Move over Old MacDonald! There’s a new class (or several) in town, and they aren’t your bang-on-the-Tupperware-as-music type. The class offerings for entertaining a toddler in the city (and suburbs for some) have expanded so much in recent years it almost makes me want another kid. Emphasis on almost.
These new hip and happening classes for your littles will make you want to get up and out of the house. It is spring, after all.
1School of Rock Little Wing
- 3043 N. Ashland Ave. (773) 857-3804
An offshoot of the impressive School of Rock Music program, Little Wing fosters the skills of creativity and confidence that ultimately help preschoolers learn music and lets them rock out. Teachers help kids explore rhythmic patterns and tones, and build a relationship with music that lasts for years. School of Rock believes music also teaches good listening skills, which hopefully will help you get through those terrible twos. And threes. (And sometimes fours.)
2Baby Take a Bow Movie Themed Camp classes
- Locations in Roscoe Village and Winnetka, babytakeabowchicago.com
Just when you thought you’ve heard “Let it Go” enough, your kid decides she wants more. Lucky for you, Kristen Ramirez of Baby Take a Bow dance school created five different weekly themed classes for your child to act out her favorite Disney movie. Whether it be a Despicable Me dance party or Ariel’s Under the Sea adventure, each will bring a new adventure and even feature a professional hair braider for those Tangled fans. Hip, hop, hooray!
3BollyGroove Kinder
- (ages 3 to 5), bollygroove.com/bollygroove/kids/ for exact locations in the city and suburbs
Bollywood isn’t just for Indian film stars. Little ones can partake in a little hip shaking, foot tapping and cultural awareness of different regions of India through BollyGroove Kinder, an offshoot of BollyGroove, a fitness-dance class. In each eight-week session, kids will learn a choreographed routine, movement, fun facts, folk tales and more with a mini-recital the last day of class. Namaste!