“Mommy and Me” classes are group classes where moms and their babies, tots, or kids can get together with other mom-and-child duos for a fun activity. But many “mommy and me” classes welcome parents, grandparents, and caregivers of any gender to bring their children to these activities. You may even see some of these classes labeled as “parent and child” or “family” classes, too.

What’s great about parent and child classes is that they provide opportunities for bonding between parents or caregivers and their children, as well as a chance to meet other parents and children. In addition, these classes often have an educational component that both adults and children can benefit from. And you can take a parent and child class featuring many different activities, including exercise, music, and art. That’s why Crème de la Crème of Chanhassen has put together this list of the five best mommy and me classes in and around the area.

Kid Create Studio

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Kid Create Studio is an art studio that offers parent and child classes where you work together to complete a fun art project. You may find yourselves painting or drawing a portrait, creating animal sculptures from clay, or making silly arts and crafts. Each class has a different theme and uses a different medium so there’s always a new class and project for you and your little artist. This studio even hosts seasonal classes where projects are themed for winter holidays, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, and more. Parent and child classes are for kids 18 months to 9 years old.

This children’s art studio also offers drop-off classes where older children, ages 3 to 9 years old, can create art projects alongside their peers and under the instruction of the studio’s amazing art teachers. That way you can enjoy an evening out with your partner, friends, or on your own.

Blooma Minneapolis

Blooma is a locally owned and operated yoga, fitness, and wellness center for parents and children. This family-focused center focuses on prenatal support, child and family education, and community development. Here you’ll find prenatal yoga classes for all moms; yoga, cardio, and strength classes for postpartum moms; and Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) yoga and Barre conditioning classes. All of Blooma’s classes provide modified movements so that moms at different stages of pregnancy and postpartum recovery can complete exercises as comfortably and safely as possible.

In addition to classes where you can exercise with your baby or toddler, Blooma also offers yoga classes for children ages 4 years old to 8 years old. These classes have your little yogi practicing in a class of their peers, so they’re perfect for when you want to take a moms-only class at the same time. This studio even has a monthly unlimited class pass that allows you and your kids to attend as many classes as you want each month.

Learning Tree Yoga

Learning Tree Yoga offers yoga classes for families and children of a variety of ages. Some of their children’s yoga classes even feature fun stories to engage little yogis. These classes, called Books Move Me, are meant for toddlers and parents to participate in. The other classes for the whole family involve mindfulness practices to help everyone become more attentive and better at regulating stress. They also have yoga classes for kids, tweens, and teens that incorporate more complex, though still age- and skill-appropriate, poses.

At the time of writing, this studio has temporarily suspended in-studio classes. But they have a large collection of on-demand online classes you and your family can take whenever you want. And they keep adding new Books Move Me classes and others that you’re sure to enjoy. Be sure to sign up for Learning Tree Yoga’s newsletter and follow them on social media so you know when they’re resuming in-person classes.

Kindermusik With Friends

Kindermusik With Friends is a kid-focused music studio that holds group classes for kids as young as newborns and up to 7 years old. These classes involve singing songs, dancing and moving to the beat, playing age-appropriate instruments, and learning the foundations of music in a fun and creative environment. Many of the classes are parent and child classes, so you and your little maestro participate in music games, learn new songs, and make friends together. Once they’re old enough, you can sign your children up for drop-off classes where they’ll continue learning about music on their own.

These classes can help improve children’s communication skills, including listening, speaking, and expressing themselves through language. You’ll also see improvements in their gross and fine motor skills, socialization, self-esteem, confidence, and creative thinking.

MacPhail Center for Music

The MacPhail Center for Music is another outstanding local music studio that offers parent and child classes. The Sing Play Learn class curriculum is specifically designed using early childhood development research, stimulating infants and toddlers with listening, singing, and movement. MacPhail Center offers a variety of Sing Play Learn classes, including music for specific age groups, music for the whole family, and classes that prepare children for learning music via the Suzuki method.

This studio offers both in-person and online lessons, no matter the class. If you take in-person classes, all of the instruments, props, and music are available when you come in. If you take classes online, you get the instrument kit for free. You can access the school’s online resources from which you and your kids can learn new songs, practice their favorite songs, and listen to stories in musical form.

This music school also offers classes, lessons, and performance groups for all ages. As you and your children take classes, you might find yourselves interested in further developing your musical talent, taking instrument classes, and even joining a choir or band at the school, too.

So there you have it. Five places where you can take a parent and child class with your baby, toddler, or child. Did we miss any of your family’s favorite places for fun and educational family classes? If so, contact us and we’ll be sure to add it to our list.