Best Toddler and Baby Art Classes in Boston

1. Minni Classes at Minni — South End 

These pint-sized classes at Minni for kids ages 1.5 to 3 are designed just for the littlest mess makers and their caregivers. Kids can enjoy weekly stations and projects to keep them engaged and interested. The classes emphasize process and foster creativity by exploring a range of tactile materials. 

2. Sensory Art at Galoop — Chestnut Hill

This class is better than any sensory bin you can imagine! At Sensory Art kids ages 1.5 to 3.5 play and explore with sensory bins, paint, stamps, and more. Each week brings a new theme with new materials & props that will encourage your child's social, physical, and emotional development.

3. Toddler Art at Abrakadoodle — Newton, Brookline, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland

Toddler Art develops tiny artists' sensory skills as well as fine and gross motor skills alongside their caregivers. Tots ages 20 months to 3 years learn about color, texture, and more while experimenting with new materials.  

4.  Art Explorations Mucky Kids — Cambridge 

You and your little artists are encouraged to engage, explore, and experiment with a wide variety of craft supplies at this Mucky Kids class for ages 3 to 4. Make prints, sculpt with clay, paint, play with color mixing, and make cozy beds for stuffies. There is a strong emphasis on process over product for creative little minds.

5. Preschool Studio Art at the Museum of Fine Arts — Mission Hill 

Turn up your art game with a class at an actual art museum. In the MFA's Preschool Studio Art class for budding artists ages 3 and 4, kids work on weekly projects inspired by the collections in the museum. Make sure to stroll the halls before or after for added inspiration. 

Top Baby and Parent Music Classes for Boston Families 

6. Jam Baby at the JCC — Newton 

At Jam Baby, little musicians ages 6 months to 4 years old, learn rhythm while beating a drum and playing instruments, enjoy dancing with props to the beat, and gain confidence while learning music appreciation. This class is currently being offered outside, weather permitting. 

7. Little Notes at Community Music Center of Boston — South End 

Little Notes actively explore sounds, movement, and the world for little music lovers 4 and under. The class creates a special musical connection between children and their caregivers with play, singing, and dancing using musical instruments and everyday materials. This class is currently being held virtually. 

8. Music and Me at Little Lovage Club — South End 

Infants and toddlers ages 36 months and younger get a multi-sensory opportunity to experience the joy of music through sight, sound, and touch at this Music and Me class. Music instructors play and demonstrate a variety of musical instruments, sing, and expose little ones to different sounds, beats, and rhythms. Infants and toddlers are encouraged to create their own music, have fun, and enjoy the many sounds of music.

9.  Little Groove — South End, South Boston, Charlestown, Brookline, Seaport, Newburyport 

Along with musical activities, Little Groove uses stacking cups, balls, trains, cars, pom poms, large Legos, bubbles, a parachute, and colored scarves to keep little ones engaged. Little musicians from 3 months to 4 years old can play along to live music with instruments like drums, maracas, and tambourines. Children interact at their own level with the help of the teacher assistant and their own parent or caregiver. Classes are offered both indoors and outdoors, as well as virtually. 

10. Baby Walkers at Urbanity Dance — South End 

Little movers and groovers ages 10 months to 24 months can find their rhythm alongside their caregiver at Urbanity Dance's class designed to increase mobility, coordination, balance, flexibility, strength, and motor skills. For slightly older kiddos, try out their Toddler Movers or Toddler Groove classes. 

11. GroovyBabyMusic — Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Somerville, Southie

Certified teachers offer groovy, research-based music and movement infant and parent/child classes, with options online, indoors, and outdoors. Whether it's Music Together, Canta y Baila Conmigo, or Music Together con Italiano, the professional musicians at GroovyBabyMusic make learning fun. 

There are plenty of swim classes near Boston that help babies become more comfortable in the water. Photo courtesy of Little Flippers

Cool Boston Swim Classes for Parents and Kids 

12. Baby and Toddler Swim at Little Flippers — Natick and Winchester 

Babies as young as 6 months are invited to make a splash at Little Flippers. These classes with a caregiver build swimming readiness by using songs, games, and props that make being in the water a fun experience.

13. Tadpole Classes at British Swim School — South End, Brookline, Dedham 

This water acclimation class for infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 36 months introduces them to the water for the first time. The Tadpole class' goal is to reduce fear and tears by using songs, splashing, and playing in the water. Little swimmers are also introduced to an assisted back float and submersion in this level.

14. Minis at Goldfish Swim — Braintree, Burlington, Needham, Westford 

Parents and babies as young as 4 months can get in the water together for Mini classes at Goldfish. The lessons provide a gentle introduction to the water, teach basic swim and safety skills, and are a great way for parents and babies to bond. 

15. Swim Starters at the YMCA — Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge, Somerville 

Little swimmers ages six months to three years develop swim readiness skills with their parents or guardians in Swim Starters. In addition, parents learn how to supervise children in the water, prevent accidents, and plan for emergencies. 

16. Aqua Babies at Brookline Recreation Center — Chestnut Hill 

Aqua Babies, for little ones ages 4 months to 18 months, uses songs and group activities to introduce babies to the water. Parents or caregivers introduce babies to supported floating, kicking, basic arm movements, blowing bubbles, basic water safety skills, and entering and exiting the pool safely.  Babies can graduate to the center's Water Tots and Preschool with Parents classes.

My Gym's Waddlers classes are for kids 14-22 months. Photo courtesy of My Gym

Awesome Movement and Fitness Classes in Boston

17. Waddlers at My Gym — Allston, Newton, Burlington 

If your little one loves to move, head to My Gym, where babies can begin taking classes when they are as young as 6 weeks old. The sessions focus on introducing music and movement at age-appropriate levels to aid in your baby’s development. My Gym offers classes for a variety of ages, so if your child really loves them, you can continue going through the years.

18. Baby and Me at Down Under Yoga — Newton, Brookline, Cambridge 

This class is for new moms hoping to get in a yoga session while bonding with baby. Baby and Me is designed to help moms regain muscle tone and abdominal strength (dads are welcome, too) and enables families to leave feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, all while connecting with their little ones. When baby starts moving, try out some of the kids' yoga classes they also offer. Classes are currently being held virtually. 

19. Me and My Shadow at Gymnastic Academy of Boston — Cambridge 

If you have a toddler that seems to climb and swing from everything, this is the class for you. At Me and My Shadow, little ones ages 18 months to 36 months explore two floors of preschool gym equipment with a ‘shadow’—mom, dad, or caregiver. Your little gymnast will develop coordination, work on listening skills, and taking turns.

Kick & Play classes for toddlers. Photo courtesy of Super Soccer Stars 

20. Parent and Me at Super Soccer Stars — Boston 

This parent-child pre-soccer and movement program is designed specifically for toddlers. Future soccer stars as young as 24 months learn basic skills like balance, kicking, and running from instructors (and puppet friends) Mimi & Pepe. Classes are held outdoors at various locations throughout the city.

21. Creative Movement at Preschool Moves — Newton and Chestnut Hill

Preschool Moves' Creative Movement classes are offered both indoors and outdoors. This dance class uses guided exercises, visuals, dance games, music, and fun props to get little dancers wiggling and giggling. 

Mix and stir something delicious with your little chef. Photo courtesy of Taste Buds Kitchen

Totally Unique Parent and Child Classes for Boston Families 

22.  ABC Spanish in Motion at Spanish in Motion — Charlestown, South End, Newton 

Introduce your baby to Spanish through music and play at ABC Spanish in Motion. The classes begin for children as young as 6 months old and introduces them to the Spanish language and Latin American culture through songs, dancing, jumping, and more. Want to try a class before you sign up? Attend one of ABC’s free demo classes.

23. Baking Classes at Taste Buds Kitchen — Beverly, North Andover 

At these Parent and Child baking classes, you can whip up delicious treats with your budding chef. (Kids as young as 2 years old are welcome.) Taste Buds Kitchen has super fun twists on classic desserts like Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes and Galaxy Donuts. And of course, bakers get to sample and take home all the delicious things they make. 

24. Circus Toddlers at Commonwealth Circus Center — Jamaica Plain

Your little circus performers can hang, swing, climb, and roll at this class for kids 18 months to 2.5 years old. Circus Toddlers help children build coordination and movement skills through play. And since parents or caregivers participate as well, toddlers get the chance to explore new boundaries in a safe and supportive space.