If you want to hook ‘em, get ‘em young. At least that’s the line of thinking that went into the Scarborough Museums’ current superhero school.

Part of the museum’s ongoing Saturday Adventurers Club, superhero school walks kids through the steps of creating their own super powered alter egos.

“(Superheroes are) a fun childhood interest for both boys and girls,” says museum coordinator Elaine Savva. “Most kids like to imagine, if they could have a super power what would it be?”

Each Saturday builds on the activities of the previous one, with museum staff helping kids between ages five and 12 to build masks, create logos – even bake “villain cookies” using the museum’s Victorian oven using old-time recipes.

“It all contributes to the build up of what the final superhero would be,” says Savva.

Superheroes aren’t the only adventure for kids in Scarborough though – the museum has previously hosted month long sessions dedicated to pirates and spies.

February will be all about mad scientists, a theme chosen by the kids.

“They’re the ones doing the program, why shouldn’t they get some input?”

The club started in September of 2010 and ran for eight months.

This year an extra month has been added to keep up with demand.

Many kids return, month after month.

“The community needed a break,” she says and the Adventurers Club gives parents a few hours of respite.

But there are ulterior motives to both superhero school and the Adventurers Club in general, created in the hopes of enticing kids to return to the museum to explore its collection.

“They’re at the museum, they’re learning about their community,” says Savva. 

“It’s a way to take away that myth about museums. It’s a warm open friendly place for them.”

Superhero School runs until Jan 28. at Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.)

It runs between 1 to 4 p.m. and tickets are $10 to 15.