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Best Classes for Preschoolers and Toddlers in Chicago

Baby crawling through tunnel. Photo courtesy of Canva
Baby crawling through tunnel. Photo courtesy of Canva
9/15/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Classes for preschoolers and toddlers are a step up from parent-tot classes. If your Chicago preschooler wants to pursue their interest, even if it's just for 30-45 minutes once a week, then this list is for you! We've found a variety of fun things for kids who aren't in kindergarten yet but could use a little more time away from their caregiver during the day. Whether they're interested in music, movement, swimming, or the arts, when it comes to preschool classes in Chicago, we've found a little something for everybody.

If your kid isn't big enough to be dropped off yet, check out our Best Baby Classes in Chicago. As your preschooler gets older, check out our Guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago. And have fun with your child's newfound interests and hobbies!

Study with some of the best music educators. Photo courtesy of Merit School of Music
Study with some of the best music educators. Photo courtesy of Merit School of Music

Fun Music Classes for Chicago Preschoolers and Toddlers

Merit School of Music

West Loop
Merit’s offerings include group classes, private lessons, ensembles, and summer camps—with options for all ages, instruments, and experience levels. Kids can choose from a range of instruments including guitar, piano, voice, violin, trumpet, and percussion. READ MORE

Mini Musicians of Brookfield and Chicago

Brookfield and Irving Park
The Brookfield Academy for Mini Musicians introduces a satellite location in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago as Chicago Mini Musicians! Mini Musicians classes are packed full of fun, but the “secret” goal is education, not simply entertainment. From socialization to turn-taking to language development to motor skills, the Mini Musicians curriculum is full of playful and engaging songs and rhymes that lead to an explosion of musical and non-musical skills that extend far beyond the classroom.  READ MORE

Tiny Tunes Studio

South Loop
This adorable, action-packed spot offers music and movement classes every day of the week, with singalongs aimed at various age groups from newborns to toddlers and beyond. Little ones get to explore playing with instruments while learning new tunes and building physical skills. Classes for babies include tummy time and sensory exploration. Bigger kids can enjoy dancing, games, and more! READ MORE

Old Town School of Folk Music

Lincoln Square
Old Town School of Music offers music classes for literally all ages. Newborns and their parents can join the Lullabies class to sing, learn fingerplays, and lay foundations for future music classes. Older babies from 6-12 months can join their parents for a Wiggleworms class incorporating mirroring, fingerplays, and introductory gross motor skills. Kids can select from a wide catalog of classes to learn to sing or play piano, ukulele, drums, and more. READ MORE

School of Rock Little Wings

15+ Chicago area locations including Schaumburg, Evanston, and Naperville
School of Rock offers music classes and workshops perfect for musicians of all skill levels starting with the Little Wings program for 3-5 year olds. Kids will learn to use hand percussion to create rhythm patterns and musical syntax. The class lays the base for the Music 101 program. READ MORE

Bach to Rock Rock City

Arlington Heights, Naperville, and Northbrook
Kids ages 3-5 learn about music through storytelling in these 30-60 minute classes at Bach 2 Rock locations across the country. Learn to play chimes and recorders to set the stage for instrument exploration at the next level. READ MORE
Ninja training for toddlers? Of course! Photo courtesy of My Gym Chicago
Ninja training for toddlers? Of course! Photo courtesy of My Gym Chicago

Gym and Movement Classes for Chicago Preschoolers and Toddlers

My Gym Preschool Classes

Seven Chicago area locations
Preschoolers can have fun with structured games, sports skills, pre-gymnastics, and even early ninja training in group classes at My Gym locations across the city and suburbs. Choose from the Terrific Tots program for kids aged 30-42 months, Ninja, Jr. for kids 42 months to 6 years, or find a siblings class for multiple ages. READ MORE

Skip & Scoot

Lincoln Park and Bucktown
To keep kids moving and away from screens, Skip & Scoot offers both indoor and outdoor Little Fitness Adventures classes for toddlers and preschoolers. Obstacle courses, dancing, songs, and games help keep kids fit and moving no matter the season—a must for Chicagoans during the cold winter months. READ MORE

The Little Gym of Chicago's Pre-K Gymnastics

Roscoe Village and Glenview
Kids ages 3-6 can channel energy while learning confidence and cartwheels at The Little Gym. Progress from Funny Bugs to Giggle Worms to Good Friends in these hour long classes that emphasize movement, learning, and citizenship. READ MORE
Stay after class for open play! Photo courtesy of Bubbles Academy
Stay after class for open play! Photo courtesy of Bubbles Academy

Early Education Classes for Chicago Preschoolers and Toddlers

Bubbles Academy

Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Gold Coast, and Highland Park
This early education center offers classes in everything from crawling to music, art, and math, as well as classes that encourage gross motor skills and speech development. Sign up for eight consecutive weeks of classes, or buy a pack of drop-in classes for open play or other fun activities throughout the semester. READ MORE

Chicago Children's Theatre Classes

West Loop
Kids ages 1-14 can develop their theatrical skills with classes at Chicago Children's Theatre. Start with classes for 1-3-year-olds that teach basic storytelling, music, and movement and progress through classes for middle schoolers that explore advanced acting and multimedia. READ MORE

Giggles Play

Highwood
Classes at Giggle Play include Flow Motion, a yoga-based motion class for kids ages 6 months to five years, BTK's Expressive Explorers, a class in storytime, music and play, and BTK Communication Foundations, a class designed to help caregivers communicate with 3-9 month olds. Kids can also enjoy pop-up music classes at this Reggio-inspired Highwood studio. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Canva
Photo courtesy of Canva

Art Classes for Preschoolers in Chicago

One River School Art Start

Evanston
One River School in Evanston gets kids ready for big art projects with its Art Start class for 3-5 year olds. Kids make a variety of projects involving drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media in a warm, nurturing classroom environment. READ MORE

Kidcreate Studio

Lakeview and Oak Park
Kidcreate Studio offers art classes for kids ages 18 months to 12 at its three Northern Virginia locations, as well as summer and school-break art camps, crafty birthday parties, and special themed workshops. Students and campers work on a variety of projects including painting, drawing, clay, and more.  READ MORE

Easel Art Studio Classes

Ravenswood and Bucktown
Paint, draw, sculpt, and create masterpieces at these expert led classes in Ravenswood and Bucktown. Kids ages 2 and up can take classes in sculpture, story art, or mixed media, and can sign up for open studio time to work on their art. READ MORE

Unicoi Art Studio Classes

Roscoe Village
Providing art activities for kids in Chicago since 1999, Unicoi's mission is to draw the imagination out of every child. Kids ages 3-5 can sign up for Happy Hands Art Class, where they can learn to paint, draw, collage and sculpt. Or try Art Inspired By Stories and use mixed media to illustrate plots from short stories and poems. READ MORE
Where first-timers can try first position. Photo courtesy of A Fairytale Ballet
Where first-timers can try first position. Photo courtesy of A Fairytale Ballet

Cute Dance Classes for Chicago Preschoolers and Toddlers

Hyde Park School of Dance

Hyde Park
Preschoolers can choose Pre-Ballet or Creative Movement classes at this south side dance center. Creative Movement teachers basics for three and four-year-olds who will learn to move like different animals and gain an understanding of rhythm and music. Pre-Ballet guides kids ages four and up through the demi-plié, tendu, and ballet skips, walks, and runs.  READ MORE

Dance to Evolve Classes

West Loop
Preschoolers can learn hip-hop, ballet, tap, jazz, and more in classes throughout the city and near suburbs from Dance to Evolve. The school emphasizes a non-competitive environment where kids can thrive at all ages. READ MORE

Impact Dance Studio First Steps Classes

LaGrange and Countryside
Kids ages 2-5 can choose from Twinkle Tots, Beginning Dance, Kinder Combo, Hippity Hop, Jazz it Up, and Jazzy Tumble at this west suburban dance studio. Many of these high energy classes also include a recital for little dancers to show off their new skills. READ MORE

A Fairytale Ballet

Lakeview and Wicker Park
At these seriously adorable dance classes for toddlers and preschoolers, caregivers help little dancers take their first ballet steps with the use of fairytale props and costumes, familiar stories, nursery rhymes, and songs. The school has two locations, one in Lakeview and the other in Wicker Park. READ MORE

All About Dance

Old Town
Start with All About Dance's AAD and Me program, which introduces kids and their caretakers to movement and music with a playlist of reimagined classics. If your little dancer loves it, they can continue to study dance at the studio with ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, and more. READ MORE
It's all fun and games as you learn to swim. Photo courtesy of Big Blue Swim School
It's all fun and games as you learn to swim. Photo courtesy of Big Blue Swim School

Swim Classes for Chicago Preschoolers and Toddlers

British Swim School California

15+ Chicago area locations
British Swim School's survival-first swimming lessons have helped to develop safer swimmers for over 40 years, from babies as young as 3 months old to adults well into their 70s. Through fun-filled and goal-oriented programs, swimmers become comfortable and confident in the water while learning to stay safe.  Why Choose British Swim School?  Survival-First Approach Goal-Oriented Program Fun & Gentle Teaching Methods Year-Round Enrollment Small Class Sizes Whether you want to introduce your infant to the water, advance your child's... READ MORE

YMCA of Metro Chicago Swim Lessons

14 Chicago area locations
Learn to swim or build confidence in your existing swim skills at 14 Chicago area YMCA locations. Whether you start learning to swim at several months old or several decades old, you can find a level that fits your needs at a nearby YMCA. Both private and small group lessons are available, and can be purchased in packages or as individual sessions.  READ MORE

Bear Paddle Swim School

Aurora, Bloomingdale, Kildeer, Lake in the Hills, Orland Park, and Woodridge
These kid-focused swimming facilities have story-based lessons in a 90-degree saltwater pool. Kids can take weekly swim lessons, or participate in a four-day swim clinic in one week. Kids earn badges for achieving different swimming goals. Family swim is also available at each pool. READ MORE

Bright Blue: Big Blue Swim School

North Center, Buffalo Grove, Hoffman Estates, Wilmette, Niles, and Naperville
Big Blue Swim School emphasizes professional teachers who tailor lessons to each swimmer's needs. Kids ages 3-5 start with basic breath control and move up to mastering flutter kicks. Big Blue uses fun stories and games to introduce these basic swimming skills. READ MORE

Chicago Blue Dolphins

Lincoln Park
Founded by a dad who wanted to share his love of swimming with his children, Chicago Blue Dolphins offers a unique endless pool experience where swimmers can see themselves in underwater and ceiling mirrors, and see 360-degree videos of their stroke after the lesson. Kids and adults of all ages and abilities can take lessons to learn to swim or improve their technique in the heated indoor pool. Baby and toddler classes focus on songs, games, and toys to reduce pressure and anxiety. Take a lesson in the studio or at Ohio Street Beach or UIC. READ MORE

Foss Swim School

West Lakeview, Elmwood Park, Highland Park, Niles, South Barrington
In Norwegian, Foss means "fast water." So it feels like the Foss family was meant to found this swim school with six locations in Chicago and the Northern Suburbs. Parents sign up for classes on a quarterly basis, giving kids a chance to take breaks between lessons. Foss classes focus on survival skills and mastery rather than just the completion of each class. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Merit School of Music – West Loop
Brookfield Academy for Mini Musicians
The Little Gym of Chicago
Impact Dance Studio LaGrange
A Fairy Tale Ballet Wicker Park
Big Blue Swim School Chicago