Your kids just aren’t that into sports.
Being stuck in a situation where you want your child to participate in peer group activities while simultaneously having a child who dislikes sports can be a challenging road to navigate. As a mother of many, I can confirm that children, in fact, do not share the same interests as we do. Finding sports-free activities can be a game-changer for you and your children.
I was a theater kid. Sure, I absolutely tried my hand at sports . . . I tried really hard. But I learned something about myself pretty quickly: I don’t love competition. I was just not that kid.
Here I sit, seven children later, and I have found that it would be uncomfortably convenient for my kids to all enjoy the same activity. We have athletes, but we also have artists, intellectuals, and performers.
Much to my surprise, my youngest children seem to be interested not only in sports, but the arts and sciences as well. So, I asked my OKC moms where and what they would recommend for the kids who don’t want to do sports. Here is a guide to all things non-sport for your kids with some local moms input.
Music
Whether you are looking for choirs, bands, or private lessons, here are some places to check out to help you get plugged into the youth music community.
OKC Lights
Adrien Myers, the owner, offers a fun and diverse range of musical lessons. If you are looking for something out of the norm, this is your place! Group classes, Rock band, piano, and drum line/percussion are some of the services offered.
FB: OKC.lights.music
IG: @okclights
Larsen Music
Larsen Music has been a staple in the OKC area since 1936. Located on NW Expressway, Larsen offers private lessons and other youth activities. Also partnering with Larsen Music would be Edmond Music, in Edmond, and Gilliam Music, in Norman. Check out their website for more information on all three locations. Click on whichever location fits for you and get started on your music adventure!
Edmond Music: Musical Instruments, Guitars, Pianos in OKC
Canterbury Voices
Located in OKC, if you are solely focused on vocals, this could be a great option for you. Auditions are held during the summer for the season to follow. Having four different choirs, this is perfect for those who are interested in choir. Check out their website for auditions and education opportunities.
Canterbury Voices | OKC Choral Artistry
Theater
I know I have some drama lovers at home. If this sounds like your child, too, maybe theater is the activity for you. Oklahoma has endless opportunities when it comes to youth theatre. This is only scratching the surface, but here is a good start to where you can find classes, workshops, and upcoming auditions for spring productions.
Metro Youth Theatre of Oklahoma, Inc
“Metro Youth Theatre of Oklahoma, Inc. creates quality theatre productions performed by Oklahoma’s youth, providing an educational experience in the performing arts. MYT strives to inspire young performers while nurturing and growing their talents” – MYTOKC.ORG
Check out their website for upcoming auditions and locations.
Metro Youth Theatre of Oklahoma
St. Luke’s Poteet Theatre
Located in NW OKC, St. Luke offers classes, workshops, and lessons for children. Whether you want your child to audition or simply try a workshop, there is a range of engagement with a positive mission statement. “Our mission is to bring people closer to God through arts education, mentorship, and community.”
Visit their website for upcoming classes and auditions.
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre
With a mission statement stating “Oklahoma Children’s Theatre provides extraordinary live theatre and interactive educational experiences for young audiences. We inspire young people to visualize their potential, enhance family relationships, and invest in the future of our communities.” Oklahoma Children’s Theatre has a strong focus on the youth and molding their talent.
With classes, camps, and auditions, their website has a ton of information about upcoming events.
Art
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or something like that . . . That being said, as a mom, all of my kids’ art is beautiful, but I also understand we can be a bit biased. If you have a little Picasso or Gordan Ramsey at home, and you want to nurture their passions, here are some options for a wider range of arts. Whether you want pottery or cooking, painting or planting, these places will have your kids covered.
Artsy Rose Academy
If you are looking for a place to enhance your child’s inner artist, this is the place to be. With everything from classes available for homeschool to Friday night craft classes, anything is possible here! This is a mom’s favorite because of the wide range of classes offered.
Seriously, check out all the great things they have to offer on their website.
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
If you live anywhere near the OKC metro, you know the household name. Oklahoma Contemporary offers everything from cooking to building. With such a wide range of skill sets offered, they also have a wide range of classes. With everything from workshops to summer camps, they will have you covered.
Find out more information on upcoming class enrollment and times on their website.
Prairie Pottery Kids
Want to join in on the fun? Prairie Pottery has you covered. Not only do they offer classes for kids, but they also offer workshops that you can do together. Listen, I love when my kids get to do things, but I love it more when I get to join in!
Prices, classes, and upcoming events are available on their website.
Discover Creativity Today — Prairie Pottery
S.T.E.M.
Are you tired of your children taking apart your electronics to put them back together? Do you ask your young ones for technological help? If so, you are not the only one! Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics could be the best pick for you! In a world where technology seems to be on overdrive, you can never go wrong with a little more STEM.
Oddball Academy
Has your little one always dreamed of building a robot? If the answer is yes, you have to check out Oddball Academy. You can find workshops and classes on their website.
STEM Adventures
If you are into robotic competitions, this seems to be the place to go. STEM Adventures offers classes and discounts for multiple children. They have monthly classes, competitions, and seasonal camps.
For more information, check out their website.
Oklahoma Science Museum
The Oklahoma Science Museum is never short of fun science. Specializing in child-specific science and discovery, this is a great place that is familiar to most Oklahomans. Camps, classes, interactive exhibits, and the list goes on. There is certainly no shortage of science.
You can find out pricing, classes, and special events on their website.
Science Museum Oklahoma | Oklahoma’s Largest Science Museum
This is only a small fraction of what our great city has to offer.
While there are so many great youth programs around, including at our local libraries and community centers, I hope this list gives all of you mothers out there a head start on where to start looking. For whatever reason, finding activities can be more stressful than doing my taxes, and I know I cannot be the only one!
Let us know of any great local sports-free activities you think other moms might want to check out!
