Elementary Alameda

Photo by Carissa Rogers

The after-school hours can be a challenge for working parents. Summers stretch long and lazy, too, leaving elementary age kids with hours of time and often not enough activity to fill it. “I’m booooored” is a frequent complaint, especially in the summer months.

Parents raising children in Alameda have a wide range of options for engaging their elementary school child in meaningful, creative and fun activities that will challenge and stimulate their growing minds and bodies. The Alameda Parks and Recreation department offers an afterschool activities program for kids in the first through fifth grades, providing daily snacks, activities, games, arts and crafts, sports and outdoor activities.

Other programs through the Parks department include dance classes, covering everything from ballet to Hula, hip-hop to jazz, fitness including gymnastics and martial arts, music and even chess and sewing classes. There’s truly something for every child in Alameda’s activities for young families.

Sports lovers might want to explore the aikido for children, the aquatic sports program, flag football, basketball, golf, soccer or tennis classes. No matter what your child’s interests, there’s a program offered in Alameda that will keep them engaged and entertained during those long after-school and summer hours.

Weekends don’t have to be boring for families in Alameda. The Crab Cove visitor’s center is open for the kids to explore marine life on the mudflats during low tide, and the Hornet Museum is a great place to spend an afternoon exploring Alameda’s rich history as a naval base. Color Me Mine offers kids a chance to explore their creativity as they paint ceramics, which are then glazed and fired for later pick-up. Nearby Newark offers the Silliman Aquatic Center, an indoor pool and water park that attracts families from all over Alameda. Older kids can swim laps while the little ones enjoy the wading pool and splash park with age-appropriate water slides, fountains and attractions. The lazy river is a great place for kids of all ages to relax and enjoy those wet, rainy days when outdoor activities are curtailed by the weather.

For families who appreciate less-organized activities, Alameda’s hiking trails offer a chance to explore nature and enjoy exercise as a family. The Alameda Walks program gives parents and children a chance to explore the wonders of Alameda’s green spaces. Maps are available so that families can choose trails that are appropriate for their fitness level and the age of their children.

Whether your family prefers boisterous sporting events, quiet walks along peaceful trails or learning new skills and spending time with friends, there’s something for every family in Alameda.