The Dayton Mom’s Guide to Toddler Enrichment

As the days start getting longer and the weather starts to show signs of spring, Dayton awakens with so many things to do with your family.  Did you know there are many programs geared specifically towards bonding with you and your baby or toddler right in the Dayton area?!  Whether it’s music, art, tumbling or swimming, there is something for every budget and every family on this list!

If you know of an activity or program that is not listed, we’d love to hear about it!

Music Together is an early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, and young children and the “grownups who love them.” Parents, grandparents, and caregivers all can join in on the fun of sharing songs, instrument play, rhythmic chants, and movement activities, regardless of their own musical ability, to help nurture their child’s growth and promote a lifetime of music making. Along with weekly classes, each semester offers a new collection of traditional and original songs to jam along to, both in the classroom and at home with the help of a beautifully arranged listening CD and artfully crafted songbook.

Busy Kids Gymnastics is a great place for your child! They are a recreational gymnastics facility, specializing in the FUN side of gymnastics for children ages 1 1/2-11! Have your child work on their fine motor skills, basic gymnastics & athletic skills, as well as participating in the FUN themes! They can’t wait to make you a part of our Busy Family at Busy Kids Gymnastics, The Gym Where Learning and Turning is FUN! Class prices vary based upon length of time and age of children.

That Music Place is your place for music education, instruments, and supplies. Offering great prices, excellent customer service, and convenience. Kindermusik is a premier music and movement programs for children newborn to 6 years old.

That Music Place, Miamisburg location is having an open house, August 26th (2017) from 10am-1pm and is the perfect opportunity to check them out for yourself!

Decoy Art Studio is a community creative arts center offering sensory, process, project and fine art classes for students 6 months to adults. Decoy also offers walk-in projects for guests of all ages to create something special with pottery, canvas, slate, t-shirt, or glass painting. Our baby and toddler classes include bonding time to increase sensory awareness, fine and gross motor skills through 4 week registered session and pop-up workshops.

Star City Music Studios specialize in high-quality music lessons and instruction in the Greater Miami Valley area. As the only licensed Musikgarten studio in Dayton, we provide an internationally recognized early childhood music program that brings the joy of music to families through song, dance, rhythm instruments, and connection to the world around them. Musikgarten provides a path to music literacy from birth to age 5.

SPARK Art Studio {Kettering; 1 – 5+ years old}
SPARK offers developmentally appropriate art classes for children ages 1 – 5 years old}.  Self expression and creative problem solving skills are essential to child development. Providing inspiring art materials, age appropriate projects, and small classes, SPARK Art Studio guides children through the process of making their own choices and expressing their individuality through art making.

Dayton Art Institute {Dayton; 2 – 5 years old}
Join in on Thursday mornings {Tiny Thursday’s} for the child and caregiver preschool program which includes story time, a gallery visit and a make-and-take art project.  Each month has a different theme as children explore different parts of the museum.

Smile Awhile Dance Studios {Centerville; 1-5 years old}: Dance classes are grouped by age to focus on developmentally appropriate skills and activities. ‘Precious Ones’ and ‘Cutie Twos’ classes are to be taken with a parent/guardian with a focus on developing and beginning to use their motor skills in a simple and fun way.  Free trials are available! 

Learning Tree Farm {Dayton; 2.5 – 5 years old}
Learning Tree Farm is a working farm that is committed to providing hands-on learning experiences for children and families in a traditional farm setting.  The Discovery Class is a 4 week class designed for children and their caregiver. In this series of classes, you will be able to explore the relationships between the animals, garden, crops and surrounding woods—as well as forge new friendships with each other. Each session will incorporate literature, art, and a snack. Science and math concepts are embedded in our experiences with the farm’s features.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery {Dayton; birth – 5+ years old}
Little ones explore the Kids Place exhibit on the first floor with the help from one of our professional educators during Toddler Investigations. This program is perfect for early learners and their parents and offered Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s from 10:30am-10:45am. No registration required and is included in entry ticket.

Kettering Recreation Center {Kettering; birth – 5+ years old}
Kettering offers a wide variety of recreation, aquatics and cultural arts programs geared towards babies, toddlers and families throughout the year.  You can find special one-time events or an on-going series of classes! 

Kids Are Tops {Centerville; 1-5 years old}
Kids Are Tops offers swimming + tumbling classes that are unique and specially designed for toddlers and their caregivers.  Designed to set a positive foundation towards a lifetime of participation and enjoyment these classes are created with scaled down equipment for kids 5 and under.  Instructors are specially trained, dedicated and imaginative professionals who are actively involved.

Goldfish Swim School {Centerville; 4 months – 5+ years old}
Mini Infant classes {4-36 months} are for children with adult participation in a small ratio for 30 minute swim classes. These classes do not require prior swim lessons or aquatic experience and are a gentle introduction to the water. Basic swim and safety skills are taught while providing a great bonding experience for the parent and child.   

Twigs Kids Gymnastics {West Carrolton; 18 months – 5 years}
The Noah’s Ark Program is a specially designed gymnastics program for children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years (separated by age) that can help prevent childhood obesity and create an educational experience to help prepare them for school physically, socially, and mentally. Their goal is to consistently make learning gymnastics fun and a positive experience for everyone, all year long! Classes are 45 minutes long.

Ohio Sports Academy {Springboro; 6 weeks – 5+ years old)
OSA offers classes for babies, preschool and kindergarten aged children.  Designed to offer age appropriate activities to develop brain capacity as well as skills and abilities with an emphasis on building both gross motor and fine motor skills. A great bonding experience as your child’s body and mind grow! {My Infant + Me class for babies ages 6 weeks to pre-walkers is free!}

Story time at your local library is the perfect {free} opportunity to spend time with your baby or toddler! Bring your little ones to the library for stories, songs, nursery rhymes and finger plays. Times and locations vary by age, so please check out your local branch! 

Question:

What is your favorite way to spend time with your babies and toddlers?!