Keep the kids busy, active, creative this winter

West Milford — The West Milford Community Services and Recreation Department is sponsoring several programs throughout the winter for kids of all ages. All classes are held at the Hillcrest Community Center, unless otherwise noted. Pre-registration is required. Non-residents are welcome; just add $10 to the registration fee. Go to the Community Services and Recreation Department at Hillcrest Community Center to register, or go online at www.westmilford.org and follow the prompts for forms and documents. Call the Community Services and Recreation Department at 973-728-2860 for additional information. Kids in the kitchen Move over, Emeril! “Kids in the Kitchen” is a special food preparation course for children in grades 3 to 6. This course is designed to teach basic kitchen function and safety, maintaining a clean work area, preparing fun foods, and enjoying what they have prepared. Children will learn to prepare a variety of dishes. These dishes will include some traditional everyday favorites, as well as some recipes from around the world. One four-week session is being offered on Thursdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25. The classes will run from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $50 per child. Enrollment in this popular program is limited and will be on first come, first served basis. Little Chefs Cooking Class MMM...something is tasting very good. In keeping with the cooking theme, Little Chefs Cooking Class is for the smaller cooks in the house. This is a special food preparation course for children in grades kindergarten through 2. This course will give children hands on experience using creative and fun cooking skills. They will work in a safe and enjoyable environment and will learn that cooking is a little bit of science, too. And of course they’ll have a chance to enjoy what they’ve prepared. The four-week session will be held on Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25, from 4 to 5:10 p.m. The cost is $50 per child. Enrollment is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Valentine’s Day Celebration It’s a special “Valentine’s Day Celebration” for boys and girls in grades Pre-K (age 4 and 5) and in grades K to 3 at Hillcrest Community Center. Along with the special treats they will be making, the boys and girls will also decorate a Valentine craft, sing songs and have lots of fun. There are two sessions of the program. Session 1 is for children in Pre-K (ages 4 and 5) from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Session 2 is for children in grades K to 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The cost of the program is $20. Girls Junior Field Hockey Program Have a really fun experience while learning a great new sport at this indoor junior field hockey program, directed by Krista Rieder, a field hockey coach. The program is designed for girls entering 5th through 8th grades. It will run on Thursdays, from Feb. 4 to March 25, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Hillcrest Community Center gym. Participants will learn the fundamental skills of field hockey, as well as take part in scrimmages and other fun activities. Participants must bring a field hockey stick, ball, mouth guard, shin guards and a water bottle. The cost of the program is $90. Creative Art Classes Let your creativity flow! These art classes are for children ages 5 to 10. The session will be three weeks in length. Two new classes are being offered: “Storybook Creations” for children aged 5 to 7 will be offered on Thursdays, Feb. 4, 11 and 18, from 4 to 5 p.m. Here kids will create projects inspired by popular children’s stories. “Art through the Ages” is a class for children ages 8 to 10, also being offered on Thursdays, Feb. 4, 11 and 18, from 5 to 6 p.m. With this class kids travel back in time and learn about different artists and their styles. Jill Dunlop, a certified New Jersey Pre-K to 8 teacher, is teaching the classes. The cost is $40. President’s Day “Make it and Take it Home” Sciensational Workshop What a great way to celebrate President’s Day. “Make it and Take it Home” is an exciting one-day sciensational workshop. Children 6 to 11 years of age will grow a crystal tree and take it home. They will also get to build and take home an electric motor. And, if that’s not enough, they will make bubbling blobs, glowing goo and green flubber. They will make an energy bead bracelet and watch as the amazing white beads turn to a rainbow of colors right before their eyes. Plus, they’ll make a lava lamp, as well as their own sharpie shirt. Everything will be explained so that children will go home having learned some interesting science. Hands on science is the best way to learn. This one-day workshop is set for Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children should bring a lunch. Supervision over lunch will be provided. Enrollment is limited and the cost is $80 per child.