RVA's Grown-up and Me Classes: Paws to Pals

Does your little one love animals? Are you looking for fun and engaging activities to try with your preschooler during the week? If the answer is YES to either question, I've got a brand new "grown up and me" class for you to try out in Richmond!

The Richmond SPCA offers Paws to Pals , a pet themed story time, twice a month for families with young children. Paws to Pals about an hour long class in the Children’s Exploratorium -- this is an indoor space on the second level of the SPCA, and it's the space used for day camps and birthday parties. This program is centered around play, exploration, and, of course, meeting some of the adorable animals at the shelter!

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Everything You need to know about Paws to Pals!

The Richmond SPCA is an independent nonprofit committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives. They also provide education to the community on how to care for pets and advocate for animals, through volunteer programs and classes & camps for children and teens.

Starting in October 2024, The Richmond SPCA launched a program just for little kids -- Paws to Pals. This pet-themed story time meets biweekly for about an hour, and it's designed just for young children (18 months old to 4 years old) with their grown up.

In this hour long class, children have the opportunity for free play with manipulatives like counters, arts and crafts, movement, and story time. Children and their grown-ups will also get to meet two animals that live at the shelter! During our class, we got to meet a cat and a puppy!

Where is the SPCA?

The Richmond SPCA is located at 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

Free parking is available on site.

What ages are best for this program?

The grown-up and me class is designed for young children between the ages 18 months to 4 years. Siblings can join too.

How much does it cost?

It costs $15 per child. Nonparticipating siblings do not need to pay for a spot in class.

How many families can join each class?

Each class is limited to 8 children. If the class you'd like to join in has reached capacity, email camp@richmondspca.org to be added to the waitlist.

What types of activities do you do in the class?

Paws to Pals is a pet-themed story time with crafts, movement activities, and meet & greets with shelter animals.

When are the next classes?

You can sign up now for the following Paws to Pals classes: Wednesday, February 19, Thursday, March 6, Wednesday, March 19, Thursday April 10, and Wednesday, April 23.

Can you visit with the shelter animals after Paws to Pals?

Yes! After your class, you can go back downstairs to visit with the cats and dogs. You can pick up a coloring sheet and crayons or you can pick out a children's book to read to a furry friend.

Reading to the shelter animals is encouraged! Officially known as Tales for Tails, reading to the shelter animals not only provides new readers with a nonjudgemental reading peer & experience, but it also helps calm and acclimate the animals to humans, particularly children. You can drop by anytime to visit with the animals at the SPCA too!

Does the SPCA offer any other programming for children?

Yes! The Richmond SPCA offers day camp, like programs on school holidays, and summer camps! You can also find volunteer opportunities for children 12 years old and up.

Upcoming Camps for Kids:

February 17, 2025: Half-Day Camp: Be a Shelter Helper Hero

Two half-day camp options: 9 a.m. to noon for pre-K (must be age 5) and kindergarten OR 1 to 4 p.m. for grades 1-5.

In this half day camp, children will get to play games, interact with shelter animals, create enrichment items for shelter animals, create a their own super animals and make enrichment activities for the shelter animals.

Questions about camp? Email kids@richmondspca.org .

Things to do with kids in Richmond, Virginia

 If you'd like more information on grown-up and me classes, check out my guide on The Best Weekly Activities for Little Kids.

If you'd like more information on the best playgrounds around RVA for little kids, check out my guide on Richmond's Fenced in Playgrounds!

You can find more things to do with kids on @thewestendmom 's Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok !