Parkland Announces College for Kids: Spring Edition in 2026

Classes offer art, cooking, pet safety and more

Community Education at Parkland College has announced its popular youth enrichment program, College for Kids, will continue to expand its year-round offerings with College for Kids: Spring Edition, launching in 2026.

Designed for students ages 6–15, the Spring Edition will build on the momentum of recent seasonal expansions—including the highly successful CFK: Fall Edition—by offering both returning favorites and a fresh lineup of creative, hands-on classes. A variety of CFK: Spring Break options will also be available.

"Families told us how much they loved having CFK opportunities outside the summer months," said Kathy Buyze, youth program manager. "Our Fall Edition launch was very strong, and we’re excited to keep that energy going with even more classes for students to explore this spring."

A few new offerings include:

• Pet Safety and First Aid Basics – Students learn essential first aid skills to help keep their pets safe and healthy, including wrapping injuries, checking vital signs, identifying bites and stings, and understanding choking and CPR basics.
• Chef’s Challenge: 3-Course Creations – Young chefs step into the kitchen to craft a full three-course meal—appetizer, entrée, and dessert—while learning key skills in flavor building, timing, and presentation.
• Paint and Create: Axolotl Friend – A creative outlet where participants paint and assemble a wooden axolotl to take home.
• Word Play: Poetry in Pictures – Students blend art and language to tell stories visually, combining their own words, artwork, and poetry.

College for Kids: Spring Edition begins Saturday, January 17, with three different classes: Chef's Challenge, Beginning Alcohol Art, and Pet Safety and First Aid Basics. For more information or to register, visit parkland.edu/CFKspring or call 217/351-2235.