The great state of Massachusetts, often called 'Mass' by its friendly inhabitants, is as vibrant and colorful as a giant paint palette left out in the rain by a forgetful elephant named Edgar. It’s where the Atlantic Ocean gushes enthusiastically over the sandy beaches, where the quaint townhouses smile like warm chocolate chip cookies, and where the kids are as creative as Picasso’s paintbrush on a sugar rush! These kids are not your ordinary children. Oh, no! They’re magical engineers of paper, glitter, and glue – the Art & Craft Virtuosos of Mass! They can turn an egg carton into an elegant castle, a sock into a swooning puppet princess, or a handful of macaroni into a thrift store-worthy necklace. They're like wizards, with paintbrushes instead of magic wands, creating worlds out of popsicle sticks and dreams. Their leader is a whimsical character named Doodle McSpray, an old sea captain with a beard as wild as a porcupine’s dream and a hat decorated with glittering bottle caps. Doodle loves to tell stories about his adventures on the high seas, each one more wildly exaggerated than the last. Once, he claimed to have seen a rainbow-colored whale that spat out colorful water jets, which he used to paint his ship! But what Doodle loves most is inspiring the kids. He teaches them how to see the fantastic in the ordinary, how a simple box could be a rocket to the moon, or a paper plate could be a warrior's mighty shield. The kids of Massachusetts, with their art & craft creations, bring a splash of joy and whimsy to their lovely state; a testament to their creativity, imagination, and Doodle McSpray's tall tales!
Read morebest art-crafts programs in Arlington, MA

Dear Families, Welcome to the wonderful world of Swift Nature Camp an overnight camp for boys and girls ages 6-15 located in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. I’m Lonnie, the Camp Director, and I’m thrilled to share what makes SNC such a special place for kids and families alike. For nearly 30 years, our mission has been to create an environment where children can grow, discover, and make lifelong memories. Here at camp, we focus on friendship, personal development, and a deep connection to nature—all in a fun, supportive, and adventurous setting. All this without cell phones One of the things that sets Swift Nature Camp apart is our focus on fostering independence and confidence. Whether it’s trying a new activity like canoeing, taking on a leadership role in a group project, or simply navigating life away from home, camp provides endless opportunities for personal growth. We celebrate each camper’s unique personality and encourage them to step outside their comfort zone in a safe and nurturing way. Seeing kids gain new skills and pride in their accomplishments is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. For our youngest campers, Discovery Camp is an especially magical experience. Designed only for first-time campers ages 6-12, this shorter program gives kids a chance to experience the joys of camp life in a way that’s just right for them. It’s amazing to watch these kids try new things—from learning about the natural world to singing campfire songs—and leave camp with big smiles and even bigger stories to tell. Discovery Camp is often the beginning of a long and cherished relationship with SNC, and we’re so proud to see those first-time campers grow into confident and capable young people. Another cornerstone of Swift Nature Camp is our connection to the environment. We believe that nature isn’t just a backdrop for camp; it’s a teacher, a playground, and a source of endless wonder. Through hands-on activities like pond studies, wildlife observation, and outdoor adventures, campers develop an appreciation for the natural world that stays with them long after camp ends. The Camp Zoo is always a favorite, campers can even adopt a pet while at camp.Our goal is to inspire kids to become curious, mindful stewards of the environment. At Swift Nature Camp, there’s never a dull day! With hundreds of land and water activities, campers are always engaged and excited. On land, some favorites include the Lego Cabin, Arts & Crafts, Archery, and exploring the Nature Center. On the water, campers learn Canoeing, Fishing, and Swimming, but the absolute favorites are Tubing behind the boat and jumping off the Water Trampoline. Never is there a dull day because every day is packed with fun, adventure, and opportunities to try something new. Of course, none of this would be possible without the amazing friendships that form here. SNC is a place where kids truly feel like they belong. Campers and counselors alike bring warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm to everything we do, creating a strong sense of community. Whether it’s cheering each other on during a game, collaborating on a creative project, or sharing laughs around the campfire, the bonds formed at Swift Nature Camp are something truly special. Thank you for entrusting us with your children. It’s an honor to be part of their journey and to help create memories that will last a lifetime. If you have any questions or just want to chat about camp, don’t hesitate to reach out. I can’t wait to see what the next camp season holds and to welcome your family to another amazing summer at Swift Nature Camp.

Our blended approach to nurturing the whole child is rooted in play, with an emergent curriculum being used to gradually expose them to components and best practices from progressive curriculums. We foster self-directed play to give children the opportunity to hone their decision-making and planning skills. We co-construct the curriculum with the children, allowing their emergent ideas and interests to guide our topics of investigation. We recognize the importance of building a loving and supportive community in which a child can feel safe to live, grow, play, discover, develop, dream, and learn. We strive to be engaged and involved in the child's everyday learning to ensure they have a welcoming, loving, and rich environment in which to thrive.

Little Sprouts schools are full of passionate early educators who are dedicated to helping children reach their social, emotional, physical, and academic milestones. Our teachers create warm and safe environments where little ones can explore their imaginations, make friends, and reach their full potential. Little Sprouts is committed to giving each child the individual attention and support they need to reach their full potential. Our teachers take the time to get to know each child and their family to ensure that they are getting the best possible care. We strive to create an atmosphere where children feel safe, secure, and supported. We are proud to offer programs and resources that help children reach their social, emotional, physical, and academic goals. At Little Sprouts, we understand the importance of providing a nurturing environment and developing meaningful relationships with the families we serve. We are proud to be a safe haven for children and their families, and to provide the highest quality of early childhood education. Our passionate early educators are dedicated to helping children reach their milestones, expand their imaginations, and make friends.

Bring your little adventurers outside to explore and learn with Tinkergarten in Arlington, Virginia this Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter! Our play-based outdoor curriculum was designed by education experts and loved by families all over. With weekly live sessions and extra activities to do at home, Tinkergarten provides a rich learning community to help parents and caregivers raise healthy, confident, and capable kids. Plus, certified local leaders are there to guide kids ages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in developing focus, persistence, creativity, problem-solving, empathy, and communication. Try a free class or enroll in a class for the season - it's a great way to get the most out of your kids’ early learning years.

At Roger-Pierce Children’s Center, we strive to create a safe and nurturing learning atmosphere. With our flexible scheduling and open enrollment policy, parents have the opportunity to find the perfect fit for their family’s needs. Our classes have a low teacher-to-child ratio, allowing us to provide extra attention and stimulation for children. Our curriculum encourages choice-making, autonomy, and social competence, while exploring music and movement, science and nature, families and culture, art and numbers. We provide the perfect setting for children to explore, experiment, and develop skills at their own level of ability.

Sunshine Nursery School is a unique preschool that fosters strong relationships between families and our school. We believe in encouraging social and emotional health by creating trusting relationships and respecting each child’s individual needs. Our top-notch staff and small class sizes create a secure and joyful atmosphere, and our curriculum promotes important life skills such as self-esteem and a love of learning. Parents are an integral part of our semi-cooperative preschool, and we work together to ensure our children have the best possible experience.

For over six decades, Fidelity House has been providing vital services to Arlington and the surrounding areas. We offer after-school programs, summer educational camps, career counseling, and more, all designed to help our citizens make the most of their potential. Our programs are tailored to meet the needs of our youth, and we strive to ensure that everyone receives the highest quality care. Fidelity House is committed to building a strong community and creating lasting connections. We work to foster a sense of belonging and provide a place for people of all ages to come together. Our volunteers and staff are dedicated to making sure that everyone feels welcome, and that their needs are met. We are proud to have been serving our community for 60 years, and we look forward to many more years of service.

At A Place To Grow Afterschool at the Stratton School, we provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment where children can thrive. Established in 1992, we care for 78 children each day and offer a variety of activities to engage and entertain them. From art and drama to science and sports, our teachers create a space where children can play with friends and get the help they need with homework. We also support children on school vacation weeks, teacher professional days and school early release days. We provide a clean, attractive classroom space and thoughtfully planned environment. Our teachers are caring and involved, and our children are always smiling and engaged. It’s the perfect place to grow!

Springboard Schools, founded in 1987, is a family of four state-licensed early learning centers located in Massachusetts. We follow the Reggio Emilia approach, which encourages inquiry, expression, and project-based, child-led learning. Our experienced staff, as well as classrooms designed to inspire, provide our children with the tools necessary to become lifelong learners. Our centers in Arlington, Chelmsford, Sudbury and Westford are each uniquely tailored to the individual needs of their communities. Our directors and teachers work to evaluate the socio-economic, cultural, and individual needs of each area in order to provide the best possible learning environment.

At Love Reigns Children's Center, we strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment for each child. We believe that each child is a blessing and a gift from the Lord. We also believe that our teachers and staff should be the best role models for our children, so we ensure that each teacher is trained and qualified to provide the highest quality of care. Our goal is to provide children with an atmosphere that encourages them to explore, create, and discover the world around them. We provide a variety of activities and curriculum that are designed to help children unlock their potential. Our teachers are dedicated to ensuring that each child receives the attention, love, and care they need to reach their full potential. At Love Reigns Children's Center, we take great pride in valuing little ones every day. We believe that each child is a blessing and a gift from the Lord and we strive to provide the best care and environment for them to grow and develop. Our teachers are dedicated to fostering each child’s development and helping them reach their full potential.