Fun Activities for Busy Toddlers

Classes for the littlest students in the Toledo area

With colder weather cutting down on trips to the neighborhood park or playground, parents of toddlers may find themselves looking for new outlets to direct all that nonstop energy this winter. Northwest Ohio offers classes in a wide variety of disciplines that have been adapted to meet the needs of children ages three and under. Many are parent-child classes, so they provide a great opportunity for bonding while also expanding your child’s horizons. Here is our roundup of some of the most popular local classes geared toward toddlers.

With colder weather cutting down on trips to the neighborhood park or playground, parents of toddlers may find themselves looking for new outlets to direct all that nonstop energy this winter. Northwest Ohio offers classes in a wide variety of disciplines that have been adapted to meet the needs of children ages three and under. Many are parent-child classes, so they provide a great opportunity for bonding while also expanding your child’s horizons. Here is our roundup of some of the most popular local classes geared toward toddlers.


Tumbling/Gymnastics

Exceleration Gymnastics Center
2255 South Reynolds Rd., Toledo
419-381-1000

Parent and toddler classes are held in a gym custom made for little gymnasts, with early walkers up to age three learning the foundations of gymnastics. Children who are at least three years old can also enroll in Little Ninjas, an introduction to Parkour.

New Heights Gymnastics
6539 Weatherfield Ct., Maumee
419-795-2132 

In this parent and child class for new walkers to age three, children explore basic movement with an emphasis on building gross and fine motor skills and developing early social skills.  

Sunrise Gymnastics Academy
3640 Holland-Sylvania Rd.
419-841-2902

Parent and child classes for ages one to three help develop coordination, strength, flexibility, discipline, and self confidence.

YMCA of Greater Toledo
Various Locations

Parent and child classes for “furniture walkers” through age three include movement education and introductory gymnastics skills with emphasis on large motor skill development, balance and coordination. 


Martial Arts/Karate

Ohio Martial Arts Center
3100 Main St., Suite 1145, Maumee (Shops at Fallen Timbers)
419-385-1000 

Offering introductory classes for older toddlers who are at least three and potty trained, transitioning into preschool. Benefits include increase in coordination and confidence and improved focus. 

Sylvania Family Karate
1100 N. McCord Rd., Suite M&N
419-320-6780

Early development classes for older toddlers age three and up provide little ones with their own program that targets their stage of development in a manner that keeps them entertained, while at the same time building skills that set them up for success. Lessons use early elements of traditional martial arts curriculums to build skills that are age appropriate.


Swimming

Catholic Club
1601 Jefferson Ave.
419-243-7255

Parent and child classes for ages six months to three teach basic water adjustment, floating and beginning swimming skills.

Infant Swimming Resource (ISR)
419-704-8593 

Teaching ISR Self-Rescue® skills to children ages six months to six years old, Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) is nationally recognized as the safest provider of survival swimming lessons for infants and young children. Kym Smith Cragel is the only full-time ISR Instructor serving Northwest Ohio. Lessons are held at multiple locations on a continuous schedule March – November, with maintenance lessons offered November – March. 

SafeSplash Swim School
1510 Spring Meadows Dr. #D-100, Holland
419-370-2801 

Parent and child classes are available for six months to age three, and transitional classes for older toddlers teach them fundamental swimming and safety skills while learning how to safely be a part of a group class.

UToledo Swim School
2800 E. Rocket Dr.
419-530-3700 

The Office of Recreational Services offers parent and child American Red Cross Swim Lessons for ages six months to three. Classes are taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors. 

YMCA of Greater Toledo
Various Locations

Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers ages six to 36 months learn to become comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences, while parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision.


Dance

Evolve Dance Company
4444 Heatherdowns Blvd.
419-236-7172 

A creative movement class for toddlers ages two-three is designed for the youngest dancers to get exposed to being in a class setting. Students focus on working through parent/child separation, learning to take turns, and following directions all while exploring creative movement. 

Mini Motions Dance Center
2437 Tremainsville Rd.
(419) 473-0999 

Kids ages two to three can enroll in dance class, which involves creative movement and the development of gross motor skills by using things such as a balance beam, trampoline and more. After three months of lessons, tap dance is introduced as well.

Rising Stars Dance Academy
2222 N Reynolds Rd.
419-279-1127 

Their class for two-three years olds is a fun opportunity for toddlers to work on gross motor skills while dancing and spending time with a favorite adult. 


Yoga

LiveFIT
12905 Eckel Junction Rd., Perrysburg
419-482-8175 

Offering yoga classes to nurture caregivers and their children ages one to four.  Both parent and toddler can become stronger and more flexible; yoga also promotes a sense of calm through mind-body connections and focused breathing.

YMCA of Greater Toledo
Various Locations

A class for ages two-five uses a flowing movement to connect yoga postures. Promotes strength, stamina, and stability while enhancing flexibility, breath awareness, and mental focus, ending in relaxation.


Art

YMCA of Greater Toledo
Various Locations

Children ages one to three can explore different mediums, focus on the basic elements of art and color, while developing their fine motor and gross motor skills in the Art for Tiny Tots class. 


Theatre

Children’s Theatre Workshop
2413 Collingwood Blvd.
419-244-5061 

Early Stages is a weekly, 45-minute drop-in class for children ages three to four that incorporates song, movement and puppetry to guide the youngest performers into improved theatrical understandings and practices. Parents are encouraged to observe and participate. Classes are $5 each or $20 for a five-class pass. Visit CTW’s Facebook page for the schedule.


Music 

Forté Music School
3208 W. Sylvania Ave.
(419) 471-2100 

Music FunTime offers an innovative, structured, and progressive curriculum derived from Johns-Hopkins Research exploring the magical connection between math and science through music for children 18 months to seven years of age. Children use musical crafts, worksheets, games, and instruments in a fun and exciting way to explore and nurture a strong musical foundation. They learn to read music notation, rhythms, and symbols, and play the instruments of their choosing. 

Toledo Symphony School of Music
Classes held at 5327 Monroe St. or 1838 Parkwood Ave.
419-246-8000 

Musically Me: Music and Movement Classes offers an engaging curriculum for the youngest musicians in your family. Each session covers a specific theme while moving, singing, clapping, playing, and learning.


Nature Classes

Metroparks Toledo

Various LocationsMetroparks Toledo offers Toddler Trails, a parent-child program with outdoor, multi-sensory nature play and exploration that introduces toddlers up to three years of age to the natural world and promotes its preservation. Visit the program calendar for upcoming days and locations.