The Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department offers a variety of youth dance and child movement classes. To sign up for these classes please see our current Recreation Guide or call 456-3232, option 4.
Musical Munchkins (Ages 2-5)
Discover the fun of music through marching, skipping, galloping, and dancing to children's songs. Children learn songs, develop coordination, and use rhythm instruments. Children should wear comfortable clothing that they can move around freely in. Parent/Guardian participation mandatory.
Creative Movements (Ages 3-5)
This unique library-based program allows pre-school kids to be creative physically as well as mentally. The first 30 minutes focus on dance movements, including rhythm and coordination. Following the dance will be literacy-rich activities, such as, interactive storytelling using puppets, dramatic play and hands-on fun. Related songs, finger plays and activities are interspersed between books. Classes end with a fun and creative art activity. Parent/Guardian participation is mandatory.
Little Tumblers (Ages 2-3)
An introduction to gymnastics this class will help your child to develop skills in a fun and active way. Parent/Guardian participation is mandatory.
Level I Gymnastics (Ages 4-6)
For the younger gymnast to encourage success and fun in the gym. Children will learn beginning tumbling and balancing with emphasis on strength and flexibility movements.
Level II Gymnastics (Ages 5-8)
This class is designed to build upon the basic skills taught in Level I Gymnastics class with agility training to keep you active and moving. This 40-minute class is packed with activities to increase your child's strength, movement, coordination, agility and flexibility. Participants must be able to successfully complete a proper forward roll, cartwheel, and back bridge.
Princess Ballet (Ages 3-6)
Come stretch your imagination, as well as your toes, in the storybook dance class based on dances from your favorite fairy tales and ballet stories. This five-week session features stories that will teach your child how to "tell a story with their body." Each session will focus on fairy tales that have been turned into a ballet, as well as some that are just children's classics. Your child will explore elements of creative movement, ballet and jazz in this delightful trip to an enchanted kingdom. Crowns and wants included for take home. Jazz or ballet shoes required.
Tots in Tutus (Ages 2-4)
Parks and Recreation continues our partnership with the Grand Rapids Children's Museum to offer this class! Assist your tiny dancer in their first introduction to ballet. Your child will begin to learn terminology and basic dance movements. Children should wear ballet shoes and comfortable clothes. Parent/Guardian participation is mandatory.
Young Dancers (Ages 4-8)
This is a creative movement dance class for children to develop rhythm, balance, flexibility, and an appreciation of music and dance while learning ballet and jazz steps. Jazz or ballet slippers required.
Hip Hop Dance Workshop (Ages 7-14)
A high-energy class that uses the latest sounds in rap, R&B, and pop together with movements influenced by current video choreographers. Students will gain an understanding/appreciation of the improvisational nature of this dance form while learning basic movements and terminology. Steps & techniques will be broken down, emphasizing that style and personality be brought to the movement. No previous dance experience is necessary.
Ballet Workshop (Ages 7-14)
In this class, children will learn the foundation of all dance forms including body placement, flexibility, balance, alignment, strength, and technique. These skills are achieved through barre and center floor work. The class focuses on general body awareness and control, techniques, combinations, and choreography, as well as basic dance terminology. No experience required. Ballet shoes required.
