Classes for little kids ages 0–5 years old help keep kids playing, learning, exploring, and engaging with other children. With countless classes offered for children at this stage in life, there’s something for everyone! Almost as important as the benefits for the kiddos: parents can meet and connect with other parents in this same stage of life. Check out all the options in this list for things to do with a baby, toddler, or pre-K child.
You can also search our full guide to kids’ classes to find specific interests, but this list is an easy way to find places that gear offerings specifically towards the younger crowd. Enjoy!
This article is sponsored by Mattix Music Studio, Dash of Dust Studio, and The Little Gym of Orland Park.
Classes for Little Kids at Mattix Music Studio
Join Mattix Music Studio for musical fun for all ages and abilities in Western Springs, Hinsdale and La Grange!
Private Lessons (age 3+): One-on-one piano, violin, viola, voice, guitar, ukulele and brass with engaging, kind teachers. Traditional and Suzuki methods, 7 days a week, in-studio, virtual or in-home. Western Springs and Hinsdale. Register at mattixmusic.com/private-music-lessons.
Music Together® (ages 0-5): Sing, dance and play instruments as a family. New this year: a bilingual English/Spanish class. Western Springs and La Grange. Register at mattixmusic.com/music-together-registration.
Exploring Music (Pre-K): Introduces preschoolers to music through play, movement and hands-on activities. Western Springs. Register at mattixmusic.com/exploring-music.
Little Dreamer Play Classes at Dash of Dust
Little Dreamer Play Classes
Imagine a place where your child can dive into art, music, storytelling, and hands-on play, while you enjoy a few hours to yourself, completely guilt-free. Welcome to Little Dreamer Play Classes! Whether you need a daily routine or an enhancement to your child's weekly schedule, these high-quality classes fit your schedule, so come every day or whenever works for you.
Designed for potty-trained preschoolers, each class follows a joyful rhythm of morning meeting, yoga, storytime, music and art, imaginative play, and a closing circle, all in a safe, nurturing space with a max of 10 dreamers per class. Every month debuts a new theme that sparks wonder while building core "Dreamer Skills" like collaboration, innovation, creative thinking, empathy, and resilience.
Choose from three flexible tracks: Monday-Friday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, or Tuesday/Thursday. It's learning through joy, creativity, and connection, where every child can thrive.
The Little Gym of Orland Park
The Little Gym of Orland Park, is the place where children ages 4 months to 12 years learn and grow through movement-based learning and imaginative play. Our gyms are safe spaces for both children and parents to not only explore gymnastics, but so much more.
We offer parent-child classes for babies and toddlers, gymnastics programs for all skill levels, and birthday parties that make lasting memories.
We believe in movement with meaning.
At The Little Gym of Orland Park, children build the confidence and skills needed at each stage of childhood while parents enjoy a supportive and positive community. Discover how the power of gymnastics with purpose can build courage, resilience, and joy in your child. That’s what we call Serious Fun!
We offer introductory classes for ages 4months to 12 years.
Classes run year-round with monthly enrollment options. Daytime, evening, and weekend classes are available.
Dance Classes for Little Kids
Chicago’s suburbs have a lot of great options for your young dancer. Some programs start with independent classes, while others focus on parent/tot experiences first. Your little one can practice balance, rhythm and movement through a dance class. For young dancers, it might not be a bad idea to inquire about a free trial class to make sure the teacher, program and studio are the right match for your family.
All of the dance studios on our list of dance classes for kids offer lessons for young children, often starting at age 2 or 3, so that’s a great one to check out. We did dance classes at Jo’s Footwork Studio in Western Springs, so if you live within the vicinity definitely check them out!
Shining Stars at Jo's Footwork Studio
Jo’s is celebrating 43 years of dance in the community! They offer many types of dance, from Shining Stars for preschoolers and kindergarteners to ballet, tap, pointe, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, performance companies, and more for all age groups, which are all taught by master instructors, professional performers, certified and/or degreed teachers. Jo’s mission is simple: to provide a creative environment for all ages that allows dancers to excel and enjoy forever memories.
Indoor Swim Lessons for Little Kids
Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean that fun in the pool has to stop! Help your child become comfortable in the water or keep momentum going by enrolling in a swim program.
Check out our list of indoor swim lessons to find lessons for very young children. Our guide includes the youngest age lessons are offered for each location, so you’ll be able to see at a glance if your child qualifies. Many swim schools begin teaching adult-child classes for infants at 3, 6, or 9 months old.
Music Classes for Little Kids
Mattix Music Studio offers Music Together classes, which is such a great start. Not only is it great for your little ones, but you can also meet other parents there too!
Music Together at Mattix Music Studio
Music Together® (ages 0-5)
Sing, dance, play instruments and grow! Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids will love making music as a family. New this year – Music Together® con Español – a bilingual English/Spanish family class for Spanish speakers looking for a more accessible way to experience Music Together, as well as for families who want some exposure to the Spanish language through music.
Locations in Western Springs and La Grange.
Register at mattixmusic.com/music-together-registration.
More options to introduce music to kids through play, song, and movement:
If you’d like your child to begin more formal lessons, check out that same list for instrument lessons, which many spots will begin for children as young as 3 years old.
Gymnastics Classes for Little Kids
Gymnastics and tumbling are the perfect way to burn off energy as we head into the colder months. Some locations will allow a free first lesson to make sure it’s the right fit, too!
Check out our list of tumbling classes for kids to find a gym near you. Almost all of the gyms on our list offer classes for young children, often starting with an adult-child class for tots.
We loved taking classes at Gemini Gymnastics! You can learn about what they offer below.
Tiny Twistars at Gemini Gymnastics Academy
At Gemini, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and successful. For over 20 years, we've helped children throughout the La Grange area build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills by putting the child first and the sport second.
Tiny Twistars, Ages 18 Months–5 Years
Our Tiny Twistars preschool program blends imaginative themes, music, games, and age-appropriate gymnastics into a joyful weekly experience your child will love. Each class sparks curiosity and excitement while helping little ones build strength, balance, coordination, listening skills, and early social-emotional growth, all guided by a leadership team with over 100 years of combined experience.
As children explore gymnastics fundamentals, they're also developing resilience, independence, and a lifelong love of movement in a fun, supportive setting. Every month brings new adventures, including our beloved Skills In Bloom celebration each May!
Classes offered 7 days a week. Come see how your child can GROW. STRONG.
Our list of ninja classes for kids is also a great place to look! These classes let little ones swing, run, and jump to their hearts’ content, often with soft obstacle courses for little ones. The list includes the youngest age the gym offers, and includes classes for kids as young as 2.
Sports and Movement Classes for Little Kids
Kids with a lot of extra energy may enjoy running around on the soccer field, passing the basketball to their grown-up, and developing their teamwork skills through active movement!
The Little Gym of Orland Park
The Little Gym of Orland Park, is the place where children ages 4 months to 12 years learn and grow through movement-based learning and imaginative play. Our gyms are safe spaces for both children and parents to not only explore gymnastics, but so much more.
We offer parent-child classes for babies and toddlers, gymnastics programs for all skill levels, and birthday parties that make lasting memories.
We believe in movement with meaning.
At The Little Gym of Orland Park, children build the confidence and skills needed at each stage of childhood while parents enjoy a supportive and positive community. Discover how the power of gymnastics with purpose can build courage, resilience, and joy in your child. That’s what we call Serious Fun!
We offer introductory classes for ages 4months to 12 years.
Classes run year-round with monthly enrollment options. Daytime, evening, and weekend classes are available.
You can also check out these classes catered specifically to the younger crowd:
- Playpen Sports Academy focuses on classes for kids ages 2-7 years old to help introduce sports in a positive way. They offer classes in Arlington Heights, Aurora, Chicago Ridge, Downers Grove, Elgin, Evanston, Geneva, Glenview, Mundelein, Naperville, Schaumburg, Wheaton, and other locations.
- Hot Shot Sports offers adult-tot soccer, basketball, baseball, and football programs for kids ages 2-4 in locations across the northwest suburbs, including Bartlett, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, and Streamwood. They also have classes like Lil Dribblers and Pee Wee Soccer for ages 3-5.
- Little Kickers offers soccer for children 18 months and older in McCook, Lombard, St. Charles, Oak Park, Roselle/Schaumburg, and Plainfield.
- Naperville Yard begins their soccer programs at 2 years and up.
- Westmont Yard tailors their youngest classes for 18 months and up.
- Soccer Shots introduces children 2 and up to soccer basics. Check their website for enrollment options in Addison, Burr Ridge, Lombard, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Aurora, Lisle, Naperville, Wheaton, Westmont, and Woodridge.
Language Classes for Little Kids
Looking for speech therapy and language development classes? Tiny Talkers, located in Hinsdale, has options for your little ones and the owner of The Social Play in Brookfield is a bilingual speech-language pathologist who offers her services as well.
When it comes to learning a new language, children can’t start too early. Whether you want to introduce a second language spoken in your family or give your child a head start on becoming bilingual, check out these classes.
- The German Language School in Naperville that has classes for children ages 1 year and up.
- The Language and Music School in Oak Park offers music and movement, language, or a combination of both for children as young as 18 months old and up. Spanish immersion preschool is also available
- Children’s Montessori Language Academy in Hinsdale offers classes for children ages 2 – 6.
Art Classes for Little Kids
Art classes give young minds a chance to explore their creativity (and get a little messy!). Our list of art classes for kids includes the youngest age taught at each location.
Kidlist Tip: Sign up for emails from the art studios near you. This is often the best way to find out about workshops and classes!
Nature and Animals
- The Morton Arboretum offers special events, story times, or self-guided discovery activities.
- Double J Riding Club and Honey Bee Gardens have classes focusing on nature and play that are great for little ones
- Many local nature centers also offer classes and programs to introduce kids to nature and animals. Check their calendars or your local park district guide to find options.
Safety Villages
Learn about traffic rules, fire safety, railroad crossings, and more in a safe environment. Most of these safety towns are programs for incoming kindergarteners, but there are options for other ages as well. See our full article on Safety Towns.
Parent-Child Classes
Parent-child classes are a gentle way to introduce young children to a structured class environment. Plus, it’s a great way to spend structured and planned time with your kids! Our list of local parent-child classes includes music, dance, swimming, preschool programs, and more.
Kids Day Out Classes
Kids Day Out or Parents Day Out classes offer a more casual introduction to a classroom environment than traditional preschools. They often have more flexibility with the number of days available, allowing parents and caregivers to have a break while children play.
Other Resources
Just a few more ideas for finding fun for the littlest children!
- Local children’s museums may offer drop-in classes and programming aimed at the younger crowd.
- Park districts are full of resources for young families, including classes for young children. In a physical guide or PDF, there is often an Early Childhood section. If you are looking on a registration website, you can often filter by age.
- Almost all libraries have free story times, classes, and kids’ programs for residents.
- Our list of places to go with a baby or toddler features many places geared towards little ones. Some spots may also offer drop-in classes or programming.
- If you are interested in faith-based options, Bible Study Fellowship is a non-denominational Bible study that has free kids classes so your kids can learn while you are in small group.
Our giant guide to classes and teams for kids has even more great resources for children’s offerings in the west suburbs!
