The Ultimate Guide to Parks and Rec Programs for Kids in West Michigan
Looking for fun (and affordable) extracurriculars for your kids? Parks and Recreation departments across West Michigan are offering more than just soccer and T-ball these days. Think theatre camp, fencing, virtual reality, cookie decorating, and even toddler dance and ninja classes!
The best part? You don’t have to be a resident in a city to join their programs—most of these classes and sports are open to everyone. So if another town offers the perfect fit for your kid, go ahead and sign up!
Here’s a breakdown of what each community is offering right now so you can find something your crew will love.
Classes for Kids in Grand Rapids and Beyond
These communities are making it easy (and affordable!) for West Michigan kids to get involved, try something new, and have fun doing it.
Community Centers, Parks and Rec Departments, and Resource Centers offer a multitude of classes and opportunities for kids to get involved in their own community or learn from another.
Parks & Rec Near You
| Byron Township Recreation | Art, Babysitting, Gymnastics, Open gym for toddlers, Lacrosse, Tae Kwon Do, Ballet and Tap, Speed and Agility, Little League, Archery, Theatre Camp, and various sports camps. |
| Caledonia Resource Center | Cheerleading, Self Defense, Youth Theatre, Babysitting, Chess Club, Private music lessons, Art, Fencing, Basketball, Toddler Dance, Kids Yoga, Pound, Knitting and Crochet, and various sports camps. |
| East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec | Art, Dance, Fencing, Cheerleading, Music, Youth Yoga, Self Defense, Basketball, Lacrosse, Football, Tennis, and various sports camps. |
| Forest Hills Community Enrichment | Baking and Cooking, Self Defense, Bricks 4 Kidz, Dance, Ultimate Frisbee, Sewing, Swim, Fencing, Babysitting, and various sports camps. |
Fun in More Communities
| Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation | Soccer, T-Ball/Baseball, Golf, Dance, Swim and more. Bricks 4 Kidz & Robotics add STEM fun to the mix. |
| Grandville Community Education | Babysitting, Boater Safety, Bricks 4 Kidz, Drawing/Illustration, Fencing, Karate, Robotics/Virtual Reality, Roller Skating, Self Defense, Yoga, Basketball, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Ice Skating, Lacrosse, Rugby, Softball, and Running Club. |
| Hudsonville Community Education | Basketball, Cookie Decorating, Gymnastics, Ninja, Cheerleading, Rollerblading, Bricks 4 Kidz, Tae Kwon Do, Swim, and Virtual Reality. |
| Jenison Community Education | Basketball, Aquatics, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Strength and Conditioning, Cheerleading, Soccer, Tennis, and various sports camps. |
More Programs to Choose From
| Kentwood Recreation Dept | Swim, Cooking, Basketball, Soccer, Fencing, Breakdancing, Art, Tennis, Disc Golf, Babysitting, T-Ball, and Dance. |
| Rockford Community Education | Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Dance, Rugby, Hockey, Little League, Swim Team, Football, Yoga, Soccer, Golf, Virtual Reality, Cheerleading, Sewing, Art, Lacrosse, Fencing, Tae Kwon Do, Babysitting, Music Lessons, and Ultimate Frisbee. |
| Wyoming Parks and Recreation | Art, Dance, Sewing, Babysitting, Tae Kwon Do, Soccer, Fencing, Gymnastics, Flag Football, and Swim. |
| YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids | Dance, Cooking, Gardening, Fitness, Archery, Basketball, Golf, Gymnastics/Tumbling, Martial Arts, Soccer, Sports Sampler, T-Ball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Swim and various sports camps and clinics. |
So Many Options, So Much Fun
Whether your child wants to learn a new sport, try out for theatre, or just burn some energy, there’s a Parks and Rec program nearby that can help.
So go ahead—mix and match classes across towns, and find the perfect fit for your family.
Hello, Kimberly,
I’m one of a group of volunteers walking beside a family of Afghani refugees, and am looking into summer programs for kids 5, 6, and 10. The family lives on Eastern, SE, near Congress El. School. Will there be summer programs in a park near them?
Thank you,
Gretchen Zuiderveen