Your guide to October arts classes, family fun, learning and more

Auditions, arts workshops, tutoring, classes – plus loads of information you need to keep kids learning and having fun all year long! Does your child want to be on stage? Do you need to connect with other parents or find a story time? Here’s where to start!

Family Fun, Learning and More

Homeschool P.E. Classes are offered for ages 5 – 14 from 1 – 3 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Thomas E. Hannah Family YMCA and Mondays and Wednesdays at the Middle Tyger YMCA. From 1 – 2 p.m., participants take part in a physical fitness class that includes a warm-up, stretch, basic strength and endurance and a dynamic warm-up. Each week, students also work on sports skill development by learning the basics of basketball, soccer, pickleball, volleyball, golf or another sport. From 2 – 3 p.m., participants have a guided swim lesson based on skill and ability. For details and registration, visit spartanburgymca.org/home-school-pe .

Team BlocHaven for ages 6 – 18 pursues indoor rock climbing in a fun, supportive environment where youth build strength, resilience and confidence. Coaches cater to all skill levels, with a focus on personal growth and a love for the sport. Competing not required. To learn more, join a commitment-free introductory practice, held on the first and third Friday of each month. To learn more and register for an introductory practice, visit blochaven.com/teams .

Well Walkers is offered Oct. 1, 3, 8, 15, 17, 29 and 31 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The arena concourse will be open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. for anyone who wants to have a temperature-controlled space to exercise. Each loop around the concourse is a quarter mile. Well Walkers is a free event with no registration or prior notice required. Free parking for participants is provided in the VIP lot at the arena, located off Church Street. For details, visit bonsecoursarena.com .

STRIDES , a nonprofit program, offers individualized instruction for ages 6 – 20 who need to catch up before school starts. Students with disabilities or ESOL are welcome. Virtual instruction is offered. In-person tutoring is available at seven locations. Scholarships are available. For details, call 864-246-9898 or stridestutor.org .

Every Step of the Way , a monthly email newsletter from Greenville First Steps, is targeted specifically to your child’s age and development. The newsletter is completely free. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers can sign up as many children as they need to, from birth to age 5. Sign up at greenvillefirststeps.org/newsletter and learn more about free programs for parents and educators at greenvillefirststeps.org .

Little Learners Club, available from the Greenville County Library System, is designed especially for children under age 5 to encourage the development of kindergarten readiness skills using the Palmetto Basics. Details are at greenvillelibrary.org/kids/little-learners-club .

Free Books – Greenville First Steps has launched a pilot of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Greenville County. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is an early literacy program that mails free age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age 5. Currently in Greenville County, children in 29690, 29611, and 29669can sign up for Imagination Library. Registration is available at ImaginationLibrary.com .

Story Times

Story Time is at 10 a.m. Thursdays at Barnes and Noble at Greenridge. For details, visit stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2221 .

Family Story Time for ages birth – 5 is Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Pendleton and Lander Memorial Libraries, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Powdersville Library, and Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Anderson Main Library. Visit andersonlibrary.org .

Preschool and Toddler Story Times are offered at Spartanburg Library locations. For details, visit spartanburglibraries.org .

Preschool Story Time for ages 3 – 5 is at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Anderson Main Library. Visit andersonlibrary.org .

Toddler Storytime for ages 18 – 36 months is at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Anderson Main Library. Visit andersonlibrary.org .

Preschool Storytimes for ages 2 – 5 are offered at the Pickens County Library. Call 864-850-7077 or visit pickenscountylibrarysystem.com.

Arts

Workshops - Audition Series: Monologues are 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 12 and 19 at Spartanburg Youth Theatre. At each workshop, students will participate in a mock audition and receive individualized guidance from SYT staff on audition techniques and how to "get that role!" Workshops are open to grades 3-12. The cost is $55 each. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes at noon the Wednesday before each workshop so actors have time to prepare their piece before the workshop. Visit spartanburgyouththeatre.com .

Auditions for “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” (play) presented by Spartanburg Youth Theatre are 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 or Oct. 23 at the Chapman Cultural Center. Auditionees should only audition one of the two nights and may arrive at any time during the 2-hour block. SYT welcomes youth in grades 3-12 to audition. See the audition requirements and information online at spartanburgyouththeatre.com/auditions .

Kimilee Bryant Studio is accepting new students in voice, and beginning piano. Voice students must be at least 7 years old and reading. Pageant (talent, interview and presentation) coaching is also offered by appointment. Regular students participate in recitals and events throughout the year. Email kimilee@kimileebryant.com for fees and information.

Art Classes are offered at the Spartanburg Art Museum. For details and registration, visit spartanburgartmuseum.org .

Art Classes for ages 6 and older are offered at A Cut Above Maker Space in Spartanburg. For cost, registration and details, visit acutabovemakerspace.com .

Art classes are offered at GCCA – Greenville Center for Creative Arts. For details, visit artcentergreenville.org .

South Carolina Children’s Theatre offers classes for grades pre-K – 12. For details visit, scchildrenstheatre.org .

Engage in music at the Lawson Academy of the Arts – Private lessons and group classes are offered for musicians of all ages and levels with instruction from Converse University professors and student-teachers. Learn to play piano or enroll in an ensemble. For details, call 864-596-9022.

Arts programs are at TR Makers . Programs include homeschool classes, Afterschool Makers Elementary (grades K5 – 5), Afterschool Art School (grades 2 – 6), and more. For cost and registration, visit trmakersco.org .

Music Adventure Classes are at 10 a.m. Mondays at Swamp Rabbit Café. Classes are geared for pre-K – K but all ages are welcome. The cost is $15 per class ($5 for each additional sibling) and includes a coffee and pastry. For details and registration, visit @musicadventure on Instagram or email musicadventureforkids@gmail.com .

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Your guide to October arts classes, family fun, learning and more