Children's Programs

You may also like

Sweat For Good Gear Now Available Visit our online store

The basketball team of 1897
Basketball's 125th Anniversary

An instructor giving swim lessons to a childSwim Lessons
A child minder plays with kidsChild Minding
A girl holding a basketballBasketball Lessons

Classes that help kids reach their full potential

YMCA children's programs build a foundation for physical fitness that will last a lifetime by helping kids get active in a fun, safe setting.

Each YMCA in the GTA offers the following programs for kids:

Sports (ages 3 – 14)

 YMCA sports lessons are designed to be energetic, fast-paced, inclusive, and fun for everyone. We know kids learn by doing, so we keep them moving for the whole class — no sitting around watching others play! Everyone’s involved in skill-building activities at all times, and everyone gets to participate in a game each class. Sports should be a fun, positive experience for kids, which is why we focus on building team spirit by ending every class with a cheer.

Watch The Basketball Video Watch The Soccer Video

Register your kids for:

  • Basketball: children from 3 – 14 years are divided into different classes based on age. They'll learn all the fundamentals of the sport that was invented at the YMCA.
  • Soccer: children from 3 – 14 years are divided into different classes based on age. Using a combination of drills, progressions, and games, they'll learn how to pass, receive, dribble, shoot, and more.
  • Variety Sports: older children ages 6 – 14 can branch out and play different sports each week throughout the year. Seasoned players can put their experience to the test, while beginners will get lots of expert support to learn new skills.
Children stand in a line each holding a basketball, ready to dribble

Martial Arts (ages 6 – 14)

Martial Arts (ages 6-14)

Martial arts lessons keep kids active while teaching them important life skills, including self-discipline and leadership. Register your kids for:
  • Karate: This Japanese-style martial art promotes core stability, agility, balance, flexibility, and endurance. Our certified instructors use kata technique, drills, and sparring to teach kids punches, kicks, and defensive techniques.
  • Taekwondo: This Korean art form promotes full-body physicality with a focus on flexibility. Children will learn hand and foot techniques, patterns, self-defence, and sparring.
A martial arts instructor faces his class and demonstrates while the children imitate his movements

Dance (ages 3 – 14)

Dance (ages 3 -14)

Our certified instructors teach kids foundational dance movements and routines. Children will be introduced to a fun new way to stay active, and be encouraged to let their creativity flourish.

Each class begins with stretching and conditioning exercises designed to help the kids get warmed up and ready to move. Next, dancers will learn short combinations of moves that they'll perform while moving across the floor. The kids are then broken up into smaller groups, where they get close attention from instructors as they learn new moves and work to refine their technique. Each class ends with the dancers practicing and adding on to their routine, which they get to perform at their dance recital.

Two girls smile and dance with their arms up in the gymnasium

Swimming (ages 3 – 14)

Swimming (ages 3-14)

At the Y, basic swim skills are just the beginning. Our expert instructors make sure kids learn the fundamentals at their own pace, stay active and engaged, and are always working towards new challenges to keep their learning experience exciting.

Learn More

A young boy smiles while floating on a noodle in the pool, assisted by his swim instructor

Registration now open

Ready to get started? Find the YMCA in your neighbourhood and pay us a visit. While you’re here, you can register your child for their lessons and get a free tour of our facilities, so you can see where they’ll be taking their classes.

Have questions you want answered first? Give us a call at 416-928-9622, or read our FAQ.

Find Your Y Call Us

How your child will learn and grow

Beyond the physical benefits of endurance, strength, coordination, and agility, YMCA programs have a lot to offer:

  • Our certified staff create diverse lesson plans designed to support kids as they build skills at their own pace.
  • Once they master the fundamentals, we continue challenging kids with new progressions, drills, and activities. They're always learning, developing their skills, and honing their technique.
  • Our expert staff go beyond teaching the basics, and ensure every child gets to build confidence; develop life-long skills like leadership, self-discipline, and teamwork; and make new friends.
  • We know kids learn by doing, so we keep them moving for the whole class. If our kids are sweating and tired by the end of their lesson, we know we've done our job!
  • The YMCA prides itself on providing safe, inclusive spaces, so our programs are designed to be welcoming and do-able for kids of all abilities and fitness levels.
  • Kids get to showcase their learning and new skills at special events scheduled throughout the year.

Sign your child up today! Find your Y and drop by to register.

Find Your Y Call Us

Birthday Parties

Celebrate your child’s special day at the YMCA! Make your child’s Birthday a special one by booking an action-packed party with us. With sports, arts and crafts, dance classes, swimming, and plenty of other activities to choose from, your child can spend the day celebrating their favourite way.

Party package and location options:

Central YMCA  (20 Grosvenor Street)

  • Family Zone Party: $150 for up to 15 kids
  • Community Room Party: $200 for up to 20 kids

Your basic Birthday party package will include the room rental, tables, chairs, a stereo, and party signage. For an additional $50, we’ll decorate your party room for you and provide a cake.

Make your child’s Birthday memorable by adding on one of these popular activities for $75:

  • Creative Crafts: We’ll bring out everyone’s artistic side with one hour of arts and crafts.
  • Shake, Shake, Shake: This 30-minute instructional dance class will get everyone moving to their favourite tunes.
  • Jays Care Youth Zone: Spend an hour with other Y kids scaling the rock wall or playing Dance, Dance Revolution.

To book your next Birthday Party at the Central YMCA, please contact the Community Events Department at Community.Events@ymcagta.org or call 1 (416) 975-9622 x41404.

Cooper Koo Family YMCA (461 Cherry Street)

Throw your next Birthday party in our Family Zone! This bright, open space includes a 3-story play structure and a room filled with floor mats and toys. Your two-hour rental will include tables, chairs, a mini fridge, stereo, and party signage. Our $250 package covers up to 15 kids. Food and cake is not included, but you're more than welcome to bring it with you. Please note that we are a nut sensitive facility. Birthday parties are available on Saturdays between 4:00 and 6:00 pm, and on Sundays between 2:00 and 4:00 pm and 4:30 and 6:30 pm.

To book your next Birthday Party at the Cooper Koo YMCA, please drop by the Membership Desk or call 437 222 9622 ext. 49454.

West End YMCA (931 College Street)

Get exclusive use of our full gym for your Birthday partiers to play basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, soccer, floor hockey, and more. After the game, you can enjoy your snacks, beverages, or Birthday cake right in the gym. Sports parties are available on Sundays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, and our staff are available to supervise or referee for the kids the whole time.

  • The sports party package includes everything for 15 people. Additional participants can join in for $15 each. Everyone must be 6 years of age and older. Those over 16 must present photo ID when entering our building.
  • Sports parties cost $300 for members and $350 for non-members. A non-refundable $150 deposit is required at the time of booking for members and non-members. The Bouncy Castle is an extra $75.
  • Drinks, snacks, and a Birthday cake are not included, but you’re welcome to bring your own and enjoy them in the gym during your party.
  • You’ll need to ensure your party-goers bring proper gym attire: shorts, T-shirts, and closed-toe running shoes.

Throw your Birthday party in our kid-friendly play structure. Your partiers will have exclusive use of all the play areas and toys during the party time of your choosing:

Saturdays:

  • 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
  • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Sundays:

  • 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
  • 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
  • The play structure party package includes everything for 15 people.
  • Our play structure is for use by kids between 3 and 12 years of age who are a maximum of 48 inches tall.
  • Play structure parties cost $250 for members and $280 for non-members. A non-refundable $150 deposit is required at the time of booking for members and non-members.
  • Although our staff won’t supervise the kids as they play, we will help set up your party and clean up afterwards. You’re welcome to arrive 15 minutes before your party to decorate the play structure area however you like, and to stay 15 minutes after your party has finished to clean up. Please bring sticky tack with you to hang your decorations, as tape will not be permitted on the walls. Our staff will be available to assist you, and can set up and take down tables if you request them.
  • You’re welcome to bring food for your party, but we ask that any treats be nut free, as we are a nut-free facility. Please bear in mind that the play structure area is not equipped with a fridge.
  • Your guests will sign in at the front desk upon arrival (those over 16 must present photo ID when entering our building). Our staff will then direct them to your party area.
  • Please advise your guests that jeans aren't permitted in the play structure, and socks must be worn at all times.

To book a sports party at the West End YMCA, please drop by the Membership Desk, or call 1 (416) 536-9622 x500. To book a play structure party, please visit the Membership Desk, where one of our staff will provide you with a booking form.

Markham YMCA (101 YMCA Boulevard)

Book our gym for your party goers to play their favourite sports! Sports parties cost $225 for members and $275 for non-members. They're available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Let your kids’ imaginations run free as they play in this all-time favourite. You’ll get the gym and bouncy castle to yourselves for $250 for members, or $300 for non-members. Bouncy castle parties are available on Saturdays and Sundays.

To book your next Birthday Party at the Markham YMCA, please drop by the Membership Desk or call (905) 513 0884 ext 500.

Oshawa YMCA (99 Mary Street North)

Plus Birthday Party packages include:

  • 45 minutes of the activity your child chooses (Sports, the Bouncy Castle and Gym time, or Swimming)
  • An additional hour in the party room
  • Fun for up to 15 party goers. Additional children can join in for $12 each.

For both Plus and Super Plus parties, you may access the room 20 minutes before your party starts to decorate and get set up. If you opt for a Plus Package Party, you’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks, but please note that the party room is not equipped for meal prepping and does not have a fridge. Please remember to bring your own plates, cups, and utensils, as these are only included in Super Plus Party Packages.

Super Plus Birthday Party packages include:

  • 45 minutes of the activity your child chooses (Sports, the Bouncy Castle and Gym time, or Swimming)
  • An additional hour in the party room
  • A hostess who oversees the entire party
  • A Dairy Queen ice cream cake
  • Pizza and juice for all the kids
  • Candles for the Birthday cake, plates, cups, and utensils
  • Clean-up of your party room
  • Fun for up to 15 party goers. Additional children can join in for $15 each.

You may access the room 20 minutes before your party starts to decorate and get set up.

Sports fanatics will get to indulge in their favourite games, while our instructors teach them new skills with drills and fun activities. After 45 minutes playing the sport of your child’s choice, the fun will continue in the party room for an additional hour.

  • Sports Plus Package: $190
  • Sports Super Plus Package: $270

Enjoy exclusive access to our full gym, bouncy castle, and toys for 45 minutes before heading into the party room for another hour of celebrating.

  • Bouncy Castle Plus Package: $200
  • Bouncy Castle Super Plus Package: $280

Make a splash by throwing your next Birthday party in our kid-friendly pool. After 45 minutes of swimming, the kids can keep playing in our party room for an additional hour.

  • Swim Party Plus Package: $190
  • Swim Party Super Plus Package: $270
  • Children aged 6–9 must pass our swim test to be permitted to swim alone during the party. Parents are required to supervise children of these ages from the pool deck.
  • Children who do not pass our swim test, or who are under 6 years of age, must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian 16 years of age or older. The parent or guardian must be in the pool and within arms reach of the child at all times.
  • If children between the ages of 0–5 will be attending: one adult must be in the pool for every two 0–5 year olds, regardless of whether they are wearing lifejackets or not.
  • If children between the ages of 6–9 will be attending: one adult must be in the pool for every two 6–9 year olds who aren’t wearing lifejackets, or one adult per every eight 6–9 year olds wearing lifejackets.

To book your next Birthday Party at the Oshawa YMCA, please drop by the Membership Desk, or call 1 (905) 438-9622 x500. You’ll reserve your Birthday Party time slot by bringing a $50 non-refundable deposit to the Membership Desk. You will be asked to make the full payment for your party 48 hours in advance. Please note that any changes to an already booked party must be made one week in advance; no changes can be made within 7 days of a scheduled party.

You may also like

Sweat For Good Gear Now Available Visit our online store

The basketball team of 1897
Basketball's 125th Anniversary

An instructor giving swim lessons to a childSwim Lessons
A child minder plays with kidsChild Minding
A girl holding a basketballBasketball Lessons
Back to Top

Follow the Y

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
YMCA of Greater Toronto Area 2017. All rights reserved.
Charitable registration number 11930 7080 RR0001