Winter Classes with Toddler in Tow

By Elizabeth Shapiro in Miscellaneous on Jan 3, 2008 5:40PM

Jane’s Place is a partnership between (among other institutions) Jane Adams’ Hull House and Nettlehorst School in Lakeview. They offer classes for kids ages 20 months through 8th grade throughout the day and in the afternoon. Prices, on the expensive side, range between $100 and $200 for six, nine and ten week programs. Titles include “Toddler French”, “Unabridged Story”, “Knitting” and “World Music Drumming”. They even offer adult classes in Yoga, Jewelry Making and Egyptian Dance (hip scarf optional). Although our kid is too young to sign up, we're happy to see local public schools offering alternatives for kids this winter.

With the temps falling below freezing, winter’s finally shown up in Chicago. The weather's no reason to go stir-crazy at home with your kids with the plethora of classes at indoor oases scattered around our fine city. If you find the more franchised alternatives too expensive or too aggressive in their sales pitch, check out these alternatives.

Chicago’s Park District has cheap classes for infants through adults at locations throughout Chicago. Have an eight year old who idolizes Mayweather? Try boxing sessions for $5 at one of 14 different parks. Know a middle schooler who’d love to play some floor hockey? 37 parks have games that start at $2. From double dutch to circus arts, the park district’s got a class for almost every interest. Moms of toddlers talk highly of the “Mom, Pops and Tots” interaction classes, essentially a weekly drop-in free-for-all that, for $30, is far cheaper then other similar programs and well worth the cash when the parks are iced over. Some classes will indicate that they are at capacity on their site; go in person to the park for a better chance of signing up.

MightyFitKidz picture from the Park District site.