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Looking for baby and toddler classes near Raleigh, NC? I’m a local mom to a toddler, so I’m always on the hunt for fun toddler classes near me! In this guide, I’ve compiled and listed all of the baby, toddler, and even preschool classes in the region that I could find.
Classes like these are valuable even when a child is very young. This engagement and learning early on supports crucial social, cognitive, and physical development for young children. Class time also gives your child the opportunity to interact with peers—and provides some time for you to meet other parents as well!
There are many benefits to these programs for toddlers, varying from music to gymnastics and more, all aimed at helping your little ones thrive.
Note: This directory is an ongoing project. I’ll be adding more classes as I learn about them. While all information is researched carefully, always check with the business or organization directly for the most up-to-date, reliable information.
If you offer a class and would like to be added to this list, please get in touch!
About this Toddler Activity Guide
When you’re looking for toddler and preschool activities, classes are an excellent solution. In putting together this guide, I am focusing most heavily on toddler classes and programs (approximate age 2-3). However, I am also including classes for babies (infants under 1) and preschoolers (approximate age 3-5). Many places on this list use these 3 terms interchangeably and offer classes to all of these age groups.
I’ve divided the classes by general category or class type, and this guide includes toddler classes in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs.
Music Classes for Toddlers, Babies, and Preschoolers
Music classes are some of the most popular activities for toddlers and babies. Songs are such a big part of the way children learn, and most kids love singing, dancing, and clapping their hands. Here are a few options for toddler music classes in Raleigh and throughout the Triangle.
Music With Miss Kasie
With Miss Kasie, “it’s a good day to sing, dance, & play!” Miss Kasie offers Grownup & Me music classes, currently in both Rolesville and Raleigh. These classes are designed for children 5 & under and introduce kids to songs, dancing, games, stories, and interaction with instruments like egg shakers and rhythm sticks.
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PS: We’ve tried Miss Kasie’s class! check out our video here.
KinderVillage Music
KinderVillage Music in Cary uses the award-winning musical curriculum Kindermusik. There are many classes available, divided into levels by age group, and running during the typical school year. They also offer one-off classes called Kindermusik Playdates, which could be a great way to dip your toes in.
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SproutSongs Music
SproutSongs Music in Raleigh is a licensed provider of the early childhood music education program known as Music Together®. They currently offer weekly, 45-minute mixed-age family classes which include songs, rhythmic chants, movement, instrument play, and more. These are for ages 0-5. Location is Raleigh.
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Notasium
With locations in Cary and Durham, Notasium is a musical play space that also offers a selection of music classes! Notes-For-Tots is designed for 2 and under and Jr. Notemakers is for 3-5. There is also Notemakers for 4-6, and classes for older kids too. All of the toddler classes sound like a rocking good time!
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Dance, Movement, and Gymnastics Classes for Toddlers
There are a lot of toddler classes for movement. It’s no surprise! Toddlers are all about movement! They are constantly on the go. A class focused on movement can help them use up that energy and also improve their physical skills, too. From baby ballet to toddler tumbling, I’m sure you’ll find something here that your child will love!
Note: If you’re looking for toddler dance classes and don’t see any on this list that meet your needs, check out local dance schools near you. Almost every dance studio offers classes for this age group!
The Little Gym
The Little Gym has 3 locations in the Triangle: Cary, Durham, and North Raleigh. While older kids can take dance and gymnastics classes here, toddler parents will want to check out the Parent/Child classes for 4 months-age 3. These themed classes break down even more by age, so your child gets to have a fun movement class designed exactly for their age group.
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ENeRGy Kidz
ENeRGy Kidz is a family owned and operated business in Raleigh. This school is very unique, as they offer everything from gymnastics and dance to martial arts and cheer. For toddlers and preschoolers, they have a huge variety of classes, so checking on their website is best. They also offer classes at many times throughout the week, making this a good choice for anyone with a busy schedule!
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Romp n’ Roll
Located in North Raleigh, Romp n’ Roll is “where children aged 3 months to 5 years can explore, learn, and grow.” Their variety of classes includes gym, tumbling, and music, often mixed into one class, as well as themed classes like Pirates! Romp n’ Roll also offers a Parent’s Morning Out which can be a terrific option for when you need to run errands or have a little break!
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The Bunny Hive
A relatively new addition to the area, The Bunny Hive is a social club for children and their parents. The Bunny Hive offers a range of classes throughout the week, providing opportunities for babies and toddlers to learn and explore, and chances for parents to socialize, as well.
The Bunny Hive space is calm and lovely, set in pastel and neutral hues. Malcolm and I tried an Exploratory Play class when he was 22 months, and it was perfect for his age. He had a blast! (See our video here!)
Check out all they offer on their website, including beautiful birthday parties.
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KidStrong
KidStrong is a center dedicated to helping create strong, confident, and happy children. In the Triangle, there are locations in Raleigh and Cary. The KidStrong program begins when children begin walking, but a glance at their schedule shows that the prime ages for the program seem to be 2-4. This seems like a unique and active program for toddlers and preschoolers, so I can’t wait to give it a try (and share about it here!)
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The Kids Gym
The Kids Gym is a gymnastics school for children that is located in Chapel Hill. There are Parent/Child classes available for kids ages 1-3, as well as Preschool Classes for 3-4. Their schedule even includes a few mixed age classes which are ideal for siblings wanting to learn gym skills together!
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Tutu School
The Tutu School is as cute as it sounds: the perfect dance program for your budding ballerina or dancer. The Tutu School has a location in Cary and one in Raleigh, and their schedule shows several options for littles from 18 months through age 5.
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Little Movers at Triangle Academy of Dance
With 3 sessions for babies 2 months through toddlers 3 years old, Little Movers is a fun way to combine movement and music. Their classes run alongside the school year calendar. Triangle Academy of Dance is located in Cary and offers classes for older students as well.
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Cirque de Vol
If you’re looking for unique preschool activities near Raleigh, Cirque de Vol is a perfect fit. This circus and aerial school offers classes to the Pre-K set, ages 3-6, so introduce littles to basic aerial skills. This is definitely not your average dance class!
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Academy for the Performing Arts
Located in Apex, NC, the Academy for the Performing Arts is a thriving school offering dance, theatre, and voice instruction. For babies and toddlers, their Move With Me dance classes are great, designed for walkers up to age 2.5 years. From 2.5 – 5, students can join Little Stars classes, and their are numerous sessions available each week.
It’s also worth noting that APA offers a Preschool for the Arts, a unique half-day preschool program focusing on fine arts.
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Starpath
Starpath Dance, with studios in Apex and Cary, offers a Starlight Program with options for 18 months up to age 6. Starlight Babies and Mommy & Me are for the youngest age group, and are an introduction to music and movement. When kids reach age 3, they can switch to Starlight Tots and Starlight Kids, which incorporate both ballet and tap.
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SGA Gymnastics
SGA is a popular gymnastics center in Morrisville. Their facility is really nice (we’ve been there for open play, which they offer 2x a week for littles up to 23 months). For kids in the toddler/preschool age group, there are a few structured class options that teach children the beginnings of balance, jumping, and more.
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bwellbaby
bwellbaby in Raleigh is a unique offering on this list. Classes are led by a pediatric occupational therapist and infant development expert, and are very baby-centric. There are classes for newborns up to toddlers 24 months, all designed for enhancing your child’s development.
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Barriskill Dance Theatre School
This dance and theatre school in Durham has a large variety of classes for toddlers and preschoolers, ranging from pre-ballet to basic movement to tumbling. As a former theatre kid myself, I think the Broadway Babies class for ages 4-5 sounds amazing!
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Need some more activity? Check out some of the best playgrounds for toddlers in Raleigh and throughout the Triangle.
Outdoor and Nature Classes for Toddlers
If you are looking for classes for 2 year olds through 5 year olds, outdoor classes might be an awesome option! While these aren’t as ideal for the young toddler, as kids get older these nature classes that engage with the environment can be incredible.
My Little Farmer
My Little Farmer is one of my favorite programs for toddlers near me. Located in Durham on a farm (of course!) these classes introduce kids to farm life, interactions with animals, gardening basics/exploration and more. Classes up until age 5 are parent and child based, and then there are drop off options as they get older.
This place is super cute! See our video about our visit here.
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Tinkergarten with Callie
Tinkergarten offers “child-led, play-based classes in an outdoor classroom.” These classes are all about exploration and discovery in nature. These classes are for kids 18 months all the way up to 8. You can find Tinkergarten classes in Raleigh offered by Callie, a former teacher and mother of 3. Classes are held at Strickland Road Neighborhood Park.
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NC Nature School
NC Nature School is a farm and forest school that has tons of offerings for a range of ages. The school’s mission is about restoring the connection between families and nature through exploring nature and remembering the skills and knowledge of our ancestors. They offer home-school supplement options, camps, and more, at 2 locations: one in Wake Forest and the other in Knightdale at Haven Farm.
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Sun Star Family Farm
Sun Star Family Farm in Apex offers seasonal parent/toddler classes. Sessions generally meet for 5 weeks and are designed for ages 1-4. Activities include songs, meeting animals, and enjoying a Waldorf-inspired puppet story!
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Longleaf Learning Collective
Seeds, Sprouts, and Saplings—those are the sweet names given to the various age-based classes at Longleaf Learning Collective in Raleigh. They have classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kids up to age 10. These nature-based classes are all about introducing young ones to the incredible world around us.
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Sunrise Community Farm Center
If you are looking specifically for horseback riding lessons for preschoolers, Sunrise Community Farm Center in Chapel Hill may be exactly what you’re looking for. Their Little Rascals Classes for ages 3-6 are a parent/child class introducing kids to basic horsemanship and comfort with horses.
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Nature Kids at Museum of Life + Science
We love the Museum of Life + Science in Durham. In fact, we’re members! One of the benefits of membership is reduced rates on programs like Nature Kids. There are 2 age groups: Nature Tots, for ages 12 months-30 months, and Nature Tykes, for 2.5-4 year olds. You can enroll in a 4-week session or drop-in for a single class.
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Swim Classes for Toddlers
Wondering if it’s too early to enroll your child in swimming lessons? Nope! Toddlerhood and even infancy are great times to start connecting your kids to the water and equipping them with invaluable survival skills. Here are some of the local options for toddler swim lessons.
Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School offers classes in Cary, Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest, with a new location coming soon to Morrisville in 2024. Goldfish operates on the philosophy that children learn through play, so play is a big part of these classes. Swimming lessons for little ones can start as early as 4 months.
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Aquatots
Like Goldfish, Aquatots is frequently recommended in local mom groups. Their parent and tot classes also begin at 4 months. As a “pro-submersion” school, Aquatots wants to ensure your child knows what to do should they fall in the water, so this is part of their approach. Aquatots has options in Holly Springs, Cary, and Raleigh.
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SafeSplash Swim School
There are two SafeSplash locations in the Triangle: Morrisville and Holly Springs. Like the previously mentioned swimming schools, babies can be enrolled starting at 4 months. There is a wide variety of levels offered as kids transition forward in their skills.
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Triangle Swim School
Opened in 2007, Triangle Swim School is a family-owned, award winning swim school that aims to help kids “learn to swim correctly the first time.” With locations in Cary and North Raleigh, Triangle Swim School offers individualized learning and fun. There are many class offerings for babies and toddlers as well as preschoolers.
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Sports for Toddlers
Toddlers aren’t necessarily the best at organized sports. But what they lack in for in coordination and rule-following they make up for in energy and enthusiasm! There are several places throughout the Triangle region where you can enroll toddlers in sports lessons.
Soccer Shots
Offering 3 different programs for kids 2-8, Soccer Shots is “committed to providing safe, positive experiences through the game of soccer.” There are dozens of options for Soccer Shots in towns throughout the Triangle, so use the search function on their website to see the ones near you.
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XL Sports World
When it comes to toddler and preschool sports teams, XL Sports World might just be the leader. With an entire Mini Sports Academy, children from 18 months and older can dive into a variety of sports. 18 month-olds can check out Soccer Tots, while 2+ can try out Mini Hoops, Mini Sluggers, and even a combo class to introduce them to multiple sports.
XL Sports World is located in Apex, while it’s sister XL Soccer World is based in Raleigh.
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Lil’ Kickers at Netsports
At Netsports in Morrisville you’ll find the popular (and adorably named) Lil’ Kickers program. Kids as young as 18 months can enroll here, where they will experience “50 minutes of highly creative, high energy and age-appropriate activities that serve as a great introduction to soccer.” Try a class for free to see if your child likes it!
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Sensory, Science, Cooking, and Exploratory Classes for Toddlers
This last section of classes for preschoolers and toddlers are those which are more STEM-based or more exploratory in nature. These present unique opportunities for littles to learn and challenge themselves in different ways.
Over the Moon
Over the Moon is a popular, space-themed indoor playground in Cary. But in addition to indoor play, they also offer several weekly classes for kids. Small Steppers classes, currently offered Mondays, are for crawlers up to age 2. These focus on sensory and exploration. Thursdays and Friday mornings are for Giant Leapers, aged 2-4, and emphasize discovery-led STEM. Check out their cool upcoming class themes!
PS: Classes are 30 minutes and also include 1 hour 20 minutes of open play after
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The Wonder Lab
The Wonder Lab in Durham has some great themed classes for kids 1-2 and 3-6. These involve age-appropriate STEM exploration, songs, read-alouds, and some unstructured play time as well. This is definitely an awesome spot for hands-on fun and learning!
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Flour Power
Is your preschooler a budding little chef? You might want to sign them up for classes at Flour Power, a popular cooking school. Preschool Chef is for ages 2.5-4, and they offer lots of adorable themes for each class. There are 4 locations in the Triangle: Cary, Holly Springs, and 2 in Raleigh.
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Local Parks and Recreation Classes
There are so many amazing places offering classes for toddlers in the area. But let’s not forget the incredible resource that our local Parks and Recreation departments can be! Nearly all of these organizations offer sports for young children as well as other types of classes, and the best part is, they are usually very affordable!
Since these offerings can change frequently, I’ve simply linked to the various local Parks and Rec departments below: