Cincinnati & NKY guide to Toddler Enrichment Classes

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Disclosure: The featured images and descriptions below are courtesy of some amazing local toddler enrichment offering who sponsored the production of this guide. We are excited about these partnerships as well as the opportunity to provide this resource to local moms.

If you are a mama, then you know there is so much truth to the saying, “the years are short, but the days are long”. And if you are a mama to one of those pint size littles, you know how important it can be to get them (and you!) out of the house when those days are feeling extra long.

The answer, for many, is enrichment classes. Whether it be music, gymnastics, art, or more – it is nice to give those toddlers some social interaction with other kids their age and for mama to have interaction with other adults and a fun break in the daily routine.

There is something for everyone on this list!

IGKnight Music and Movement

Ignite your baby’s body and mind while experiencing music and movement together! You and your child will strengthen your everlasting bond while exploring age-appropriate instruments, songs, stories, movement, and dance. Activities are designed to stimulate children from birth to 24 months and can be replicated at home.

The 45-minute class meets weekly on Monday or Wednesday mornings over three sessions (fall, winter, & spring) and are ideal for grandparents and caregivers.

Check out this video to see the fun in action!

“Ms. Donna delights children with her high-energy approach to music education. She greets parents and students by name in a warm and genuine manner. She expertly modifies instruction to fit the needs of the energetic and busy toddlers in her classroom. Curriculum is rich and purposeful, and the children demonstrate understanding in unique ways. Thank you, Ms. Donna!” – S. McGuffey

2161 Grandin Road
Cincinnati, OH 45208
[email protected]
(513) 871-4700

Miss Nancy's Musikgarten

Miss Nancy’s Musikgarten specializes in music education for young children and their families.

You and your children will sing, dance, and play instruments in an informal setting, nurturing each child’s natural enthusiasm for music and movement. Classes feature Musikgarten, a comprehensive music curriculum which purposefully leads children toward musical literacy and a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Classes are available for children, newborn through age 6.

Tuition covers fourteen classes:

30 minutes for Babies and Toddlers
45 minutes for Cycle of Seasons and Music Makers
There is an additional fee for take-home family materials.

“I highly recommend Miss Nancy’s Musikgarten to anyone looking for a fun, bonding, and enriching experience for their children. My 2 daughters and I have been participating in Miss Nancy’s Musikgarten for the past couple years and have enjoyed it immensely. Miss Nancy has such a positive disposition and a wonderful way with children, and we have looked forward to our gatherings every week. The Musikgarten classes provide a wonderful opportunity to bond with your child through music and movement. I believe the musical foundation my girls have received through Miss Nancy’s Musikgarten has instilled in them a love for music that I’m sure will last throughout their lifetime.” -Anna 

513-702-9927
[email protected]

Perfection Gymnastics

Gymnastics and dance are ideal sports to promote physical, emotional, and social growth in kids… and we know the perfect place!

Perfection Gymnastics School teaches more than handstands, back handsprings, and pirouettes. They focus on the whole child and inspire strong character and excellence through their relationships and knowledge of the sport. Perfection offers recreational gymnastics classes for children ages 18 months-18 years, and well as tumbling, ninja, adaptive gymnastics, and dance. In addition, they provide many special events like open gyms, parents night out, birthday parties, clinics and day camps.

If you have a little one who just can’t sit still and loves to climb, flip, and hang, we recommend a free trial class or Open Gym at Perfection Gymnastics. Perfection classes run on a monthly schedule, not sessions, which allows for more flexibility. One month of tuition includes:

Four classes on the day and time of your choosing
A small annual registration fee covers the whole family for a full year of fun, from classes to special events

“My daughter has been a student in their classes and just completed her first year on their competitive team. The coaches and staff are amazing. If you are searching for a program that focuses on the whole child than this is it. They build confidence, self-esteem, work ethic and consistency.” – Parent

5637 Union Centre Drive
West Chester, OH 45069
[email protected]
513-860-3351

Baldwin Music Education Center

Baldwin Music Education Center has been here for over 60 years, with the belief that “Every Life Needs Music”! We love that history and dedication to the impact of music that makes them a trusted source for our children’s musical education! When you enroll your child in a class at Baldwin Music Education Center, you can expect an outstanding curriculum taught by gifted teachers that combines the cognitive, social, emotional and musical concepts every young life needs!

Engaging group classes (forming year round for ages 6 months on up!) offer educational and pedagogically comprehensive activities and one-of-a-kind piano classes take the very best of group synergy and turns it into an incredible experience for young pianists.

Lots of class options, affordable pricing, and a convenient location make this a #momwin for sure! Plus, Music Education classes at Baldwin Music make them an “arts magnet” preschool option!

“I love Baldwin! I drove from KY to take my kids here because they are that good! They are engaging to all ages and pass on their love of music to the kids!! My kids started there at age 6 and are both still involved in music (10 year old auditioned and made the Concert Strings at Northern Kentucky School of Music and my 14-year-old has played the violin and been in band since 4th grade). Thank you for sharing the love of music!” – Parent

PO Box 8534
Cincinnati, OH 45208
513-351-1109

[email protected]

Learning Through Play Cafe

Learning Through Play Cafe offers different activities each month geared towards families with little ones. All activities are included in the price of play, so come for the enrichment and stay for the coffee, conversation, and open play time. The best way to stay in the know about planned activities is to follow the Learning Through Play Facebook

Mom Tip – The coffee & drink menu is the stuff mom dreams are made of and they even offer curbside pick up on days you can’t stop by to play. Sign us up!

“This place is awesome!! The owner is so sweet and all the employees are so nice and helpful! My kids absolutely love going and have a blast every time we’re there. They also have the best iced lattes and food! Definitely a hit”. – Chelsea, Parent

6844 Tylersville Road
West Chester Ohio 45069
513-847-8133

[email protected]

Early Childhood Centers

The Red Balloon Cafe (Pleasant Ridge) is a play cafe that also offers a few classes for kids 2-5 years.  Sensory School lets kids get messy while exploring and learning about their senses.  Yoga for Kids introduces movement and breathing exercises using core yoga values.

The Cincinnati Museum Center (Downtown) has various programs for kids 5 and under.  The Sprouts Institute offers family enrichment workshops on Mondays from 10:15 to 11 a.m. in Duke Energy Children’s Museum Corbett Theater.  The theme each week may vary and space is limited.  Check the website for upcoming workshops and to register online.

The Seven Hills School (O’Bryonville, Madisonville) offers Beginnings Parent & Toddler Enrichment program for parents and children 12 – 36 months old.  The class meets weekly from September – December at both the Doherty and Hillsdale.  Registration is required.

Mayerson JCC of Cincinnati (Pleasant Ridge) offers a couple of classes for birth – 5 years and several for 3-5 years. There are two fall sessions, each 8 weeks long. Classes are open to the public, but at a higher fee.

Art

Cincinnati Art Museum (Mt. Adams) offers a few family programs that are totally toddler friendly! Wee Wednesdays is the last Wednesday of every month and runs September through May. It’s an interactive learning experience prefect for ages 2-5 with story-telling, art projects and varying topics each month. The CAM also partners with MadCap Puppets for shows throughout the fall and winter. Baby Tours are the first Friday of every month and Family tours are the first Saturday of every month, September – May. 

Behringer-Crawford Museum (Covington, KY) has Tot Tuesdays every third Tuesday of the month from 10:30-11:30am.  A monthly theme engages children 2-5 years old with interactive activities, crafts, stories, and sing alongs.

The Art Spark

Music & Movement

Peanut Butter & Jam sessions (Cincinnati metro area) are min-concerts introducing classical music to kids 2-6 years of age.  Children are encouraged to participate by dancing and moving along to the music.  Locations are throughout the Cincinnati area.  Some of the shows partner with Madcap Puppets for a fun and unique story telling experience.

Reading & Storytime

The Cincinnati Public Library has several FREE and great children’s programs for all ages. Search for programs at your nearest library branch.  There is sure to be a weekly storytime and/or music and movement class.

Blue Manatee (Oakley) beloved Miss Sarah plays her guitar, sings songs, and reads stories during Manatots Storytime on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Miss Alicia sings songs and reads stories for babies during Manababies on Thursdays.  First and second Saturdays there is a foreign language storytime. Check the website for other children’s programs.

Joseph Beth Book Sellers (Rookwood, Crestview Hills, KY) offers weekly storytimes for children of all ages.  Crestview Hills: 10:30am on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Rookwood: 10:30am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Science

The Cincinnati Zoo (Clifton) has a program called Zoo Troop for toddlers 18 – 36 months.  The series runs weekly for 4 weeks.  The animal theme varies, but the age appropriate curriculum covers exploration, observation, hands-on activities, as well as up close animal encounters. Fall 2016 programs have  yet to be announced, but check the zoo website in early August for updates.

The Highfield Discovery Garden (Woodlawn) is part of Glenwood Gardens and offers a weekly educational program for all ages.  Programs are included with admission and are scheduled multiples times a week.  Fall program topics include monarch butterflies and honeybees.

The Cincinnati Nature Center (Milford) offers a 4 week session on Saturdays beginning in Septembers for 3-4 year olds.  Class is 9:30-11:30am each week and covers a different theme and learning experience. Pre-registration for the whole series is required.

Sports

Soccer Shots (Cincinnati metro area) is a soccer program for ages 2-8.  The 2-3 year old classes cover basic rules of the game as well as teaches hand and eye coordination.  The fall program begins mid-September and runs 8 weeks.  There are convenient locations throughout Cincinnati and the surrounding area.

Kids First Sports Center (Highpoint) offers gymnastics programs for infants and older.  There is a 30-minute FREE parent and me class for infants 6 weeks – 4-6 months.  Paid classes are 45 minutes long and are grouped by age: 6 months – prewalking, walking – 24 months, 2 year olds, all of which require parent participation.  Kids are on their own in the 3 year old class.  The curriculum covers learning to follow directions, how to share and take turns, coordination, and gross motor skills.

The Little Gym (Mason, Fairfax) is located in Mason and has parent child gymnastics and music classes for infants – 36 months.  The Cincinnati Sports Club has partnered with The Little Gym and offers gymnastics classes on site for kids 10 months and older.

Go 2 Grow Gymnastics

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