374 Results
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Tour the State House (Family)Family ClassesVisit the Massachusetts State House for a tour with Arlington’s own State Representative, Sean Garballey. This guided tour is a walk through history, not just of the building but of the Commonwealth itself. Established by an act of the legislature in 1969, the State House Tours Division now guides approximately 90,000 visitors annually through the halls of the state’s capitol building. Experience democracy in action at this landmark full of significance to both our state and our country. Please register each family member individually, including children; Ages 8+ Note: Entrance is via the General Hooker Entrance which is on Beacon Street at the top of Park Street. Walk past the statue of General Hooker up the stairs and through security. Meet in the Doric Hall on the second floor. Accessible entrance is located on Bowdoin Street. Please arrive 20 minutes early to go through security. Proceeds from this class go toward the ACE Scholarship Fund to help make our classes accessible to all Arlington residentsFall 2026 -
Tournament of ChampionsGet Moving (K-12)WaitlistStep into the action like a reality TV show contestant or a video game hero. Jump, hang, climb, and balance through Ninja Warrior-style challenges and tackle Survivor-inspired obstacle courses. Race on the Mario Kart track, battle the Angry Birds, and get moving in this high-energy creative competition.Fall 2026
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Starting SoonToys, Gadgets & GamesSTEM (K-12)Creative thinking meets engineering in this makerspace class. Explore gravity, momentum, and clever design as you build inventive contraptions. Projects include parachute drops, 3D illusions, roller coaster rides, and more, each designed to challenge your problem-solving and ignite your creativity.Fall 2026 -
Traditional Straw OrnamentsFine Arts & CraftsBring a little winter magic indoors by crafting delicate wheat straw ornaments inspired by traditional folk art. Learn to shape straw into elegant snowflakes and stars, perfect for tree ornaments, window accents, gift toppers, or seasonal handmade gifts. Using templates, guides, and examples, you’ll create a variety of 8-, 12-, and 16-point designs and leave with a collection of 3–6 straw ornaments.Fall 2026 -
Traditional Venezuelan CookingFood & DrinkDiscover the comforting flavors of Venezuelan cuisine. Learn how to prepare bollos pelones—tender cornmeal dumplings filled with seasoned shredded chicken and beef, simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. We’ll serve this traditional dish with ensalada de gallina, a classic Venezuelan chicken and potato salad, and sweet plantains for a complete and satisfying meal. A vegan variation will also be offered, featuring a savory stewed eggplant filling and a chicken-free version of the salad. Explore the techniques and ingredients behind these beloved recipes and bring a taste of Venezuela to your table.Fall 2026 -
Starting SoonUkuleleMusic, Theater & FilmNote: times and prices have been adjusted since the print catalogThe ukulele is easy to learn, fun to play, and perfect for making music in no time—whether you’re picking it up for the first time or building on your skills. Beginning: Learn how to tune and hold your ukulele, then move on to simple chords so you can begin playing songs you love right away. For absolute beginners only. Continuing: Expand your chord vocabulary, improve rhythm and strumming, and try fingerstyle with tab for riffs and melodies. For those already comfortable with basic chords and strumming. Please note: Bring your own ukulele. A clip-on tuner is recommended but not required.Fall 2026 -
Understanding & Acting On Climate ChangeACE HighlightsConcerned about climate change? Discover how one person really can make a difference. Learn the science behind climate change, explore the challenges and equity issues it presents, and discover a wide range of solutions. Gain the knowledge and confidence to talk with others, make informed choices, and take meaningful action through everyday decisions, community involvement, and collective efforts.Fall 2026 -
WaitlistUnderstanding MedicareWellness & LifeThis one-evening class, led by a state-certified Medicare counseling professional, is designed for those who are either planning to enroll in Medicare or are already on Medicare and would like to better understand this valuable but complex program. You’ll learn how the four parts of Medicare work together, including information about when and how to enroll in Medicare or change the coverage you already have. We’ll address how much Medicare costs, what benefits are covered, and the possibilities of getting financial assistance with this program. Each student will receive a SHINE Information Pack about Medicare with listings of the different options available in Massachusetts.Fall 2026 -
WaitlistUrban ForagingOut & AboutTasty wild plants grow abundantly all around us. Join a plant expert for a walk through an urban wild and develop your foraging skills. You’ll learn to identify dozens of edible plants and how they can enhance your culinary and nutritional repertoire. We’ll also cover cooking options, seasonal availability, and guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. You’ll be amazed at the greens, nuts, roots, and mushrooms you can find now and over the next few months. Sampling in the field will be encouraged! Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult.Fall 2026 -
VacationFunA supervised lunch/recess period runs from 12:00–12:30 pm for students enrolled in a full-day class or both AM and PM classes. There is no additional charge or registration required, and children will be escorted to their afternoon class. Children must bring their own beverages, snacks, and lunch. See details on VacationFunCategory -
WaitlistVisible Mending for Creative RepairsFine Arts & CraftsCreatively repair your damaged clothes with hand-stitching techniques. First, learn how to repair holes, tears, and stains in clothing made of woven fabrics using fabric patches and simple hand embroidery stitches. Then we will concentrate on darning, a fabric mending technique for woven or knit fabrics that involves reinforcing or re-weaving a portion by hand. Learn about tools and materials for visible mending and make a sampler of both techniques that you can refer to later. No hand sewing or mending experience required. Please note: Feel free to bring with you any clothes you would like to repair or reuse, fabric scraps, or add on embellishments that you would like to use.Fall 2026 -
WaitlistWa-Shokuiku: Learn, Cook, Eat JapaneseLanguages & Life Skills (K-12)Discover the flavors of Japan through hands-on cooking. Make maki rolls, okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), miso soup with rice-stuffed tofu pockets, and a sweet fruit parfait with mochi and green tea ice cream. We’ll also work on Japanese-style presentation skills by making charming bento (lunch box) with kawaii (cute) rice balls, tomato hearts, and mini octopus-shaped hot dogs.Fall 2026 -
Starting SoonWacky Science TVDance, Music & Theater (K-12)Grab your lab coat and secure your goggles—it’s time to create your own wacky science TV show. Dream up wild experiments, mix magic potions, bring a slime monster to life with stop motion, or dive into daring science adventures like cave exploring for geo-rocks, dissecting frogs, and launching bottle rockets. From silly to serious, you’ll produce original, science-inspired content.Fall 2026 -
Wall Street BootcampTechnology, Finance & CareerWhether you are just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, this fast-paced course covers the fundamentals of investing, from asset allocation strategies to online investment research and the selection of securities. Gain a deep understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of mutual funds and ETFs, and learn how to build diversified equity and fixed-income portfolios. Discover the pitfalls of Target Retirement Funds and the inherent risks of bond ETFs and bond mutual funds. Develop your skills as an amateur equity analyst and learn to assess the performance of professional mutual fund managers and advisors.Fall 2026 -
Wang Theatre Backstage TourOut & AboutGet a behind-the-scenes tour of one of Boston’s most prominent theatrical landmarks. Learn about the theater’s architectural highlights and rich history—from its origins as a hotel and its glamorous days as a movie “cathedral” to its current role as a premier venue for performances and events. Visit the dressing rooms and hallways walked by entertainers such as Bruce Springsteen, Ella Fitzgerald, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Elton John, Lady Gaga, and many more. Walk away with a newfound appreciation of this theater and why it was once referred to as “The Showplace of New England.” Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult.Fall 2026 -
WaitlistWatercolor PencilsFine Arts & CraftsWatercolor paintings, among the most beautiful and subtly colorful works of art, are both satisfying and challenging to create. Watercolor pencils provide a unique and versatile way to generate more vivid, saturated color alongside the medium’s traditional luminosity. We’ll work with these water-soluble pencils to create beautiful paintings, combining the best features of water media with the texture of colored pencils. All levels are welcome. The class materials list can be found here.Fall 2026 -
WaitlistWeave a Table RunnerFine Arts & CraftsLearn the fundamentals of hand weaving while creating a table runner. Working on rigid heddle looms, you’ll use repurposed cotton fabric strips and a selection of yarns, with an emphasis on exploring weaving as a form of art and design to create a unique piece. Bring fabric of personal significance—such as worn clothing, neckties, or retired linens—to cut into strips and incorporate into your work, or choose from a variety of provided cotton fabric strips.Fall 2026 -
WaitlistWeave an Infinity ScarfFine Arts & CraftsWeave an infinity scarf on a pre-warped rigid heddle loom in this beginner-friendly workshop designed for both first-time weavers and experienced makers interested in a portable format for creative expression. You’ll create a handwoven scarf using a selection of luxury yarns in natural fibers, exploring color, texture, and material variety to design a wearable piece that is uniquely your own.Fall 2026 -
Wellness & LifeYoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong can be found in the Fitness & Dance section.Category -
West African Hand DrummingMusic, Theater & FilmExplore djembe, a goblet-shaped drum played with bare hands, in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Learn techniques to make basic drum sounds—bass, tone, and slap—to create rhythms integral to West African culture. All levels are welcome.Fall 2026 -
Wet Felted SoapsFine Arts & CraftsDiscover the ancient art of wet felting while creating a beautiful piece of functional art. Wrap bars of soap in soft sheep’s wool and use warm water, soap, and friction to shrink the fibers into a colorful, form-fitting covering with a floral design. The result is a self-sudsing, gently exfoliating felted soap that makes a perfect handmade gift or personal treat.Materials: Bring a rectangular bar of soap, a towel, and a large bowl.Fall 2026 -
Wet Felted Wool & Silk ScarfFine Arts & CraftsFelt a fabulously textured scarf for yourself or to give as a one-of-a-kind gift. The oldest known way to make fabric, felting combines layers of wool fibers into an integrated fabric without knitting or weaving. Use warm water, soap, and friction to compress and mat the fibers into a textile material to craft a soft, warm, beautiful, and lightweight scarf using nuno (the Japanese word for fabric) felting, which integrates fine merino wool fleece with silk fabric.Fall 2026 -
Starting SoonWilderness Survival TVDance, Music & Theater (K-12)Combine outdoor adventure and storytelling by creating your own wilderness survival show, inspired by TV programs like Survivor. Learn shelter building, fire making, map reading, and orienteering while inventing larger-than-life characters and tackling fun team challenges. We’ll film and edit each episode using professional equipment and software, gaining hands-on experience producing short video projects from start to finish.Fall 2026 -
WaitlistWire-Wrapped Gemstones (Family)Family ClassesCreate your own wire-wrapped jewelry or mini sculpture. Learn about the properties of a variety of beautiful semi-precious stones and crystals. Then pick your favorite to make a wearable pendant or ring, a pendulum to connect with the energy of the earth and cosmos (or to hypnotize your friends!), or a decorative mini sculpture of your own design. Ages 8+ You are also welcomed to bring small found objects to wrap; depending on the item not all items may be suitable to wrap. We will try our best. PLEASE NOTE: The class fee is for one adult and one child. Please register under adult’s name only.Fall 2026