(Age 3 1/2-6) Her is a chance for your child to express their creativity through music, art, dramatic play, and movement. Each week will have a theme related to the time of year. Every class will end with 30 min. of creative movement in our Gymnastics Center.
*If your child is in the licensed preschool program, for an added fee of $20 per session, we will provide lunch and transfer the child to the program.
In this class we will focus on learning letters and numbers. We will use crafts and activities to reinforce what we learn. This is a great class to help your child get ready for preschool.
Help children learn to appreciate all creatures great and small. Find out what it takes to care for different varieties of animals. We will do projects, read stories and play games that all revolve around the care of animals.
Learn lots of fun facts about animals and where they live. Read about them and make a craft relating to what you learned.
Be creative with various art projects and be creative with your movements.
Let your child express themselves through art in this creative class. Children will have an opportunity to paint, draw and sculpt. This is a fun and interactive class where their imagination can run wild! Materials included.
Come hear a story right before bed. You can even come to class in your pajamas. We will then do a craft to go along with the story. If there are younger siblings who would like to hear the story, they are welcome to come and stay with a parent.
Are you constantly getting asked to build your child's Lego or Knex models? Well, no more. In this fun and playful atmosphere, kids will learn how to follow step by step directions, as well as create their own engineering masterpieces. Each week will be a new project. We provide the materials, they provide the brain power!
This parent and tot program uses the creative movement and exploration concepts to involve you and your child in new learning experiences. Class includes circle time with songs and finger play, a guided introduction to new motor activities for your child, and free time to play with instruments, puppets and toys.
Allow your child to experience the colors of the rainbow by participating in all sorts of engaging activities. We will read stories, sing songs, create a craft and have a fun treat that reinforces the color of the day.
Featured arts include collage, a variety of paints, clay, play dough and other interesting materials. Each week will focus on a theme related to the season, a fairy tale, an animal or a famous artist. Our time includes a story, a project and an activity.
This is a creative class where your preschooler will paint, sculpt, sing and play while letting their creativity shine!
A break for Mom or Dad, a chance for their child to be in a stimulating and developmental atmosphere. This minipreschool class will include circle time, projects and activities, snack and many opportunities for free play. Puppets and interactive stories will be presented to help children learn to express themselves using words. Parent attendance is optional, parent will provide snack once each session.
Enjoy a special time with your infant or toddler in Discover and Play. This class is designed for infants and toddlers to learn and discover together. We will use our sensory, language and fine and gross motor skills to design create, and play through art, songs, stories and more!
Discovering Fun is a creative and fun class where your preschooler will develop their social skills through stories, playtime, crafts and more!
Children will explore their surrounding and discover new experiences in art, music, games, physical activities and more while they develop their social skills.
In this class your child will explore the magical stories of Dr. Seuss. We will pair his classic stories with fun art projects and activities each week.
Children can enjoy more than just creating a new dish. Our time together will include a story and cooking experience related to a daily theme. Please alert instructor to any food allergies.
This class will help develop your child's fine motor skills and stimulate their creativity through fun foam crafts. These crafts will include everything from butterflies to pirate kits.
Friday comes so quickly. We can't wait to get to the Y to do some fun and messy crafts with our friends. Dress for the mess from painting to play dough.
Join us for some fun summer activities. We will go outside when we can and play at the playground and one day we will play in the little blow up pool. We will play some fun summer games and maybe even make some yummy summer snacks. Summer art projects will be a reminder of this amazing summer class!
This class gives your child a head start on science with simple experiments and activities that have been designed specifically for young scientists. Your child will explore some of their favorite topics, such as weather, space, animals, and more! We will make new discoveries by thinking, drawing, observing and experimenting. Learning is exciting and fun! Welcome to science!
Join us for a different treasure hunt each week. Each week there will be a different theme. At the end of each hunt the theme for that week will be revealed. We will then do an activity to go along with the theme.
Let your child explore the world of science and learn basic science concepts. Every week Jr. Scientists will perform a new and fun experiment! Scientists will learn the scientific method and utilize it in each experiment, while learning basic science terms in a fun way!
Join us as we learn about the exciting world of outer space. We will learn about what it takes to be an astronaut traveling in space. We will do projects and activities to help us learn about our solar system.
Come prepare a healthy lunch that is yummy to eat! Kids will learn how to make healthy decisions when it comes to picking what to eat.
Does your child love to help you in the kitchen? In this class children can enjoy more than just creating a new dish. Our time together will include a story and cooking experience related to a daily theme. Please alert instuctor to any food allergies. Program is designed for Children 3 1/2 - 6 yrs old.
Bring your kindergartner to the YMCA for a fun time of gym, fitness, swim lessons and art to enrich their Kindergarten experience.
Come check out this brand new class! This new program offers a creative series of develpmental movement programs that are designed to help preschoolers improve motor skills, hone mental skills, raise energy levels and enhance self-esteem. Each session we will do a new unit of learning.
These classes will allow your children the opportunity to explore the great Y'd world. They will develop their minds with our an art class, develop their bodies in with active games with our field, climbing wall and swimming pool. Each day will offer different activities, check with your center to determine necessary attire, snack and supplies.
Join us for this messy art class. We will use household items like pudding, shaving cream and finger paints to create works of art. Bring your imagination and get ready to make a mess! This is a parent and child class, parents are encouraged to join in.
Find the Picasso in you! Each week you will make various art projects with clay, paint and more. Dress for the mess!
Little Learners With Gym and Swim
This class is an introduction to school for your preschooler with enrichment activities including word and letter recognition, themed activities and school time concept. Your child will learn social interaction in the most fun environment possible. Each day will offer different activities, check with your center to determine necessary attire, snack and supplies.
Drop your little ones off for their own little New Year's Eve party. We will have snacks, play games, and ring in the New Year at noon.
Drop your kids for lunch a the YMCA and the best part is-we provide the lunch! Your kids will learn how to become self sufficient when they make their own lunches. They will learn about table etiquette an the importance of good manners.
Lunch Time Wee Folks with Swim
Chrildren bring their lunch or a snack to eat for the first half hour and should come to class with thier suit on. After we eat we will do an art activity, go to the preschool gym and then finish out the day with a swim lesson. Parents will pick up their child at the pool deck when the class is over.
Here's a great chance for your preschooler to extend their day and have fun with their friends. Children eat lunch, play and share stories while you enjoy some down time.
Creativity is nurtured through crafts, stories and games. Each child should bring a lunch and drink marked with his/ her name on it. Come discover the Y's way to fun!
A fun and messy introduction to the world of visual arts! This class is for those who like to make a mess. Our munchkins, with the assistant of a parent, complete various art projects that focus on creativity while improving motor skills and dexterity each week. You're sure to need a bath after this class!
Parents, do you need a few hours in the middle of the week to accomplish some errands? Consider dropping your child off at ‘Mazing Kids on Wednesday afternoons. Our staff will watch your child while you cross off some of your to-do list! Art and stories will be explored during this time. Snacks will be provided. Please be aware that staff are not allowed to change diapers. Potty-trained children are preferred; however, we will accept children that are not potty trained.
Join us for a fun workshop class with stations: Hair (learn to French braid), Jewelry (necklaces, earrings, and charms), Make-up, and Nails (fingers and toes). Each couple will work as a team to make memories. The workshop ends ith a red carpet fashion show so bring or wear an outfit that will WOW the crowd. make sure your camera is handy as you'll want to capture every moment! Light snacks will be served. Registration deadline is Thursday, May 10
Welcome to a delicious learning experience! In these interactive math adventures, the children will use estimation to help the three little pigs build a house using pretzel sticks. We will explore one-to-one correspondence as they help clowns add animal crackers to a circus train. We'll explore fractions as we count popcorn to eat at the movies. And much more! Come join us as we sharpen the children's appetite for math with these yummy, hands-on adventures. Please bring a sack lunch in addition to our math snack. Bon appetite!
Learn how to make quick and easy snacks without even turning on a stove! Children will compile a cookbook with their favorite recipes to share with family and friends. The very best thing about this class is you get to eat everything you make! Please let instructor know if your child has any food allergies before registering for the class.
Feathers, sponges, straws and noodles are just a few of the possible ways to paint. Come explore many different ways to paint and be creative.
Parent & Child Rocket Launch Party
Have you ever wanted to build and launch your own rocket? In this parent and child class you will work together to construct your own Apogee Apprentice rocket and then launch it outside! The large brightly colored parachute that comes with the model makes it easy to see in the sky. Watch the faces of the kids as they chase the rocket, and you'll see why rocketry is so much fun.
Parent and tot art classes, drawing. Have fun with your child doing creative art drawings. This is fun for Mom, Dad and me (the child of course).
Parent and tot work as a team in this socialization class. Finger play, music, crafts, touch-book stories, seasonal activities and parties are included. Games, activities and puppets are introduced to enhance color and word recognition, improve listening skills and encourage child to verbalize. Balls, hoops and parachutes help us to develop large motor skills. Parent will provide snack once each session. Off-site field trip may occur once each session.
Giggles are guaranteed! Rauner Family YMCA is offering families hands on baking activities each week. The kids do the baking, the parent assists, and together we make a mess preparing healthy treats you'll love and prepare at home too!
Parent/Child Pirate Cake Class
(Age 4-8) Calling all pirates! Follow a treasure map throught eh YMCA to find the hidden loot then create a treasure chest cake filled with candy embellishments, chocolate gold coins along with your own beach and water feature. This is sure to be a treasure hunt filled with fantastic memories!
Join us the first Friday of the month after family swim and hear a story and have a little snack. Come dressed in your pj's. This is free for members!
This parent and child class allows you to not only spend time with your child but to connect with other parents and their children. The setting will be less structured allowing free play to grow each week.
Teachers lead your child in a fun, exciting experience. Children have fun learning through creative play, crafts, music and educational tools. We also expose your child to a physical curriculum that includes swimming, tumbling and ice skating.
Pretty as a Princess Tea Party
(Age 3-6) Come dressed as your favorite princess or borrow one of our princess dresses! We will play princess games, create a beautiful princess crown, enjoy tea and/or lemonade, heart shaped sandwiches and decorate a princess cookie. Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 19.
This class is for you if you're 2. Come in to our preschool room and be introduced to a wonderful world of preschool activities. In this class we like to focus on small group lessons, one-on-one instruction and learning through creative activities such as art, dance and music. We are very excited and hope to see you there!!
Come dressed as your favorite Princess and bring along a parent, grandparent or another adult friend to this magical night. The night will be filled with all your favorite "Princess songs", tea and snacks and a Princess themed craft.
(Age 3-8) Please join us for a fantastic class in which you and your little Princess will create a masterpiece cake! A 2010 Nickelodeon Award Nominee for Best chicago Party Entertainer! Not only will you and your daughter be decorating a jewelry box made from Pound Cake and edible jewels, but will adorn it with a crown fit for a Princess. This class will bring out your imagination and creativity.
This is a parent/child class! This class is for families that love to make messes! This is your chance to take a craft home and not the mess. Please wear clothes suitable for getting messy.
Your child loves to discover, a natural-born scientist. Let us build the curiosity for the world they live in with this experimentation class. Children will use all their senses to learn in this hands-on class.
Let your child explore the world of art in this eco-friendly multi-media art class. Artists will use pastels, painting, drawing, techniques and collage making, in their unique art projects.
Sitter On Saturday is designed to provide our families with a safe and fun environment for school-age children on Saturdays. Children will be supervised by certified staff with movies, toy time, swimming and much more. This is perfect for children that are under 9 and are unable to be in the facility unattended.
Snakes, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails
This class is designed for everything boys. We will talk trucks, dinosaurs, mud and more. What could be better than getting dirty being creative and having fun?
Join us as we explore the world around us. We will take nature hikes and discuss all of the wonderful things we see. We will do projects, games and crafts to help us appreciate all of the wonders of nature.
Learn about the rain and the things that bloom in the spring. Fun stories and crafts will be used to identify various things that nature brings us during this time of year.
Storybook Creations Parent/Child
Dive into a good book. We will explore a new book each week and instill a passion for reading through different activities like creating artistic masterpieces. This class is designed for parents to come enjoy the class with their child.
Watch your child's favorite story come to life. We will do a project that goes along with the story of the day. Parents get to join in the fun with your child.
Each week you will make a part of a Superhero costume and then have some fun playing the part. Imagination, art and play are all part of this new class.
Have your tiny tot channel their inner artist. Kids will make the masterpieces and we clean up the mess!
In this beginning enrichment class students will ABC '123' learning new skills like making friends, sharing and classroom behaviors. Includes art, active play and circle time. Please send a snack for each class.
What does your child want to be when they grow up? In this class we will talk about different occupations and what they do. We will act them out and do crafts to go along with the different jobs.
Your child will create treasure maps, make boats that float, paint, make sand castles and much, much more! Class will also include a movement section where kids will stretch, leap, run and dance in adventure theme improvisations.
Come join this parent-child exploration of all our favorite animals we see at the Zoo. Parents and children will participate in music and movement and will make hand puppets each week.