The YMCA of Greater Brandywine welcomes families to attend free program samplers throughout the month of February to try out new monthly programming offered at all Chester County locations. Samplers will be held between February 7 – February 26 and advance registration is requested.

Monthly Programming will begin in March and will focus on helping children discover what they love. With offerings like tumbling, cooking, STEM, arts & humanities and more, kids ages 2-14 can try a new experience each month – while having fun. 

"We noticed a trend in youth sports and activities,” notes Bridgette Barbara Byrne. “Children’s sports and activities are increasingly serious at early ages. We see a need to focus on fun experiences. Let kids enjoy being kids while building independence and skills on their own terms – and at an affordable price for parents.” 

Register to attend a sampler event.

Monthly Programming is open to members and non-members alike, and pricing starts at just $24.99 per month for those with a YGBW family membership. Registration begins on January 28.

Art Classes

Book and Craft

Ages 3 – 5
Children and their grownups will connect and engage through stories and art. Each class begins with a story, read by one of our instructors, followed by a craft that matches the story. You'll love watching your little artist explore their world in this immersive class.

• February 9 from 4 – 5 PM at the Lionville Community YMCA
• February 9 from 5 - 6 PM at the West Chester Area YMCA
• February 11 from 10 – 11 AM at the Lionville Community YMCA
• February 21 from 5 – 6 PM at the West Chester Area YMCA

Young Picassos

Ages 6 – 8
Paint, clay, pencils and more. Young artists aged 6-8, will create masterpieces using their creativity and art skills. Our team will lead your children through projects, teaching new skills each week. All materials are provided. You'll take home the artwork - but not the mess!

• February 7 from 5 – 6 PM at the West Chester Area YMCA
• February 7 from 6 – 7 PM at the Lionville Community YMCA
• February 15 from 6 – 7 PM at the Lionville Community YMCA
• February 23 from 5 – 6 PM at the West Chester Area YMCA

Culinary Classes

Book and Cook

Ages 3 - 5
Children and their grownups will connect and engage through stories and food. Each class begins with a story, read by one of our instructors, followed by a recipe that matches the story. Explore the world of cooking with your favorite little chef. Quality time paired with quality food? Yes, please!

• February 16 from 6 – 6:45 PM at the Brandywine YMCA
• February 18 from 12 – 12:45 PM at the Kennett Area YMCA

Budding Chefs

Ages 6 – 8
Calling all budding chefs! Our team will teach basic kitchen safety skills - along with a recipe of the week. Budding chefs will be proud to show off their new skills and share these classic recipes at home with the family. Supplies and ingredients are included. Sounds like a recipe for success!

• February 18 from 1 – 1:45 PM at the Kennett Area YMCA
• February 18 from 12 – 12:45 PM at the Brandywine YMCA
• February 23 from 5 – 5:45 PM at the Kennett Area YMCA
• February 25 from 12 – 12:45 PM at the Brandywine YMCA

Young Chefs

Ages 9 – 14 
Looking to Learn a little about the kitchen? Our team will teach basic kitchen safety skills - along with a recipe of the week. Young chefs will be proud to show off their new skills and share these classic recipes at home with the family. Supplies and ingredients are included. Sounds like a recipe for success!

• February 21 from 6:30 – 7:15 PM at the Brandywine YMCA
• February 23 from 5 – 5:45 PM at the Kennett Area YMCA

Gymnastics Classes

Tumble With Me

Ages 2 – 3
Children and their grown ups will have a blast discovering the fun of gymnastics together. Our youngest gymnasts, ages 2-3, will tumble, jump, balance and hang as they explore the world around them on mats, beams and bars. Children are encouraged to explore as their grown up supports and encourages them. Enjoy quality time on the move!

• February 14 from 10:15 – 11 AM at the Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center
• February 26 from 10 – 10:45 AM at the Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center

Tumble Just Me

Ages 4 – 5
Children will flip for this gymnastics class as they begin to learn body control and coordination. Young gymnasts, ages 4-5, will explore the balance beam, learn floor exercises and tumble on mats as they build independence. They'll love to show you their forward rolls and donkey kicks!

• February 14 from 11 – 11:45 AM at the Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center

• February 26 from 11 – 11:45 AM at the Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center

Ninja Classes

Youth Ninjas

Ages 6 – 8
Learning through a combination of flips, rolls, jumps and kicks, children will test their strength and agility through obstacle courses and various techniques.  

• February 15 from 5:30 – 6:15 PM at the Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center

Ninjas

Ages 9 – 12
Our oldest children will learn through a combination of flips, rolls, jumps, and kicks while testing their confidence and strength.  This is a structured program where children will learn through various training techniques and obstacles.

• February 18 from 6:30 – 7:15 at the Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center

STEM Classes

Lil Einsteins

Ages 4 – 5
Logic and creativity combine in this STEM-themed class. Our youngest engineers will use their left-brains to analyze problems and their right-brains to design creative solutions. Our team will provide a variety of STEM activities each week - and all the materials needed to invent a fun time!

• February 8 from 5 – 5:45 PM at the Upper Main Line YMCA 
• February 22 from 5 – 5:45 PM at the Upper Main Line YMCA

Build It

Ages 6 – 8
Bricks, blocks, sticks and more. Young engineers will build creations each week in this STEM-themed class. Our team will provide weekly challenges that children will work to solve. Fun, engaging and one-of-a-kind!

• February 8 from 6 – 6:45 PM at the Upper Main Line YMCA 
• February 22 from 6 – 6:45 PM at the Upper Main Line YMCA 

Theater Classes

Preschool Musical Theater

Ages 3 – 5
Imagination meets movement in our preschool musical theater class. Children aged 3-5 will play musical theater games that incorporate singing, dancing and acting. Our team will help aspiring performers establish the building blocks of the performing arts, foster creativity and nurture self-esteem - all while having fun.

• February 11 from 6 – 7 PM at the Jennersville YMCA
• February 25 from 6 – 7 PM at the Jennersville YMCA

Intro to Acting

Ages 6 – 8
Places! Curtain! Lights! Give your aspiring performer the opportunity to discover acting. In our Intro to Acting class, children will learn the building blocks of acting through enriching and entertaining theater games. You'll be asking for their autograph by the end of this session.

• February 8 from 6 – 7 PM at the Jennersville YMCA
• February 22 from 6 – 7 PM at the Jennersville YMCA