Early Childhood & Youth

Animal Adventures (Ages 2.5-4 with Adult & Ages 3-5)

With a different animal in the spotlight each week, this class features STEM activities like building, measuring, counting, sorting, sensory experiences and experiments. Your child will also read books, create art, practice age-appropriate vocabulary, and move with large motor play in Champion’s Court. Personal projects and group challenges aim to include everyone in every animal adventure!
Location RecPlex
Instructor Ms. Jill

Current Class Offerings

Beginning FUN-gineering (Ages 4-6)

Young engineers will build working models of simple machines such as a seesaw, a rolling vehicle, and a hockey player using Lego Educational kits. Children will have a great time working on activities designed around creativity, exploring, investigating, and problem solving in a fun group environment! While building these fun and interactive models, they will learn about levers, pulleys, gears, wheels and axles.
Location Central Community Center

Current Class Offerings

Flowers of Fun! (Ages 2-4 with Adult)

Children will enjoy using their creativity to celebrate the season. They will read a fun themed book and learn some new songs as well! A different theme each month.
Location RecPlex
Instructor Ms. Jill

Current Class Offerings

Kindermusik’s research-based curriculum has been taught exclusively by a accredited early childhood educators since 1978! Unit themes are new each month and fees include access to an interactive app and digital learning materials at home.
Location Central Community Center
R $185 NR $195

Foundations (Babies up to 16 Months)

Current Class Offerings

Level 1-2 (16 Months-Age 3.5)

Current Class Offerings

Level 3-4 (Preschoolers Age 3-5)

Current Class Offerings

Nature Navigators (Ages 2.5-4 with Adult)

Learn and play with your child, through the lens of nature! Use your senses to explore and experience plants, animals and weather. Class time includes scavenger hunts, songs, games, sensory activities and outdoor play. Class takes place outdoors weather permitting.
Location Friendship Park Conservatory
Instructor Ms. Jill

Current Class Offerings

Ready, Set, Play! (Ages 2-3 with Adult)

Looking for something fun and engaging to do with your child that also helps prepare them for preschool? Join us for a fun, introductory experience to a preschool setting. Explore themes that include circle time songs, books, crafts, group play and interaction time. Work one-on-one with your child in all of our activities. Parents may bring an infant less than 9 months in a carrier/stroller, if needed.
Location RecPlex
Instructor Ms. Jill

Current Class Offerings

Rock ‘N’ Kids

Baby Rock (3-12 Months with Adult, non walkers)
Wiggle and giggle with Baby Rock! A unique combination of sensory experiences with stimulating music and exercises to help strengthen and stretch your baby. Activities will include sing alongs, exposure to simple instruments and sensory props, bean bag massages, motion exercises, bubbles and more! Please bring a blanket or mat and get ready for a rockin’ good time with your tiniest dancer!
Location RecPlex

Current Class Offerings

Kid Rock
Maracas and clackers and tambourines, too; it’s music fun just for you! Our active, music-based, creative play programs include songs and rhymes, rhythm and coordination, fine and gross motor, imagination and sensory, listening and following direction skills and more! Structured activities are age appropriate by class and include use of engaging rhythm instruments, movement props and sensory materials. Sing, dance, play, learn and imagine!
Location RecPlex

Tot Rock (12-30 Months with Adult)
Current Class Offerings

Kid Rock I (Ages 2-3 with Adult)
Current Class Offerings

Tiny Hands and Feet (18 Months-Age 3)

This Fall, join us twice a month for a story, a quick art project, and some movement. Introduce your child to others while they enjoy playing with their little hands and feet!
Location RecPlex
Instructor Ms. Jill

Current Class Offerings

Chess Scholars (Grades K-8)

Develop your child’s intellect through the royal game of chess! Each class will consist of a fun, interactive teaching period and guided practice time. Both beginner and experienced players are welcome and will learn under the guidance of an experienced Chess Scholars coach.
Location Central Community Center

Current Class Offerings

Amigos (Grades K-5)

Learning Spanish is as easy as uno, dos, tres! In Afterschool Amigos Spanish club, children will learn numbers, colors, shapes, greetings, days of the week and more. We will be singing, clapping and counting our way towards learning the Spanish Language.
Location Central Community Center

Current Class Offerings

Creative Writing Club (Ages K-8: Confident Writer)

Designed to ignite the imaginations of young writers, foster their love for language and cultivate their creative expression. Through exploration of classic literature, inspiring writing exercises, creative language games and collaboration, students will explore different genres, learn and practice grammatical concepts, develop their writing skills and build confidence in their ability to communicate effectively.
Location Central Community Center

Current Class Offerings

Let’s Code It (Grades 2-8)

Take a deep dive into computer programming with the web-based platform Tynker! Learn the art of digital animation, create video games that run on physics, math and art concepts, design Minecraft blocks, skin and mobs, experiment with HTML, Python and Java. No previous coding experience is required to learn and have fun in the Tynker playground under the instruction of a coding coach! Laptop/tablet required.
Location Central Community Center

Current Class Offerings

The Healthy Habits Club (Grades K-8)

The Healthy Habits Club provides a fun, action-packed and positive environment to promote physical, mental and emotional health! Students will explore themes of communication, compassion for self and others, active listening, conflict resolution, gentle exercise, nutrition, mindfulness and respect. A qualified instructor will guide the participants in hands-on learning through games, movement, creative writing, problem-solving exercises and journaling.
Location Central Community Center

Current Class Offerings

STEAM (Grades K-5)

This exciting program from Afterschool Enrichment Solutions brings together elements of science, art and math in a hands-on, action-packed environment! Students will conduct experiments, play educational games, and unlock their creativity through building challenges and projects. No experience necessary!
Location Central Community Center

Current Class Offerings

Glitzy Girlz runs one-day special event classes across the Chicagoland area. Classes change on a seasonal basis and run up to one hour and a half long. Register with  friends!

Current Class Offerings