitment! This is a great opportunity to meet new kids and families in the community.

Open Playgroup (members only)

For members only! Join us for playtime in a fun and open setting! This is a great opportunity to meet new kids and families in the community. Mats, toys, books, and music will be available each week at this free program, one of several benefits available to our broader Beacon Hill Community!

Paint & Play (1-3 years)

Join us for a hands-on, messy class letting your child create and play through different types of art! They will interact with other children through dramatic and pretend play by using various textures, materials and mediums. Come ready to explore the world of art!

Painting with the Masters (8-12 years)

This class will combine art techniques with art history while looking at different master artists œuvres d'art (works of art). Explore Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Duchamp, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol as we travel through time while creating our own masterpieces. This is an advanced (8-12 year olds) art class.

Preschool Picasso (3-5 years)

Wade into the art world and its most popular mediums: paint, clay, watercolors and solids. Pre-School Picasso will focus on pre-school related themes, activities and developmental goals. Participants will develop visual and fine motor skills, practice sequencing and arranging, and gain a more detailed awareness of colors, shapes, shades, and textures.

Sensory Art (1-3 years)

Come and explore through various modes of sensory play. Each week we will introduce new materials and activities to help engage our little ones' minds through textures, touch, sight, sound and movement. Sensory play is a wonderful opportunity to play, explore, learn and to create in a fun process-based environment.

Stuffed Animal Art (5-8 years)

This class is for students looking to learn how to create with a needle and thread as well as some basics of knitting with the ultimate goal of creating stuffed animals while gaining skills useful for other crafts too.

Ultimate Craft Workshop (3-5 years)

Join us in creating art projects with weekly fun themes! This interactive class will allow your child to explore new art techniques while creating something unique to bring home. By definition, crafting is creating and making thing by hand, so get ready to get messy and craft with us in the Ultimate Craft Workshop.

Watercolor Wednesday (3-5 years)

Cooking Programs

Art of Cooking (4-8 years)

Whether your child is interested in becoming a head chef or simply creating a delicious snack, the Art of Cooking is a wonderful opportunity to connect your culinary explorer to old favorites and a few new things, too! This class will take place in the art room and develop your child's listening skills, ability to follow directions and work together with others in a fun and creative atmosphere.

Art of Cooking ll (5-9 years)

Whether your child is interested in becoming a head chef or simply creating a delicious snack, the Art of Cooking ll is a wonderful opportunity to connect your culinary explorer to old favorites and a few new things, too! This class will develop your child's listening skills, ability to follow directions and work together with others in a fun and creative atmosphere.

Movie Meals: Art of Cooking ll (5-9 years)

This class is for children looking to use their creativity in the kitchen. With the instructor’s guidance the class will brainstorm ideas from popular movies and kids tv for inspired food. This can taste like Strawberry shortcake Barbie cookies, or blue raspberry Spiderman-smoothies or more!

Advanced Art of Cooking (8-12 years)

Whether your child is interested in becoming a head chef or simply creating a delicious snack, the Art of Cooking is a wonderful opportunity to connect your culinary explorer to old favorites and a few new things, too! This class will develop your child's listening skills, ability to follow directions and work together with others in a fun and creative atmosphere. This class is for ages 8 and up students who love exploring the culinary arts.

Cocinar con Amigos (5-8 years)

Join us in the kitchen for a sizzling class all about the colorful culture and delicious foods of Latin America! While strengthening their Spanish vocabulary, students will learn safe kitchen practices as they create classic dishes that range from familiar to exotic. Please note: this is a drop-off class.

Bake Off (8-12 years)

This class is geared towards older kids who wish to take baking to the next level. Students will bake in this drop-off class to create wonderful bakes and learn how they can improve their skills and techniques in a collaborative experience, with instructor guided lessons, just like they're in a cooking T.V. show!

Junior Bake Off (6-9 years)

This class is geared towards youngers kids who wish to begin baking. Students will bake in this drop-off class to create wonderful bakes and learn how they can improve their skills and techniques in a collaborative experience, with instructor guided lessons, just like they're in a cooking T.V. show!

Movement Programs

Tumble and Cheer (6-10 years)

Join us for our new and exciting class at Hill House! This class will focus on skills for tumbling for cheerleading such as rolls, dive rolls, walkovers, cartwheels, splits and more! In addition to your child learning and improving their tumbling skills, they will have the opportunity to explore new cheers and choreographed dances! Welcoming all skill levels and abilities!

Tumble Time (2-4 years)

If you loved Jumping Jacks Gym but are ready for more, have we got a class for you! Tumble Time is structured for older toddlers and preschoolers to develop basic tumbling, motor and socialization skills and positive personality traits including confidence and self-esteem. Tumble Time activities incorporate coordination, strength, flexibility and balance. Parent/caregivers interact with their child and assist in this class.

Jumping Jacks Gym (1-3 years)

Toddlers will be introduced to a play environment that encourages sharing, basic socialization, discovery, balancing, coordination, tumbling and hanging. Engaging gym and play equipment will aid toddlers in developing gross motor skills and an improved spatial awareness of their bodies as well as a love of physical activity and recreational play. Teacher led songs, games and parachute play will introduce structure, provide routine and promote focus. This class requires adult/parent/caregiver participation to safely partake.

Tuesday 10:15 Thursday 10:15

Wednesday 9:15 Wednesday 10:15 Wednesday 11:15

Vamos a Saltar (1-3 years)

Nurture your child's love of movement with his or her amazing capacity to learn new languages in Jumping Jacks Gym en Espanol. Learn the words for motions and body parts while singing songs and playing games in our amazing play space, all in Spanish.

Musical Theatre and Performance Programs

Pre Storybook Ballet (3-5 years)

Storytelling and pre-ballet instruction combine to create fairy tale-inspired classes full of adventure and fun. Proper classroom etiquette gives children a foundation for learning ballet basics. Join us for one of our most popular Hill House dance classes!

Storybook Ballet (5-7 years)

Musical Theatre and Art Combo (6-10 years)

Explore the art of musical theater, set and costume design! The first part of this class will be spent creating a performance by learning lines and songs, blocking and choreography. Next, participants will travel to the art room, where they'll work to create backdrops, props, and other inspired works of art to complement their theatrical work. This class culminates in a final performance worthy of a Tony Award!

Improv (5-8 years)

Join us for a creative class where your participant can use their energy, have fun, and learn all about Improv! Throughout this class students will explore the improv basics of teamwork, listening, and scene-building through exercises and engaging games! All experience levels are welcome!

Improv ll (8-12 years)

Karate Programs

Kiddie Karate (3-5 years)

Toddler-age children will benefit from exciting experiences with peers, while encouraging motor skill coordination, concentration, and self-confidence as they are introduced to the character and fundamentals of karate. Uniforms can be purchased on the first day of class from the instructor.

Thursday 4:30 Thursday 5:15

Beginner Karate (6-8 years)

Beginner Karate focuses on rule-play and trusting that three basic rules will ensure a safe martial arts experience! Children will learn the most basic dojo(training hall) etiquette: how to bow and how to listen with their eyes. Attentive practice will keep students aware of their surroundings and fellow students as they begin to learn the basics of sparring in relation to defending themselves. Raising their hand to speak, or demonstrating the Statue of Liberty, gives them a lot of power and a voice in the class.

Thursday 6:00

Intermediate Karate (8-12 years)

At this level, with some practice under their belt, students know that the rules are in place to protect them. Respect has taught them caution. Participants understand eye-contact as a method of communication. At this level, students will continue to practice sparring and the benefits of self-defense as they begin to earn stripes and different color belts and practice goal-setting and obtainment.

Thursday 6:45

Fencing Programs

Beginner Epee Fencing (5-12 years)

Participants will be introduced to the rules of the sport, the parts of the equipment, how to hold and the on-guard stance. Instructors will demonstrate basic footwork, the target area, basic attacks and preparations for attacks and defenses. Our weekly meetings will include practicing each of these introductory techniques. The beginner course touches upon common technical fencing terms such as piste, parry, riposte, etc. Safety in fencing is emphasized throughout the course. After taking a year of fencing at the beginner level, students will be considered for the intermediate level.

Intermediate Epee Fencing (5-12 years)

Advanced Epee Fencing (5-12 years)

This program builds upon all beginner instruction, and are most valuable when taken after the completion of one year of Beginner Fencing. Safety and sportsmanship, as always, are emphasized throughout the program. Compound attacks and technical terms associated with more advanced fencing moves will be introduced as students develop technique and understanding of the sport. If time allows, members of the class will participate in bouting: practicing with electrical fencing equipment. This practice will allow fellow students to learn score-keeping and refereeing. If students consistently continue with this program, they will have the chance to compete in a fencing tournament that follows the US Fencing guidelines.

Music Programs

Little Groove Music (0-5 years)

Hill House Presents Little Groove Music - Best of Boston 2022! Little Groove music classes are designed to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers learn and interact through sound, sight and touch in a live music setting. All Little Groove teachers are professionally trained performing/teaching artists. Every song in the little groove curriculum has a learning objective so children can reach important developmental milestones. Children use real instruments such as drums, shakers and tambourines. Children also interact with puppets, bubbles, balls, building blocks, colored scarves and one large parachute! All music participants can download an instructional book along with two music albums, so parents and caregivers can continue the activities at home. Classes are 40 min long.

Please note: for this class it is required to purchase your own music kit to participate in this class.

Friday 9:30 Friday 10:15 Friday 11:00

ABC Spanish in Motion (0-5 years)

This is a fun and interactive class where parents, caregivers and educators sit with their children to explore the Spanish-language, music, and Latin-American culture. This class is perfect for parents with multiple children of varying ages. Children are exposed to Spanish through songs that create an environment that allows for a long periods of listening and exposure, coupled with call-and-response interactivity requiring physical movement. Parents receive a copy of our own music heard in class to enjoy in the car and at home.

Games, songs, books, sign language, puppets, parachutes and toys of class cultivate curiosity and will stimulate children in rewarding ways. This language adventure can take them for a ride on a train (parachute) through the countries of the Americas, or simply popping burbujas (bubbles) in the bath top with patos (ducks) and ranas (frogs). If your child likes jumping, dancing, and singing this is the perfect class!

Intro to Songwriting (7-12 years)

In this class your child will learn how to express themselves through songwriting, while developing an understanding of song lyrics, arrangement, and music theory. We will explore our creativity individually and as a group through fun weekly writing prompts, musical guest artist visits, and finally in recording a Hill House Album with a selection of our songs! Students must be able to read and write.

There are no prior music or instrument requirements for this class.

STEM Programs

Minecraft Architecture (7-11 years)

Minecraft is more than just a game, it is a creative tool that allows players to create and experience feats of engineering, amazing structures, and epic works of art. Tour the Parthenon! Be awed by Notre Dame's beauty! Will you be fooled by the false tomb or find the real one in the Taj Mahal? With an inspired mind, design and build a Wonder of the World. Working together, students learn the meaning of good digital citizenship.

This class must meet the minimum of 8 students registered to meet. The class will be refunded before the first class if it does not meet the minimum of 8.

LEGO Junior Engineers (5-8 years)

New to LEGO robotics? Then this is the class for you! Students investigate motorized LEGO models and learn about gears, belts, and motors. After building each model, students solve challenges that exercise their creativity and problem solving skills in addition to improving their understanding of how machines work!

This class must meet the minimum of 8 students registered to meet. The class will be refunded before the first class if it does not meet the minimum of 8.

Learning Robotics with LEGO (6-8 years)

Take LEGO robotics to the next level! Students learn how to build simple machines with motorized parts such as winches, pulleys, drive trains, and more! Add sensors and program your creations to respond to their environment. Students work together to design a machine to meet the challenge of the day! No previous LEGO experience required. This class must meet the minimum of 8 students registered to meet. The class will be refunded before the first class if it does not meet the minimum of 8.

Buildwave

Want to foster your child's interest in STEM, while igniting their creative spark at the same time? Buildwave is a creative building program that feels like a video game! Over the course of the workshop students create with over a dozen different building materials, including Lego®, PlusPlus®, and custom-made Buildwave materials.

Buildwave workshops are structured like a video game, with an audiovisual setup featuring animations and music that guide students through the different building waves. As your child creates with wave after wave of new objects, they build creative confidence, become better collaborators, and encounter design and engineering fundamentals in a unique and memorable context.

Science Experiment Explorers (3-5 years)

Start your curious scientist with this exploration into STEM experiments. Students will get to learn how clouds are formed and watch a rainstorm in a bottle! Get the chance to see what happens when vinegar and baking soda combine and discuss density as we see which objects sink or float and delight as colors dance as they pass through a prism. Look forward to getting your hands messy as we explore STEM!

Storybook Science (3-5 years)

Begin your child's exploration into STEM through a fun, creative story based exploration of engineering and much more. Solve problems and test out ?what ifs? from your favorite stories! With different stories and age appropriate tasks each week your little one will be amazed what they can achieve.

Chess Programs

Beginner Chess Club (6-8 years)

This class is an introduction to the rules and general play of the game of chess. Participants will learn basics and fundamental strategies. Level dependent, they will have the chance to play games against other students. By the end of the semester, players will have the knowledge to fully enjoy the game of chess!

Advanced Chess Club (7-12 years)

Interested in all of our enrichment program offerings?

Visit our programs page to see all of our classes!

Hill House | Winter 2023-2024