Beacon is filled with opportunities for kids and families to attend a variety of classes, from Mommy and Me, to drop-off art classes, to various Vacation Camps. This Kids Classes Guide has been developed with Beacon families in mind; it's for people who attend classes in town as well as anyone who drives to neighboring areas for popular programs. We highlight Guide Updates on the blog in different articles and keep this list updated throughout the year. To be connected with A Little Beacon Blog on all updates, be sure you are subscribed to our free newsletter!
Is your amazing class or business not on this list? If you have a class or workshop you'd like to submit for consideration, please submit it to editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. To enhance your listing with pictures and to get it featured in our weekend newsletter, click here for details.
I LOVE that you guys keep lists of classes/lessons for kids. I’ve used it for years and am thankful for the work you put in keeping it current!
- Krista Cone
Last updated: 7/31/2024
RECURRING THINGS TO DO WITH THE KIDS
This at-a-glance section highlights events from the listings below that happen on the same day each week. This roundup this an at-a-glance of things to do or recurring classes to take that are drop-in style and do not require long term registration. See below in this Kids Classes Guide for more details about these classes, provided in their official listing below in the appropriate category.
Saturdays
Open Barn at Stony Kill -
11 am to 1 pm
Go visit the animals, chat with our volunteer barn guides, and check out the historic barn! It's one of our favorite times of year: lambing season. Stop by to meet baby Bruno and see who else might arrive any minute!
SUNDAYS
Beacon Flea, 8 am to 3 pm
(April - November, Fair Weather Only)
Beacon Farmers' Market,
10 am to 3pm
Open Barn at Stony Kill -
11 am to 1 pm
Go visit the animals, chat with our volunteer barn guides, and check out the historic barn! It's one of our favorite times of year: lambing season. Stop by to meet baby Bruno and see who else might arrive any minute!
SPECIAL HOLIDAY SCHOOL'S OUT CLASSES - ONE TIME ONLY
ALL SPORT - 17 Old Main St., Fishkill, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
ACTING/PERFORMING ARTS
SERIOUS. COMEDY THEATRE - 20 Kent Street Room 110, Beacon, NY
After-School Programs
BEACON RECREATION CENTER - Within Beacon’s elementary schools for South Avenue, Sargent, and J.V. Forrestal.
KUMON BEACON - 296 Main Street, Beacon, NY
STONY KILL - Route 9D, Wappingers Falls, NY
COMMON GROUND FARM - 79 Farmstead Ln, Wappingers Falls, NY
CARE FOR ME - 143 Matteawan Road, Beacon, NY
BEACON HEBREW ALLIANCE - 331 Verplank Ave, Beacon, NY
BCAP (Be as Creative As Possible) - 20 W Main Street, Beacon, NY
ROSE HILL MANOR DAY SCHOOL - 1064 Wolcott Ave, Beacon, NY
ART
On Thursdays for three weeks in May and June of 2024, children can have a fun art-filled afternoon at the Beacon Recreation Center. Led by an experienced teaching artist, these sessions will explore diverse art-making techniques and methods. There will even be transportation option from Rombout Middle School to the recreation center.
Learn More >
Childcare Options For Older Kids
BEACON PARKS AND RECREATION AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Held inside the Elementary Schools for South Ave, J.V. Forrestal, and Sargent.
This program offers more than just child care; the program offers exposure to many different activities. Some activities may be familiar, while some might be new to you and your child. It is our goal to provide a safe and fun recreational experience to all participating children while providing opportunity for enrichment. Each day, the children are dismissed from their classroom to the gymnasium, where they have about 30 minutes of free play followed by a snack. Children select their activities each day. From 4 to 4:50 is the first activity period, followed by a second 50-minute activity period. Scheduled activities are complete by 5:45. Parents are welcome to pick their child up any time prior to 6 pm.
ROSE HILL MANOR DAY SCHOOL - 1064 Wolcott Ave, Beacon, NY
Baby/Infant Classes
YANARELLA - 312 Main Street, Beacon, NY
COMPASS ARTS - 395 Main Street, Beacon, NY
WEE PLAY PROJECT - Howland Public Library, 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
Art & Craft Classes for Kids
BEACON ART ADVENTURES - Howland Cultural Center 477 Main St., Beacon, NY
CREATESPACE BEACON - 145 Main St, Beacon NY
DIA: BEACON - 3 Beekman St Beacon, NY
EAT PAINT LOVE - 331 Main St, Beacon, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
After Hours Teen Night
Day: August 9, 2024
Time: 6:30-7:30
Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
For teens entering grades 5-12. These evenings will have something for everyone, including arts and crafts, board and card games, video games, taste tests, trivia, contests, prizes, and more. It's a great way to hang out with friends without spending money. Participating in the Teen Summer Reading Club? Bring a friend and earn an extra raffle ticket. We'll provide supplies, snacks, and fun. Come hang out and make the most of your summer evenings! Please register online to ensure we have enough food and supplies for everyone.
Information >
STONY KILL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER - 75 Farmstead Lane Wappingers Falls, NY
HUDSON VALLEY YOUNG PAINTERS - Sebatos Studio, 6 Stewart Ave, Beacon, NY
GARRISON ART CENTER - 23 Garrison's Landing, Garrison, NY
HUDSON VALLEY MOCA - 1701 Main St, Peekskill, NY
MID-HUDSON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM - 75 North Water St, Poughkeepsie, NY
Autism Activities
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
Babysitting
ALL SPORT - 17 Old Main St., Fishkill, NY
BEACON RECREATION - 23 W Center St, Beacon, NY
FISHKILL RECREATION - 792 Route 52, Fishkill, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
Ballet/Dance Classes for Kids
YANARELLA - 312 Main Street, Beacon, NY
BALLET ARTS STUDIO - 107 Teller Avenue, Beacon, NY
COMPASS ARTS - 395 Main St., Beacon, NY
BEACON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - 327B Main St, Beacon, NY
YANARELLA SCHOOL OF DANCE - 312 Main St., Beacon, NY
Baseball
BASKETBALL
Beacon Hoops - Beacon Recreation, 23 West Center St, Beacon, NY
Summer Basketball League 2024
Developmental and Instructional Summer Youth Basketball League for youth ages 6 to 18.
Information >
FISHKILL RECREATION - 792 Route 52, Fishkill, NY
PLAYMAKER U - 211 Fishkill Ave, Beacon, NY
After-School Shooting Clinic
Dates: Monday-Friday
Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm
Location: 211 Fishkill Ave, Beacon, NY
Coach: Ken Dawson
Enhance shooting, develop creative moves to the basket, and much more
Information >
Bilingual
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
Books/Reading/Writing
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
BINNACLE BOOKS - 321 Main St, Beacon, NY
COMPASS ARTS - 395 Main St., Beacon, NY
Computers
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
COMMUNITY
BEACON RECREATION CENTER - 23 West Center St., Beacon, NY
Cooking
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
THE CHOCOLATE STUDIO - 496 Main St, Beacon, NY
STONY KILL FARM - 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY
THE CAKERY - 1004 Main St, Fishkill, NY
MID-HUDSON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM - 75 North Water St, Poughkeepsie, NY
CrossFit Classes for Kids
LOCOMOTIVE CROSSFIT - 115 Old Route 9, Fishkill, NY
EMPOWERMENT
BEACON RECREATION CENTER - 23 West Center St., Beacon, NY
Defensive Driving
Antalek & Moore Insurance - 340 Main St, Beacon, NY
Defensive Driving Course
Day: Check back soon!
Fencing Classes for Kids
FISHKILL RECREATION - 792 Route 52, Fishkill, NY
Filmmaking
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
BEACON RECREATION CENTER - 23 West Center St., Beacon, NY
Football
Gaming
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
Group Discussions
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
Gymnastics & Tumbling
ALL SPORT - 17 Old Main St., Fishkill, NY
DUTCHESS GYMNASTICS - 986 Main St., Fishkill, NY
Parent & Tot
Preschool (Age 3-5)
Recreational (Age 5-11)
Pre-Team (Invitation Only)
High School Girls
Tumbling
YANARELLA SCHOOL OF DANCE - 312 Main St., Beacon, NY
Tumbling (Acrobatics) (Age 5+)
Health/Wellness
CREATESPACE BEACON - 145 Main St, Beacon NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
Home School
COMPASS ARTS - 395 Main St., Beacon, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
STONY KILL FARM - 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY
Ice Skating
MCCANN ICE ARENA - Mid-Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY
ICE TIME SPORTS - 21 Lakeside Rd, Newburgh, NY
Language Classes for Kids
COMPASS ARTS - 395 Main St., Beacon, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
Lifeguard Training
ALL SPORT HEALTH & FITNESS - 17 Old Main St, Fishkill, NY
BEACON RECREATION CENTER - 23 West Center St., Beacon, NY
Beacon's Lifeguard Certification Course
Date: August 19 - August 23
Time: 9am - 1:30pm
Location: University Settlement Camp Pool 5 Camp Loop Road, Beacon, NY 12508
Information >
Martial Arts/TAI CHI Classes for Kids
ALL SPORT - 17 Old Main St., Fishkill, NY
EVOLUTION GRAPPLING ACADEMY - 395 Main St., Beacon, NY
FUNCTIONAL ALTERNATIVE - 508 Main St, Beacon, NY
FISHKILL RECREATION - 792 Route 52, Fishkill, NY
HUDSON VALLEY’S BEST - 249 Main St. Beacon, NY 12508
JUST FOR KICKS - 982 Main St., Fishkill, NY
Kids Martial Arts
After-School Program
UNITED MARTIAL ARTS CENTERS - 1054 Main St., Fishkill, NY
Kids Martial Arts
After-School Martial Arts
Family Martial Arts
Music Classes for Kids
BEACON MUSIC FACTORY - 333 Fishkill Ave, Beacon, NY
BEACON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - 327B Main St, Beacon, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
COMPASS ARTS - 395 Main St., Beacon, NY
HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER - 477 Main St, Beacon, NY
MUSIC TOGETHER WITH ALEXIA - Create Community, 11 Peekskill Rd., Cold Spring, NY 10516
JULIANA'S MUSIC BOX - Fishkill Recreation Center, 793 Route 52, Fishkill, NY
Nature & Outdoors
BEACON INSTITUTE GALLERY - 199 Main St, Beacon, NY
BEACON INSTITUTE - Water Ecology Center @ Dennings Point, 199 Denning’s Ave, Beacon, NY
Garden Time with Land to Learn
Days: Every Wednesday
Time: 10:30am-11:30am
Location: Green Teen Garden at the Rec Center
Information >
TINKERGARTEN - Long Dock Park, Beacon, NY
STONY KILL FARM - 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY
HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER - 477 Main St, Beacon, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
MID-HUDSON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM - 75 North Water St, Poughkeepsie, NY
BOSCOBEL HOUSE & GARDENS - 1601 Route 9D, Garrison, NY
Open Gym for Toddlers and Kids
BEACON RECREATION CENTER - 23 West Center St., Beacon, NY
FISHKILL RECREATION - 792 Route 52, Fishkill, NY
Parent/Kid night Out
List your Parents Night Out here!
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
ALL SPORT - 17 Old Main St., Fishkill, NY
Police Academy
Racquetball Classes for Kids
Reading Classes for Toddlers, Kids, and teens
BINNACLE BOOKS - 321 Main St, Beacon, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
Reading To Dogs
Day: August 6, 2024
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
Reading to Dogs helps children build confidence in reading. Pre-readers can also practice narrative skills by talking about book pictures. Please register only one child per 15-minute session. For ages 3-12 with caregiver.
Information >
Cryptid Club
Day: August 7, 2024
Time: 4-4:45pm
Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
Join our Cryptid Club to explore the world's most mysterious creatures from myth and urban legend. Learn about Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and more. Will you be a believer?
Information >
Rowing
Science / Technology Classes for Kids
COMMON GROUND FARM - 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
MID-HUDSON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM - 75 North Water St, Poughkeepsie, NY
SENSORY
Sewing
BEETLE & FRED - 171 Main St, Beacon, NY
Skiing & Snowboarding
SKATING
BEACON RECREATION - 23 West Center St., Beacon, NY
Soccer Classes for Kids
BEACON SOCCER CLUB - PO Box 802, Beacon, NY
Beacon Soccer Signup 2024/2025
Information >
Softball
BEACON GIRLS SOFTBALL - Rombout Middle School Gym
SPecial Needs/Education
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
Swimming Classes for Kids
BEACON RECREATION - 23 West Center St.
The Beacon Pool Open Swim
Summer 2024 Days: July 1 – September 1
Times:
Monday - Friday: 1:15pm-3:15pm (Session 1)
Monday - Friday: 3:30pm-6pm (Session 2)
Saturday - Sunday: 11am-1pm (Session 1)
Saturday - Sunday: 1:15pm-3:15pm (Session 2)
Saturday - Sunday: 3:30pm-6pm (Session 3)
Click here for ages, pricing, and more information >
technology
THE GROWING STEMS FOUNDATION - 260 Mill St., Poughkeepsie, NY
Tennis
ALL SPORT - 17 Old Main St., Fishkill, NY
Summer Tennis Clinic 2024
Two sessions: August 8/5 – 8/9 and August 8/12 – 8/16
Times: High School Clinic 8:30am to 10:30am & Junior clinic 10:30am to 12:30pm
Location: BCSD Highschool Tennis Courts
Information >
Theater/Acting Classes for Kids
STUDIO B / 4TH WALL PRODUCTIONS - The Beacon Theatre, 445 Main St., Beacon, NY
BEACON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - 327B Main St, Beacon, NY
COMPASS ARTS - 395 Main St., Beacon, NY
HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY - 313 Main St, Beacon, NY
TUMBLING
YANARELLA - 312 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Yoga Classes for Kids
BEBHAKTI YOGA CENTER - 89 Dewindt St, Beacon, NY
