6 of the BEST Kid's Activities in Babylon

We all want all of our students to find their passion. The thing that makes them light up with excitement. One of the best ways for kids to do that is to get out there and try a variety of activities. For this month’s blog post, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of the TOP Babylon kids’ activities.

Our community is so lucky to have such amazing, enriching options for kids. There is something for everyone in Babylon, NY. Sports, culture, outstanding shopping, and MORE! Hopefully, reading through these options will inspire your family to try something new this winter.

Six of the BEST kid’s activities in Babylon Village:

• Positions Dance Studio: OK, we may be a little bit biased here but we LOVE LOVE LOVE Positions! We have dance (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, tumbling, mommy and me, acro, etc.) classes for students ages 18 months-adult. Our classes are designed to foster self-confidence in our dancers and we are proud to provide dance classes to ALL in a family-friendly environment. Check out the current schedule HERE. We are currently enrolling for the 2022/2023 dance year. We DO offer free trials in select classes!

• Argyle Theatre: This historic theater is a destination for Broadway-caliber musical theater, plays, comedy, and concerts. Don’t miss Harry Connick, Jr's The Happy Elf this winter! If your child loves playing dress up and putting on shows in the living room, they will love taking a theater class or watching a live performance. An easy way to enjoy theater without leaving Long Island.

• ArtSea Studio: If your child likes drawing and painting, they will love taking a class at ArtSea Studio. They have an amazing lineup of art classes for children (pre-K through 12th grade). We just love the Parent/Child Nights that they offer once or twice a month. What a great way to spend some time with your child!

• Argyle Toys: Argle Toys celebrated their one year anniversary this past summer! This curated toy shop is FULL of wooden, pretend play, Montessori style, sensory, outdoor toys and MORE. Their helpful staff is ready to help you put together the perfect gift or find a “just because” item that will inspire your child to dream big and use their imagination. Follow their Facebook page for sales, events, and updates!

• La La Land: La La Land is a bright, modern play space for young children in Babylon Village. Spend 90 minutes playing, book a private play date, or let them host your next birthday! This is a NEW business in Babylon. We have a feeling our community is going to LOVE the new addition!

• Bubble Boutique and Learning Center: This is your one-stop shop for apparel, gifts, and unique toys. The best part? They have children's classes too! They specialize in classes for babies-12 years old. If you have a crafter, you NEED to check them out! Right now their website is undergoing changes, the best way to check them out is via their Facebook page.

Well, there you have it. A jam-packed list of super fun activities to check out with your child. Isn’t Babylon Village such an amazing place to be a kid?! We are going to let you in on a secret. It’s a great place to be an adult too. Almost all of these businesses have classes and workshops for adults as well. Now you can be free to explore YOUR passion along with your child.

Do you have a fun, share-worthy activity that didn’t make the list? Send us a message! Our families would LOVE to know what your kids love to do in the community.

Meet The Staff at Positions Dance Studio!

When it comes to dance in Babylon and the surrounding areas, we know our dance families have options. From location to class options, there are tons of factors to consider when choosing a studio. Among the many reasons why you should choose Positions is our amazing, wonderful, showstopping staff!

Did you know… ALL of our instructors have Positions history or roots here in Babylon?! We feel pretty lucky to have a group of teachers who are connected to our community. Aside from being excellent role models for our students, they bring warmth, passion, and dedication to the studio year-round.

So today on the blog, it’s time to meet the staff! 

Miss Kelly - Owner & Director

How long have you been at Positions?
30 years! I started dancing here when I was 3 and I am now the proud owner and director of Positions!
What is your favorite Positions memory?
As a student growing up, my favorite memories were any of our recitals and performances. We would get to hang out with our dance friends, do each other's hair, and eat Twizzlers all day :) As a teacher and studio owner, I love getting to travel with my students and make fantastic memories!
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
I am also President of the Chamber of Commerce, so I try really hard to spread the love and support all of our businesses. Some of my favorite places to shop are Roomors and Ooh La La, and one of my favorite restaurants is The Brixton.
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
Our current staff has known each other for so long, so we are all friends and truly feel like a dance family. I believe that comes across to our students and their families -they see that Positions is a fun, friendly place to be, and we hope that they feel immediately welcomed into the family.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am a huge history buff, and I used to teach high school social studies before I decided to run the studio full time.

Miss Jillian - Artistic Director

How long have you been at Positions?
I’ve been teaching at Positions for 12 years. 
What is your favorite Positions memory?
I loved going to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans! I had always wanted to visit that city and it was a wonderful balance of rehearsal/performance time and adventure time. I especially liked the swamp tour I went on with Miss Kelly’s husband, Kevin! We saw some cool stuff!
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
Molto Vino OR Horace and Silvia’s (but Cold Stone holds a special place in my heart).
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
Everyone is extremely nice and encouraging with one another. I appreciate that it is not a competitive atmosphere amongst students. It’s very welcoming!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I love splits!

Miss Samantha - Instructor

How long have you been at Positions?
I started dancing at positions as a kid because my cousins danced here in 2004, so that would be 17 years so far! Now I’m an instructor here!
What is your favorite Positions memory?
My favorite memory at Positions was getting to perform in Disney World with all of my best friends. We got to perform in Disney Springs, take a class with a real Disney World performer and even got to see a little bit of "backstage Disney". To top it all off, I got to spend the whole week in Disney with my closest friends. 
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
Swell Taco, other than Positions of course! 
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
I love how accepting and non-judgmental the environment at Positions is. I have been a part of the Positions dance family for a pretty long time, as have many other teachers here and I love the connection that we all have because of it. We all always have each other's backs, and want each other to do great things. As teachers we make it a priority to make our students feel comfortable and able to express themselves through dance and I think that that's really important. 
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
A fun fact about me is that I love to bake! I started baking with my mom when I was little and in my free time I like to try new recipes and share them with my friends. I enjoy baking cookies a lot of the time, but I have also made some pretty cool birthday cakes for family and friends. 

Miss Carly - Instructor

How long have you been at Positions?
I started dancing at Positions when I was 16, and now I am 20 and back at the studio teaching for my second year here! 
What is your favorite Positions memory?
My favorite memory was when Positions went to Memphis to dance in the Liberty Bowl. I got to travel with my dance best friends and have a great time in Memphis dancing!
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
I love coming to Babylon to get dinner at Swell Taco or Del Fuego and then walk around to see all of the amazing small businesses. 
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
I love how supportive our dance studio is. At Positions you find friends for life that constantly support and encourage you, whether they are your teachers or fellow dancers. 
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
After Positions I continued dancing through college and now have a BFA in Dance! 

Miss Dominique - Instructor

How long have you been at Positions?
I danced at Positions until I graduated high school and I’ve taught here for 9 years now! 
What is your favorite Positions memory?
A few years ago, a large group of seniors graduated. They were the first group I had for several years. It was such a pleasure to witness them grow as dancers, friends, and all around beautiful humans. Seeing them grow together and graduate together was incredibly special!
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
The Brixton, and Positions dance studio, of course! ;)
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
The genuine support and love for one another!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I competed in hurdles at nationals for my high school track team.

Miss Emily - Instructor

How long have you been at Positions?
I started dancing at Positions when I was 3 years old! 
What is your favorite Positions memory?
My favorite memory is my senior year dance recital. Recitals are always so exciting! I was a dancer and a teacher during that recital and I loved every second. 
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
So many choices, but I do love Del Fuego! 
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
Positions fosters a love for dance. I love watching some of my past dance students develop into beautiful dancers as they get older.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I taught in Ghana, West Africa for a few weeks when I was in college! 

Karen - Office Staff

How long have you been at Positions?
I have been at Positions for 17 years. Both of my daughters danced here for many years and I have worked here for several years as well.
What is your favorite Positions memory?
My favorite memories are always the recitals.
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
Roomers!
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
We all get along and help each other out.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I love Disco music!

Linda - Office Staff

How long have you been at Positions?
About 20 years!
What is your favorite Positions memory?
Going to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
Roomors!
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
Everyone is so kind.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
My favorite sport to watch is ice hockey.

Well there you have it, our staff here at Positions is pretty amazing! When it comes to dance in Babylon, you can’t beat our team of amazing instructors and office staff. 

All of our staff is beyond pumped to kick off our 2021/2022 Dance Classes in just a few short weeks! If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to save your child’s spot today! Our staff can’t wait to welcome you! 

We LOVE Babylon Businesses! 5 Local Gift Options for Valentine's Day!

Here at Positions Dance Studio, we LOVE our Babylon community! Every year, Babylon brings us fun activities, amazing opportunities, and of course our treasured dance families. Our studio wouldn’t be the same without the support of our dancers, dance parents, and other local businesses.

This February, we want to spread some love back to the community that supports us year after year. So we’ve rounded up some local businesses that are offering GREAT gift options for Valentine’s Day, and we can’t wait to share! We’ve even got a fun surprise at the end of this list! 

6 Local Gift Options for Valentine’s Day:

1. Roomors

Looking for the perfect jewelry piece or gift item for your loved one? Roomors has some beautiful options and is offering a Valentine’s promotion right now! Get a $10 gift card with your jewelry purchase of $75 or more through February 14th. They’ve even partnered up with another local business to offer Cookie Pies from Baked with Grace, the perfect sweet treat to throw into your gift! Stop by their store today! 

2. Elevation Fitness 

Treat yourself or a loved one to a relaxing massage or personal training session at Elevation Fitness, located right here in Babylon. A great gift option for someone who is focused on health or working through a stressful time, massages from their licensed therapists will be sure to put self-care at the forefront this Valentine’s Day! 

3. Girasole Salon

Super sweet promo alert! Between February 7-14, purchase a $100 gift card from Girasole Salon and receive a FREE bottle of wine! This upscale local salon will leave your loved one feeling fresh, and wine makes the perfect gift even better! Contact the salon to purchase today! 

4. Bubble East

Have you checked out Bubble East’s gift shop and clothing?! Click here for tons of gift assortment options, and be sure to check out their Instagram stories for clothing, sweet treats, and other great gift ideas! 

5. Ooh La La Boutique

One of our favorite local boutiques is running a 25% off Valentine’s Sale! Check out Ooh La La HERE! Our favorite item is this super cute pullover that would be the perfect gift to unwrap on the special day! 

6. Self Love Workshop at Positions Dance Studio 

Drum roll please! We couldn’t leave OURSELVES off this list! :) While February is a great time to cuddle up with your loved ones, it’s also the perfect time to focus on loving YOURSELF. We’re excited to host a virtual workshop on February 18th dedicated self care! 

We’ve lined up a panel of experts to discuss body positivity, anxiety, gratitude, acupuncture, self-massage techniques and more! You don’t want to miss this! For just $40 per person, gift yourSELF with valuable techniques to help you live your best life. Click HERE to register! 

We’ve got some pretty awesome local business here in Babylon! After checking out this list, don’t you agree?! The many talented small businesses owners in our community are just one of the things we are feeling the LOVE for this February! 

From all of us here at Positions Dance Studio, Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Positions Difference!

At Positions Dance Studio, we pride ourselves in being different, we are not your typical dance studio. While our dancers are busy learning discipline, grace, and focus, we are busy fostering a supportive, welcoming atmosphere. We firmly believe this allows our students to reach their full potential. Nothing makes us happier than watching our dancers grow year after year!

TUTORIAL ALERT: If you are ready to register for classes but aren't sure how, skip to the bottom of this post to view a quick tutorial!

So what exactly is the Positions difference? We thought today we would highlight a few of the things we love the MOST about our studio.

• We provide age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate classes, choreography, and costumes. It is a top priority to keep our kids, kids! We keep all song, costume, and choreography choices age-appropriate. We also offer a variety of technique levels along with a Dance Abilities class for students with special needs.

• Our staff is experienced and qualified with extensive training in dance and education. Our staff works together to provide the best training possible with putting a strong emphasis on injury prevention. They take great care in creating age-appropriate classes where each student receives individualized instruction and attention. You can read more about our amazing teachers here.

• Our customer service is top notch! From signing up for a trial class to moments at the big recital we want to make sure that our parents have an amazing experience as well. Our parent portal is available online 24/7 so you can always access your information and register for classes (see below!). We also keep our website and Facebook page up-to-date so our customers can depend on it for the latest information. Finally, our front desk is always receptive to questions and feedback. We really enjoy getting to know families at the studio and find that it helps us provide a better experience for our students.

At Positions Dance Studio, we LOVE what we do and we want to make sure our families feel a part of something amazing because they are! We know you will feel the Positions difference when you are here. Schedule a free trial to experience it for yourself.

Ready to register for classes but not sure how? We have made a quick tutorial to show you exactly how easy it is to register for our classes.

Summer Camps At Positions

Here at Positions we have some AMAZING things going on this summer! We have a 6-week summer schedule packed full of our favorite dance classes for dancers ages 18 month-18 years. We also have a GREAT lineup of summer camps for our preschoolers. Today we thought we would help you sort through our camp schedule to figure out which ones are a good match for your child.

Individual pricing for each camp is listed in the camp description. Get started by contacting the studio with questions or by registering via our online portal. 

Fairytale Camp

Our Fairytale Camp is sure to be a magical week! We will spend our mornings dancing to their favorite princess songs, reading the classics and eating a delicious snack!

Your 3-5-year-old will be transformed into their favorite prince or princess and will leave as royalty

*When: July 31st and Aug 2nd from 9:30am-12:00pm
*Where: Positions Dance Studio, Babylon, NY
*How much? $100

Olympics Camp

Our Summer Olympics Camp is going to be a BLAST! We will spend our mornings together having relay races, exploring movement, and of course, eating a delicious snack!

Your 3-5 year old will leave feeling like they have won the gold medal!

*When: Aug 7th and 9th from 9:30am-12:00pm
*Where: Positions Dance Studio, Babylon, NY
*How much? $100

Super Hero Camp

Our Super Hero Camp is going to be a SUPER GOOD time! We will spend our mornings together making superhero masks, playing games like pin the mask on the superhero, exploring movement, and of course, eating a delicious snack!

Your 3-5 year old will come dressed as their favorite superhero and will leave with a whole superhero CREW! 

*When: Aug 14th and 16th from 9:30am-12:00pm
*Where: Positions Dance Studio, Babylon, NY
*How much? $100

As you can see we have some really fun things planned for this summer and we would love if your preschooler would join us! Please feel free to contact the studio with questions.We can’t wait to see you at the studio this summer!

Find More Opportunities To Be Creative

Creativity is something we highly value at Positions Dance Studio. By encouraging creativity in the classroom, your children will be better equipped to solve problems, express emotions, become more self-aware, and so much more. We think that is pretty great, don’t you? It got us thinking, what other ways can your dancers build more creative time into their lives? We have put together a great list of ideas for all ages to try.

• See A Show. There are a TON of great shows to see for all ages and budgets, especially at this time of year. Whether it is theater, dance, music, or art, seeing something new can open your dancer’s mind to new possibilities. Seeing other people's creativity come to life is a great way to get inspired!

• Take a new class. Sign your dancer up for something they have never tried before. That could be a new style of dance (check out our current schedule here to find one) OR something completely different like painting or acting. By exposing your child to something new (in a safe environment like a class) you are building the foundation that new is fun and exciting and it is OK to not be the “best” (at any age).

• Make up a dance at home. This is always a hit at sleepovers and family parties. Choreographing requires a dancer to try new things and put a story or emotions into movement. At the end of the night, your dancers can put on a show in the living room for you. We promise it will be so much fun for everyone! BONUS: Grab that camera and record it every once and awhile. You will be amazed at how your dancer’s choreography progresses year after year, all thanks to their creative mind being strengthened.

This list has us ready to go have some fun, how about you? Like we mentioned, your dancers already have a leg up in the creative department JUST by coming to dance class. These could be a few really great (and fun) ways to keep the creativity flowing outside of dance class. Does your family do any special projects or activities that foster this skill? We would love to know it the comments!

Meet The Owner Of Positions Dance Studio: Kelly Peckholdt

We know you have seen her around the studio but how much do you actually know about our fearless leader here at Positions Dance Studio? Now that our year has gotten off to an AMAZING start, we thought it was about time to sit down and get to know Kelly Peckholdt a little bit better. You will not only learn more about her but also her hopes and dreams for Positions and why she loves every moment with your dancers!

How did you come to own Positions Dance Studio?

When I graduated college, I was looking for a job teaching either middle or high school social studies. The summer I graduated, I was looking for extra work before the school year and approached the former owner of Positions to see if she needed additional teachers. Luckily, she hired me to teach a couple of ballet classes that year. A couple of years down the road, she pulled me into her office in the middle of a teacher's' dance rehearsal (two weeks before that year's recital!) to tell me she was retiring. She had not yet found someone she was comfortable with selling the studio to, and she threw out the idea to me as a former student of Positions. I always knew that down the road I wanted to own a studio, but I never thought my dream would happen at age 24!

What are your hopes and dreams for Positions Dance Studio?

I want to continue to expand our focus on proper dance technique. I am a stickler, ESPECIALLY in ballet, for proper technique and alignment work. My big focus this year is injury prevention strategies to implement in our classes. Our student body has grown since I initially took over the studio over 5 years ago, and I'd love for it to continue to grow so we can share our passion with as many children as possible. I'd love to (down the road, not now) expand our building, especially as things like our fitness program and wedding services grow. I just love sharing the gift of dance AND fitness with as many people as I can!

What makes Positions different than studios in the area?

We truly strive to create unique opportunities and experiences for our students. We are constantly coming up with cool field trips and performance opportunities, ways to give back to the community, and workshops/learning experiences. Not many recreational studios travel with their students, especially out of state.

What is your favorite age group to teach and why?

I love teaching our younger students - especially age 4 and 5. They really start to "get it" at that age but can still be really silly. I'm always intrigued by how toddlers' minds work and the funny things they say! More recently, I was subbing for a Ballet/Tap class on a Saturday morning, and even though many of the students knew me I reintroduced myself. One little girl raised her hand and said, "I know you, Miss Kelly! You're the lady who cleans my teeth!" I've been cracking up ever since.

If you could describe Positions in JUST 3 words what would they be?

Caring, respectful, professional

Describe one moment that reminded you of why you do what you do?

Whenever a parent pulls me aside or sends me an email and tells me how much their child enjoyed a class or an event...or even just tells me how much dance has impacted their child's life. Dance has had such a tremendous impact on my life, and it makes me so happy to know that other children are experiencing that.

What is the BEST part of your job?

Interacting with students in the classroom. Sometimes when I'm teaching ballet, I'll be doing plies at the barre with my students, and the thought pops into my head, "Wow, I get to plie for a living!" It's the coolest thing ever.

We could not be more fortunate to have such a passion-driven person like Kelly leading the way for Positions! If you would like to learn more about classes at Positions, check out our current schedule. Is there something else that you would like to know about Kelly? Next time you see her in the lobby, go ahead and ask, she loves getting to know students and families better!

 

How To Prepare For Your Child's First Dance Class

Our fall session is upon us and we could not be more excited! The first week of dance is by FAR our favorite part of the year. There is such a positive, enthusiastic energy in the air and we eat it up at Positions Dance Studio. If you are gearing up for your child’s first dance class, you may have a ton of questions. We want to make sure you AND your child have an amazing first experience with us so we have broken a few things down for you. That way, you can relax and enjoy the moment with your dancer.

• What does my child wear to dance class? Positions has a simple dress code for the uniformity and safety of our students. For all classes, hair must be pulled back off the face. Students should wear tights and a leotard with optional dance skirts/shorts or leggings. A form-fitting black or white shirt may be worn in classes outside of ballet. Dancers should wear the appropriate shoes to class (ballet shoes to ballet, jazz shoes to jazz, etc.) Please leave baggy clothing and jewelry at home. We have a TON of dancewear options at our studio for purchase. If you have any questions regarding dress code or need to purchase something for your dancer, please contact us here.

• Can I watch my child’s class? All of our studios have viewing windows that are available to parents at all times.

• When should we arrive to class? We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early for the start of your class. This allows your dancer to be able to use the bathroom and visit with their dance friends before class gets started. If your dancer needs to change or do hair before class, make sure you allow enough time to do so.

• Are there any rules in dance class? The expectations in dance class are very similar to those at school. We expect our dancers to be respectful of themselves, their peers, and their teachers. Doing so will ensure that everyone walks out of class with a giant smile on their face!

• Anything else we should know? When trying anything new, it is always a good idea to go over the game plan with your child before the big day. Talk about what they can expect during their first class: where will you (the parent) be during class, what are the teacher’s expectations, what will they wear, what will they do during class, etc. Knowing what is in store can make the transition to dance class so much easier for you and your dancer.

So are you ready for an AMAZING week at dance? We hope so! If you are still needing more information please don’t hesitate to contact us. At Positions, it is our mission to create a positive experience for you and your dancer right from day one.

We cannot wait to see all of our new dancers in action, classes start September, 9th! Still need to register? You can do so here.