Alla Prima, Royal Oak

An early-learning center, Alla Prima is dedicated to enriching the minds of children before they're old enough to be enrolled in kindergarten or get their cooties shots. Every program awakens curiosity and provides formative instruction fitting the stages of development of kids aged 3 to 5. These lessons draw on basic principles of art and science for activities rich in color and physical and mental activity. Seasonal morning and afternoon camps, for example, combine collage making or dance and drama with hands-on gardening. To help with its art education, the center houses the Tessera Art School, which provides playful hands-on instruction in painting to music or working with clay to kids and their families.