Back-to-school season in Palmer, Sturbridge & Beyond is here, and we’ve got everything local families need to start the 2025 school year off right.
Looking for enriching, local after-school programs for your child this school year? Whether your little one is into dance, music, martial arts, or making a creative mess with finger paint, we’ve got you covered. Every activity listed here is located within the Macaroni KID Palmer territory—including Palmer, Brimfield, Spencer, the Brookfields, Monson, Barre, Hubbardston, Rutland, Holden, and surrounding towns.
🎈 Art Studios
Ohoodles of Doodles – Fiskdale
Process-based kids' art studio with drop-in sessions, snack, and storytime.
Hebee Pottery Studio – Palmer
Kid-friendly pottery classes and family clay nights.
Workshop13 + ClayWorks – Ware
Offers youth art workshops and pottery instruction for kids and teens.
Burlap Bee Design Studio – Holden
K–8 art instruction led by a licensed art teacher.
Art Classes @ The Studio – Holden
Playful, guided art classes for early learners (ages 4–7).
My Collective – Sturbridge
A creative community studio offering yoga + art fusion classes, family workshops, and mindful spaces for teens and parents to explore movement and creativity together.
🎵 Music Lessons
Tony V. Entertainment Studio – Palmer (Three Rivers)
Private music lessons for all ages and instruments.
Walnut Street Music Academy – Holden
Guitar, bass, and drum lessons.
Piano Lessons at Hitchcock Academy – Brimfield
Weekly lessons on Tuesdays (3–8 PM) covering note reading, theory, and songwriting. Open to all levels.
Website
Violin & Viola Lessons at Hitchcock Academy – Brimfield
Private instruction in violin and viola for beginners and experienced students. Tuesdays from 3–8 PM.
🧘 Gymnastics
Twisters Gymnastics – Brookfield & Spencer
Recreational and competitive programs for all ages.
💃 Dance Studios- Check out our Dance Studio Guide!
Tribe Dance Center – Monson
Community-centered studio for ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop.
Destined to Dance Academy – Palmer
Jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and acro for all skill levels.
Gotta Dance – Palmer
Dance for ages 2+, with rec and competitive tracks.
Mass Motion Dance – Sturbridge
Professional-level dance in all major styles.
Betty Gundersen Studio of Dance – West Brookfield
Known for its technical training and community vibes.
Fitzgerald Performing Arts – Sturbridge
Dance, theater, and vocal performance classes.
Alice’s Fitness & Dance – Sturbridge
Dance + movement classes for kids and adults.
Dance Unlimited MA – Ware
Ballet, tap, hip-hop, and more in a fun, relaxed environment.
Get Up & Dance LLC – Gilbertville / Hardwick
Dance for kids and fitness for adults.
Kara Anderson’s Dance Studio – North Brookfield
Friendly, all-ages studio with community performances.
Dance Techniques – Spencer
Strong ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical fundamentals.
Next Step Studio of the Performing Arts – Barre
Dance, acting, and vocal training in a supportive space.
Shooting Stars Performing Arts – Holden
Rec and competitive dance programs for all ages.
Studio In the Pines – Rutland
Personal, multi-style dance instruction in a cozy studio.
🥊 Martial Arts- Check out our Martial Arts Guide!
MJA Martial Arts, Inc. – Fiskdale / Sturbridge
Kenpo karate + Ninja Tiger Cubs (ages 4–6).
Monson Kokondo Martial Arts School – Monson
Karate, jujitsu, kobudo in a traditional dojo.
Fred Villari’s Studio of Self Defense – Palmer
Shaolin Kempo karate with a focus on character building.
Sen-i Judo Club – Brimfield
Judo for all ages, based at Hitchcock Academy.
Blue Stone Dojang – West Warren
Taekwondo and hapkido instruction for kids and adults.
Elite Karate Academy – Spencer
Self-defense and focus-building in a family atmosphere.
Holden Martial Arts – Holden
Preschool through adult karate, family classes, and events.
Maillet’s Taekwondo School – Barre
Traditional taekwondo for all ages.
🎭 Theater & Performing Arts
Barre Players Theater – Barre
Community theater welcoming young actors.
barreplayerstheater.com
Fitzgerald Performing Arts – Sturbridge
Theater, ballet, and vocal classes for kids.
fitzgeraldperformingarts.com
🧘♂️ Yoga & Mindfulness
MyCollective –Sturbridge
More than a yoga studio—it’s a creative, community hub. Alongside their signature adult classes, My Collective offers family flow sessions and yoga + art fusion workshops designed to help teens (and their parents) move, breathe, and connect. Expect grounding mindfulness practices and a welcoming space where families can reset together.
♟️ Chess & Logic Games
Western Mass Chess Association
Supports school-based chess clubs and local tournaments.
⚔️ Fencing
Fencing at Hitchcock Academy – Brimfield
Youth fencing instruction through a fun, skill-building curriculum led by trained coaches. Great for beginners and up.
Let us know if you'd like a printable version of this guide or a seasonal breakdown (fall, winter, spring sessions) for your fridge!
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