Since 2005, at Dragonfly Designs, we understand that aftercare is more than just a holding space—it’s a chance to ignite imagination, nurture emotional well-being, and strengthen developing minds. Especially in the early years (Pre-K to 2nd grade), children learn best through play, hands-on discovery, and connection—and that’s where we shine. Our approach is inspired by a blend of respected educational frameworks, including Reggio Emilia, constructivist learning theory, and the latest research in creative neuroscience, such as Your Brain on Art. These perspectives all point to the same truth: art is essential to how children think, feel, and grow. Our enrichment programs are carefully designed to:
As a trusted afterschool enrichment provider, we also bring:
We’re proud to offer enrichment that’s developmentally appropriate, emotionally rich, and joyfully creative. The kind of programming that helps children grow—and helps your team breathe a little easier.
The magic starts with how we support our teachers.
Our Staff Mentor, Sherry Kaufman, brings decades of expertise in early childhood education to her work with Dragonfly Designs. A lifelong educator, Sherry has taught at nearly every level—from early childhood through graduate school—and brings deep insight into how children learn, grow, and connect through creativity.
Before joining our team, Sherry served as an adjunct faculty member at the Erikson Institute Graduate School of Child Development in Chicago, where she trained future educators in child development theory and practice. She also led teacher development at Google’s Children’s Center, focusing on weaving emotional intelligence and connection into everyday classroom moments. In addition, she served as director of a nonprofit early childhood program inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, where children’s natural curiosity and collaborative spirit were at the heart of the learning process.
At Dragonfly Designs, Sherry provides ongoing mentorship and professional development, helping our teaching artists create inclusive, emotionally safe spaces where children feel free to explore, take risks, and be themselves. Sherry guides them to notice each child’s energy and needs, whether they arrive ready to dive in or need time to find their flow. As she says, “Perfection creates pressure. Process creates possibility.” Under Sherry’s mentorship, our teaching artists embrace this philosophy wholeheartedly—celebrating effort, modeling curiosity, and helping every child feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Where coding meets creativity! In our Binary Beading afterschool class, kids unlock the power of STEAM by blending computer science and art in the most imaginative way—by spelling out secret words and messages using the binary alphabet! Using colorful beads and the basics of binary code (yes, the 1s and 0s computers use to “talk”), students will design personalized bracelets, zipper pulls, backpack charms, and more—each one hiding a coded message just waiting to be “decoded.”
This is art with purpose, coding with color, and a chance for kids to flex both their brains and their imaginations. If you’re looking to give your child a fun head start in the world of tech and design, this is the class that cracks the code.
In this playful, hands-on class, young designers will bring their wildest dress-up dreams to life! Using colorful fabric scraps, ribbon, felt, and other kid-safe materials, students will design and assemble their own wearable art—crowns, capes, masks, wings, and more! We’ll explore how colors, textures, and shapes can tell a story while encouraging creativity, confidence, and fine motor skills. No sewing needed—just glue, imagination, and fun!
In this beginner-friendly costume design class, students will dive into the world of wearable art! Using upcycled fabrics, thrifted finds, and their own creative spark, kids will design and embellish one-of-a-kind costume pieces like capes, skirts, belts, and accessories. They’ll learn simple, safe sewing and hand-stitching techniques, as well as how to repurpose old clothes into fresh, fun fashion. Along the way, we’ll talk about sustainability and how artists can use creativity to help the planet.
Young artists explore the vibrant world of jewelry-making, learning the fundamentals of beading, finger knitting, and pattern-making while refining their fine motor skills and developing their creative expression. This class blends creativity with skill-building in a fun, supportive environment, inspiring kids to create dazzling, wearable art that reflects their unique style and creativity.
Dare to dazzle with handmade jewelry pieces! In this hands-on, beginner-friendly class, students are invited to begin their creative journey by designing an Art Journal to capture the skills and techniques they learn throughout the course. With access to a wide selection of vibrant glass and crystal beads, this class is designed to inspire creativity and confidence, equipping students with the skills to continue their jewelry-making long after the class ends.
This class is for more experienced crafters to learn fun new tricks, like wire wrapping, making simple loops, and creating beautiful earrings, necklaces, and more. Using high-quality materials like crystals and glass beads, students will craft unique pieces that showcase their creativity. This class blends skill-building with personal expression, giving students the tools to design stunning wearable art.
In this fun and exploratory class, young artists will experiment with a variety of materials like paint, clay, fabric, and found objects to create unique masterpieces. This hands-on approach sparks creativity and enhances fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and early problem-solving abilities.
lay: Honey I Shrunk My Art!Participants will embark on an exciting artistic journey where they’ll master the magic of clay through hands-on techniques, vibrant paintwork, and imaginative textile creations. Each day, they’ll bring home their unique masterpieces, a testament to their newfound skills and boundless creativity. Children will explore the captivating worlds of air-dry and polymer clay, shaping their ideas into tangible works of art.
Discover the magic of fabrics, threads, and colors with exciting projects like tie-dye, weaving, and sewing. Creating personalized items like tote bags and pillows, children will enjoy interactive activities that spark imagination and encourage problem-solving in a supportive, small-group setting.
In our Art & Gardening class, students will combine art-making with lessons on plants, sustainability, and garden life. Each week, they’ll tackle a new project, such as making seed mosaics, designing leaf prints, or creating eco-friendly artwork with natural materials. Along the way, they’ll learn about how plants grow, ecosystems, and ways to care for the environment. This class encourages both artistic expression and an appreciation for the natural world.
This class invites students to bring their ideas to life through the art of cartooning and comic storytelling. Young artists will learn the fundamentals of character design, storyboarding, and visual storytelling as they create their own comic strips and graphic novels. Perfect for budding illustrators and storytellers, this class is designed to build creativity, problem-solving, and a love for visual storytelling.
Our thoughtfully designed and time-tested curriculum offers an engaging, tactile, and rewarding experience, crucial for fostering healthy cognitive and emotional development. At Dragonfly Designs, we believe that art education plays a vital role in nurturing creativity and self-expression in young learners. We would love to discuss how we can bring our proven enrichment programs to your community!
Certified, Compliant, and Fully Insured
At Dragonfly Designs, we meet all California State requirements for working on school campuses and are fully insured.
Instructor Qualifications:
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