Youth Activities in Santa Monica for Kids and Families
Youth & Family Programs at the Santa Monica Family YMCA are designed to keep kids and families engaged, create opportunities for bonding, and help expose youth to new hobbies. Whether you are adding enrichment programs to your kids’ extracurricular schedule or you are looking for a way to get them involved in new activities, we are here to serve your family.
Check out our exciting and diverse range of youth programs below! We offer an abundance of options to keep your children engaged, active, and entertained.
If you have any questions regarding our program offerings, please reach out to our Youth & Family Programs Coordiantor, Kayla Blau. Call 310.393.2721 ext 107 or email kayla@ymcasm.org. Thank you!
4-Week Programming
Check out our 4-Week Program offerings. Families may sign up for one month or multiple to enjoy fun and engaging activities for their youth. The Youth & Family Programs Dept releases quarterly activity offerings to provide kids and their families with enriching opportunities year round. Below is an outline of the quarterly sessions!
Fall: September, October, November Winter: January, February, March Spring: April, May, June
Summer: Summer programming is offered a-la-carte to work around families’ busy schedules.
Join us for Little Chefs, a program for 6 – 12 year-olds where kids will make allergen-free, healthy snacks while learning about measuring and healthy foods. Each week, our Little Chefs will make a heat-free snack following a recipe, building their knowledge around basic nutrition, cooking, and applying mathematical concepts in real life while building friendships.
Recipes will include Chia Seed Pudding, Fruit Salad, and Banana Sushi. Recipes are always nut-free to ensure a safe environment for all of our chefs.
Our Little Chefs program will meet 4 times per month on Tuesdays, 3:00pm – 3:45pm, in the Youth Activity Center of the Santa Monica Family YMCA. We look forward to seeing our students find their passion for cooking while building friendships this Fall!
Now enrolling Fall Sessions! $50 for members per session.
Join us for Theatre Club, a program for 6 – 12 year-olds where kids will explore creative expression through theatre skills, role play, and theatrical fames. Michelle, our Performing Arts Instructor, will guide students through a weekly curriculum designed to help students find their voice, stretch outside their comfort zone, and let their silliness shine.
Theatre Club will meet each session for 4 weeks, allowing students to hone their skills and explore creative expression, with each session building upon the last. Theatre Club is entry level with no prior experience, costuming, or props required.
Our actors will meet 4 times per month on Thursdays, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, in the Youth Activity Center of the Santa Monica Family YMCA. We look forward to seeing our students find their theatre while building friendships this Fall!
Now enrolling Fall Sessions! $70 for members per session. $90 for nonmembers per session.
Join us for Art Club, a program for 6 – 12 year-olds where kids will enjoy hand-on activities, bringing their imaginations to life. Led by our Art Instructor, Maddie, students will explore different mediums in single-day and multi-week projects, including clay, painting, fiber art, and more.
Art Club will meet each session for 4 weeks, allowing students to explore creative expression, with each session building upon the last. Theatre Club is entry level with no prior experience, costuming, or props required.
Our actors will meet 4 times per month on Fridays, 4:00pm – 4:45pm, in the Youth Activity Center of the Santa Monica Family YMCA. We look forward to seeing our students build their artistic skills and friendships this Fall!
Now enrolling Fall Sessions! $50 for members per session.
8-Week Programming
Check out our 8-Week Program Offerings. These programs are designed to help youth find their passion, building confidence and skills over the course of the program. All classes will meet in the Youth Activity Center of the Santa Monica Family YMCA.
Join us for Ballet Classes, available for ages 3-5 and 6 – 12 year-olds. Dancers will learn an introduction to Ballet in this entry-level class, including floor and bar work. Our instructors will help students learn new skills, positions, and technique in a fun group environment. The program will finish after 8 weeks with a recital performance for family and friends.
Students are asked to wear ballet slippers or soft-soled shoes, form-fitting clothes, have their hair tied up so they can move through the class with ease, and to bring a water bottle to class.
Dancers 3-5: Thursdays, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Dancers 6-12: Mondays, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Now enrolling Fall Sessions! $80 for members per 8-week session.
Join us for Hip Hop Classes, available for ages 6 – 12 year-olds. Dancers will learn an introduction to Hip Hop in this entry-level class, including choreography and technique. Our instructors will help students learn new skills and technique in a fun group environment. The program will finish after 8 weeks with a recital performance for family and friends.
Students are asked to sneakers, clothes they can be active in, and have their hair tied up so they can move through the class with ease. Students are also asked to bring a water bottle to class.
Wednesdays, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Now enrolling Fall Sessions! $80 for members per 8-week session.
Specialty Programming
Check out the variety of Specialty Program Offerings at the Santa Monica Family YMCA. Whether you are looking for care during a date night, a place to host your next birthday party, or are looking to get more involved in hobbies with your kiddo, the Y has something for you! All activities are hosted in the Youth Activity Center at the Santa Monica YMCA unless otherwise noted.
Enjoy downtown Santa Monica, catch a movie or simply enjoy a quiet night at home and leave the kids with us! Parent’s Night Out offers three hours of safe and supervised fun for your little one(s) so that you can enjoy the evening to yourself.
Kids will participate in games, crafts, face-painting, and so much more, capping the night off with a movie. Bring your own nut-free dinner for your kids to enjoy.
Ages 4* – 12 (*must be potty-trained).
First Friday of every month
5:00PM – 8:00PM
Members: $35 | Non-Members: $45
Make your child’s special day unforgettable with a fun, active party at the Santa Monica Family YMCA! Enjoy a fun, stress-free celebration in a safe and welcoming space for friends and family. We’ll take care of the setup and cleanup — you bring the guests and the good times!
Your 2-hour Birthday Party includes a bounce house, decor, music, and 2 dedicated birthday party hosts. Parties may host up to 20* kids, up to 24 children total (*$15 for every child after 20)
Saturdays
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Members: $480 | Non-Members: $640
To book your party, please visit our Birthday Party page below and submit an inquiry form to check availability!
Swim Starters is a Parent & Child Swim Class for little ones, ages 6 – 30 months (2.5 years). Parents and their little ones will gather as a group in the pool and acclimate our youngest swimmers to the water. Swim Instructors will guide parents through excercises to help your child get comfortable in the water while bonding together. Infants and toddlers must wear swim diapers in the pool.
Ages 6 – 30 months
Sundays
10:00am – 10:30am
Members: $80 | Non-Members: $110
Join us for Music & Movement, a parent and child class focused on helping infants and toddlers discover playful movement to music. Michelle, our Music & Movement Instructor, will lead families through circle time and fun music sequences to get little ones moving and grooving. Parents and guardians must attend and engage in class activities.
Music & Movement is a great opportunity for little ones and their families to socialize with others and build community. We hope to see you this fall!
Parents & Children 1 – 3 years old
Tuesdays, 10:00am – 11:00am
Free program for families with a Family Membership, no registration required!
