Minni

Bring your mess makers and creative kiddos to Minni, located in the SoWa Art & Design District. Classes are taught by professional artists and educators, and they offer classes for kids as young as 18 months. Each one mixes more than paint—we’re talking open-ended explorations that let kids explore, design and create. Classes are grouped by age (18 months-3 years, 3-6 years and 6-10). Sign up for the whole year or drop in here and there (please register at least 72 hours in advance).
Insider tip: Want to check it out? Take advantage of Minni’s free trial class.

Good to know: We love Minni’s Community Drop-Ins for families. The next one is scheduled for September 26.

71 Thayer St.
Boston, MA
857-772-7868
Online: minni.space

Community Theater Academy

If your preschooler thinks that all the world’s a stage, let them strut their stuff at the Community Theater Academy’s Preschool Theater program, for kids ages 3-5. Like theater with training wheels this innovative program gives tots the chance to be involved in live theater in a welcoming, empowering environment. Music, movement and even costumes are part of this program.

Walnut Hill School for the Arts
12 Highland St.
Natick, MA
Online: walnuthillarts.org/communityacademy/cta

Groovy Baby Music

If music is your tot’s jam, immerse them in Groovy Baby Music’s music and movement classes. Designed for kiddos age newborn through five, classes are offered throughout the Boston area in every format you can think of: outside, inside and online. Groovy Baby Music offers instruction through Music Together, Canta y Baila Conmigo, or Music Together con Italiano programming, so kids and caregivers can get their groove on in English, Spanish or Italian. The best part? Classes include an instrument set (it can be rented too) so you can keep the jams flowing at home.

Insider tip: Give Groovy Baby Music a try with a free class.

Good to know: These popular classes are filling up quickly (some have waitlists already).

Various Boston locations.
Online: groovybabymusic.com

Little Loveage Club

A little bit of this, a little bit of that is what your sweet babies and toddlers will find at the Little Loveage Club classes. Grouped by developmental stages, classes cater to kiddos (and caregivers) during the first few years. We love the Messy Baby (ages 6-18 months) and Messy Artist (ages 1.5-4 years) classes that focus on sensory play for the Littles and making art for preschoolers. But you can find pretty much everything here, including sign language classes, toddler ballet and more.

Prudential Center
800 Boylston St.
Boston, MA
617-237-0474
Online: littlelovageclub.com

Super Soccer Stars

We think your babies and toddlers will get a kick out of this soccer program that makes learning the world’s favorite sport accessible and fun. In the Parent + Me sessions, kids ages 12-24 months learn pre-soccer skills through music, movement and puppet-play (puppets Mimi and Pepe lead the way!). Once they graduate, it’s on to the Super Soccer Stars program. Here, kids are grouped by age (parents are included in the program for kids 2-3) then taught basic skills in a fun, supportive and exciting environment. It’s all about teamwork making the dream work here!

Insider tip: Got a pod or a homeschool group? Sign up for an in-person private class with your group just for your group.

Various Boston locations.
Online: boston.supersoccerstars.com

Commonwealth Circus Center

We couldn’t think of a better place to bring your little monkeys than the Circus Toddlers class at 3C. It’s 50 minutes of swinging, climbing, hanging and rolling in a structured play environment. And it’s just for Littles ages 18-30 months. The best part? Parents get to lend a helping hand and join in the play. Big top equals big fun here!

Insider tip: Students can get in on 3Cs Thursday Play Time for just $5.

8 Brookley Rd.
Boston, MA
617-841-8629
Online: commonwealthcircus.com

Urbanity Dance

A class to get babies and toddlers moving and grooving? You’ll find it at Urbanity Dance, starting with babies as young as 12 months. Urbanity Dance offers three levels of kids classes; the first two (Baby Walkers and Toddler Movers) include parent participation, while the last (Toddler Groove) is all about kids being independent. Each class music and elements of dance at age-appropriate levels so kids will learn the love of dance, at any age.

725 Harrison Ave., #100
Boston, MA
617-572-3727
Online: urbanitydance.org

Down Under School of Yoga

Help your kids practice mindfulness with a kid’s yoga class. This 13-week series, for kids ages 3-6, uses songs, movement and games to make yoga fun and easy. We’re sure you’ll see the fruit of the seeds that are planted here in other aspects of your kiddo’s life. And although the classes are truly engaging and dynamic, there’s ample time for toddler relaxation too.

Good to know: Make sure this class is the right fit for your little yogi with a Kids 3-Class pass that lets you try up to three classes for just $45.

Locations in Brookline, Newton & Cambridge
Online: downunderyoga.com

Puddlestompers

Find wide-open spaces in the parks of Boston with this program that’s committed to getting kids and their caregivers outside (even in the middle of the city). The Child/Adult class, for kids age 2.5-5, clocks in at just under an hour and focus on what’s going on each season through games, songs, crafts and lots and lots of hands-on exploration. We know your kids will find this STEM-based curriculum exciting and engaging. Don’t forget the bug spray!

Insider tip: Sign up for a one-time Habitat Class to get a feel for the program. Held on Wednesdays (9:30-10:25 a.m.) in Newton and Fridays in Wellesley, all you need to do is sign up by 6 p.m. the night before to attend.

Various Boston locations.
Online: puddlestompers.com

A Couple More: Love outdoor classes? So do we! And The Trustees and Mass Audubon have lots of other great outdoor options for families throughout the greater Boston area.