Skip to content
Early Childhood

Early Childhood

Early Childhood Programs at AHPD!

In our Early Childhood Programs, every day is an adventure in learning! Designed for children ages 2–6, our programs spark curiosity, creativity and confidence through hands-on activities, imaginative play and social interaction. Each experience helps your little ones build important skills—while having a whole lot of fun.

Whether your child is taking their first step into a classroom setting or preparing for kindergarten, our nurturing teachers and play-based curriculum make learning joyful and meaningful every step of the way.

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Schillen at 847.506.7136 or kschillen@ahpd.org.

Register 

Programs for Ages 2-3

Busy Body Tots

Get ready to jump, climb, crawl, and move! Busy Bodies is an active, high-energy class designed for toddlers who love to be on the go. This class channels little ones’ natural energy into fun, safe, and engaging movement-based activities. Children will explore obstacle courses, tunnels, soft climbing structures, ball play, and push-and-pull toys—all designed to build strength, coordination, and confidence. Through guided play and music, toddlers will practice important skills like balance, spatial awareness, and following simple directions.

Location Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Camelot Aug 1 9:30-10:30am $25/$30 100068
Tiny Tots Discovery Time 

Ms. Sanj’s Tiny Tots Discovery Time is a caregiver-and-child enrichment program for toddlers ages 1–3. This interactive class focuses on sensory exploration, early motor development, music, and caregiver bonding in a supportive group setting. The program encourages early socialization while equipping caregivers with developmentally appropriate activities they can continue at home. One caregiver must attend with child.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Heritage M/W Sept 14-Oct 14 10-11:00am $110/$120 99393
Little Beginnings 

Little Beginnings is a play based 4 week session class designed to help toddlers become comfortable with teachers, new environments, and early elements of Preschool. Through hands-on activities and guided play, children are encouraged to develop social, emotional, and early learning skills in a nurturing environment. Each class includes a variety of engaging experiences such as creative crafts, lively music, and fun movement activities that help build coordination and self-expression. Storytime sparks imagination and language development, while interactive play supports curiosity and confidence. Parents have the option to stay. This class is led by our Preschool teachers.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Frontier Sun Oct 4-Oct 25 10-11:00am $96/$101 99382

 

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Frontier Sun Nov 1-Nov 22 10-11:00am $96/$101 99597

Programs for Ages 3-6


Back To School Boards   

Sweet Treat Board Builders is a playful, hands-on early childhood class where children explore sweet foods through creativity and sensory play. Using fruits, baked treats, and fun textures, children design their own sweet charcuterie boards while practicing sorting, counting, and fine motor skills. This class encourages mindful enjoyment, sharing, and positive conversations about treats—focusing on balance, choice, and fun rather than restriction. This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
ARC Sat Aug 22 11-12:30pm $35/$40 98158

Messy Science    

In this early childhood class, children will use hands on activities with everyday items found around the house. This class brings out curiosity, while learning cause and effect. There are three class sessions with each session a different theme (no class Sept. 26th). This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Camelot Sat Sept 19-Oct 10 11-12:30pm $66/$71 99393

Wake the Wonder with Loose Parts   

Step into a world where imagination leads the way! Wake the Wonder with Loose Parts invites young children to explore storytelling, art, and creativity through hands-on play. Each week, a beautifully told story sets the stage for open-ended crafting using loose parts—natural and found materials like buttons, shells, fabric pieces, sticks, and more. This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Camelot Thur Oct 8-Oct 22 3:30-4:30pm $66/$71 99384

Ms. Sanj’s Little Explorers Adventure Club    

Ms. Sanj’s Little Explorers Adventure Club is a structured, play-based enrichment program designed for preschool-aged children (3–5 years). This high-energy class combines movement, creativity, music, and hands-on exploration to promote social development, independence, and foundational early learning skills in a fun and engaging park district setting. Each week introduces a new themed adventure that encourages imagination, cooperation, and active participation. This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Heritage M/W Oct 19-Nov 18 10-11:00am $110/$120 99615

Boo-tiful Bites Board Class   

In this early childhood class Boo-tiful Bites, little ones will explore their creativity while building their very own festive snack boards. Using a mix of kid-friendly treats like fruits, cheeses, crackers, and fun seasonal goodies, children will design “spooky-cute” creations like pumpkin faces, friendly ghosts, and silly monsters. This class is all about imagination, sensory play, and trying new foods in a fun and relaxed environment. No tricks—just tasty treats and lots of smiles! All ingredients and materials are provided. Come dressed in your favorite Halloween outfit and get ready to create, snack, and celebrate! This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Camelot Sat Oct 17 11-12:30pm $35/$40 99391

Pumpkin Patch Playdough Party    

Get ready for a time! In this cozy, fall-themed class, little learners will roll, squish, and shape their way through a playful pumpkin patch made entirely of playdough. Children will create their own pumpkins of all sizes, add stems and vines, and decorate their patch with leaves, acorns, and other autumn treasures. This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Pioneer Thurs Oct 29 4-5:00pm $26/$31 99396

Little Swifties     

Little Swifties is a joyful early childhood class inspired by the music and positive messages of Taylor Swift! Designed for young children, this playful program blends music, movement, storytelling, and creative activities to help kids build confidence, express their feelings, and celebrate friendship. Children will make a Taylor inspired craft. Perfect for little ones who love to sing, move, and shine, Little Swifties encourages every child to feel like a star while learning important life skills. This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Camelot Thurs Nov 5 4-5:00pm $26/$31 99398

Lego Play and Build      

Lego Play and Build introduces young learners to the world of building and creativity through Lego play. Designed for early childhood students, this class encourages imagination, problem-solving and fine motor skill development as children explore, design, and construct their own creations. This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
ARC Sat Nov 14 10-11:00am $26/$31 99600

Little Chefs: Fall Cooking Fun      

Join us for a fun, hands-on cooking adventure designed just for young children! In this one-time Little Chefs: Fall Cooking Fun class, kids will explore simple, age-appropriate recipes inspired by fall favorites like apples and pumpkins. Children will mix, measure, assemble, and create a no-bake treat while practicing early skills such as following directions, counting, sharing, and building confidence in the kitchen. This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Camelot Thurs Nov 19 4-5:30pm $40/$45 99606

Little K-Pop Demon Hunters: Music and Adventure      

Join us for a high-energy, imagination-filled adventure where kids become brave heroes in Little K-Pop Demon Hunters! Children will explore music, movement, and storytelling inspired by the colorful, exciting world of K-pop. Through dance, creative play, and teamwork, kids will go on a fun “mission” to chase away silly “gloom creatures” (like grumpiness or shyness) using confidence, kindness, and self-expression. This class focuses on building positivity and creativity in a playful, age-appropriate way—no scary elements, just fun! This is a drop off class.

Location Day Date Time Fee (R/NR) Code
Pioneer Thurs Dec 3 4-5:00pm $26/$31 99599

Safety Town

Experience peace of mind knowing that your child will learn invaluable information about all types of safety through this program. This early safety educational program designed to introduce safety techniques to young children through active participation. Children learn the rules of home, school and outdoor safety through a variety of activities, videos, songs and guest speakers. They also learn about traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety by driving super bikes through Safety Town. AHPD provides the bikes, which accommodate children of various heights and weights. Participants just bring their own helmet.

This class is designed for participants to complete once. Repeating sessions is discouraged because the weekly topics are identical. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Schillen at 847.506.7136. Registration is open.

Register

 

Arlington Heights Park District

Install Arlington Heights Park District

Install this application on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go.

Just tap then “Add to Home Screen”

Accessibility Toolbar