Kid-Friendly Spring Activities

Try These Kid-Friendly Spring Activities on For Size in Alameda

Alameda in general, and Admiral’s Cove specifically, are a great place to set up shop and live a great life — especially if you have kids in tow. In addition to being a serene and peaceful place to revel in your day-to-day, there’s plenty in the way of kid-oriented fun to be had for the little ones, particularly now that spring has swung back on around. ‘Tis the season to take the kids out for a good time, and today, we’re going to be filling you in on some of the amazing opportunities that abound for the whole family to head out and have some good old-fashioned fun.

Learn to Swim

Swimming is a skill every child should master, so why not consider signing them up for some spring swimming classes? In Alameda, the AquaTech Swim School on Mariner Square Loop is the name to remember when it comes to a wholesome atmosphere for kids to learn in, being developed by a husband-wife duo “by families and for families.” They choose only the most highly-qualified staff members to teach their lessons, and they’ve developed a unique teaching methodology that improves results for all ages interested in learning.

Speaking of which, one of their specialties is teaching younger children how to swim. They’ll have an opportunity to learn all the basic strokes, get comfortable with being in the water, and, if they’re interested, can even receive some instruction about what it takes to swim competitively. Lessons here are year-round, so you don’t have to wait for a particular session to sign up. Just head down and register when the kids are ready, and prepare to have a blast learning how to swim.

Pay a Visit to the USS Hornet

Sitting in the waters off Alameda is the aircraft-carrier Hornet, an Essex-class carrier with a distinguished history. It played an integral role in the Pacific Campaign of WWII, and was instrumental in recovering the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 astronauts after they returned from the moon. Decommissioned in 1970, the USS Hornet now serves as a historic landmark and museum, where you can learn more about America’s history of aviation and space exploration.

In addition to tours of the ship and its many interesting features, exhibits at this Smithsonian Affiliate include retired aircraft from WWII (like the TBM-3E Avenger) and other aircraft from throughout the decades of America’s military history. There are also exhibits dedicated to the NASA Apollo missions, which, again, the Hornet played an important part in. There’s even a youth education program designed to give youngsters even more involved with learning about the wonders of flight:

“The goal of each of the Museum’s educational program is to use our unique environment to teach science and history concepts in an interactive and fun manner and each program features a tour and hands-on activities.”

All-in-all, a fun excursion for all ages, but especially intriguing for younglings who find all things aviation to be extremely fascinating.

Instill a Lifelong Love of Reading at the Library

At the Alameda Free Library on Oak Street, books are never in short supply, and spring is a great time to get out and get into the love of reading. The Alameda Library has tons of titles for all ages to get into, and a wealth of reading programs to help get the younger ones into the habit. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, for instance, challenges you to “read 1000 books with your child before they enter school,” while the Pin Pals Program tasks children with reading books from a specific genre, then articulating their favorites to collect a special pin.

There are book clubs and storytime for various ages, and if you’re looking for a specific calendar of kid-related events going down at the library, you can find it here. These range from sing-alongs to arts & crafts sessions and beyond — all the types of activities young ones love to engage in when the weather’s feeling great outdoors.

Get Into the Creative Spirit

Most children love to express themselves, and drop-in art studio Twirl gives them just the outlet to do so. Whether it’s dance, painting, music, or something else creative your kid enjoys, they’ll have the opportunity to take part in some enjoyable group classes here, all dedicated to letting their imaginations run wild. Read a bit more about this establishment’s unique story, and you’ll learn why it’s a veritable wonderland for expressive tikes. Classes like these should serve to stoke their fire for fun, and give them many fond memories to cherish as they grow older.

Kick It Old-School at the Arcade

Slightly older kids will surely enjoy a visit to the arcade to experience some of the same retro titles you were hooked on as a youngster. High Scores is the spot to look for in Alameda, and after husband and wife team Shawn & Meg Livernoche built their collection of classic arcade games in New Jersey, they moved to Alameda in 2013 to set up shop. You can experience their vast collection at their shop on Park Avenue, and, when it comes to that game selection, the list is rather long.

This kind of a diversion is just the sort of things that kids, and even the rest of the family, needs to make spring time just that much more enjoyable. Even if you’re not an expert setting high scores on all the old-school classics and pinball machines, the experience and joy of hanging out is what’s most important. Schedule a few weekends, or a couple of days during spring break this year to get the family out and have a blast at this inimitable hall of classic games.

Come Enjoy the Fun Around Admiral’s Cove

The neighborhood here is always full of fun and excitement, so if it’s a family-friendly atmosphere you’re after, why not explore what these lovely, luxury apartments have to offer, and consider making this your new home base among the wonders of the beautiful Bay Area?