Children and Youth Programs
Growing up with sight loss can bring practical, emotional, and social challenges. Learn how our children and youth programs can help with navigating these developmental stages.
Ottawa Peer Socials
Calling all youth and young adults (ages 18+) in the Ottawa area! Join us for monthly social activities and outings in the community. Ottawa Peer Socials meet at the CNIB Ottawa Hub on the third Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Garage Band Hero
If making music is your passion and you enjoy technology, you could be a Garage Band Hero! Garage Band is a popular accessible app that lets you make music anywhere. It includes a full-featured recording studio that allows you to compose and play your own songs using a free sound library of instruments, loops, fills and sound packs. Garage Band Hero meets on Zoom on the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Saturday Art Jam
The Saturday Art Jam is a new safe space for CNIB youth (ages 14-21) to explore their creativity. Artists and non-artists are welcome. Participants will take part in structured accessible art and craft sessions with a focus on fun. The Saturday Art Jam is also a social space and we encourage attendees to build confidence and resilience in this supportive environment. Join us on the third Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB GTA Community Hub
Saturday Brampton Beats
March to the beat of your own drum and join us one Saturday a month for in-person bucket drumming and drumline workshops. No prior music experience or knowledge is required! Workshops will be run by professional instructors from Bandology, a non-profit dedicated to providing more music for more kids. Saturday Brampton Beats meets every on the third Saturday of every month from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB Brampton Community Hub.
Drama and Dragons
Fantasy fans, aspiring writers, amateur playwrights, and young actors are all welcome to join our new virtual monthly workshop…Drama and Dragons! Take that love of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or Wings of Fire and use your imagination as a springboard to create your own worlds on paper. Each month our facilitator will provide exercises to lead you on a journey to discover your magical writing and performing talents. Drama and Dragons meets over Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Shared Visions – Creative Arts Meetup
Join this monthly professional development and awareness session and learn about other part-time, full-time, or freelance artists and performers who experience low vision and blindness. Sessions will rotate guest speakers in the areas of music, performing arts and theatre or visual/tactile arts. Attendees will meet virtually via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Read Aloud to Me: Stories for Children
Children of all ages across the country are welcome to participate in our live reading series Read Aloud to Me. Join us every Wednesday as experienced volunteers give life to picture books, chapter books and short stories. While stories chosen are geared to participants between the ages of 7 to 12, anyone who would enjoy listening is welcome. Read Aloud to Me: Stories for Children meets every Wednesday on Zoom from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
Zoom Room for Kids
The Zoom Zoom Room is growing up, and is now called the Zoom Room for Kids! Children ages 6-10 and older, non-verbal participants are invited to join us as we use music to build our social skills. Each session will be all about the special things going on that month. Make sure to come regularly, because each session you will work as a team to create your own special song. Certified music therapist Melissa Murphy will also have lots of songs and stories to share that are perfect for singing and dancing along. We can’t wait to meet you! Zoom Room for Kids meets every Wednesday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.
Tween Zoom Hangout
Join us to play games, chat, and make new friends. Please note that this program is for individuals between 10-14 years of age. The group meets on Zoom every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering.
Music for Kids – Monday Session
Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more! Get ready to make some music! This group runs on Zoom, every Monday from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.