Looking for fun activities you can do with your baby or toddler? We often hear from caregivers that caring for younger children can feel isolating, and that finding support—as well as friends—can be a real struggle. You're definitely not alone in feeling this way! To help you break out of that isolation and create meaningful connections, we've created this comprehensive Under 5 Guide filled with suggestions for classes and activities that we hope will inspire you to get out of the house and start interacting with others.
Whether you're looking for active play, creative expression, educational experiences, or simply a chance to meet other families, York County has so much to offer. From free library storytimes to specialized music classes, there's something for every family and budget. Let's explore all the wonderful opportunities waiting for you and your little ones!
Literary Adventures & Storytimes
Storytime at the Library
With 13 local York County libraries to choose from, there's a wide variety of baby, toddler, and preschool storytimes as well as special events happening weekly. These free programs are perfect for introducing your little one to books while meeting other families in your community. Click here to find out the info for your local library.
Kids Make & Take Mondays & Storytime at Brown's Orchard
Bring your preschoolers to Brown's on Monday mornings for a free hands-on craft activity. Join us in the Café area every Monday at 10:30am for a different craft activity.
details. Then join Ms. Mary Thursdays from 9:30 am-10 am at Brown's for a free storytime that's great for kids ages 3-7. Each week the stories surround a theme, and kids are welcome to dress up or bring an item that fits the theme—making it extra special and interactive! Visit the Brown's website to view weekly themes.
Storytime at Flinchbaugh's Orchard
Flinchbaugh Orchard hosts a fantastic Story Time at the Farm on select dates throughout the year. There's something magical about hearing stories in a farm setting! Visit the event section of their website for upcoming dates and times.
Indoor Play Centers
The Second Tuesday of the month is for are for our littlest fans at Keystone Kidspace! From 9-11am for preschool age children and their families to play! The building will be limited to the first floor only, and there will be special activities specifically designed for ages 2-6.
The Beach House Play Center
This indoor play center in York is designed for children aged 0-5 and focuses on imaginative play. They offer open play sessions and also host events. The center features a variety of play structures like a grocery store and a garage—perfect for little ones who love pretend play!
The Curious Little Playhouse Hanover
The Curious Little Playhouse is a hands-on indoor kid's play space and toy store where adults and kiddos can let their imagination run wild during their 2-hour play session in their HUGE playroom. It's the perfect place for imaginative play, especially on rainy days! Click here for
Active Play & Athletics
Titanium Athletics
From Open Jump to Little Ninja classes, indoor soccer, and tumbling, Titanium Athletics has a variety of indoor activities that will keep your littles active and entertained year-round. It's a great place to burn energy, especially during those long winter months! Visit their Facebook page or website to learn more.
Tiny Tumblers Class and Open Play
Tiny Tumblers offers both structured classes and open play sessions for your littles. This flexibility means you can choose what works best for your child's personality and your schedule. Click here for class and open play info.
Preschool Gymnastics at Skyline
Skyline's innovative preschool gymnastics program is designed to teach basic gymnastics skills and introduce class structure. Their unique preschool gym has circuits made up of beams, bars, floor, and jumping to keep your child moving and learning. They also offer a Tumble Together program for 18 months - 3 years old that allows the parent or caretaker to be in the class with their student.
Age Groups:
- Tumble Together: 18 months - 3 years old
- 2-year-old class: Must be 2 to register (30-minute class)
- 3-year-old class: 45-minute class
- 4-year-old class: 1-hour class
EMC Tumbling, Music, and Dance Classes
EMC Performing Arts Studio offers a variety of classes for ages 1-5 years. It's wonderful to see little ones discover their love of movement and music! Click here to view all class options.
Expressions Performing Arts Dance Classes
Expressions Performing Arts offers 2 classes geared specifically to toddler and preschool-aged children. Click here for more info
Dance it Forward Early Childhood Classes
Dance it Forward offers a wide range of Early Childhood Classes for ages 2-7 years where children can learn spatial awareness, develop motor skills, and improve upon their balance, stamina, coordination, and strength while sparking creativity and preparing for performances.
Soccer Shots York
This program provides engaging, character-building soccer classes for children ages 2 to 8. Classes are offered at various locations throughout York County, including childcare centers, preschools, and parks.
Sports Squirts
Available throughout York County, this program offers multi-sports and sport-specific classes and camps for toddlers and preschoolers. Options include soccer, T-ball, and basketball, with "Parent and Me" classes available for 3-year-olds.
York County Little League
Offers a Tee-ball division for ages 4-6, focused on introducing the games of baseball and softball to first-time players. They emphasize learning the basics in a low-pressure environment where batters hit off a tee, and no scores or outs are recorded, though outs on the field are honored.
Martial Arts Options:
Several local martial arts studios welcome young students, including Self-Defense Academy LLC, UTA Karate, Dover Dragons Tae Kwon Do, and Soaring Eagle Tae Kwon Do. These programs focus on building confidence, self-respect, discipline, and respect while teaching physical skills.
Kids First Swim School
Kids First Swim School offers a variety of classes for ages 0-5 including Infant and Toddler classes, Mommy and Me Classes and Private lessons. Water safety is so important, and these classes make learning fun!
York JCC
The York JCC offers a huge variety of classes for younger children throughout the year. Visit their website to see upcoming programs.
YMCA OF THE ROSES
The York County YMCA branches offer a wide variety of programs as well as weekly Caregiver and Me Swimming classes. The Y is always a great place to connect with other families in your community.
Music
Appell Center for the Performing Arts
The Appell Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of programs for ages 0-5 years such as Tot Rock, a fun musical experience with infants, toddlers, and their families throughout the year.
Honey Bee Music Class
Join the Honey Bee Music Together class! This class is for children from birth through kindergarten and follows the recommendations of child development researchers by grouping children of a variety of ages because this fosters natural, family-style learning. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones, older children learn by leading younger ones, and adults are happy because the children in the family can go to class together.
Each child participates at his or her own level in singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching, or exploring musical instruments. The whole family is welcome for this important family music experience, and any caregiver—parents, nanny, grandparents—can bring the child(ren) to class. During the Fall, Winter and Spring trimesters, classes meet once a week for a select number of weeks. Classes are held in Fawn Grove and Shrewsbury. Click here for more info.
Music and Motion offer families a special way to spend a morning together, reconnect at the end of the workday, or to start off your Saturday. They offer two 10-week semesters (Fall & Spring) and two 5-week mini sessions (Winter & Summer).
Songbird Studios
Does your child love to sing and dance? Songbird Studios offers a wide variety of music programs for children 0-7 years. Music is such a wonderful way for young children to express themselves and develop important skills!
Creative Arts & Crafts
Creative York
As an art center with a focus on community programs, Creative York offers various classes and events for children and families. Their programs include art activities for children as young as 3 years old.
Blissful Bonita Art Studio & Gallery
This studio offers affordable art classes for both adults and kids, providing a local space for creative expression.
Special Events & Pop-Up Fun
Macaroni Kid Pop-Up Playdates
In addition to our FREE newsletter and events calendar, Ms. Sarah hosts special Macaroni Kid Pop-Up Playdate events at local businesses and parks throughout the year. These are wonderful opportunities to meet other families in a relaxed, fun setting! Visit our Facebook page or FREE online event calendar for upcoming dates.
Know of a class, program or playtime that should be added to our list? Email the info to sarahfrane@macaronikid.com. We're always looking to expand our resources and help more families connect!
