I don’t know about you, but I’m a parent who’s a child at heart. When my daughter was receiving her first few toys, I would happily explore them and satisfy my curiosity by playing with the toys myself.
It’s the same thing with the different activities she’s being exposed to. Since our daughter is in her formative years, my husband and I try to figure out where her interests are. And while we’re figuring these out with her, I also couldn’t help but be curious about these experiences, too. I’d go back to the time when I was younger, when I would list down the things I’d like to learn, such as how to play the harmonica or speak French. I’m sure I’m not the only parent or adult who feels the same.
So parents, let’s go for it! If you have been thinking of an activity to reconnect with your inner child but don’t know where to start, here’s a guide.
I’ve taken ballet classes as a kid, and though I didn’t really envision myself pursuing it when I was younger, I still found joy when I took ballet classes as an adult. I took these adult ballet classes more as a form of exercise rather than learning technique. That happened almost 10 years ago in Miriam College, but it’s a good thing that there are still a couple of prestigious ballet schools that offer classes for grown ups.
One of them is The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet, which offers different levels of adult ballet. Their website indicates that no previous ballet training is required, which makes it perfect for beginners, but intermediate classes are also offered for more advanced learners. It has two branches, one in Pasay and one in Quezon City.
Another option is the Halili-Cruz School of Dance in Quezon City, a nostalgic place for me since I took summer classes here back when I was in grade school. Similar to The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet, they also offer beginner and intermediate classes.
More than just a fun activity or a sport, swimming is a survival skill. That means that no matter what age you are, taking up swimming can be an asset.
One of the schools that piqued my curiosity on taking up swimming classes is Swim Travel. I would regularly see their Beginner + Survival Program for Adults course on Instagram reels, with students successfully floating or swimming in deep pools. Apart from this, they also offer other courses or lessons, such as a Skin diving program, Snorkeling lessons, and even an Open Water Survival course.
What’s unique with Swim Travel is that they don’t have a physical site, but have affiliations with different sports centers or pools within the metro, so you can just visit the venue that’s nearest to you for convenience.
Have you ever dreamt of being a gymnast when you were younger? With the successful turn out of Carlos Yulo’s performance at the Olympics last year, it’s hard not to be inspired to try out gymnastics, especially for those who’ve pursued it before.
Luckily, Athletica Gymnastics by SFCC in Quezon City is one of the places that offers Beginner Adult Gymnastics. On Instagram, it lists the program for 18 years old and above, or for all kids at heart! The program also aims to meet you where your goals are, and that could be between just improving your flexibility or perfecting cartwheels or other routines.
What’s great is that Athletica Gymnastics by SFCC offers a trial class with just a minimum fee of ₱250. To avail of the trial class, fill out this Google Form.
If you’ve always been fascinated with musical instruments and are looking to hone your skills on playing, then this might be the sign. The UP College of Music Extension Program, aptly called Music X, will be opening for enrollment on May 13, 2025. There are a number of courses available, with lessons for a range of major instruments and areas of concentration, such as composition or orchestration.
The upcoming classes will happen from May to July and may be done face-to-face or online. Get a head start by accomplishing the application form prior to enrollment. Enrollment on May 13 will be from 9am to 3pm at Annex 106 of the UP College of Music.
As a kid, I’ve always wanted to be fluent in other languages, particularly Spanish or French. I don’t really know the exact reason why, but maybe it has something to do with my dream of travelling to different countries where these languages are spoken. Nowadays, I’m healing my inner child by learning Spanish every day on Duolingo.
And while Duolingo is readily and widely available, there are some who learn better through group classes and practicing it with other people. This is where Berlitz comes in.
Berlitz is a language center in Makati where students can learn some of the most common European languages or even Japanese, Mandarin, and Filipino. Opt between online or in-person classes, and be able to converse in your chosen language in no time.
Do any of these activities speak to your inner child? Whether it’s sports, arts, or languages, hopefully you’ll find the joy in reconnecting with your childhood passions!