Little Kid Class Guide for 0-5 year olds

We've compiled a list of East Bay parent and tot classes throughout Oakland, Berkeley and the greater {510} area for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Pick a category or browse our whole list. If your favorite class for kids age 0-5 is missing, share it in the comments.

 Music | Play & Learn | Science | Small sports | Dance & Yoga | Gymnastics | Swimming | Art | Language & Culture 

Music classes for babies and older

Music Together (Albany, Rockridge, Montclair, Elmwood, North Berkeley, and more)
Children and their adults will learn songs, finger play, and rhythmic rhymes. Appropriate for birth through Kindergarten. Also available in Spanish, Hebrew, and German. 10-week sessions begin four times a year. Visit website >

Little Folkies (Berkeley)
Acoustic, Folk & Bluegrass music class for babies, toddlers and preschoolers (ages 0-5), with their grown-ups with singing and jamming on wooden kids instruments. Program designed to be enjoyable for children and parents alike. Semesters are 12 weeks long. Visit website >

Early Start Music (Oakland, Castro Valley, Fremont, San Leandro)
Offering Music Together classes for children age 0-5 and GoMandarin family music class, 100% Mandarin immersion program for children aged 0-6. Parents join with children to learn music through sing, movement and play. Semesters are 10 weeks long. Visit website >

Gymboree (El Cerrito, Oakland)
Music classes for 6 months to 5 years develop love of music through song, dance, movement games and instruments. With an array of styles, Gymboree music classes explore the power of rhythm, melody, tonality and beat. Classes are free to members. Print a first-class-free pass when you visit the website >

Crowden Center for Music in the Community (North Berkeley)
Crowden Music Center offers fun and inspiring music lessons and classes for ages three and up, including Suzuki Strings, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Kodály for Kids, Beginning Piano, and more. Voice classes and general music awareness classes start at age 3-4 at Crowden, and Suzuki-style lessons for string instruments begin at age 3. Sessions take place in the fall and spring. Visit website >

Jon's School of Music (Berkeley)
Rock and Roll for kids as young as one year old! 45-minute classes expose children to real instruments and some principles of music-making through fun, silliness, and stories. Visit website >

Mariela's Musictime (South Berkeley)
Bilingual Live Music and Movement Sundays 10:30am via circle time at la Peña Cultural Center. Drop in. Visit website >

Musically Minded Academy (Rockridge)
Group and individual music instruction is offered for older children, but group piano does start at age 4-6. Visit website >

Nanci’s Musiktime (Piedmont)
Nanci's Musiktime features Early Childhood Music Classes for babies through age 4 with their caregivers based on Kindermusik curriculum. Visit website >

Viola's Notes (Albany, Berkeley)
Native Italian-speaker Viola teaches Orff-based music and movement classes at preschools across the East Bay. Viola's Notes offers music and movement classes in English and Italian to kids ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Visit website >

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Play and learn classes

Rain or Shine (Berkeley)
Weekdays at Rain or Shine (formerly Studio Grow) include circle times for stories, music and parachute activities. All included with the price of admission. Classes include music, yoga, and parachute activities, and you don't need to sign up for a session.  Visit website for class times > or read 510families description.

Berkeley Playhouse MakeBelievers (Berkeley)
Weekly classes for ages 4-5; Children use their voices, bodies and imaginations and creative play to tell stories and discover the joy of theater. All classes end with a final showcase for family & friends. Six week sessions. Visit website >

JCC Toddler Program (Berkeley)
Perachim Flowers lets you learn and explore with your 12 to 30 month-old child through play, art, music, stories and Jewish rituals. Sessions offered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring one morning per week for 90 minutes each class. Free trials available. Visit website >

Baby Signs (Oakland)
First take the Intro workshop for parents with babies 4-18 months old at Then Comes Baby in Oakland. Then, a longer series of Baby Signs playgroups are available at the same location.  More info >

Belly Babies (Oakland)
This Tummy Time class is for pre-crawling babies and takes place over 4 weekly sessions at Then Comes Baby in Oakland. More info >

Epworth Playgroups (North Berkeley)
Register for a multi-week playgroup session to secure your spot. New parents and their toddlers connect in a relaxed social environment over two-hour meetings. Visit website > or read 510families description.

Gymboree (El Cerrito, Oakland)
Play & Learn classes encourage gross motor development in a program designed to support your child's growth at his or her own individual pace. Beginning as young as 0-6 months with tummy time and continuing through school skills from ages 3-5 with five stages in between. Music and Art classes also offered. Classes are free to members. Print a first-class-free pass when you. Visit website >

JCC Baby groups (Berkeley)
Nitzanim Buds is an informal group where parents with infants and young babies can share and learn in a Jewish community. One day per week, for 90-minute sessions. Free trials available. No classes in the Summer. Visit website >

Kindergym with Dawn (Oakland)
Children younger than 3 can enjoy Dawn's facilitated toddler classes or drop-in kindergym playdays. Lots of play equipment in a large, well-lit room with other families. Many opportunities each week. Visit website > or read 510families review of kindergym.

Rec Room Cafe (Berkeley)
The Rec Room is a family friendly spot offering drop-in children's classes for all ages: from special needs playgroups, baby music, and yoga to toddler dance through preschooler crafts and older kid sciences from 9am to 1pm. Healthy organic food & drink options available. Visit website for schedule >

Redwood Garden Preschool (NW Berkeley)
Redwood Garden’s Parent/Toddler Class offers a special gathering where young children (ages 18 months to 2 years 9 months) and their parents enjoy a rhythmic morning of play and exploration with free play and observation. Circle time flows into song and rhyme and movement. Sessions 3 times a year. Visit website >

Together Wee Play Drop-In Program (Frances Albrier Auditorium, Berkeley)
This drop-in group provides a safe, fun, and exciting place for parents to play with their children age 1 to 5. Staff will facilitate with ideas and techniques for skill-building. One adult caregiver is required for every three children. (510) 981-6641 {pdf}

Tum e time (Rockridge, North Berkeley, Alameda)
Creative ways to play with your baby including infant massage, baby yoga, baby signs, tummy time games & songs. Babies ages one month to pre-crawling are invited to join in. The cost is $110 for the 4-week session, includes a 97-page handout packet, baby signs/songs video and massage oil. Visit website > or read 510families tum e time review.

Urban Family Foundation (Berkeley)
Periodic parent-child classes for infants and toddlers at Berkeley Rose School. Class includes a circle time with nursery or seasonal rhymes, songs, gross and fine motor activities, imaginative play and exploration, quiet observation, and guided discussion. Visit website >

Wee Play (Alameda)
Alameda’s play center for infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years! Activities include developmental and exploratory play, music time, and coloring. Activities are minimally structured which allows children to enjoy and explore on their own terms. Pay for drop-in or buy a multi-visit pass. Visit website > or Read 510families Wee Play description.

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Science for toddlers & preschoolers (from nature & animals to STEM)

Junior Center of Art & Science (Oakland)
Junior Center offers drop in art and animal adventures for preschoolers as well as Saturday family days where children and their parents or caregivers can work on a specific project. Visit website >

Berkeley Forest School (Berkeley)
The Forest Explorers class, offered in 6- and 10-week sessions, in Tilden Regional Park is for children age [approx.] 2-5 to attend with a caregiver. Explorers hike at a child's pace, climb trees and large boulders, harvest food and flowers, and investigate nature. Visit website >

East Bay Regional Parks (Multiple)
Preschooler early science programs through the East Bay Regional Parks are available as series and drop-ins depending on the class with discounts to residents. Session and parking fees vary by location. Visit website >

• Toddler Time @ Ardenwood: Bring the tiny tots, age 1 to 4, out for an exciting morning at the farm. Each day we'll meet and learn all about a new animal friend through stories, chores and fun. This is a drop-in program; no registration is required.
• Coyote Cubs @ Coyote Hills Park: Get your preschooler, age 3 to 5, out and into nature! Play games, explore the park, and do a craft related to the theme of the day. Parent/Caregiver participation required.
• Sea Squirts @ Crab Cove: Share a morning of shoreline fun and science with your 3 to 6 year-old child.
• Tilden Tots @ Nature Center: Join an outdoor, nature adventure program for 3-4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult.
• Outdoor Discoveries @ Sunol: Children 3 to 6 years old and a parent are invited to make playful and scientific discoveries in exciting outdoor classrooms. Programs meet rain or shine. Siblings Welcome.

Habitot STEM Saturdays (Berkeley)
Drop in for family STEM Saturdays from 2:30 pm–4:30 pm. Activities encourage hands-on science explorations with activities that build a foundation for understanding physical properties, mathematics, and engineering principles. Experiment, build, and create. All ages welcome. Visit website >

Lawrence Hall of Science Little Explorers (Berkeley Hills)
Children age 3 to 6 (and a participating adult) can sign up for seasonal hands-on workshop series on Saturday mornings. This series of workshops is designed to capitalize on the excitement and curiosity of the young chemist by exploring cool concoctions. Discounts for members. Visit website > or read our description on 510families.

Oakland Zoo ZooKids (Oakland)
ZooKids is a weekend morning class for children age 4-5 which provides a fun and safe environment for children to have an independent experience at the zoo. A typical day includes storytime, zoo tour, snack, investigation activity, and thematic craft. Discounts for members. Visit website >

Sulphur Creek Nature Center (Hayward)
Check out animals, do crafts, and participate in fun activities with your children in a serene 10-acre park located hidden away in the hills of Hayward.
Toddler Times – Ages 1-3 http://www.haywardrec.org/180/Toddler-Programs
Nature Classes – Ages 3-9 http://www.haywardrec.org/182/Youth-Programs

Tinkergarten (Various)
Outdoor curriculum for children from ages 18 months through 8 years is seasonally appropriate. Each class becomes a tight-knit group of children and adults who learn together through well-designed, outdoor play-based activities. Learn about our morning with Tinkergarten or find a location near you >

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Organized Sports (soccer, tee-ball, basketball) for toddlers and preschoolers

Bladium Lil Kickers (Alameda)
This indoor facility is both a fitness center and a sports complex for kids of all ages with free trial classes availalbe. Lil Kickers soccer goes from 18 months to age 9. Visit website for Lil Kickers > Lil Sluggers baseball goes from ages 2 to 6. View Lil Sluggers info >

El Cerrito Parks and Rec (El Cerrito)
Tot Sports for ages 3-5 combines soccer, basketball and baseball over a 9 week session. Mommy/Daddy and Me classes available for ages 3-5. Download the brochure for El Cerrito Activities >

Live Oak Community Center (Berkeley)
Super Soccer Stars run preschool soccer for ages 1 to 4 with varying degrees of parent participation {pdf} (510) 981-5150

Montclair Tot T-Ball (Oakland)
Through City of Oakland, this class for 3 through 5.5-year olds is held in the outdoor play area of the Montclair Rec Center. Register here>

Piedmont Recreation Tot Sports (Piedmont)
Depending on the season, Lil' Sluggers and Kids Love Soccer offer programs for ages 2-6 with varying degrees of parent participation. 3 to 5-year olds will be exposed to three sports for three weeks each in a nine-week class: soccer, basketball, baseball, track & field, or golf. Call for current schedule (510) 420-3070 See the latest catalog from Piedmont Rec here >

Soccer Basics (Berkeley)
Classes for 4-5-year olds meet at the King track next to Hopkins Park. This class is affiliated with the Mersey Soccer League. Visit website >

YMCA (Downtown Berkeley, Oakland)
Toddler and Pre-K Sports offered at the Berkeley YMCA. Preschool basketball and indoor soccer sessions at the Downtown Oakland YMCA. Available to both Y members and non-members. Visit website for Berkeley> Visit website for Oakland >

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Dance & Yoga classes (includes Martial Arts)

Berkeley Ballet Theater (Berkeley)
Classes introduce your child to music, creative movement, and dance to encourage the imagination and self-expression. Pre-ballet starts at age 4. Visit website >

Alameda Ballet Academy (Alameda)
Dance with Me classes are for 3-4 year olds and Pre-Ballet is for 4-5s. Visit website for details on times, fees, and registration details >

Berkeley City Ballet (Berkeley)
Dance with Me (Ages 2-4) classes teach toddlers about music, movement, and ballet alongside their parents. Exercises cultivate students’ sense of coordination and rhythm. Students use their imaginations, and their parents’ help to learn basic movement skills. Next step is Pre-Ballet for ages 4+ where students build on preliminary ballet techniques. Visit website >

East Bay Dance Center (Oakland)
“Angelina Ballerina” ballet classes for 3-6 year-olds are inspired by the book character of the same name and includes audio narration from the PBS character. Visit website >

East Oakland Sports Center (Oakland)
Creative Movement for children 2-5 is one of many classes offered through Oakland's Parks and Rec department. Visit website >

Kids ‘N Dance (Oakland)
Parent & Me classes start at 18 months; pre-Ballet, and other age appropriate activities invite toddlers and preschoolers to get a taste of the theater arts. Visit website >

Luna Dance Institute (Berkeley)
Age-appropriate movement classes for toddlers, waddlers, and threes — and also? Infants! (with parent participation) Creative Dance Improv class for 4 year olds and 5s not yet in kindergarten. Visit website >

Pee Wee Wrasslers at Alameda Martial Arts (Bay Farm Island)
Weekly classes in martial arts begins at age four. Visit website >

Piedmont Ballet (Piedmont)
4-year olds can take an 18-week class through the preschool division, while 5 year olds can begin pre-ballet. Visit website >

Polka Dot's Ballet and Tap (Piedmont, El Cerrito)
Pre-ballet and Pre-tap is a combination class for 3-5 year olds who will learn the basic steps and rhythmic patterns of both styles of dance. Polka Dots Princess ballet camp is for ages 3-5. (510) 420-3070. View website for Polka Dots Dance >

Shawl-Anderson Dance Center (Elmwood)
Taught in weekly classes in a session format: Pre-ballet for 2s and 3-4 year olds; Modern dance for 3-4 year olds and 4-5 year olds, boys welcome. Available to drop-in for a weekly fee: Dance with Me for walkers up to age 4 with parent participation. Visit website >

Tutu School (Montclair)
Tutu Toddlers class begins as young as 18 months old — with parents present, of course — with Exploring Ballet classes beginning at age three. Price is based on a monthly membership fee. Read our write-up of Tutu School or Visit website >

Van der Zwaan Dance Studio (Berkeley)
Pre-ballet and tap for 3-5 year olds is a well-loved class, taught several times per week in 8-week sessions. Visit website >

YMCA (Berkeley, Oakland)
Children will enhance balance, coordination, rhythm, and dance skill in a nurturing environment. Dance classes at the Y include Parent/Child Ballet Together and Ballet Essentials for ages 2.5-5.  Visit Berkeley website > Oakland Y classes begin at age 3 Visit Oakland website > Classes are held in sessions for Y members and non-members with an extra fee.

Yogalayam (South Berkeley)
Drop-in yoga classes for toddlers is a combination of yoga and playtime for both of you. Visit website > or read description of toddler yoga on 510families.

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Gymnastics classes for 12 months & up

Bay Island Gymnastics (Alameda)
Junior Explorers is a parent participation class that is for babies who have begun to walk through toddlers who want a caregiver by their sides. 3-4 year olds who are ready for independence are invited to take the Explorers class, while Adventurers is for 4 to 5-year olds. Visit website >

Cal Golden Bears Gymnastics (Berkeley)
Bear Cubs 1 classes start at 18 months and are offered at many timeslots throughout the week. Bear Cubs 2 and 3 do not require parent participation and are for ages 3-4 and 4-5. Offered when Cal is in session, not during summer. Visit website >

East Oakland Sports Center (Oakland)
Tots 3-5 will participate in game play, learn to follow directions, and become comfortable in a group setting while learning basic tumbling and gross motor skills. Visit website>

Head Over Heels (Emeryville)
The curriculum utilized in Head Over Heels preschool classes has been specifically designed to develop motor skills while introducing basic gymnastics moves and terminology. Gym Tots, the class for toddlers aged 18 mos – 3 years requires parent involvement; Gym Tumblers is for 3-year olds; Gym Kids is for 4-year olds; and Gym Stars is for 5 year olds.  This busy gymnastics facility offers “open gym” as well during non-peak times. Visit website for class details and open gym hours > or read our description of open gym.

Kinetic Arts Center (Oakland)
Pre-Circus classes focus on the development of coordination and large motor skills. Through the use of music, games, obstacle courses, and equipment like the trapeze, this class encourages both movement education and social development. Circus arts instruction is for 18 months and older. Visit website >

Ruby's Tumbling (Alameda)
With different classes for babies 12 months and up through toddlers (with parent participation) and preschoolers, Ruby's Tumbling is a fun space that offers children an opportunity to use their big muscles, develop balance, jump their energy out and practice following directions. Visit website > or read about drop-in childcare for preschoolers.

Trapeze Arts (Oakland)
General Circus Skills class are open to children starting at age 3. A Tots Circus class introduces little ones to tumbling, trampoline and static trapeze. View website >

University Village Gymnastics (Albany)
Classes in this community for UC Berkeley families are open to the public and recommended by many readers. Gym Cubs gymnastics begins at 15 months and there are classes for every age of toddler and preschooler, some with a focus on Circus or Aerial arts. Visit website >

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Swimming classes for babies through preschoolers

Albany Aquatic Center (Albany)
Tiny Tots (parent/child) classes begin at age 6 months with a full range of lessons for all ages thereafter. Visit website >

AquaTech Swim School (Alameda)
Indoor warm-water swimming pool with both drop-in and ongoing lessons. The Tadpole level is an interactive lesson designed for babies and toddlers to participate in the pool together with their parents or caregivers from ages 6 months to 3 years. Visit website >

Berkeley Rec Sports at UC Berkeley (Berkeley)
The Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area offers lessons for babies, toddlers, and big kids of all ability levels starting with parent/infant tiny tots at 6 months old.

Canyon Swim School (El Sobrante)
Outdoor swimming school with emphasis on water safety and skills for all ages. Classes for infants, babies, toddlers, and young preschoolers are determined based on demand beginning at 8 months. Sessions take place in the Spring and Summer beginning in March. Visit website > or read our description on 510families.

El Cerrito Swim Center (El Cerrito)
Parent/tot water safety pre-swimming classes are for 6 months to 2 1/2 year olds. Pre-swim classes are for ages 2 1/2 to 3 year olds. Youth learn-to-swim classes are for ages 4 and up. Sessions are for 4 lessons of 25-45 minutes each. The pool is outdoors and classes may not be offered year-round. Reduced rates available to residents. Visit website >

King Pool (North Berkeley)
Preschool level classes are for ages 3 to 6. No experience necessary. Evening classes throughout the year. Private lessons also available. Reduced rates available to residents Visit website >

Piedmont Community Pool Swim School (Piedmont)
American Red Cross-certified instructors will teach a Parent and Tot class for those with toddlers 1-3 and a Guppie class to 3- to 5-year olds. See the latest catalog from Piedmont Rec here >

Roberts Pool (Oakland)
East Bay Regional Park District offers frequent swim lessons at the outdoor pool beginning with Parent Tot lessons at 6 months to 3 years old. More details >

Tim Oliver Swimming (Oakland Hills)
Year-round outdoor swimming thanks to the “winter dome”. Parent/child classes are for babies age 3 months to 3 years. Each class is available as a drop-in or as part of a full series to teach swimming to very young children. Group lessons begin where parent classes stop. Visit website > or read our description on 510families.

YMCA (Oakland, Berkeley)
Parent/child swim lessons begin at six months old. Plan to get wet until your child turns 3 when youth swim lessons start. Private, semi-private, and group lessons available several times per year in 8-week terms at three indoor pools. Reduced rates available to members. Visit Oakland website or Visit Berkeley website >

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Art classes for toddlers & preschoolers

Gymboree (El Cerrito, Oakland)
Gymboree art classes inspire imagination and self-expression with hands-on art activities such as painting, sculpture, drawing, collage, and dramatic play. Beginning at 18 months through 5 years. Classes are free to members. Print a first-class-free pass when you visit website >

Monart Drawing Studio (Berkeley)
For 4-6 year olds, Monart teaches realistic drawing skills among a wide variety of subjects and media, while providing every student enough structure for success and enough freedom for individual creative expression. Visit website >

Mudpies at Kids N Clay (West Berkeley)
Classes for 3 and 4 year olds meet one afternoon per week for one hour. Parents are encouraged to stay and help their little ones explore the joy of clay. Instructors help to insure personal attention as the children explore their creativity. Monthly tuition includes clay, finishes, and firing. Visit website >

Richmond Art Center (Richmond)
Small and supportive classes provide a haven for kids, ages 3+, to enjoy various art-making activities such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and puppet-making. A short story begins each class and a little snack ends it. Classes meet weekly in 8-week blocks. Occasional free workshops also available. Visit website >

Young Artists Workspace (YAWS) (Totland, Berkeley)
Children age 4 and up become familiar with fine art techniques such as painting, drawing, collage, sculpture and printmaking. All materials provided. Pay by the session or pay for the year. Visit their website >

Young Rembrandts at Live Oak Community Center (Berkeley)
Starting at age 3.5, children can learn the see-touch-do method to enhance their love of drawing and take it a step further. Sessions are 8 weeks long {pdf}

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Language & Culture classes for toddlers & preschoolers

EBI Spanish Language Enrichment Classes (Oakland)
Independent school, Escuela Bilingue Internacional, invites non-students to participate in enrichment classes from cooking, soccer, and dance, all inclusive of Spanish language instruction. Visit website >

East Bay Music Together presents Canta Y Baila Conmigo (Berkeley, Oakland)
Join an exciting new class where music learning goes hand-in-hand with Spanish immersion. 10 weekly classes make up a session for kids 0-5. Visit website >

GO! Mandarin music class (Oakland)
A special music class provided kids age 0-6 to learn Mandarin and Music at the same time. The class speaks Mandarin, sings Mandarin songs, and makes music. Sessions of 45-minute classes are 10 weeks long. Visit website >

Viola's Notes (Berkeley)
Native Italian-speaker Viola teaches Orff-based music and movement classes at preschools across the East Bay. Classes for the public are multicultural music and movement for children 0-5. Italian-immersion is one of the options. Visit website > or read description on 510families.

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