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.
Programs for Ages 2-3
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 | Feb 15-March 17 | 10-11:30am | $110/$120 | 101728 |
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 |
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Frontier | Sun | Feb 7-Feb 28 | 10-11:00am | $96/$101 | 101724 |
PJ’s and Pancakes- For Tots!
In PJ’s and Pancakes, children will get to make pancakes while in their comfy PJ’s! We will also be making a pancake related craft. A Parent or caregiver should attend this class with their child.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Rec Park | Sat | March 6 | 10-11:30am | $30/$35 | 101896 |
Farmyard Fun
In Farmyard Fun, little learners will explore the sights, sounds, and animals of the farm! Children will explore a farm sensory bin, create a farm related craft, and socialize with other ‘farmers’!
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Frontier | Friday | April 30 | 10:30-12pm | $25/$28 | 102380 |
Programs for Ages 3-6
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 |
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Heritage | M/W | Jan 11-Feb 10 | 10-11:30am | $110/$120 | 101726 |
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 |
Campfires and Cocoa
In this early childhood class, children will have the opportunity to become little campers with exploring campfires and making some Hot Cocoa right in the classroom! Children will make a campfire craft, go on a scavenger hunt, and use their imaginations to ‘camp” inside a tent. This is a drop off class.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Rec Park | Sat | Jan 23 | 10-11:00am | $25/$30 | 101729 |
Dinosaurs Detectives
In Dinosaur Detectives, children will become little Paleontologists! Children will discover dinosaurs through sensory bins, fossils, and a creative craft to take home! Get ready to dig with this prehistoric adventure! This is a drop off class.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Heritage | Fri | Feb 5 | 10-11:30am | $25/$30 | 101825 |
Charm Factory
Does your child love to make bracelets? In Charm Factory, children will design their own colorful and unique bracelets using fun charms! Children will love mixing, matching, and designing their own collection of charms to take home! This is a drop off class.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Pioneer | Sat | Feb 13 | 10:30-11:30am | $25/$28 | 102083 |
Construction Zone
Does your child love to make bracelets? In Charm Factory, children will design their own colorful and unique bracelets using fun charms! Children will love mixing, matching, and designing their own collection of charms to take home! This is a drop off class.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Pioneer | Sat | Feb 27 | 10-11:30am | $25/$30 | 101860 |
Little Bookworms
In this two-week session Early Childhood class, Little Bookworms, children will listen to favorite storybooks each session along with a craft to go along with the story. This is a drop off class.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| ARC | Sun | Feb 28-March 7 | 10-11:15am | $23/$27 | 102474 |
Photography Adventure
Say cheese! Young photographers will get to explore photography basics. Using mini-instant cameras, children will get to explore lighting and colors while learning how to take pictures of surrounding nature. Children will get to create a craft using their photos. This class is outdoors weather pending, inside the classroom if needed. This is a drop off class.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Camelot | Sat | March 13 | 3:30-5:00pm | $25/$30 | 102084 |
Squishy Studio
Does your child love anything squishy? In Squishy Studio, children will get to play with various squishies, along with making one of their own! This class is perfect for children who enjoy various sensory items. This is a drop off class.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Pioneer | Sat | April 10 | 10:30-11:30am | $25/$30 | 102488 |
Puzzle Master
Put on your thinking caps! In Puzzle Masters, children will work with others to accomplish floor puzzles and individual puzzles. They will work on confidence and critical thinking skills to accomplish more difficult puzzles! There will be a range of various puzzles that your child will have the chance to try. This is a drop off class.
| Location | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Code |
| Camelot | Sat | April 17 | 10:30-11:30am | $23/$26 | 102337 |
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 currently closed.
