See dazzling lighted sailboats at Sailing Through the Winter Solstice. Photo courtesy of the Tourism Council of Frederick County
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See the National Zoo in a whole new light at ZooLights. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo
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Main photo by Tim & Selena Middleton/CC BY 2.0
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Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
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The popular Sculpture Garden ice rink is back at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
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Find the perfect tree for your family at Snickers Gap Tree Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
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Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
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There are so many places to have breakfast with Santa throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Theissman's Restaurant's Facebook page
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The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
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Enjoy storytime each Wednesday at the Hirshhorn. Photo courtesy of the Hirshorn Museum
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Best Classes near DC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Gymboree classes are a ton of fun for little ones. Photo courtesy of Gymboree Play and Music
Gymboree classes are a ton of fun for little ones. Photo courtesy of Gymboree Play and Music
9/10/23 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

Classes are a great way to keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained, engaged, and learning—especially if they're not in daycare or preschool full-time. They also help little ones make new friends and bond with their caregivers. And they help young children determine and develop interests that may last them a lifetime.

Here are some top classes near DC for preschoolers and toddlers, many of which are Mommy & Me classes so parents can get in on the fun. These classes near DC include everything from art classes to sports classesfor the under-5 set. Check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC for even more great options.

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Each Gymboree class brings new activities and challenges. Photo courtesy of Gymboree Play and Music
Each Gymboree class brings new activities and challenges. Photo courtesy of Gymboree Play and Music

Best Music, Movement, and Performance Art Classes near DC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Imagination Stage

Bethesda, MD
Imagination Stage empowers young people to discover their voice and identity through performing arts education and professional theater. This nationally-recognized theater arts center, respected for high quality, innovative programming, serves more than 100,000 children and family members annually. Each year, it produces several professional theater productions for children ages 1+ and hosts classes, camps, and workshops in acting, musical theater, performance, dance, and filmmaking for ages 1-18. READ MORE

Gymboree Play & Music - DC

Washington, DC
Gymboree Play & Music in northwest DC offers music and movement classes for newborns through 3-year-olds and their caregivers. Each 45-minute class includes singing, dancing, climbing, and exploring the space using a variety of props and equipment. There are also family art classes and music classes for kids up to age 5.  READ MORE

Little Steps Music

Washington, DC
Arlington, Falls Church, & McLean, VA
Little Steps Music follows the Music Together program, designed to introduce newborns through 5-year-olds to song, movement, and musical instruments alongside their caregivers. The 45-minute classes optimize the mixed ages to foster "family learning". They are offered at more than 25 locations in DC and in Arlington, Falls Church, and McLean, Virginia. READ MORE

Meadowlark Music

Washington, DC
Bethesda & Chevy Chase, MD
Meadowlark Music provides creative music classes for babies and toddlers and their caregivers, taught by performing musicians at several locations throughout DC as well as Bethesda and Chevy Chase, MD. The classes include instruments, singing, parachute games, sign language, dancing and movement, puppets, and creative props. READ MORE
The littlest ballerinas get their chance to shine at Tiny Dancers. Photo courtesy of Tiny Dancers
The littlest ballerinas get their chance to shine at Tiny Dancers. Photo courtesy of Tiny Dancers

Best Dance Classes near DC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Tiny Dancers

Alexandria, Fairfax City, & Mosaic, VA
Tiny Dancers' three Northern Virginia locations—Alexandria, Fairfax City, and Mosaic District—offer ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theater classes for ages 3 and up. Little ones ages 2 and 3 can take the school's Wiggletoes classes with a parent or caregiver. READ MORE

Joy of Motion Dance Center

Washington, DC
Joy of Motion offers a robust program for youth, teens, and adults through camps, classes, workshops, and master classes. Dancers ages 5-14 can participate in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and world dance camps, or opt for one of two specialty summer programs: Little Pop Stars and Triple Threat Musical Theater. Campers also take part in games, crafts, and an end-of-week show, with snacks provided and before/after-care options. Classes are offered for students age 18 months to 14 years throughout the year by term, or as drop-in for teens and adults. READ MORE

CityDance

Washington, DC
CityDance offers a well-rounded curriculum of ballet training and contemporary dance techniques rounded out by jazz, tap, hip-hop, and world dance forms taught by renowned faculty. Students ages 4 and older are welcome, with creative movement classes for dancers ages 3-5 and parent & me classes for ages 18 months - 2 years. READ MORE

The Washington School of Ballet

Washington, DC
The Washington Ballet School offers ballet programs for students ages 1-18 from September to May at both its NW and SE campuses. Students enrolled in levels Pre Ballet 3 and up can audition for the company production of The Nutcracker, with performances at the Warner Theatre.  READ MORE

Bethesda Conservatory of Dance

Bethesda, MD
Welcoming dancers of all levels and abilities (ages 2 and older), Bethesda Conservatory of Dance offers high-quality, low-pressure classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop. READ MORE

Maryland Youth Ballet

Silver Spring, MD
The beauty of ballet, and the discipline required to express it, are at the forefront of classes at Maryland Youth Ballet. The program begins with early dance and introductory classes for ages 2 and older. Serious dancers progress to the pre-professional program, where pointe work is introduced for girls and supplemental classes in jazz, modern dance, and flamenco are available. READ MORE

Dance Academy of Virginia

McLean, VA
The Dance Academy of Virginia offers classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip-hop, and lyrical for all ages (2 and older) and experience levels. Private classes are also available. READ MORE
Soccer is a great first sport for toddlers to learn. Photo courtesy of Kicks are for Kids Soccer
Soccer is a great first sport for toddlers to learn. Photo courtesy of Kicks are for Kids Soccer

Best Sports Classes near DC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Kicks Are for Kids Youth Soccer

Washington, DC
This youth development soccer program operates year-round and provides private and small-group lessons for kids ages 2-8. Players improve their fundamentals through fun drills such as ball control, technique, footwork and dribbling skills, and more.  READ MORE

Brit-Am Soccer Academy

Bethesda, MD
Brit-Am Soccer Academy offers soccer classes, clinics, camps, and league play for all levels of player, from toddlers just learning to play to high schoolers looking to refine their skills. Programs are available for ages 2-18 (4-18 for camps). The academy was founded in 1999 by a former English professional soccer player.  READ MORE

Junior Tennis Champions Center

College Park, MD
JTCC's Future Champs program provides tennis lessons to kids of all abilities ages 3 and up. The classes are designed to develop players' techniques and strokes and to build an athletic foundation for other sports.  READ MORE
Foster toddlers' and preschoolers' creativity at Kidcreate Studio. Photo courtesy of the studio
Foster toddlers' and preschoolers' creativity at Kidcreate Studio. Photo courtesy of the studio

Best Art Classes near DC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Kidcreate Studio

Alexandria, Ashburn, & Fairfax Station, VA
Kidcreate Studio offers art classes for kids ages 18 months to 12 at its three Northern Virginia locations, as well as summer and school-break art camps, crafty birthday parties, and special themed workshops. Students and campers work on a variety of projects including painting, drawing, clay, and more.  READ MORE

VisArts

Rockville, MD
VisArts offers age-appropriate instruction in drawing, painting, illustration, and multimedia for children and teens ages 2-17. Classes for ages 2-5 or 3-5 require a caregiver to assist the child. Class sizes are kept small to allow for individualized attention.  READ MORE

Anna Banana Arts and Crafts

Washington, DC
Anna Banana offers art classes for kids ages 2-12, as well as summer art camps for ages 4-8. At both, kids learn about famous artists and different genres while creating art using pastels, watercolors, paints, and charcoal.  READ MORE

Abrakadoodle

Various locations in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Abrakadoodle provides creative art classes for kids ages 20 months through elementary school at various locations throughout the DC area. While the general art classes explore a variety of mediums and themes, there are also classes that specialize in drawing, canvas, and art using found and recycled objects. The Twoosy Doodlers class for ages 20 months to 3 years is a parent/child class.  READ MORE
Swimming is a life skill kids can learn from a young age. Photo courtesy of British Swim School
Swimming is a life skill kids can learn from a young age. Photo courtesy of British Swim School

Best Swimming Classes near DC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

British Swim School

Falls Church, Vienna, & Fairfax, VA
Rockville, Gaithersburg, & Germantown, MD
British Swim School's survival-first swimming lessons have helped to develop safer swimmers for over 40 years, from babies as young as 3 months old (with a caregiver). Through fun-filled and goal-oriented programs, students become comfortable and confident in the water while learning to stay safe.  READ MORE

Big Blue Swim School

Chantilly, Dulles, Fairfax, and Falls Church, VA
Big Blue Swim School is a nationwide chain with four locations in Northern Virginia. The pools are shallow throughout and kept at 90 degrees to keep little swimmers comfortable and safe. The Baby Blue swim program is designed for babies and toddlers ages 3 months to 3 years. The continuous weekly lessons offer great flexibility for families to start and stop whenever they please, and to pick the lesson times that work best for them.   READ MORE

Brookland Swim Academy

Washington, DC
This swim school in northeast Washington specializes in teaching students of all ages with extreme cases of aqua-phobia. There are classes year-round for infants, children, adults, and families. Brookland's Baby and Me parent-assisted swim classes introduce children as young as 3 months old to the water. READ MORE

KIDS FIRST Swim Schools

Springfield, VA
Bowie, Frederick, Rockville, & Waldorf, MD
KIDS FIRST has five DC-area locations that offer group and semi-private swimming lessons for ages 3 and up using its trademarked KIDS FIRST/Kick First® Learn to Swim System. Private lessons are available for ages 2 and up, as well as Mommy (or Daddy!) and Me classes for babies and toddlers 3 months and older. READ MORE

Safe Splash Swim School

Washington, DC
McLean, Chantilly, & Sterling, VA
Rockville, Laurel, & Columbia, MD
This family-run swim school owned by a local former Olympian focuses on teaching swimming as a life skill so that children can be safe, strong, and confident in the water. Its eight locations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia offer group lessons as well as private and semi-private lessons. Baby swimming lessons start at 6 months old with a parent in the water. Classes have a student-to-teacher ratio of up to six parent/student combos to one instructor.  READ MORE

Goldfish Swim School

Alexandria, Falls Church, Ashburn, & Reston, VA
Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, & Rockville,MD
This popular local swim school, with nine locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland, offers swimming lessons to kids ages 4 months to 12 years. Goldfish's mini lessons for babies are parent-child classes designed to introduce kids to the water. The pools are all kept at a balmy 90 degrees. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Washington School of Ballet - NE Campus
Goldfish Swim School - Alexandria