The Little Gym or Other Play Classes for Toddlers?

I take my toddler to the Old Town School of Music for Wiggleworms in Lincoln Square. They also have near Armitage and Halsted. It's about the same amount of money and they have tons of weekend classes.

I used to take a kid I nannied for a long time ago, and it seemed to me a waste of money. Luckily not my money! Now I take my twin two year olds to the park district. The classes are completely affordable and fun. I'm looking forward to the gymnastics one when they turn 3.
I'm on the north side, but I'm sure there are programs down south. (Its $30 for a 10 week class).

Good luck!

The Little Gym in Lakeview looks like a great place, but did you know that Gymboree offers unlimited classes during the summer? Have you also looked into the Sherwood Conservatory Music School on Michigan Ave. in the South Loop? They have evening and Saturday classes for toddlers. My son will be attending his second week and he loves it. The class is limited to 12 kids and their parent(s)/caregiver. The kids learn songs, movements, dance, and play with musical instruments.

The Little Gym also has a location in the south loop (University Village) that would be a lot more convenient for you. My son loved the classes and the instructors were great as well!!

Little gym is opening a new location in Skokie. They are having an open house the first week in March with free tours, playtime, etc. If you don't my traveling a bit past the city you could go and check it out free of charge!

Have you tried your local YMCA? They used to have great gym and swim classes at the one in LaGrange but they closed the facility until they find a place to rebuild.

I've been taking my now 14-month-old to Little Gym since she was 4 months old and (obviously) we LOVE it! The staff are incredible... they will know you and your child by name after meeting you once even if you're in a group of 15 pairs. They are sweet and attentive and great at picking up on little ones' isms. I also really like that they have a goal to the classes (ie gymnastics)... it's not that I want my daughter to be some world class gymnist, but I really like that they are able to incororate great verbal skills into a gymnastics based curriculum.

Oh, fyi, Little Gym and Gymboree are pretty close in terms of price, just very different styles of teaching (we do music at Gymboree). Both of them offer free trial classes and since there's a Gymboree much closer to you you may want to check it out as another option. One great perk of Gymboree is that your membership gets you access to their open gym several times a week (at all 3 locations!), which can be a lifesaver--espically in the winter.

My son is the same age as your girl. I've taken him to a bunch of free classes at many of the places. The one I personally (and my son absolutely loves) is MyGym right near Costco on Fullerton/Elston. They just have more unique activities (i.e. a zip line) and they use the right mix of group time/free time. I liked it more than Little Gym because of the equipment they use (much more fun and diverse) and Little Gym was too organized, if that makes sense - too much group time which my son could not stay focused for that long. I'm sure every child is unique and your daughter may like Little Gym more. You can always call MyGym and ask to try out a class for free. Their prices is about $18/class (I can't remember exactly).

Hi A.,
I take my children at My Gym 1880 W.Fullerton, and we love it. There are three great teachers in the class, so it makes aprox. 1 teacher per 4-5 children. Children love it. It's $180/10weeks.
We tried The Little Gym on Lincoln, but didn't like it. There was one teacher per 15 children and the class lasted 45min sharp. The teacher was more looking at the watch to meet the time than at the children needs.
They left no time in between the classes. We had to leave quickly because other children were entering at the other door for their class to begin.
You can always try a free trial class and then decide what's best for your daughter.
Hope this helps.
M.

My girlfriend took both of her kids there and loved it. She thought it was great.

My five year-old attends a beginning gymnastics class on Monday afternoons at The Little Gym on Lincoln. I have been impressed with the facility and instructors. Also, the price is right: roughly $20 per class. I wish I had signed my daughter up earlier, since it has helped her release excess energy, and makes for an easy bedtime on Monday nights. LTG gives free first classes with no further obligation; you can't lose by calling to reserve one as a try-out.

I've done both. Gymboree is only like $1.75 more per class if you do the math. The difference is that Gymboree is a 12 week commitment and Little Gym is 20 weeks. Little Gym has 20 week semesters start and finish date. Gymboree you buy 12 weeks. It starts when ever you purchase it. You can make up classes within that 12 week time period. YOu won't necessarily be with same kids the entire time because everyone's on their own 12 week schedule. There is a Little Gym closer to you in the SouthLoop @ University Village. We did Gymboree in Licoln Park. However there is one in West/South Loop as well.

I have brought my daughter to Little Gym since she was 16 months old (she is now 3 1/2) and now my son who is turning 2 this month is going as well. They absolutely love it and the women who teach them. I have met some great Mom's and Dad's and my kids have learned a great deal in terms of taking turns and coordination. A lot of Mom's I speak to prefer it over Gymboree.