Long Beach kids are back in school this week across the city’s 85 campuses. This year the City will implement optional full-day kindergarten classes. For parents who need more time before they take their kids home (be it because they’re still at work or simply need some free time), the city offers a slew of after school programs for children ages 5 to 12 at over 20 parks from Monday through Friday. There are also a number of nonprofits and educational companies who offer services for children ranging from tutoring to art workshops.
For Differently Abled Children: The nonprofit AbilityFirst offers an afterschool program geared towards youth with developmental disabilities at its Long Beach location at 3770 E Willow St. Students will focus on learning basic life skills such as preparing snacks and personal care, language skills, technology and body language, socialization skills such as respecting personal space, taking turns and making friends and healthy living skills like swimming, healthy eating and portion control. This program costs $11.80 an hour. Pick up time is at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (562) 426-6161 for more information.
Fall Afterschool Program: The Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach will be hosting an afterschool program for youth ages 6 to 18, for a membership cost of $15 per child for the fall season at three of its locations: Dean A. Eastman/Fairfield Club, 700 E. Del Amo Blvd.; Freeman E. Fairfield/Westside Center, 1835 W. Willard St; and John C. & Alice Wallace/Petrolane Center, 1920 Lemon Ave. For more information, email karic@bgclublb.org or call (562) 595-5945.
After School Tutoring: Children over the ages of 3 can get help with math and reading at the Kumon Center at 4151 Long Beach Blvd. Costs can range from $90 to $180. For more information, email angeregisespinoza@ikumon.com or call (562) 424-3595.
Afterschool Art Workshops: This 12-week program beginning Sept. 7 takes place each Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Craft + Light Studio (5614 East 2nd St.). Students will learn about painting, drawing, mosaics and more. Artistic science projects will also be included in the program, such as soap and candle making. Registration for this program costs $325 per child.
City of Long Beach Afterschool Program: The Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine has organized multiple free after school programs for youth between the ages of 5 and 12 years old at various parks throughout the city. The programs will include homework help, games, arts and crafts, cooking lessons and more. The program locations, times and phone numbers are as follows:
- Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1601
- Coolidge Park, 352 Neece Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1625
- Houghton Park, 6201 Myrtle Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1640
- McBride Park, 1550 MLK Park, Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1605
- Ramona Park, 3301 E 65th St., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1665
- Silverado Park, 1545 W 31st St., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1675
- Veterans Park, 101 E 28th St., Monday – Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., (562) 570-1695
- Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-3390
- Drake Park, 951 Maine Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1625
- MacArthur Park, 1321 Anaheim St., Monday – Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., (562) 570-1655
- Orizaba Park, 2935 E Spaulding, Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1427
- Scherer Park, 4600 Long Beach Blvd., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1674
- Somerset Park, 1500 E Carson St., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1690
- Wardlow Park, 3457 Stanbridge Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-1705
- College Estates Park, 808 Stevely Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-3225
- El Dorado West Park, 2800 Studebaker Rd., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-3225
- MLK Jr Park, 1950 Lemon Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 570-4405
- Pan American Park, 5157 Centralia St., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., (562) 570-3297
- Seaside Park, 1401 Chestnut Ave., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 572-5126
- Stearns Champions Park, 4520 E 23rd St., Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., (562) 440-2867
- Whaley Park, 5620 Atherton St., Monday – Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., (562) 570-1710
