The Champaign-Urbana area has a variety of offerings for kids classes, activities, lessons and teams during the school year
Activities that keep your kids active and engaged? Check. Activities that stretch your kids’ brain power? Check. Activities that your kids will be asking to go to? Check. We have the info on a variety of extra curricular activities that kids will enjoy all year long.
Registration for fall activities are up and running at many organizations, although some may not have information ready yet. Please note that all listings are paid sponsors of chambanamoms.
Champaign Gymnastics Academy (CGA)
About CGA: CGA believes gymnastics is a sport for everyone. They provide a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment where every gymnast is encouraged to celebrate their personal success. By treating each gymnast as an individual, they aim to provide a unique and equitable experience to every child enrolled in a class.
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Top Tier Lessons
Top Tier Lessons believes that lessons are more than just learning skills. Top Tier believes every child deserves more than a coach, they deserve a mentor and a role model. Top Tier Lessons was created to do that by partnering with current student-athletes at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of athletes. Your coach may be an All-American, national champion, or even an Olympic contender. Every time a lesson is booked through Top Tier Lessons, you are helping support local college athletes. Their teaching team is composed of current student-athletes, who understand the demands of college athletics and are committed to helping you in any way possible.
For more information: Website or Facebook
I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja
About I-Power: I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja offers quality, professional gymnastics instruction. Through their preschool, recreational, competitive program, and ninja classes, they have fun while working hard! They strive to instill self-confidence, strength, and responsibility, and develop their students’ individual potential. Beyond their instructional programs, they offer birthday parties, special events, summer and schools day out camps, and a kindergarten-readiness preschool program.
Location: 215 S. Staley, Champaign
For more information: Website or email
Leaders for Life Martial Arts
About Leaders for Life: Leaders for Life Martial Arts is your partner in parenting. Their programs will help your child develop essential skills such as confidence, discipline, and self-defense that they can apply to all areas of life while having fun and socializing.
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Soccer Planet
About Soccer Planet: Lil’ Kickers classes (ages 18 months – 7 years) provide 50 minutes of fun, highly creative, high energy activities that serve as a great introduction to soccer, and help children master developmental milestones, appropriate for their age. Skills Institute classes (ages 5-12) focus on the fundamentals of player development: dribbling, passing, shooting, trapping, and how to use them effectively in a game. Weekly sessions include fundamental skill-building and competitive drills/games to build confidence and competence.
Location: North Willow Road, Urbana
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Stephens Family YMCA with Larkin’s Place
About Stephens Family YMCA: The Stephens Family YMCA with Larkin’s Place offers a wide range of programs and activities designed for all children, emphasizing inclusivity and community. From sports leagues and swim lessons to art and cooking classes, every child can find opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun in a supportive environment. Members of the YMCA can also utilize child watch for 90-minutes per visit, play in the Family Adventure Center, hang out in the Teen Room and utilize the gyms and pool during open sessions without registration.
Location: 2501 Fields South Dr., Champaign
For more information: Website, Facebook, or Instagram
YMCA HEAT Swim Team
About YMCA HEAT Swim Team: The HEAT is based at the Stephens Family YMCA. It offers stroke development levels up to national- and international-level competitive swimming. Under the guidance of Head Coach Will Barker, HEAT offers high quality, professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. At HEAT, we provide every athlete an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to international competitor. We intend to do this by challenging each athlete to harness the power of positive thinking, learn the values of good sportsmanship and teamwork, develop good time management skills, set goals that will foster personal improvement both in the pool and on land, and value each other, coaches, parents, and our program through honesty, caring, and respect. HEAT is registered with Illinois Swimming, Inc. (ISI), USA Swimming, and YMCA Swimming.
Location: Stephens Family YMCA, 2501 Fields South Dr., Champaign
For more information: Website, Facebook, or call (217) 239-2806.
