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Keep Your Kid's Brain Sharp With These Activities

Most parents in Killeen, TX complain that their kids are glued to TV, mobile phone or laptop most of the times. If you too are one of them, you must take a considerate step and consider indulging your son/daughter in some fun as well as mind-stimulating activities. Listed below are some ideas that can help to sharpen your kid’s brain and also keep him/her engaged:

  • Scrabble – The All Time Favorite Board Game
  • Reading – Books, novels and even comics
  • Mathematics – It’s all about the numbers
  • Sports Activities – Keep them physically active
  • New Hobbies – Let them explore their hidden talents

Enroll your kid in the fun filled activities organized by Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas. We are a renowned kids center located at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 7654. You can also call us at (254) 699 – 5808 to know more about enrollment criteria at the kids club.

How After-School Activities Improve A Child’s Self-Esteem?

After-school activities not only help in channeling your kids’ creativity but also helps to improve their self-esteem. The feeling of confidence is imperative for everyone to face the upcoming tests of the life. If you are wondering about the ways to boost your kid’s morale, letting him/her participate in additional events may help a lot. Read on to know how these activities help your kid to become tranquil and self-assured.

  • Find Hidden Talents – Enrolling your kids in after-school classes offers a chance to participate and try various activities. They may choose to engage in sports or academics at the same time. Whatever activity kids excel in, will help them realize their strengths.
  • Improve Academics – The tutoring programs offered along with the activities help kids perform better in their school. They do not hesitate to ask doubts from their tutors and become more adaptive. After doing their favorite activity, they are able to concentrate more on what is being taught and grasp the concepts easily.
  • Make New Friends - The after-school activities help children to meet other kids who share mutual interests. Some of the interactions develop into strong and lifelong friendships. Also, interacting with kids who share common mind set boosts the morale of your child.
  • Learn New Things – Participating in varied activities let kids explore and learn new things at the same time. For instance, participating in drama improves speaking and vocabulary skills, playing chess enhances strategy making abilities, painting invigorates creativity etc.
  • Handle Anger Issues – If a kid has anxiety or anger issues, it is important to keep his mind diverted and after-school activities are a great way to do so. These activities not only keep the kids occupied but also relaxes their mind.
  • Learn Importance Of Teamwork – The activities that require teamwork teach kids the significance of unity and cooperation. They learn how a single decision may impact the entire team. This instills in them an ability to take wise decisions in the toughest situations.
  • Brings More Positivity - When a kids feels good about themselves, they automatically drives away all the negativity. This helps them to realize their potential and improves overall all performance in every field. The fresh mind flourishes new ideas and give kids the confidence of turning them into reality.
We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize an array of after-school activities in Killeen, TX. To know more about the activities organized, visit us at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541. For additional information, call at (254) 699 – 5808.

Benefits Of Fine Arts For Kids

Kids start painting and drawing from a very young age. They use art to express emotions and various feelings. It is also widely used in schools specifically pre-schools and kindergartens to teach children how to read and write. Art provide kids with critical thinking skills and a way to release their stress. Engaging children in art activities help them to thrive in all the aspects of life. It results in their healthy mental growth and boost creativity.  

Listed below are some fine arts activities and the benefits each serve.

Painting

Painting and drawing is loved by small kids. It is a form of fun and entertainment for them. It is the best tool for kids with autism and other disabilities, who find difficulty in communicating with others. With the help of painting they can easily communicate their emotions and feelings. It also boost imagination, regulate hand movements and strengthen their fine motor skills. Painting eliminates any chance of developing memory loss illness and promotes an optimistic attitude.

Sculpting

Sculpting helps in calming kids with high activity levels. Kids do not express anger or frustration during sculpting because the clay is flexible and they can turn it into anything they want. It also help them to follow and remember specific techniques. The professionals at art classes give kids different pottery tools and directions about how to use such things. Kids make sure that they remember everything and follow the given directions closely. It also helps them in understanding the shape, form and perspective.

Printmaking

Printmaking is also an interesting way through which kids can show their artistic side. The kids learn a disciplined form of art as printmaking involves different methods and techniques. It refines the movement of their muscles and enhance creativity.

Collage making

Encouraging your kid to participate in activities like collage making can really help in boosting his imagination and for developing fine motor skills. It will also teach him how to use old things to create something good out of it. Through collage making kids connect meanings to different shapes and colors. This shows their highly creative side as well as offers opportunity for self expression. They experiment with different patterns and styles to achieve perfection.  

Different art forms and activities are not only fun but are also helpful for overall development of a child. Let your kid decide which art activity he is interested in and is right to discover his true potential.

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize an array of art programs for kids of all age groups. For more information, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Digital Art Courseware For Kids

As the world is advancing at a fast pace, even art is going digital. Latest technology is being used to showcase creativity in its best form. Web designing, photo illustration, music technology etc. are some new fields which have gained popularity these days. They help to make kids proficient in computers and stay updated with advanced software.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas is a leading club that offers digital art courseware for kids. It consists of the following programs:  

  • Design Tech: Kids are taught to learn artistic concepts and create animated videos. They even learn graphic designing.
  • Photo Tech: Through this program, kids learn to capture high quality photographs. They use different types of software to edit pictures. Kids can also acquire the skill of applying image filters and layering.   
  • Music Tech: It is a great platform where kids are allowed to compose and record songs. They are also made to understand the music theory.
  • Movie Tech : Gaining a thorough knowledge of screenplay writing, filming and editing digital movies can be helpful for the kids and open the path to a successful career.
Benefits Of Digital Arts:

  • Explore new career options: Digital arts is a combination of traditional art skills and new media applications. It offers various career opportunities for kids as they can become animators, web designers, photographers, game developers, creative directors etc. based on the skills they possess.  They can even work in advertizing and multimedia firms. This can lead them to a bright future ahead.
  • Makes learning fun: Digital arts involve the use of various innovative techniques. Kids can experiment and explore various drawing as well as painting options.  This helps to enhance creativity and make learning a better experience for them.
  • Self-directed learning: There are various software which allows the kids to check their mistakes and easily rectify them. This helps them in becoming self-directed learners and accomplish their goals.  
Digital arts is a great platform to gain knowledge and hone various skills. It enhances the imagination and helps the kids to think out of the box which makes them stand out of the crowd. This improves their self-confidence and self-esteem.

If you want to make your kid a digital artist, you can consider enrolling him to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas. For more information about the kids activities offered by the club, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Fun Dental Activities For Kids

Maintaining oral health is important to avoid any tooth problems and ensure fewer visits to the dentist. When it comes to dental care, the earlier you start the better it is. Kids should be taught about the benefits of brushing and other healthy practices such as flossing that prolongs the life of their teeth. There are a number of fun activities for kids that can make dental care interesting. Some of these have been discussed below:

  • Dental Health Programs: Certain kids clubs organize dental health programs. Their aim is to educate the kids about the importance of keeping the teeth clean. They teach them the overall health benefits of maintaining oral hygiene.
  • Demonstrate To Teach: To make learning interactive, you can use various methods to demonstrate the importance of teeth. Use an apple and prick it with a needle to explain how cavities damage the tooth till the roots. Teachers and parents can show them how to properly brush the teeth.
  • Count Them All: Educate the kids about the number of teeth they have by making them count their own. Then show them through illustrations that an adult has 28 to 32 teeth, which once fallen will not grow back. This not only fascinates the kids but they may also get encouraged to take better care of their teeth even when they grow up.
  • Learning Through Coloring: To make the kids familiar with the tooth’s anatomy, you can draw the teeth in different sizes on a sheet and ask the kids to color them. It will help them to understand how the tooth looks. You can also make the kids differentiate between the shapes of the teeth and teach them the various uses of those located in the front as well as back of the mouth.
  • Learn Through The Alphabets: You can draw the teeth on a chalk board to teach the kids about cavities and importance of brushing. Cover the teeth with colored alphabets to demonstrate candies and germs. Hand the kid with a duster which is meant to act like a tooth brush. Guide him to erase them one by one to have shiny clean teeth.  
The above mentioned activities can teach the kids to keep their teeth clean and free from cavities. Inculcate healthy activities in your kids’ routine like brushing twice a day and avoiding sticky, sweet foods. The better they care, the stronger teeth they will have.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offers a wide range of programs to enhance health and life skills of kids. For more information, feel free to call us at (254) 699 – 5808.

Kid Friendly Activities In Texas

All parents want to ensure an all-round development of their child. For this, enrolling him in various kid friendly activities can be a good option. These activities offer a broad spectrum of benefits such as instilling confidence, building character and improving the fitness level of kids. They can also help to explore your child’s hidden potential and helping him choose the right career option.

Listed below are some of the kid friendly activities organized at clubs in Texas:

Career awareness programs
A variety of programs focus on helping the child to develop his academic goals. The idea is to involve him in activities that match his interests. For example, a child aspiring to be a software engineer can enroll in a computer program. He can learn programming and software to further evolve his interest in computers. Kids interested in banking and business can indulge in monetary games such as managing a virtual bank account. They can also take part in more than one career oriented activities in order to identify their interests.

Health and fitness Programs
In order to promote healthy living, fitness and oral hygiene, a wide range of programs are offered by the kids clubs in Texas. They organize dental care workshops as well as create awareness regarding substance abuse such as the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. They incorporate a sense of responsibility in kids by inspiring them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

A platform for the young artists
For kids who are more inclined towards arts, a number of painting exhibitions, photography contests, music camps etc. are organized to let them showcase their talent. These programs aim to encourage kids to pursue arts as a career option. The young artists also get to showcase their acting skills through drama and theater.  

Sports and recreational programs
These programs encourage participation in a number of sports such as football and basketball. Swimming competitions, cheerleading and sports leagues are a great way to promote physical fitness in kids. These activities offer a blend of benefits, such as developing a sense of team spirit, making them responsible and developing leadership qualities in the kids.

Character building programs
These programs are designed to encourage kids to identify their strengths and weaknesses. This helps them to set realistic goals and work towards achieving them. Kids are also encouraged to indulge in group activities such as community service that require showcasing their leadership qualities. It promotes self-esteem in kids and ensures personal improvement.
The various activities discussed above ensure a multi-dimensional growth of the kids. They serve as a platform for young actors, talented artists, future leaders, aspiring business tycoons as well as skilled engineers.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offers a wide range of fun and educational activities for kids of all age groups. For more information, feel free to call us at (254) 699 – 5808.

Outdoor Kids Activities For Winters

Outdoor activities have various benefits for kids. However, as most people prefer keeping the kids indoors during winters, the intake of fresh air becomes comparatively less. Stepping out into the chilly weather can be quite helpful, as it helps to increase the physical activity in the lazy winter months and improve their overall health.

Apart from good physical and mental health, kids can also have a great vacation by taking part in outdoor activities in winters. So bundle up, cover yourself and boost your immune system by indulging in the outdoor activities listed below:

Snowboarding & Skiing

Apart from building a snowman and fighting in the snow, skiing and snowboarding are the most commonly preferred winter sports. You can simply rent some sporting and safety gear and head out to the nearest mountain. There are specific ski stations as well where you can spend a great time with your kids.

Ice skating

Just like snowboarding and skiing, ice skating is another fun-filled activity that can serve as a great weekend solution in winter-season. In case you are looking for a thrilling experience, and you have a skating champion at home then ice skating it the thing for him.

Camping

An all season activity, camping in winters can be quite fun. All you need is some warm clothes, a cap and a cozy sleeping bag. Sitting around a bonfire and roasting some food on the fire is perfect for spending memorable time with family. Kids can learn a number of life-hacks through camping like setting up a tent, starting a fire and cooking. Share some scary stories, sing songs and have a fun evening in the warmth of the fire.

Hiking & Trekking

For a health boosting outdoor activity, traversing in the lap of nature can be highly satisfying and beneficial for physical as well as mental development of the kids. Simply carry a backpack and go uphill to experience nature’s tranquility. Kids can gain knowledge about a number of wild flowers, insects and a variety of birds. Carrying a camera can help budding photographers to click some breathtaking photographs that can be cherished for years to come.

Sports: Football & Basketball

These are all season sports and help kids learn team spirit as well as overall health. It helps burn calories, which becomes quite difficult in the winter months. Kids get to improve their motor skills and concentration by practicing these sports. Apart from being a great way to increase bone strength, football and basketball can boost the immune system as well. Parents can teach self-discipline to their kids by encouraging them to take part in sports. Since, these type of sports require vigorous activity, it can aid burning calories which in turn keep the body warm during winters.

Biking

For a solo activity, biking can be a great sport. It is a great cardio exercise and improves bone-strength. Biking aids physical growth and helps to develop stronger leg muscles. Parents can also accompany their kids to the biking trails in order to enjoy the beauty of nature together. It helps to lower stress and greatly improves mood.

Winters are expected to be cozy and lazy, but a little physical activity on a regular basis can help keep the kids active as well as in good health. Kids can spend their leisure hours by indulging in the outdoor activities listed above. Parents can also accompany the kids in activities like biking, hiking and trekking to build stronger bonds.