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Early Childhood

Fun for ages 0-5, from swimming and skating to art and dance!

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Pilar Martinez Point of Contact
Pilar Martinez

Explore Early Childhood

Ages 0-5

The Park District offers a wide range of Early Childhood programs that meet a wide variety of needs and interests. Click each category to learn more, or browse all the options we provide by clicking the button below!

All Early Childhood Categories

View All Early Childhood Programs
Category

Early Childhood Fall Enrichment Classes (9/1-12/31) - Reg Opens 8/1

52 Activities

Early Childhood Fall Enrichment Classes (9/1-12/31) - Reg Opens 8/1
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Category

Hockey Academy- Learn to Play- Fall 1 (9/9-10/25) Reg Opens 8/1

2 Activities

Hockey Academy- Learn to Play- Fall 1 (9/9-10/25) Reg Opens 8/1
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Category

Hockey Academy- Learn to Play- Fall 2 (11/1-12/9) Reg Opens 8/1

2 Activities

Hockey Academy- Learn to Play- Fall 2 (11/1-12/9) Reg Opens 8/1
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Category

Leagues - Fall 1 (8/24-10/18) - Reg Opens 8/1

2 Activities

The Park District of Oak Park logo, featuring a colorful pinwheel-like graphic and the text 'PARK DISTRICT of OAK PARK.'
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Category

Preschool Gymnastics - Fall #2 (10/19-12-20) - Reg Opens 8/1

42 Activities

Preschool Gymnastics - Fall #2 (10/19-12-20) - Reg Opens 8/1
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Category

Skate Academy- Learn to Skate- Fall 1 (9/9-10/17) Reg. Opens 8/1

13 Activities

Skate Academy- Learn to Skate- Fall 1 (9/9-10/17) Reg. Opens 8/1
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Category

Skate Academy- Learn to Skate- Fall 2 (10/20-12/12) Reg. Opens 8/1

13 Activities

Skate Academy- Learn to Skate- Fall 2 (10/20-12/12) Reg. Opens 8/1
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Category

Swim Academy - Swim School (Ages 3-5 years) Fall 1 (9/13-10/25)Reg. Opens 8/1

5 Activities

The Park District of Oak Park logo, featuring a colorful pinwheel-like graphic and the text 'PARK DISTRICT of OAK PARK.'
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Category

Swim Academy - Swim School (Ages 3-5 years) Fall 2 (11/8-12/20) Reg. Opens 8/1

5 Activities

The Park District of Oak Park logo, featuring a colorful pinwheel-like graphic and the text 'PARK DISTRICT of OAK PARK.'
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Category

Swim Academy- StarTots (Ages 3-36 months) Fall 1 (9/13-10/25) Reg. Opens 8/1

2 Activities

The Park District of Oak Park logo, featuring a colorful pinwheel-like graphic and the text 'PARK DISTRICT of OAK PARK.'
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Category

Swim Academy- StarTots (Ages 3-36 months) Fall 2 (11/8-12/20) Reg. Opens 8/1

2 Activities

The Park District of Oak Park logo, featuring a colorful pinwheel-like graphic and the text 'PARK DISTRICT of OAK PARK.'
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Category

Youth Dance Fall - Reg Opens 8/1

18 Activities

Youth Dance Fall - Reg Opens 8/1
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Happening This Week

Activity
Sing, Paint & Play Español for Little Ones Oct 5- Oct 19
  • Stevenson Community Center Lower Level Indoor Playground
  • 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
  • Instructor: Yolanda Ruiz
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Activity
Pre-Ballet Starting 9/14 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Activity
Itty Bitty Ballet Starting 9/14 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Activity
Itty Bitty Ballet Starting 9/21 - CRC (Reg 8/1)
  • CRC - Fitness Studio 208
  • 5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Activity
Busy Bees and Butterflies Oct 6-Oct 22
  • Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center Main Room
  • 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Activity
Indoor Playground Day Pass (Tuesday)
  • Stevenson Community Center Lower Level Indoor Playground
  • 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Activity
Mini Dance & Tumbling Starting 9/15 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 3 (Ages 3-5) - Tuesday 4:50P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 4:50 PM – 5:20 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 1 (Ages 3-5) - Tuesday 4:50P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 4:50 PM – 5:20 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 2 (Ages 3-5) - Tuesday 4:50P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 4:50 PM – 5:20 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Activity
Dance & Tumbling Starting 9/15 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Activity
Indoor Playground Day Pass (Wednesday)
  • Stevenson Community Center Lower Level Indoor Playground
  • 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Activity
Ice Cubs - Wednesdays 5:45P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 5:45 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Resource Person: Mike Baiardo: mike.baiardo@pdop.org 708-725-2315
Activity
Busy Bees and Butterflies Oct 6-Oct 22
  • Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center Main Room
  • 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Activity
Indoor Playground Day Pass (Thursday)
  • Stevenson Community Center Lower Level Indoor Playground
  • 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Activity
Pre-Ballet Starting 9/17 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 2 (Ages 3-5) - Thursday 4:30P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 3 (Ages 3-5) - Thursday 4:30P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 1 (Ages 3-5) - Thursday 4:30P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Activity
Disney Jamz Jazz Starting 9/17 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 5:00 PM – 5:40 PM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Activity
Caregiver & Tot - Thursday 5:50P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 5:50 PM – 6:20 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Indoor Playground Day Pass (Friday)
  • Stevenson Community Center Lower Level Indoor Playground
  • 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Available spots: 2147483647 2147483647 out of 2147483647
Activity
Parent and Tot Creative Movement Starting 9/18 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org 708-725-2074
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Itty Bitty Ballet Starting 9/12 - GRC (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 8:00 AM – 8:40 AM
  • Instructor: Katherine Iler
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Itty Bitty Ballet Starting 9/12 - CRC (Reg 8/1)
  • CRC - Fitness Studio 208
  • 9:00 AM – 9:40 AM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Pre-Ballet Starting 9/12 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 9:00 AM – 9:40 AM
  • Instructor: Katherine Iler
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Itty Bitty Ballet Starting 9/12 - RCRC (Reg 8/1)
  • RCRC Multipurpose Room (Large)
  • 9:00 AM – 9:40 AM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Ages 3-4 Soccer League (Sep 12 - Oct 17)
  • Lindberg Park Soccer Upper North
  • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Peyton Rapier- 708-725-2116 - peyton.rapier@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Ages 5-6 Soccer League (Sep 12 - Oct 17)
  • Lindberg Park Soccer Upper North
  • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Peyton Rapier- 708-725-2116 - peyton.rapier@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Indoor Playground Day Pass (Saturday)
  • Stevenson Community Center Lower Level Indoor Playground
  • 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Available spots: 2147483647 2147483647 out of 2147483647
Activity
Mini Dance & Tumbling Starting 9/12 - CRC (Reg 8/1)
  • CRC - Fitness Studio 208
  • 10:00 AM – 10:40 AM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Mini Dance & Tumbling Starting 9/12 - RCRC (Reg 8/1)
  • RCRC Multipurpose Room (Large)
  • 10:00 AM – 10:40 AM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Tiny Tappers Starting 9/12 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 10:00 AM – 10:40 AM
  • Instructor: Katherine Iler
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Hip Hop & Tumbling Starting 9/12 (Reg 8/1)
  • CRC - Fitness Studio 208
  • 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Pre-Ballet Starting 9/12 (Reg 8/1)
  • RCRC Multipurpose Room (Large)
  • 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM
  • Instructor: Erin Coffman
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Twinkle Toes Tap Starting 9/12 (Reg 8/1)
  • GRC Studio 1
  • 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM
  • Instructor: Katherine Iler
  • Resource Person: Erin Coffman- erin.coffman@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Caregiver & Tot - Saturday 11:55A
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 11:55 AM – 12:25 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 2 (Ages 3-5) - Saturday 11:55A
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 11:55 AM – 12:25 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 1 (Ages 3-5) - Saturday 11:55A
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 11:55 AM – 12:25 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 3 (Ages 3-5) - Saturday 1:20P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 1:20 PM – 1:50 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 1 (Ages 3-5) - Saturday 1:20P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 1:20 PM – 1:50 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Learn to Skate - Snowplow 2 (Ages 3-5) - Saturday 1:20P
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 1:20 PM – 1:50 PM
  • Resource Person: Brigid Guerin: brigid.guerin@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Autumn Leaf Adventure - Lindberg Park Nature Walk - 10/11/2026
  • Lindberg Park Permit
  • 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
  • Instructor: Hannah Szuch
  • Resource Person: Hannah Garcia: (708) 725-2043
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Ice Cubs - Sundays 8:30A
  • RCRC Ice Rink
  • 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
  • Resource Person: Mike Baiardo: mike.baiardo@pdop.org 708-725-2315
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Infant Massage: Connection, Comfort, & Care
  • Stevenson Community Center Lower Level Indoor Playground
  • 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
  • Instructor: Heloise Stauff
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez: Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org; 708-725-3135
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Swim School (Ages 3-5) Sundays @ 9:10A
  • Fenwick High School Pool
  • 9:10 AM – 9:40 AM
  • Resource Person: Cameron Bayer
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Swim School (Ages 3-5) Sundays @ 9:45A
  • Fenwick High School Pool
  • 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
  • Resource Person: Cameron Bayer
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
StarTots Sundays 10:15-10:45A
  • Fenwick High School Pool
  • 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
  • Resource Person: Cameron Bayer
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Swim School (Ages 3-5) Sundays @ 10:20A
  • Fenwick High School Pool
  • 10:20 AM – 10:50 AM
  • Resource Person: Cameron Bayer
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Swim School (Ages 3-5) Sundays @ 11:00A
  • Fenwick High School Pool
  • 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Resource Person: Cameron Bayer
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Swim School (Ages 3-5) Sundays @ 11:35A
  • Fenwick High School Pool
  • 11:35 AM – 12:05 PM
  • Resource Person: Cameron Bayer
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
StarTots Sundays 11:35-12:05P
  • Fenwick High School Pool
  • 11:35 AM – 12:05 PM
  • Instructor: Cameron Bayer
  • Resource Person: Cameron Bayer
Available spots: 0 Full
Activity
Introduction to Basketball/Soccer October 11-November 8
  • CRC - Gym Court 1 West
  • 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Instructor: Adrianna Eaton
  • Resource Person: Pilar Martinez; 708-725-3135; Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org
Available spots: 0 Full
Stylized blue and teal icon of a person ice skating, leaning forward with arms outstretched.

Skating

Stylized blue icon of a swimmer with arms extended, above two blue wavy lines representing water.

Swim

A dark blue silhouette of a person jumping with arms raised, next to a blue party hat and two musical notes.

Dance & Theatre

Stylized basketball icon with dark blue and light blue panels.

Sports

Blue silhouette of a gymnast performing a handstand on a blue mat.

Gymnastics

Art palette with three circles and a paintbrush. Icon represents enrichment activities.

Enrichment

Additional Programs

young child gets ready to go down blue slide

Have you visited our Indoor Playground?

The Cubhouse Indoor Playground at Stevenson Center is the perfect place to let your kids run, explore, and imagine!

Four young children collaborate to build a colorful tower with magnetic blocks in a classroom setting.

Looking for Preschool options?

We offer two half-day programs for children ages 3-5. Our curriculum focuses on academic readiness, problem solving, and collaboration.

A colorful indoor playground featuring a large modular climbing structure, a red canoe-shaped seat, a ball pit, and slides, set on a nature-themed

Check out our drop-by programs!

Want to have fun without the commitment of a whole session? We offer several weekly and monthly programs. Come once, or come every week!

boy sits in large red canoe with toys

Birthday Parties

Throw a birthday party everyone is sure to remember! Cubhouse, the Park District’s forest-themed, indoor playground is the perfect space to celebrate your little’s birthday party.

Information & FAQs

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Stay in the loop about the latest programs and events, from free drop-ins to brand new classes.

FAQs

It’s completely normal for children between 18 months and 5 years old to experience separation anxiety. While it can be challenging, these feelings are a healthy part of growing up and learning to feel safe in new environments. Enrichment classes offer a fun, supportive first step toward independence by helping children become familiar with routines, teachers, and peers in a low-pressure setting. Over time, these experiences build confidence and resilience, making the transition to preschool and other classroom environments feel more comfortable and positive.

Learning by exploring and experimenting helps retain information naturally by building practical skills while making learning fun and engaging.

Instructors follow the child’s lead through hands on activities, play, stories, songs, routines, positive encouragement, and opportunities to explore at their own pace. 

Early childhood development stages include physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional growth. These areas develop together as children learn and interact with the world. 

Activities like cooperative games, pretend play, group projects, story time, and turn-taking help children learn sharing, communication, empathy, and teamwork. 

Observations help teachers understand each child’s strengths, interests, and needs so they can support learning and share progress with families.