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Ready-to-Make Ballet Crafts

Ready-to-Make Ballet Crafts

I swear I meant to design my own ballet craft to share with you lovely people. However, I’m not all that crafty, much to my dismay. As much as I would like to pull out my craft tote when my child gets bored or antsy and show how to do something new featuring leotards, tutus, and ballet slippers, to be honest, I’m much better at following other people’s directions. 
March 09, 2022
It's a Spooky, Socially Distanced Halloween

It's a Spooky, Socially Distanced Halloween

 by Rachel Minnie

Things are pretty scary right now, and not in a good way. Although no one is sure what trick-or-treating will look like this year, we still want to celebrate one of America’s favorite holidays. Here are our suggestions for a responsibly social-distanced Halloween celebration.

 

Don’t Skip the Costumes

 

Even if kids aren’t going trick-or-treating or attending their usual parties this year, do not skip the costumes. Dressing up as a kid on Halloween is one of those treasured childhood activities that should be maintained, even if you aren’t going anywhere. (Take a look at our wholesomely spooky girls’ and toddlers’ costume leotards in our Halloween shop!)

 

Share the (Candy) Love

 

This one takes a little planning ahead, but think about sending Halloween goodie bags to your child’s closest friends and relatives. Include a handmade card from your child along with a few pieces of candy, a pencil or two, and mail them a few days ahead of time. Your child will have fun getting into the spirit by sending the packages, and your child’s friends will love receiving them.

 

Modified Trick-or-Treating

 

This is one trick I used when my family first moved to New Hampshire only a couple days before Halloween. We knew not one soul, had no neighbors, and didn’t even know yet where people did their candy peddling in that tiny rural town. So we had my four-year-old dress up in his costume, and while he and his daddy played outside in the early evening, I “hid” candy all around the house. He went through the house, collecting the candy (all his favorites - no duds). He loved it! Even at 11 years old, he still talks about that Halloween. Happy childhood memory - nailed it.

 

Decorate!

 

Even if you’re not feeling totally in the Halloween spirit, don’t skip the decorations. In fact, that’s even more reason to go a little more elaborate with indoor and outdoor decorations this year. (If you’re already one of those people who goes all out on their outdoor decor, you deserve a ghoulishly heartfelt thank you from the rest of us.) Not only will it delight your kiddos, but it will inspire the neighbors as well. Instead of driving around to look at holiday lights, drive around to look at all the Halloween decorations.

 

Keep It Spooky, Witches

 

Going along with decorating, if you have the space - and, more importantly, the time and energy - make your own outdoor haunted attraction. Who said a haunted house has to be the inside of the house? Backyards can be just as chilling. Set one up and let local families know via social media. On Halloween night, allow one family at a time to go through and provide hand sanitizer and disposable masks. With all of today’s new-fangled animatronic contraptions, you can set up a seriously spooky space with no live jump scares. Add a fog machine, scary recordings, and you’ve got yourself a Halloween horror treat not just for your family, but for your friends and neighbors as well. And if you set it up but don’t get many bodies, consider it a dry run for next year’s Halloween, which we hope will be more lively. Get it? I’ll see myself out.

 

Photo by @adayinthelifeofcecilia

October 09, 2020
Sweatin' with the Newbies

Sweatin' with the Newbies

When we all were sweating through middle school gym class, who would have guessed that one day we would be throwing a party based on it? But paired with a colorful birthday party, working out is especially fun. Here are our picks for the best retro workout-themed birthday, like, ever!
September 10, 2020
Halloween Costume Trends 2020

Halloween Costume Trends 2020

This year has already been so frightening that we hardly need any more scares. However, we would argue that Halloween - so kitschy and faux fear - will be a welcome break from reality. Let’s all pretend to be scared by sheet-covered ghosts and staticy, recorded werewolf howls, shall we? In that spirit (see what I did there?) here are our favorite Halloween costume trends of 2020.
September 07, 2020
Our Picks for Best Dance Bags

Our Picks for Best Dance Bags

Besides the leotards, tights, and dance skirts, bags are one of the most important and functional accessories your child will need for dance classes. That’s why we’ve compiled the best of the best dance bags for little dancers. Here they are!
September 02, 2020
The Benefits of Online Dance Education

The Benefits of Online Dance Education

At a time when the world is so chaotic, dance lessons may seem like one of the things you can let fall to the wayside. However, whether your little ones were already taking lessons or have never put on a leotard before, online dance classes can be beneficial to both bored students and overwhelmed parents.
August 31, 2020
Your Affordable DIY Dance Space

Your Affordable DIY Dance Space

It’s easier and more affordable than ever to create a dance practice space at home. All you need is a few supplies - some of which you may already have - and a small, empty space. Follow the instructions below, and then throw on those leotards and tights and get practicing!
August 27, 2020
Get Some Dance Inspiration with Our Book Picks

Get Some Dance Inspiration with Our Book Picks

Can your little dancers not get enough of anything ballet? The leotards, the tights, the skirts! Well, we’ve whittled down the list of ballet-inspired books to give you the Leotard Boutique’s top picks.
August 25, 2020
Keep Those Kiddos Moving with Online Dance Classes

Keep Those Kiddos Moving with Online Dance Classes

Seraphina is wearing our suntan short sleeve leotard with white tights.

 

by Rachel Minnie

Now more than ever parents need to invest in keeping their kiddos moving! With fewer in-person dance options, parents are finding many online platforms for their little dancers to have a reason to throw on their favorite leotards and dance skirts. Below are some of the most promising sites we’ve discovered so far:

 

Outschool.com

Outschool is a well rounded learning platform that connects teachers and other professionals with students and parents. Anyone can sign up to be a teacher (so if you have an area of expertise or a hidden talent, consider offering your own class). In fact, there are so many classes available - especially now - that it can be a little overwhelming. Be sure to read reviews for teachers to help you make informed choices.

Class prices range from pretty reasonable to downright cheap. Choose from one-time classes, ongoing classes, seasonal summer camps, and long-term classes. Outschool classes are a staple in my house, and one thing that has impressed me is that they tend to be very interactive, not just between teachers and students, but between students and students. In this way, Outschool classes on Zoom can be a great alternative to in-person camps and classes that students may be missing during social distancing.

 

Kidpass.com

Available in either drop-in classes or session-based camps, dance classes on kidpass.com include ballet, rhythmic gymnastics, hip hop, tap, and more. While some classes are pre-recorded, others are live. The Kidpass platform allows you to easily schedule and keep track of multiple classes, perfect if you’re looking for lots of classes with different topics or if you have children of different ages.

And kidpass.com offers much more than just dance. You can also use it for academics, crafts, coding, foreign languages, etc. The Kidpass Digital Platform also uses Zoom. While some of the classes are pricey, you can find free classes that help even out the budget.

 

Sawyer.com

On sawyer.com, parents can find another platform for kids dance activities, as well as academic subjects and other fitness classes, like yoga and karate, offered by multiple providers. Available as drop-in classes, semesters, or seasonal summer camps, Sawyer’s classes can be booked for in-person classes (depending on your area), but there are more online programs than ever before as families look for ways to stay active and engaged remotely.

Search by day, time, age, or activity to find the perfect class for your dancer (or scientist, or linguist, or artist, or chef). Sawyer.com is also a Zoom-based platform. Overall, you can find many classes that are a good value for the money, some of which are only $5 a class. Gotta love that! (Bonus: Sawyer is a female-founded company.)

 

Free Classes!

There are plenty of free videos and tutorials online from reputable companies like Kidz Bop and Go Noodle. Kids will love the wholesome songs and dance moves in both, but Go Noodle also has popular characters from Disney and Nickelodeon. Though these are highly flexible since there are no regular times - just pop on a video anytime - they are highly commercialized. Additionally, parents may have some reluctance to send their kids to YouTube. Just make sure to beef up your parental controls if that is a worry for you.

 

Tippi Toes

A nationwide kids dance studio franchise, Tippi Toes now offers online virtual classes with their instructors. For one new recorded class a week, you’ll pay just $19.99 a month, with a seven-day free trial. You get to keep all the recorded lessons for continued watching. Tippi Toes promises high energy and engaging dance content for kids 2-8 years old. While the classes are not live, that may be a benefit for some since it adds to its flexibility and convenience.




Just the Basics Si'l Vous Plait: Beginner Ballet Terms

Just the Basics Si'l Vous Plait: Beginner Ballet Terms

Who knew there were so many new terms to learn if your child is taking ballet? And they’re often in (gasp) French. What are the absolute must-know terms that you’ll need to converse with your little ballerina or danseur - a male ballet dancer (See? You’re learning already). Here is our list of the most basic terms you’re likely to encounter.
August 17, 2020