Toddler classes in the East Bay, ages 0-5-year-olds
We’ve compiled a list of East Bay “Baby and me” classes for kids throughout Oakland, Berkeley, and the greater {510} area for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Pick a category or browse our whole list of toddler classes. If your favorite class for kids aged 0-5 is missing, share it in the comments. We love to learn about new places, too!
All entries are updated and fact-checked as of November 2021. Some photography is showing pre-Covid interactions.
Music | Play & Learn | Science | Small team sports | Dance | Yoga | Martial Arts | Gymnastics | Swimming | Art | Language & Culture
Music classes for babies and older
East Bay Music Together
Every week in the award-winning Music Together and Canta y Baila Conmigo (Spanish) classes at East Bay Music Together, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grownups come together to play together musically. Fun, educational, & research-based. Also available outdoor & online.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Amabile School of Music: Little Mozart Keyboard Group Class
This 16-week introductory class is designed for 4-year-old music beginners to learn about musical alphabets, rhythm, notes, black & white keys, posture, and finger numbers while also incorporating fun aspects such as singing, dancing, musical games, and mini-recitals.
Ages: Age Four +
Crowden Early Childhood Music
Music fundamentals classes for ages 3 to 7 are offered in the fall and spring.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Jon's School of Music
Outdoor classes as long as weather permits. Rock and Roll for kids age one to six! 45-minute classes expose children to real instruments and some principles of music-making through fun, silliness, and stories.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Kids Go Mandarin
Classes increase kids’ enthusiasm for learning Mandarin and music at the same time. Young children enjoy multi-sensory creative teaching and experiential learning of Mandarin through music, movement, and play. Online or outdoor classes are available.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Little Bears Music
Calling the East Bay’s Littlest Rockers. Part of Blue Bear School of Music, Little Bears, is a play-based musical introduction for your kiddo, training rhythm and socialization while fostering a love of music with tons of brain-boosting benefits included. Currently meeting at Memorial Park.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir
For children who love to sing, ages 4-18. This program of vocal training and music education is taught by experienced, caring faculty.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
San Francisco Girls Chorus: Prep Chorus
Music education program that creates outstanding singing performances. Prep Chorus for children aged 4-6.
Ages: Age Four +
Little Folkies
Little Folkies is an award-winning session-based folk music class for children ages 0-5 and their parents and caregivers inspiring young families to sing and play. Songs are accompanied by foot-stomping, hand-clapping and instrument jamming.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Play and learn classes for babies and toddlers
Berkeley Rose Waldorf School (BRWS) Early Childhood Classes
BRWS moves in a developmentally healthy way, encourages simple enjoyment of the outdoors, and supports you in creating your own outings. Teachers will offer parenting articles to read and a discussion of handpicked topics will include time for your questions.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three
Kindergym Toddlers with Dawn for Ones and Twos
Time for your child to play, explore and learn while experiencing climbing, sliding, jumping, tunnels, rocking horses, fire trucks, crazy cars, parachute play, stories, songs, bubbles and so much more! Kindergym is in a large, well-ventilated room with other families looking to connect.
Ages: Age One, Age Two
Berkeley Forest School - Forest Explorers
Forest Explorers is a weekly 2-hour class from 10 am - 12 noon. Nature hikes, wild foraged snacks, natural materials art exploration, and music awaits you in Berkeley Forest School's "Forest Explorers" program. They partner with parents to co-create a nature-connected community.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Gymboree Play & Music
Specially designed classes incorporate innovation with classic learning techniques to engage young minds. Gymboree is the global leader in early childhood development programs with a wide range of classes for 0-5 years.
Ages: Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
MCPC Toddler Playtime
Toddlers aged 18–36 months and caregivers enjoy play and socialization together. Help your child adjust to social settings in a safe and friendly environment. Each class includes art projects, large and small motor activities, music, and snack time. Year-round.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three
PRAM playgroups and classes
Sensory playgroups are for babies and toddlers. Class offerings change out quarterly.
Ages: Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Tum e Time: Creative Ways To Play With Your Baby
Come explore infant massage, baby yoga, baby signs, tummy time, songs, development and sensory play in 2 separate 4 week classes. Part 1 - babies 1 month to pre-crawling. Part 2 - 5 months to new crawlers.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers
Twirl After School Enrichment Program
Twirl offers an after-school program for TK-3rd grade incorporating STEAM Explorations, Design Challenges, Lego Building, Process Art, Music, Mandarin, and cooking. Instructors also offer homework help.
Ages: Age Four +
Tumbling classes for toddlers
Head Over Heels Athletic Arts
Need your little one to burn off some energy so they nap easily? Tot and toddler classes in our large open space offer soft colorful surfaces for your child to run, jump, and climb. Visit our website or call today to register!
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Bay Aerials Sweet Peas & Baby Ninjas
Sweet Peas gymnastics starts at age 6 months. Ninja classes begin with walkers.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Bay Island Gymnastics
Gymnastics for toddlers and preschoolers goes to age 5.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Cal Golden Bears Gymnastics
Bear Cubs classes start at 14 months and are offered at many times throughout the week. Bear Cubs 2 and 3 do not require parent participation and are for ages 3-4 and 4-5. Open Gym is still on hold. Offered when Cal is in session, not during summer.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Cal Youth Gymnastics & Swimming
Cal Youth Programs offer a diverse array of year-round classes for the youngest of kids: gymnastics (14 mos.-18 yrs.), swimming (infants-18 years). Locations on the iconic UC Berkeley campus.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
El Cerrito Preschool Gymnastics
Gymnastics classes are for ages 3 to 6. Gymnastics Tiny Tots Free Play is for ages 1.5 to 5 with a caregiver to enjoy balance beams, obstacles courses, trampoline, tunnels, and hula hoops. Other sports begin at age 5.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Kids 'N Dance
Intro to dance begins at age 2. Creative Movement/ Gym class for ages 27 months- 3.5 yrs is excellent for those not ready for structured pre-ballet. Several types of pre-ballet start at age 3. Or try circus arts.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Ultimate Sports Connection - Pre-school and Kang & Roo Open Gyms
Supervised gymnastics free play begins at 13 months. Have fun on the spring floor, obstacle course, uneven bars, monkey bars, balance beams, vaulting station, and tumble track! Single-day or recurring class is available.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Team Sports (soccer, tee-ball, basketball) for toddlers and preschoolers
Lil' Kickers Soccer
Lil' Kickers Soccer is a child development program whose purpose is to help children mature on all levels. This program focuses on helping children build strong physical, intellectual, and emotional skills that will help them be successful on and off the soccer field.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Skyhawks Tot Sports
This multi-sport program gives kids a positive first step into athletics. Basic sports and skills are introduced through fun, energetic games and activities.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Soccer 2gether
Soccer 2gether invites kids 3-5 years old to come and fall in love with the game of soccer and make friends for life. Your child will be developing their motor skills and learning the basic fundamentals of the game.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
University Village Cub Soccer
Cub Soccer is available through this Cal-affiliated recreation program, which is open to the public. The program is for ages 3-5 with parent participation. The class is just 45 minutes per week.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Dance classes for kids under five
Alameda Ballet Academy: Dance with Me Ballet
Dance with Me Ballet invites 3-4 year olds with their caregiver to learn the basic concepts, rhythms, and positions of ballet.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Berkeley Ballet Theater pre-ballet classes
Berkeley Ballet Theater's pre-ballet dancers experience physical movement, creative play, exploration in rhythm and shape, as well as lessons in taking turns, holding still, confidence, patience, and listening all while learning basic ballet steps and concepts. Classes for ages 2 - 8 years.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Berkeley City Ballet
Berkeley City Ballet offers Dance With Me Classes for 2-4-year-olds with a caregiver and Pre-Ballet 1 classes for 4-5-year-olds. Boys get the first session free.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Destiny Arts Center
Classes for ages 3+ at Destiny’s North Oakland center in dance, martial arts and performance build confidence and self-expression. Right now, Teddy Bear Hip Hop meets weekly.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Gurus Of Dance: Gurulettes Bollywood Dance Class
Gurus of Dance is Bay Area's biggest and best Bollywood dance school and offers Bollywood dance classes for all ages, including the little ones! The Gurulettes class is designed for beginning dancers aged 3-5.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Katie's Dance Studio
Katie's offers dance classes in jazz, tap, hip-hop, acrobatics, and ballet starting at age 3.5.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Kids 'N Dance
Intro to dance begins at age 2. Creative Movement/ Gym class for ages 27 months- 3.5 yrs is excellent for those not ready for structured pre-ballet. Several types of pre-ballet start at age 3. Or try circus arts.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Lisa Performing Arts
Arts and multicultural awareness in the form of dance. Ages 3 to adult and for both boys and girls. Styles include Ballet, Chinese, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, folk.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Luna Early Childhood Dance Classes
At Luna Dance Institute, young children explore dance play in relation to their parents, discovering all that their bodies can do, and how they can communicate and express themselves through movement. Luna offers parent-child classes for infants-3 years and family dance jams.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Tutu School
Tutu School invites all children from 18 months to 8 years old to twirl to classical Ballet Storytime.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Shawl-Anderson Dance
Dance with Me classes begin at age 1.5. Modern dance starts at age 3. Pre-ballet begins at age 3.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Language & Culture classes for toddlers & preschoolers
East Bay Music Together
Every week in the award-winning Music Together and Canta y Baila Conmigo (Spanish) classes at East Bay Music Together, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grownups come together to play together musically. Fun, educational, & research-based. Also available outdoor & online.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
California Tamil Association
Classes include music, dance, drama, and any art form based on Tamil language and Tamil culture.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Inspire Behavioral Learning Tutoring and Classes
Student-centered tutoring for Pre-K, TK, K-12, and older students in English Language Arts. Inspiring joy in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Ages: Age Four +
Kids Go Mandarin
Classes increase kids’ enthusiasm for learning Mandarin and music at the same time. Young children enjoy multi-sensory creative teaching and experiential learning of Mandarin through music, movement, and play. Online or outdoor classes are available.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Kumon Math & Reading Program
The Kumon Math and Reading programs cover everything from counting to calculus, and phonemics to Shakespeare for ages 3+. In-person or online.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Lindamood-Bell Instruction
Lindamood-Bell serves children with learning challenges or a previous diagnosis such as dyslexia or autism spectrum disorder as well as those seeking to enhance skills. One-on-one diagnosis and instruction available both in-person and online.
Ages: Age Four +
Viva el Español
Spanish Language and Culture Center serving children in the East Bay offering both a before- and after-school program to teach Spanish to young amigos ages toddlers through grade 8.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Science for toddlers & preschoolers (from nature & animals to STEM)
Tinkergarten Nature Classes
Families meet outdoors to learn through play. In each class, teacher-leaders will facilitate an outdoor play adventure, allowing children of ages 18 months to 8 to explore, problem solve, communicate, collaborate, and create together.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Twirl After School Enrichment Program
Twirl offers an after-school program for TK-3rd grade incorporating STEAM Explorations, Design Challenges, Lego Building, Process Art, Music, Mandarin, and cooking. Instructors also offer homework help.
Ages: Age Four +
Baby & toddler yoga classes
Yama Kids Yoga
Yama Kids Yoga is the first yoga studio in the East Bay devoted entirely to teaching yoga to kids. Currently teaching toddler and preschooler yoga online, they hope to return to the Elmwood studio soon.
Ages: Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Martial Arts Classes for Little Ones
SBG NorCal Mixed Martial Arts: Sticky Monkey
Sticky Monkey is a mixed martial arts class that pairs toddlers with parents and a coach for 30 minutes of rolling, stretching, and martial arts basics. Also a great workout!
Ages: Age Four +
Chibi Judo (Pre-Judo)
Hajime! (Begin!) establishes a strong base of judo technique, culture, and character. Fun tumbling, jumping and running activities warm us up before we practice our ukemi or falling techniques. Hajime students learn to fall safely, effortlessly and without discomfort.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Han Martial Arts
Children learn self-defense and fitness while having fun in a positive environment starting at age 4-6 (Tiny Tigers) in Montclair Village. Martial arts instruction in Judo, Taekwondo, and Yongmudo.
Ages: Age Four +
Emeryville Martial Arts
“Little Samurai” program for ages 4-5 teaches fitness, coordination, balance, focus, and teamwork in a fun and dynamic atmosphere.
Ages: Age Four +
Bay Aerials Sweet Peas & Baby Ninjas
Sweet Peas gymnastics starts at age 6 months. Ninja classes begin with walkers.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Destiny Arts Center
Classes for ages 3+ at Destiny’s North Oakland center in dance, martial arts and performance build confidence and self-expression. Right now, Teddy Bear Hip Hop meets weekly.
Ages: Age Three, Age Four +
Studio Naga Martial Arts
Kids' Martial arts begins at age 4. Classes held outside. Promotes confidence, coordination and discipline in a safe, fun, and caring environment. Classes focus on animal-style movements, physical and verbal self-defense, and conditioning. Each child is encouraged to reach their personal potential.
Ages: Age Four +
Swimming classes for babies through preschoolers
Cal Youth Gymnastics & Swimming
Cal Youth Programs offer a diverse array of year-round classes for the youngest of kids: gymnastics (14 mos.-18 yrs.), swimming (infants-18 years). Locations on the iconic UC Berkeley campus.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Patti's Swim School
In Castro Valley, small student teacher ratio for lots of individual attention. Parent and Me lessons are from 5 ½ months – 3 years old. When the child can be in the water without a parent, there are lessons for that, too.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Emeryville Swim Center
Summertime only. Group lessons are offered, starting with baby swim classes, in which parents are in the water with infants up to age three and tiny tot classes for ages three to five.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Aquatech Swim
AquaTech Swim School specializes in small group swim lessons for children aged 6 months through 12 years. AquaBaby water play hours are reserved for babies and toddlers ages 8 weeks – 2 years.
Ages: Pre-crawlers, Crawlers, Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Visual Arts classes for toddlers & preschoolers
Art with Amy: Messy Makers
Toddler and me class that explores the process of making art through hands-on activities designed for kids walking-age to age 4.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Kids 'N' Clay
Ceramics studio offering wet clay programs for students starting age 4. 1-hour-long classes specifically designed for younger students.
Ages: Age Four +
Messy Makers - Art with Amy
Messy Makers in Alameda is a fantastic art class for walkers to age four. The classes are all about the process of making art and they’re lots of fun.
Ages: Age One, Age Two, Age Three, Age Four +
Piedmont Rec Art Classes
The City of Piedmont offers a number of different art classes for youth of all ages, including a My Parent/Guardian & Me art class for ages 4-10 with an accompanying adult on Saturday mornings.
Ages: Age Four +
Twirl After School Enrichment Program
Twirl offers an after-school program for TK-3rd grade incorporating STEAM Explorations, Design Challenges, Lego Building, Process Art, Music, Mandarin, and cooking. Instructors also offer homework help.
Ages: Age Four +
More for babies and parents: Thoughtful Gifts for New Parents | Best Things to Do With an East Bay Baby | Birth & Baby Resources
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UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital: Free ABC Study for Mothers and Toddlers
Are you looking to build a stronger relationship with your child? We are offering a free 10 session program in Alameda County to families who are going through hard times. You will also be compensated for your participation in our study.
You may be eligible if:
– You speak English or Spanish
– You are 18 years and up
– Your child is between 2 and 4 years old
– You’re worried about your child’s behavior
Please visit our website to see if you are eligible: https://carelab.ucsf.edu/abc-study. If you have any questions, please email abcstudy@ucsf.edu