10 things to do with toddlers in the Chicago area

From museums, music and theater for young culture vultures to fitness outings and yoga around Chicagoland, here are 10 ways to entertain the stroller set — and yourself.

WIGGLEWORMS

After 35 years of delighting families, it’s safe to say: Wiggleworms is a local institution. The beloved program, run by the Old Town School, makes music a key part of early learning, introducing toddlers to a range of music styles and instruments, including guitars, ukuleles and drums. Check out a 45-minute class at three different locations in Chicago — Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park and South Loop — or in suburban Western Springs, Park Ridge, Evanston and Glencoe. oldtownschool.org/classes/kids/wiggleworms

STROLLER STRIDES

These fitness outings are ideal for moms, who get to exercise while their little ones hang out in their strollers. Designed for all women regardless of fitness level, the classes are held all around Chicagoland, including Morton Grove, Arlington Heights, Hinsdale and multiple city locations. In addition to Stroller Strides, Fit4Mom offers other workouts for women with infants and toddlers, plus a prenatal program too. Beginners can try their first class free before purchasing a membership. chicago.fit4mom.com

MORNING GLORIES

Among several great Garfield Park Conservatory programs is Morning Glories, providing weekly fun for adults and little ones (ages 5 and under). The nature-based activities vary throughout the year, with plenty to do indoors — such as embarking on a “color safari” in the Children’s Garden — during wintertime and rainy days when the group can’t enjoy the outdoor Play and Grow Garden. 10 a.m. till noon Mondays at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Free, with donations accepted. garfieldconservatory.org/event/morning-glories-2/all

LITTLE BEANS CAFE

When you need to get out of the house with your wiggly little one, Little Beans Cafe is ready. Part playground, part restaurant and 100 percent kid-friendly, Little Beans is designed for parents with babies and toddlers; after purchasing a day pass for the little ones (adults get in free), you can enjoy the play space and the a la carte cafe for as long as you like. The locally owned business has two locations; the one in Evanston is more than twice as big as the one in Bucktown, because the Evanston spot also has a Big Beans Ninja Obstacle Course, designed for bigger kids (up to 12 years old). Find Little Beans at 1809 W. Webster Ave., Chicago; and 430 Asbury Ave., Evanston. No cover for adults, $17 for the first child, $6-$12 per sibling. Multiple-visit passes and monthly memberships available. littlebeanscafe.com

LITTLE EXPLORERS

Games, story time, dancing, art-making and outdoor walks are all fair game at Little Explorers, a monthly offering from the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The theme changes each time; little ones learn about different animals (beavers, chipmunks, deer) or seasonal weather. The program is geared to ages 3-5, but younger children are always welcome. At 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W. Walnut Lane, Channahon. Free, but register in advance. https://tinyurl.com/so4alnw

FAMILY YOGA

A number of yoga studios in and around Chicago offer classes that incorporate little ones. Ahimsa Yoga Studio has a wide reach, with locations across four western/southwestern suburbs: Oak Park, Berwyn, Elmhurst and La Grange. Offerings include Baby & Mommy, for mothers with newborns ($15 for a single class, $78 for the full six-week series); and Family Matters, when parents and younger kids experience their own separate 45-minute class before coming back together again for 15 minutes of yoga-focused activities ($25 for one adult-child pair; $5 per additional person). Check the site for specific schedules according to location. ahimsayogastudios.com/yogakids

MCA STROLLER TOUR

Moms, dads and nannies enjoy some museum time with babies and toddlers in tow at this monthly event. Since it’s especially designed for the stroller set, nobody on this tour of patient grown-ups will give you the stink eye if little ones start fussing. Meet at the second-floor admissions desk at 11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. $15 adult admission, free for ages 18 and under; no charge for tour. mcachicago.org/Calendar/2017/12/Stroller-Tour

JUICEBOX

It’s never too soon to encourage your kids to be culture vultures, and Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is ready to help. The great Juicebox program invites the pre-K set, along with their grown-ups, to biweekly performances. Local musicians jam for the kiddos most of the time, but dance and theater groups get into the mix as well. Concerts take place on the first and third Fridays and Saturdays of the month, except during summer: 11 a.m. Fridays at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.; and 11 a.m. Saturdays at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Free. https://tinyurl.com/y5nxmt9d

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The Chicago theater scene is legendarily vibrant, so naturally a number of companies tailor productions to younger audiences. The cream of the crop is Chicago Children’s Theatre, a company that always indicates which age group a show is designed for. The recent hit “Wake Up, Brother Bear” (extended through March 1) is one of many CCT shows perfect for toddlers, who are welcome to get out of their seat — it’s an interactive production, after all. Meanwhile, for parents interested in theater classes, CCT offers a wide range of educational opportunities, including various Early Stages classes, designed for tots anywhere from 18 to 36 months old. At The Station, 100 S. Racine Ave. chicagochildrenstheatre.org

LOCAL CHILDREN’S MUSEUMS

No list of local highlights for pre-K kids is complete without mentioning greater Chicago’s excellent children’s museums. Parents face an embarrassment of riches: Each of the three institutions has a mix of permanent and temporary exhibits, with plenty of educational and interactive play spaces. Located inside Navy Pier, Chicago Children’s Museum costs $15 for Chicagoland residents; the first Sunday of each month is free for ages 15 and under. Admission to Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview is $14, while DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville costs $13.

Web Behrens is a freelance reporter.