This is an adorable spot that I had no idea existed until a friend asked me to attend a wine and…read morecardology class here. Such a sweet space with several designated parking spaces right in front. I arrived a few minutes early to our class and was able to look around at the great selection of gift and home products at the front of the space. For our class, snacks and drinks were included in the price and we had a lovely time laughing and learning more. I look at their schedule of upcoming events and they host so many fun events! Perfect for girls night out.

Create Art Studio is an amazing place for any art enthusiasts or people that just want to explore…read moretheir creativity! I've been to 2 workshops and both have been incredible. The founders Chrissy and Alissa are so nice and welcoming every time! The instructors are also so warm and the vibe of the place is just perfect, of course I have to mention the refreshments are on point too :) 100% recommend taking a class and they have parking!

You might have noticed the door with the mural of scissors on it, right next to Gallery Pastry in…read morethe little pocket of shops off of the Monon and 54th Street. The owner is super passionate about being crafty, creative and fun. Homeroom is essentially a big room with every fun crafting tool you've ever dreamed of. The owner does upholstery classes, both virtually and in person. She can also host private and custom workshops, parties or do studio rentals. The space has big tables to work at, sewing machines, fabric galore, wood burner tools, big spools that you can turn into footstools, and more. Check their website for the virtual and in-person class schedules or email the owner to set up a time to stop in. This is definitely a hidden gem!

If you've walked around the pockets of shops off the Monon at 54th Street in South Broad Ripple,…read moreyou may have noticed a door with an eye-catching yet simple mural of scissors. It's beyond that door where creative and convivial owner offers a creative DIY modern maker space. HomeRoom empowers guests to move beyond their fears by teaching them how to design, repair, and/or create useful and meaningful objects for themselves, friends, family, and the community. Don't expect the run-of-the-mill 'paper, gluesticks, and glitter' crafts. Think drivers/drills, hammers, sandpaper, handsaws, screwdrivers, pliers--and even sewing machines. Leer is an experienced leader and expert, as an educator and contributor for Real Simple, Bob Vila online, Country Living, Apartmenttherapy.com, and the Indianapolis Star. She's also taught sewing classes The Indianapolis Art Center as well as at a local shelter for abused women and kids. Leer offers private and custom workshops, summer camps, parties, and in-studio rentals. The recent classes include Beginning Sewing & Textile Arts, Maker Birthday Parties, and Upholstery for adults. Over the summer, Homeroom offers camps such as Crafty Entrepreneur Camp-where along the way, they learn financial literacy, design their goods, marketing, and sales skills. Kid classes have been fondly called meditative and calming "junk drawer" parties. Parents enjoy the classes, as each experience integrates both STEM and STEAM curricula. Kids are so busy having fun and feeling a high sense of accomplishment that they don't even know they were learning valuable and practical skills. Creativity flows, as kids use creatively use items such as grommet rings, earrings, fabric swatches, necklaces, charms, bells, broaches, keychains, buttons, keys, wood, vintage hardware, scrap metal conduit, laminates, wood, thread, beads, and metal tubing--even chop-sawed parquet floor tiles. Check their website for the virtual and in-person class schedules or set up a time to stop in.

Dropped in for the Ash + Elm Autumn fest, what a cool place! Parking was fun but did find street…read morespots not too far away, there's clean bathrooms, a nice green sprawl for all the wondering around tents. Neat place.

Went to the Broad Ripple Arts Fair this past weekend and had a great time! The festival is so…read morewell-organized and easy to navigate. It was so nice to talk to so many local artists and, of course, I bought a few pieces, as well. I also love coming to check out their galleries and love that they offer such a wide variety of classes.

My daughter graduates from Deckademics tonight. This has been so good for her, both fun and…read moremotivating. She has loved learning from the guys and growing in her skills as a DJ. I don't think she could've learned from anyone better. They were easy to work with even when we had conflicts with our schedule. She played 2 gigs with them, which was great experience. 2019 has been a year full of music and I'm so glad we trusted the team here to teach her the ropes. Now to book a gig.

DJ Cinnamon. DJ Knowledge. DJ Sweets. Ok, so after one DJ class at Deckademics I'm not quite ready…read moreto conquer the world of DJing, but for one day I had a blast trying! Deckademics is truly a gem. It is the first and only DJ school in Indy. It was started by Indy's cultural ambassador Douglas Morris also know as Sir Doug and, in my humble opinion, one of Indy's BEST DJ's Nick Saligoe other wise know as DJ MetroGnome. My friend wanted to try a Deckademics class for her birthday, so I gladly joined in the celebration. We signed up for the Weekend Warrior course which is basically a 4 hour long crash course in the fundamentals of DJing. No experience is necessary. Trust me, we had ZERO experience. It was easy to sign up for the class on-line. The class cost $75 ( and well worth it I might add). The day finally arrived for our class. I excitedly drove the school. There is free street parking available. The place is easy to miss, so drive slowly and look for the sign. We were warmly greeted by Nick and Doug then given an overview of the day. We were off on our adventure in DJing! We learned soooo much within the 4 hours. I seriously have a new found respect for DJ's. Yes, it is insanely fun, but it can be challenging. Nick and Doug were personable and did a great job co-leading our class. I especially appreciate Nick for finding some Bruno Mars tracks for me to work with. Man, I "heart" Bruno Mars. At the end of the course, we were able to use all of the skills we were taught to create a mini mix. This was one of the best parts! I was really DJing!! I felt like a kid riding their bike for the first time without training wheels. It was exhilarating!! The 4 hours went by quickly. We learned a lot, and had a BLAST in the process. These classes are perfect teens and up. My 15 year old nephew completed the novice and amateur courses in DJing and has moved up to the intermediate level. He absolutely loves it! Do yourself a favor, GO check this place and and TRY one of the classes. This is something fun and definitely unique to try. You won't regret it. I hope to return soon for one of their Date Night classes!

I just really hate the outdoors. Especially the outdoors in Indiana, because there are a plethora…read moreof insects that can sting you, or infect you with various diseases, or just get up in your face and annoy you. And then there are deer that look nice but carry ticks, and geese that are mean, and tornadoes, and unpredictable weather ... I could go on, but you know what I'm talking about. I'm probably the most indoorsy person in the Midwest, but I feel like this is not a character train that I should pass on to my children. That's why I seek out places like White Pine Wilderness Academy, so that my children can experience the outdoors with people who ACTUALLY love the outdoors, and not people (like me) who complain about it. We did the weeklong summer camp here, and my kindergartener was surrounded by camp counselors who were knowledgable about all-things outdoors and who shared their love with all the young campers. The camp was daily, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which was just enough time for this age range. During camp, the kids hiked, paddle boarded, waded in the White River, started fires (while supervised), whittled sticks, foraged for berries, played in the mud, made s'mores, climbed ropes and rocks, shared stories and generally just pushed themselves past their comfort zones. I have to say, I didn't know what to think about this place, at first. Having my child do all these potentially dangerous things while not under my direct supervision really tested me. (He's my first-born, so cut me a break.) I kept looking at my phone, expecting someone from White Pine to call saying that my child was at the hospital with a broken bone or a concussion. But I think having my child at White Pine was good for both me and him. He gained a lot of valuable lessons, such as respecting nature, learning independence and knowing that he's capable of a lot more than he thinks he is. And I learned that it's OK to let my child go do things that might mean that he will get hurt ... but that will also mean that he will learn a lot about the natural world and himself. On the last day of camp, all the campers and their families sat in a circle and had a small closing ceremony. One of the parents expressed how grateful she was that White Pine exists, because when she was young, spending all day outdoors -- getting muddy, running through the woods, traipsing through the creek -- was just an everyday part of childhood. But now, it's something that doesn't happen anymore, except at special places like White Pine Wilderness Academy. And as much as I hate the outdoors, I have to say that I agree, and somewhat yearn for the slow days of spending long days just looking at the horizon and waiting for the sun to set, or listening to birds chirping, or whittling rocks into sharp points. So I'm glad that White Pine exists and offers these small, slow, natural treasures to everyone who passes through their doors.

I've always loved the outdoors and survivalism, and have searched my whole life for a place to grow…read morein my knowledge of nature. I first joined White Pine for their teens camp, and fell in love with it. Now, I'm going to the after school programs and loving every moment.

This is a great program for all ages. The teenage kids that teach tennis are great at what they do…read moreand have lots of patience. I signed up my son who is 4 and he learned some tennis techniques throughout the summer. Only negative is that as the only black family out there the kids tennis program manager Melissa told me that toddlers younger than 3 can't play but allowed her friends kids to do it while watching my daughter sit on the sideline and couldn't play the entire summer. In conclusion if you are her friend you are privileged enough to let her slide about sign up and paying.

This has been simply the best USTA tennis program for our son for several years. The Program's 46…read moreCourts are located at three locations: The Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center, with a large Tennis House and 34 courts; the Eastwood Tennis Center, with 6 courts; and the Westlane Tennis Center, with 6 courts. Classes are offered at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center on the campus of North Central High School during the Spring and Summer months. 2018 marks the 54th summer of the Tennis Program which was founded in 1964 by Barbara Wynne. They are currently fundraising to expand our facility to include an eight-court dome. Thank you BB!

I had a foster kiddo who I threw into all the things to allow them experiences of a childhood and…read moreto find their niche. Nothing compared to Hernly Family Karate. My kiddo was welcomed with open arms and accepted for who he was. Hernly Family Karate offered nothing but a positive and enriching experience from summer camp to weekly sessions-it was nothing short of perfection. Fantastic communication, affordable and well rounded in all the things. The growth I saw and the smile always present after my kiddo's weekly session and camps spoke volumes. Thank you Hernly Family Karate for being a hidden gem and giving such a wholesome and wonderful environment for all involved.

This Family Karate has a dojo location they use... but they also offer classes at various schools…read morearound the city! SO GREAT! We attend through a school... Vince and his wife Beth along with his son Ben are the most prominent figures, but they often have a few other wonderful and knowledgeable black belt helpers, too! The kids i watch at their school really like learning karate in this group atmosphere, and it's great that they can see those who at levels above them and see what's to come for them! The Hernly's do a great job creating rules and expectations from the get go with the kids. and instilling respect and understanding that their actions have consequences and so many more great lessons... and on top of that, learning karate and self confidence and self defense! We love this!

Where do I even begin with Meridian Hills Cooperative? My family and I love this little school so…read moremuch. This is going to sound overly dramatic, but it aint no lie: Enrolling my child into this school has probably been one of the best decisions I've made since moving to Indiana. We just finished the 4s class, which was our first foray into any type of schooling. Meridian Hills Cooperative is play-based, which means that the kids learn through exploring, building, creating, moving their bodies, and just plain being kids. The teachers do not push the kids to do anything (as in, they aren't receiving formal lessons in the 4s class) -- instead, the teacher invites each child to participate, and lets them join in whenever they feel comfortable. Each child is valued for whatever stage they're at in life. Similarly, each type of personality -- from super shy guys to boisterous kids to everything in between -- is cherished and respected. A huge plus about the school is that they value playing outdoors. They will tell you straight up when you go for a tour: We play outside in all types of weather! The only time the kids won't play outside is if the weather is dangerous, such as during thunderstorms, or if the windchill is in the single digits. Otherwise, kids bring their snow clothes, rain boots and other outdoor gear because they know they'll be playing outside, rain or shine! Meridian Hills Cooperative is a co-op, which means that parents participate in the classes on a rotating basis. I love this aspect of the school because you really get to know your child's classmates, and in turn, the other parents really get to know YOUR child very well. It's very much like an extended family, with everyone invested in each other's well being. One of the most unique aspects of Meridian Hills is the Kindergarten class. This school is one of the only in the Indianapolis area that offers a part-time Kindergarten. (It meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.) On Thursdays, the class spends all day outdoors in the "forest Kindergarten" area, which is basically set up to be an outdoor classroom. So the kids get to learn while feeling the cool breeze, hearing the birds chirping and feeling the earth under their feet. It is such an amazing space, and an amazing way for kids to learn. I feel like I could go on and on about Meridian Hills, but it's just one of those things you have to check out yourself. I'm probably the most jaded and cynical person I know, but whenever I talk to people about this school, I get super mushy and emotional recounting all the ways I love this school and how much my child has grown and blossomed because of it. It's truly been a blessing in our lives.

I searched high and low (aka Noblesville to downtown Indy) looking for a nondenominational,…read moreplay-based preschool for my daughter. After looking at multiple Montessori schools and not finding many other options, I was delighted to find MHCNS. As soon as I arrived, I knew I had found something special. The spacious outdoor playground is like no other I've seen in the area (and there are hiking trails, too!). Once inside, I was impressed by the "block room" full of wooden toys for building, the "art room" with easels set up and a table full of homemade play dough, and a third room where the children were enjoying board games and reading in little groups. And then I met the teachers. There are three, and they are all amazing. They have history with the school, an easy rapport with the children, and they believe in the power of play. I was also impressed that this school has a half-day kindergarten available. As a cooperative (and member of Indiana Council of Preschool Cooperatives), this preschool is run by parents. One of your child's caregivers will help out in the classroom once or twice a month and take on a "job" within the school. Your job could be anything from organizing the Fall Picnic to ordering the art supplies for your child's classroom or caring for the class pet. My daughter loves seeing me in her classroom, and it really gives me a better sense of what she is experiencing and what I can do to help her grow. MHCNS offers parent education nights and a two day training workshop. Since all of the parents are so involved with the school, you really get to know the other families and create lasting friendships. Overall, I feel that being part of this school has not only been beneficial to my daughter, it has also made me a better parent.