You can your toddlers can participate in "Waterbabies 1," where toddlers learn gradual submersion skills and back floats and sing songs in the water. Toddlers can progress to "Waterbabies 2," where they'll learn propulsion and underwater skills.
Toddlers will learn underwater and safety skills and participate in propulsion activities in "Parent and Tot 1." Toddlers will be introduced to safe and independent swimming skills in "Parent and Tot 2."
All aquatics classes are 25 minutes long and take place in the Canada Game Pool (no website; 65 E. 6th Ave., New Westminster; 604-526-4281). "Waterbabies" classes are for toddlers ages 6 to 16 months and "Parent and Tot" classes are for toddlers ages 17 months to 3 years old.
The Centennial Community Center (no website; 65 E. 6th Ave., New Westminster; 604-526-4281) offers two one-hour arts and crafts classes for toddlers. Toddlers ages 2 and 3 will create dinosaur-themed crafts, play games and listen to stories in "Dynamic Dinosaurs." In "Young at Art," kids ages 2 to 5 participate in creative play through art, stories, singing and dancing.
"Messy Hands," offered by the Queensborough Community Center (no website; 920 Ewen Ave., New Westminster; 604-525-7388), is a 45-minute class where toddlers ages 2 to 4 learn how to paint, draw, sculpt with clay, create paper mache and tie-dye.
Toddlers can take dance and music classes in the Centennial Community Center. Dance to different children's songs with your 1- or 2-year-old in the 30-minute class, "Parent and Tot Pre-dance." "Mom and Me Ballet" is a 30-minute class where you and toddlers ages 2 to 4 will learn basic ballet positions and movement. In the 45-minute class, "Music Shakers," 18-month to 3-year-old kids will learn about music and rhythm through stories and songs with a qualified music teacher.
Children ages 1 to 6 will learn how to develop their balance, motor skills and body awareness in the 55-minutes class, "Parent and Tot Gymnastics," which takes place in Queens Park Annex (no website; access via 1st St. & 3rd Ave., New Westminster; 604-777-5121).
Two 45-minute sports activities for toddlers take place in Moody Park Arena (no website; 701 Eighth Ave., New Westminster; 604-525-5301). "Parent and Tot Sports" teaches 2- and 3-year-olds about coordination through obstacle courses that you complete together. "Hot Shot Tot Sports" teaches 3-year-olds how to play hockey, soccer and basketball.
"Ball Sports" in the Queensborough Community Center is a 45-minute class that teaches 2- to 4-year-olds the skills that they need to play certain sports. They'll learn about basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey and volleyball through non-competitive games.
"Preschool Storytime" is a free program that takes place in New Westminster Public Library (nwpl.ca). Two- to 5-year-old kids will enjoy listening to stories where puppets and music are incorporated.
The Centennial Community Center offers several programs for toddlers. Planting, creating crafts and listening to stories are just some activities for 2- and 3-year-olds in the one-hour program, "Little Gardeners." In "It's a Small World," you and your toddler ages 1 to 3 will sing songs and listen to stories while they interact with other children through play. One- to 6-year-old children can burn energy playing on inflatables and bouncers for two hours in "Indoor Playground." Toddlers ages 1 to 3 can also participate in 45-minute mother's day and father's day programs where they create hand-made gifts for mom and dad.
