We did a long overdue garage clean-out over this winter break. It made for lots of trips to the dump and to drop-off donations, spurts of extended kid screen time, and (what I consider) hard decisions about what should actually stay. I have a really hard time getting rid of the kids’ things, be it old clothes, toys, art and projects they made at school, or the race car toddler bed that I can’t seem to let go of that is the definition of unwieldy. I mainly bring this up to explain why I ended up at the Frances Anderson Center looking through the City of Edmonds Craze and found some classes that look great.

I donated a toddler scooter to Meadowdale Preschool because I love it there and we’re still in touch with Director/Teacher Ms. Parker, 10 years after attending. I also bring it up because much like a cat playing with the box their new cat toy came in and not the toy itself, my youngest is currently playing on the Nintendo 64 we came across in our holiday garage clean-out and not with the gifts he asked Santa for.

I always love being at the Frances Anderson Center and this particular trip, during a holiday week with no classes or preschool going on, was uncharacteristically quiet. As my kids have gotten a bit older and their interests have landed them at hockey rinks and lacrosse fields, I am there less often. I figured the trip was a great time to open up the Craze and look at the classes that are just about to start.

With Meadowdale Preschool on the top of my mind, I see that registration for the 2020-21 school year opens on Jan. 13. To schedule a tour you can contact Michele Parker at 425-745-5055 or by emailing MeadowdalePreschool@EdmondsWA.gov. You can also visit the website for more information on the preschool, including the parent handbook or tuition.

On the second page of Craze classes for kids in Edmonds, I noticed a couple of acting options and a photography and cake decorating option. I am always excited when the classes are offered for older kids — acting classes each have options up to 17  — and also when there are fun options for kids whose interests are outside of the mainstream and widely-offered activities.

The first class I noticed was Improv Acting for kids 12 to 17 years old. This class meets once a week starting on Tuesday, Jan. 14 and ending on March 3. Students will become an improv troupe over the course of the class, working together to discover what it takes to create exciting drama.

Drama Kids offers a wide range of age options in their classes. According to the class description, actors can “build confidence, creative thinking and language skills through fun, fast-paced drama exercises including improvisation, mini-scripts, theater games, and more!” In checking out the different age range classes — they start at 3 and go all the way to 17 — I see that some of the options that start next week have been canceled. You can still register for Kinderkids, for ages 4 1/2 through 5,  plus Storyland Playhouse, the Composite Class and their Spring Break Camp Movie Star Mystery, which are all for kids ages 6 to 11.

Kids Digital Photography Club meets once a month for three months starting on Saturday, Jan. 11. In this class, kids ages 8 to 12 can “learn photography concepts and camera operation while taking a lot of pictures in a positive, fun environment.” Students should bring their digital camera and manual to class, though the description in the Craze says that film cameras with settings and phones are welcome too. Plus, the fee for the class, all three meetings, is $27 for Edmonds residents.

A couple of pages later in the Adult Enrichment Section, there is a Cake Decorating class offered for those 10 and up. I have written about this class a few times and they keep offering fun new options. The next offering is A Snowflake Cake on Saturday, Jan. 11. Participants can “celebrate snow, winter and special times with a snowflake-decorated buttercream cake.” There are also options in the coming months including a Penguin Valentine’s Day Cake, a Rainbow Cake and Easter Bunny Cupcakes in April.

When I was leaving Frances Anderson Center and heading to the library, I saw a poster for Friday Night Playzone. This is two hours of “gymnastics fun” for kids ages 6 to 12 held at the Frances Anderson Center on Friday nights starting at 6:15 p,m. Playzone includes structured obstacle courses, group games, fort building, and open gym time. This class requires advanced sign up each week, which can be done over the phone, online or at the front desk.

To register for any of these classes, just like the Friday Night Playzone, you can visit the Frances Anderson Center front desk at 700 Main Street in Edmonds, call them at 425-771-0230, or visit them online for information and registration at RecZone.org.

— By Jennifer Marx

Jen Marx, an Edmonds mom of two boys, is always looking for a fun place to take the kids that makes them tired enough to go to bed on time.