Parkour hones skills that youngsters are already developing on the playground.
Credit: The Movement Creative
If your kids like to get creative at the playground, then consider taking their fun to the next level at the upcoming parkour workshops hosted by New York Hall of Science.
This Friday and July 18 at 3 p.m., parkour team The Movement Creative will be holding beginners’ workshops for children ages 4 to 8 at NYSCI’s Rocket Park. Balancing, jumping, crawling, climbing and vaulting are some of the skills the team will teach.
NYSCI’s director of public programs, Liz Slagus, said The Movement Creative team will use parkour “as a way to get young people to think about their bodies and movement, encourage an active life and healthy style by making movement fun.
“It’s what I never had growing up in gym class and something I thought our audiences would appreciate. I hope everyone comes away learning something new and maybe a sense of fun and excitement about being healthy and active.”
The aptly named Jesse Danger, co-founder of The Movement Creative, believes parkour is great for kids because it teaches them skills to improve at activities they already love. “It tells them that with a little imagination, they can find something fun and challenging anywhere.”
The event is part of the museum’s Best Summer Ever Under the Tent series, which focuses on health and fitness. Before diving in to parkour, kids and their parents can participate in a scavenger hunt that spans the museum’s exhibits and café, or play in a small obstacle course set up by The Movement Creative. All-natural sports drinks will also be provided as part of the event, along with cards featuring their recipes so you can make the drinks at home.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Registration is available in person at the museum on the days of the workshops.
Kids’ parkour with The Movement Creative
July 11 and July 18
Scavenger hunt at noon; parkour at 3 p.m.
New York Hall of Science,47-01 111th St., Queens
Ages 4 to 8;$6, $4 for NYSCImembers
