Fun Activities To Do Over Spring Break



MOVES IN BLOOM
This activity is inspired by flowers in BLOOM. The objective of this game is to help students build confidence and creative expression, while counting the music and following directions.

BASIC GAME PLAY:

  • All dancers start on the ground in a squared position, ideally in a shape that resembles a seed. For 8 counts, the dancers will “bloom” as they move from floor to standing while you count to 8.
    (They will understanding practice an 8 count. 8 is the magic number of dance. 8 is great, and great is 8!)
  • Afterward, pause their blooming. Then, begin counting to 8 again, and tell them to “melt” back into their starting position, as if they’ve become a “wilted” flower.

HOW TO MAKE IT EXTRA:

  • Allow the dancers to practice this several times, then add layers of complexity such as:
    • Take 8 counts to bloom, then 8 to wilt down just to mid level before being infused with sunlight and blooming to the highest level again. 
    • Take 8 counts to bloom just to the mid level, before drying up from lack of rain and wilting back down to the low level for 8 counts. 
    • Take 8 counts to bloom, but instead of pausing in stillness on the high level, the dancers are blown from side to side by a gust of wind!
    • Take 8 counts work their creativity to root down to the earth, they could even begin as a fully blossomed flower.
    • Grow and wilt just as a stem, without using your arms because your flowers did not bloom. 

 


 

BUILD A OBSTACLE COURSE

The whole point is to get the kids engaged and to wear them out, so involve them in as much building of the course as possible, with you supervising for safety. Even the littlest competitors can get involved in the building stage by stacking pillows, lining up baskets, or sorting balls. Involving the kids in constructing the course gives them a sense of accomplishment and builds a storyline in their head—adding an element of imaginative play to the activity.

SAFETY FIRST: Keep safety as the top priority. To do this, make good use of cushions, yoga mats, and blankets as much as you can. And be sure to move sharp corners and breakable items out of the way.

Ideas for your obstacle course:

    • Balance Beam. A basic 2 x 4 on the floor makes for a perfect balance beam, as does a rolled up area rug. But if you’re short on space, even just a strip of painter’s tape can give kids the challenge of maintaining their balance, or a simple piece of string.
    • Tunnels. Tunnels are a major stop on any respectable obstacle course. If you don’t have a kids’ tunnel, fear not! They can easily be made by lining up a row of chairs for your child to crawl through. 
    • Sack Races. If your kids are bouncing off the walls, give them a pillow case or a sleeping bag and hop across a room or down a hallway.
    • The Floor is Hot Lava! Line up cushions, yoga blocks, or even pieces of construction paper and have kids hop from one to the next—avoiding the “lava” AKA floor. Adding a storyline to obstacle courses increases the fun.

There are many ways to make an obstacle course, and your tiny humans probably are full of creative ideas to add to the magic!

 


 

HAVE A FAMILY DANCE PARTY

This one is super duper simple! All it takes is music & and your family. You can keep it simple or add extra razzle dazzle.

HOW TO MAKE IT EXTRA:

    • ADD A THEME. The easiest way to add razzle dazzle is simply making it a themed affair!
    • PLAYLIST. No matter what music is must, but you can create one special for family dance parties. This is where how to make your theme really stand out. For a tried and true list, try adding each family member’s favorites songs to the list, adding a bit joy for everyone.
    • DECORATIONS. While this isn’t a necessity, it does make for more of a fun experience. On top of it adding to the ambiance this is a perfect opportunity to get crafty with your kids.
    • SNACKS. If you add a theme to your family dance parties you can work together to make themed snacks for your mini party, together!

 

We hope you enjoy these ideas and will give them a try!

 

 

In 2023 we want to take time to recognize all the wonderful people that make this studio possible. We have an amazing staff with qualifications out of the roof… but they are more than just dancers and educators. So for the next couple of weeks, we will be getting to know the humans behind the teacher, and their little fun facts. 

This week we are diving into the little details of Miss Reyana! 

If you know Miss Reyana you know she is a person who lives in a world full of color. Everything she touches is brought to life with sparkle✨. You can tell she navigates through a kaleidoscope lens when you step into her studio👯‍♀️! Even though she loves all the colors in the rainbow she does hold one color high above the rest. What is that special color you ask? FUCHSIA 💕

Just like her Miss Reyana loves to enjoy something sweet. When it comes to favorite foods she loves to enjoy a delicious ice cream cone🍦. Can we blame her though? Who doesn’t love a sweet treat. Especially living in Los Angeles🌴 it’s perfect for anytime of the year🗓.

For everyone here music is engraved in our lives like no other. It’s a big part of our job. With that sometimes it makes it hard to pick just one. But when we asked Miss Reyana she knew right away which song has stole her heart ❤️ . ‘Rhiannon’ By Fleetwood Mac☁️ is a solid choice. We don’t know anyone who doesn’t love this classic🎹.

When it comes to favorite artist it was a little bit hard for her to choose on this matter. There is simply too many to count🔄. Miss Reyana’s first love was music 🎶 (and dance) growing up. So answering this question felt impossible to her 🤷‍♀️.

We are made of memories☁️, and as we grow older we become a product of all the things we have experienced along the way. Some memories stick out more than others💬. When it comes to Miss Reyana she looks back and favors summers on the lake with her family, in South Texas where she was raised ☀️.

Even though everyone here is an amazing dancer our teachers are much more than that. Outside of the studio, Miss Reyana loves to travel✈️, visit Disneyland🎡, and experience live music🎵…but most often she can be found playing records she’s collected. Working on crafts🎨, puzzles🧩 , playing board games♟, or watching F1🏎️ with her hubby.

Our teachers here at Reach For the Barres are fountains of knowledge⛲️. They are people who are full of amazing advice. What Miss Reyana would like to pass on to the students here is “Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine”💕

These are just a few of the things that make Miss Reyana so special! 

In 2023 we want to take time to recognize all the wonderful people that make this studio possible. We have an amazing staff with qualifications out of the roof… but they are more than just dancers and educators. So for the next couple of weeks, we will be getting to know the humans behind the teacher, and their little fun facts. 

This week we are diving into the little details of Miss Leighanna! 

There are many colors of the rainbow. Some shine bright like the sun, and some are as dark as night.. but they are all special to someone. The color that caught the eye of Miss Leighanna PERIWINKLE🦄! It’s a soft a cozy color that makes of think of all things good. We completely understand why this color holds a special place in her heart❤️.

When it comes to food Miss Leighanna loves  SWEET POTATOES🍠 . In any shape, way, or form she will take it. You can never go wrong with this super yummy food. It’s versatile like regular potatoes but it’s got a twist! 🌪

Miss Leighanna is a lover of all things music🎵. There is no way she could go a day without it. Her life is full of it. When we asked what her favorite song was she thought long an hard. Leighanna went back a forth and came to the conclusion that she simply couldn’t pick just 1️⃣.

When it comes to favorite artist it was a little bit easier for her to choose on this matter. Though she did take a little time to think over all her options one artist stuck out more than the rest. When in doubt Miss Leighanna will always be a fan of Kendrick Lamar!

We are made of memories☁️, and as we grow older we become a product of all the things we have experienced along the way. Some memories stick out more than others💬. She looks back fondly on Disney🪄 trips she took as a kid. But of course she couldn’t look past all her days spent taking dance class🩰 as she grew up. 

Even though everyone here is an amazing dancer our teachers are much more than that. Outside of the studio, Miss Leighanna loves to travel✈️. Seeing the world is something she finds is one of the best ways to spend your life. On top of that she loves photography📷, and we gotta say she is pretty great at it to! Last and certainly not least she loves to visit Disneyland🪄on her days off!

Possessions can come in many different shapes or forms. Some things are tangible that we can hold in our hand, and others are things like time spent. When it comes to things that are extra special to this teacher of the week she keeps her photo albums of her and her family🖼 in a safe place.

Our teachers here at Reach For the Barres are fountains of knowledge⛲️. They are people who are full of amazing advice. What Miss Maraya would like to pass on to the students here is “Always lead with you heart”💕

These are just a few of the things that make Miss Leighanna  so special!

In 2023 we want to take time to recognize all the wonderful people that make this studio possible. We have an amazing staff with qualifications out of the roof… but they are more than just dancers and educators. So for the next couple of weeks, we will be getting to know the humans behind the teacher, and their little fun facts. 

This week we are diving into the little details of Miss Maraya! 

There are many colors out there in the world, and she couldn’t possibly choose just one. The colors that have caught attention of Miss Maraya are FOREST GREEN🌲 & LILAC PURPLE🦄! Two colors that are complete opposites but two she loves dearly. This shade of purple has her thinking of spring flowers, and this particular green makes her think of the forests she grew up in. So we completely understand why she loves them so.

When it comes to food Miss Maraya loves the loves PASTA🍝. In any shape, way, or form she will take it. You can never go wrong with a big warm bowl of it’s  goodness❤️. The best pasta she ever had naturally is the variety she indulge in while in Italy.

Maraya couldn’t go a single day without music🎵. Her life is full of it. Everything has a soundtrack in her world. From the dance classes she teaches to the songs she listens to in the car. It is truly hard for her to pick one favorite song. But some of her favorites are ‘Grey Street’ By Dave Matthews Band, ‘Adore You’ By Harry Styles, and a new favorite ‘Ceilings’ Lizzie McApline.🙌 

Anyone who knows Maraya will know who her favorite artist is without a doubt🎤. She doesn’t go a day without listening to this artist, and has been a fan for over a decade⌛️. Her love and appreciation started early on in his boyband days. Harry Styles captured her heart and ears in 2011. She makes sure anytime he is in town that she has a ticket to his show!🎟

We are made of memories☁️, and as we grow older we become a product of all the things we have experienced along the way. Some memories stick out more than others💬. She looks back fondly on her summers with her family. Every year Maraya’s family and her moms best friend and their family would spend 2 weeks at the beach together. Without fail every year was filled with sunshine☀️, 4th of July celebrations🇺🇸, and carnivals🎡. She looked forward to this time with the people that meant most to her every year. 

Even though everyone here is an amazing dancer our teachers are much more than that. Outside of the studio, Miss Maraya loves to write✍️. From short stories to poems she loves to create worlds with pen & paper. It’s another way for her to be creative, and express her heart. She also loves to read📖. Which is no surprise since she loves to write. She loves that you can get lost in a story. Miss Maraya could spend a whole day reading and never get bored.🤩

Possessions can come in many different shapes or forms. There are 2 items that Miss Maraya holds near and dear to her. Both belonging to her mother. She keeps her mothers engagement ring 💍in a safe space🔐 & wears on extra special occasions. But the one she couldn’t live without is the necklace her mom wore everyday. It’s something that has been passed down form mother to mother for generations👩‍👩‍👧. Whenever Miss Maraya isn’t at the studio she has is on her neck.

Our teachers here at Reach For the Barres are fountains of knowledge⛲️. They are people who are full of amazing advice. What Miss Maraya would like to pass on to the students here is “Always stay true to yourself. Never sacrifice yourself or what you believe in for others”💕

These are just a few of the things that make Miss Maraya so special!