Back To School Guide 2013

With August almost half way behind us, it's time for many to prepare for one of the biggest prep times of the year: Back To School! And to help you get together that check list, we've put together this guide to help ease the summer to school transition. We cover everything such as local places for kids' clothes, after school activities to get involved in, and those last minute places to get a little education in before the school year starts.

Local Fashion

The Children’s Clothing Patch
2843 S. Eagle Rd, Newtown

The destination for those who believe that a children’s shop should be child friendly. Their goal is to carry a large collection of updated traditional clothing, shoes, and unique gifts with a range of price points to meet every budget.

GapKids
Locations in Doylestown, Newtown, and Langhorne

Butterflies and Bullfrogs
505 East Street, Doylestown

This family-owned and operated business is run by long-time Doylestown residents with 14 years of experience in the consignment industry. They are an upscale resale/consignment boutique for the entire family.

Plato’s Closet
Woodbourne Square, 2020 E Old Lincoln Hwy, Langhorne

For those teens looking for the latest fashion, Plato's Closet is a must stop shop as a budget-savvy way of buying and selling top-brand, casual clothes and accessories.

After School Activities

Dance
When you have the rhythm in your feet, sometimes you just need to get up and dance! There are plenty of fantastic dance schools & activities located in Bucks County that teach everything from hip hop to ballroom. After all, Broadway performers, American Idol finalists, & pop stars have gotten their start in Bucks. Here are just a few of the local studios:

Dance Academy, Holland
Spirit in Motion Ballet Theater, Newtown
Knecht Dance Academy, Levittown
Doylestown Dance Centre, Doylestown
Babylon School of Dance, Chalfont
Miss Cindy’s School of Dance, Perkasie & Quakertown
Marlyn Abramson’s New Dance Workshop, Jamison
Newtown Athletic Club, Newtown

Arts
The arts are well and alive here in Bucks and plenty of ways to get kids involved in them. Here are a few local art programs that can help round out your child’s education further:

Earth Center Pottery, Newtown
The Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts, Newtown
The Academy of Music and Arts, Southampton
Community Conservatory of Music, Doylestown
Saturday Arts Program, Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope

Athletics
While many people don’t think about it, many local fitness centers offer after-school programs. Bucks County is home to three YMCAs located in Upper, Central, and Lower Bucks. Each offers a variety of kid and family friendly activities. The Newtown Athletic Club is known for their variety of activities, ranging from Tae Kwon Do, aquatics, dance, gymnastics, and the Kids Club & Childcare Center. There are also plenty of youth leagues for a variety of sports, such as soccer and tennis.

Last Minute Educational Trips

Of course, you could also use these last few moments of summer to get a little more educated with your kids. With a county so full of history, it's hard not to run into one place or another that can teach you something new.