Little Learners: play-based classes for toddlers & their grown-ups
A weekly, play-based toddler class for ages 1 to 3 with a caregiver at Little Village Play Cafe in East Tosa. Parachute, music, storytime, sensory stations & a craft to take home. Every kid leaves with a book & a snack.
Book your first free class Sign up for any Monday. No series commitment. First class is always free.
What is Little Learners?
Little Learners is a weekly play-based toddler class for ages 1 to 3 with a caregiver at Little Village Play Cafe, 6505 W North Ave in Wauwatosa, WI. Classes are on Mondays at 9:30-10:30am or 11am-12pm, drop-in style with no series commitment, and your first class is free.
Every class follows the same rhythm: parachute, music & movement, storytime, sensory stations & a take-home craft, then open play. Stations & themes change with the seasons, and every kid leaves with a snack & a book to keep.
Led by an early childhood educator, it's the mommy and me class, parent and tot class & sensory class that Milwaukee & East Tosa families come back to week after week.
A typical Monday morning
Toddlers thrive on routine, so every class follows the same 6 beats. By week 3 you'll see your child anticipate every transition. That's the magic of consistency in a play-based class.
Parachute
Big group fun to kick things off & get the wiggles going.
Music & movement
Songs, scarves, shakers & lots of dancing with Miss Kristin.
Storytime
A book picked just for little listeners.
Sensory stations
Squish, scoop, pour & explore. Stations rotate seasonally.
Take-home craft
Made with their own 2 hands & ready for the fridge.
Open play
Play before & after class while the grown-ups grab a coffee.
A note from Abi
Something new this season
We're pressing pause on weekly themes. Instead of "Old McDonald" one week & "Dinosaur Stomp" the next, we're simply having class & putting our energy into the best parts: the activity stations, play-based learning & the connection and confidence that grow when we learn thru play together.
Don't worry, no two weeks will look the same. Each class will still weave in the seasons, and stations & songs will keep changing. This just gives our educators more room to build a great curriculum, & it saves our small business a lot of time & resources making materials that expire after a week.
It's a trial, so we'd love to hear what you think! Catch Miss Kristin before or after class, or email her anytime at kristin@thelittlevillageplaycafe.com.
Warmly, AbiFounder, Little Village Play Cafe
Who this toddler class is for
- Walking 1-year-olds ready for a structured social setting
- 2-year-olds working on language, sharing & big emotions
- 3-year-olds who love sensory play & books
- Grandparents & nannies looking for a weekly outing (lots of you here!)
- Families new to Wauwatosa or Milwaukee looking for their people
- Kids easing into group settings before preschool
Schedule & pricing
Mondays, 9:30-10:30am or 11am-12pm. Drop in any week, no commitment required. First class is always free.
Non-members
- Your first class is always free, so you can see if the vibe is right before you commit
- Includes open play before & after class
- Book & snack included
- Siblings 1 & under free, siblings over 1 are 50% off
Members
- Daydreamer members get 1 free class per month
- Wondermaker members get 1 free class per week
- Use your member promo code at checkout
Book your first free class Please sign up online ahead of time. Most classes fill & run a waitlist, so grab your spot (even the morning of works!)
Kristin Heacox
Director of Education · Early Childhood Educator
Kristin has been leading classes at Little Village for 3 years. She launched & continues to lead our Little Learners toddler classes & our Baby & Me program. Before Little Village she taught at a private school, and she earned her Bachelor's in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a focus on early childhood.
She's also a Tosa mom who gets it. Kristin has 2 kids of her own right here in Wauwatosa (both at Roosevelt Elementary), so she knows firsthand what a Monday morning with little ones actually looks like.
Most toddler classes are taught by general childcare staff. Little Learners is led by an educator who chose this age group on purpose. That's the difference.
- Tosa mom of 2
- Bachelor's in Education, UW-Milwaukee
- Early childhood focus
- Little Learners lead
- Baby & Me lead
Why families choose Little Village
Drop-in toddler classes, no commitment
Committing to a weekly schedule with a toddler is hard. Little Learners is casual & flexible: try your first class free, then pay per class ($25, or $20 for members) & come back whichever Mondays work for you. No series to buy, nothing to cancel.
A coffee shop + Montessori-inspired play space
We're also a cafe with a 2,000 sq ft Montessori-inspired play space. Sip a real espresso, grab breakfast & finish a sentence with another grown-up while your little one plays before & after class.
My daughter gained so much confidence here. She went from shy at drop-off to asking when we could go back.Caroline B., Tosa mom
My granddaughter and I love the classes and making memories.Karin K., Tosa grandma
I love letting my little learn through songs, dance and sensory play.Tayler C., Tosa mom
Where the class meets
Little Village Play Cafe
6505 W. North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
414-477-2188
Free street parking on North Ave & the surrounding side streets.
We're 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee, 5 minutes from Tosa Village & Mayfair, and a quick drive from Brookfield, Elm Grove, Menomonee Falls, Shorewood & Whitefish Bay.
Frequently asked questions
What ages is Little Learners for?
Ages 1 to 3 with a caregiver. Many families start the week their child takes their first steady steps.
When is Little Learners?
Every Monday at Little Village Play Cafe, with 2 times to choose from: 9:30-10:30am or 11am-12pm. Both classes are the same, so pick whichever fits your toddler's nap & snack schedule. You can switch between times week to week.
How much does Little Learners cost?
$25 per class for non-members and $20 per class for Little Village members. Every family's first class is free. Daydreamer members get 1 free class per month and Wondermaker members get 1 free class per week.
Is my first class really free?
Yep! Every family's first class is free. It's the easiest way to see if the class is right for you, your kiddo & this chapter of your life.
Do I have to register in advance?
Yes, please sign up online ahead of time (even the morning of works!). Most classes fill up & run a waitlist, so grabbing a spot is the only way to guarantee one. We'll always do our best to fit in walk-ins, but we'd hate for you to show up when we're at capacity.
Do I stay with my child during class?
Yes. This is a parent and tot class, so a caregiver participates alongside each child for parachute, songs, stations & everything in between.
What if my toddler is shy or has a hard time with new spaces?
Very common & totally ok. Our team helps with gentle transitions, and the predictable class flow means most kids settle in by their second visit. Watching from your lap counts as playing too.
My toddler has a hard time sitting still for storytime. Is that ok?
No worries at all, most toddlers do! If your child wanders into the play space or works on their snack during storytime, that's a-ok. They're participating in their own way & still soaking it in. We're just happy you're here.
Can siblings join?
Yes! Siblings 1 year & under join for free. Siblings over 1 year are 50% off.
Can grandparents or nannies bring my child?
Yes, and we love it! A big part of our Monday crew is grandparents & nannies, so your child's grown-up will have plenty of peers to chat with while the kids play. For grandparents especially, it's a sweet way to have a standing weekly date with your grandchild & make some memories together. Any trusted caregiver is welcome.
Can we stay & play after class?
Please do! Open play is part of the fun, so plan to hang out in the play space before or after class & grab a coffee from the cafe while you're at it.
What is your cancellation or sick policy?
We know little ones get sick & family schedules change. Missed classes can't be refunded, but we do our best to support families with options when life happens. If your child is ill or you have a question about your schedule, email learn@thelittlevillageplaycafe.com and we'll help you reschedule.
More for your crew at Little Village
Have a baby, an older sibling, or a kid who's here every week? We've got something for them too.
Baby & Me
A peer support group for new parents. Coffee in hand, we walk East Tosa when it's nice out & do circle time in the play space when it's not.
Learn more →
Story Sprouts
A preschool-style drop-off class for big kids who are ready to fly solo, with lunch included.
Learn more →
Memberships
Daydreamer & Wondermaker members get free Little Learners classes every month.
See membership options →Your first toddler class is on us.
Mondays at 9:30am or 11am in East Tosa. Grab a spot, bring your little one & we'll bring the parachute.
Book your first free class