Children's Programs

Child Playing with Hoop

The Municipality of Port Hope is excited to offer children's programs, with each session bringing something new and exciting. There is a program for everyone, whether you like sports, dance, or science! Each program is facilitated by a trained Program Staff and focuses on fun, team building and fostering friendships. Please note that registration is required for all children's programs.

megaphoneWinter 2 Registration Details

Winter 2 Aquatics: Registration opens January 20, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.
Winter 2 Programs/Fitness: Registration opens January 21, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

 Learn more about session dates, how to register and more on our registration page.

Child throwing ball through a hoop in Port Hope
Registered Children's Programs

Looking for something to keep your kids active or creatively engaged? We’ve got a variety of programs tailored for specific age groups. 

Registered children's programs schedule
Three balls on the floor in a gym
Children's Drop-In Activities

Looking for something to keep your kids active? Join us for some drop-in activities that require no pre-registration or commitment.

Children's drop-in schedule

Registered Children's Program Schedule

Registered Children's Winter 1 Programming runs from November 11, 2024 to February 1, 2024.

There will be no programs running from December 23, 2024 to January 5, 2025 for the Winter Break

Parented Children's Programs
We offer parented programs throughout the year. We ask that a limit of one (1) person 16+ years must be in the room to actively assist the child for any parented programs. 
FUNdamental Sport
A fun packed program for children to develop the skills needed to play different sports. Children will learn a variety of skills while developing their fine and gross motor skills, enjoying play, and making friends.

Note: this program is parented. A limit of one (1) person 16+ years must be in the room to assist the child for this program. Please bring a water bottle and closed toe indoor shoes.

Register for FUNdamental SportThere will be no FUNdamental Sport classes on December 16, 2024
Music, Movement and Mess - Toddlers

Toddlers will be introduced to the magic of music, movement, and mess through crafts, songs and active play. This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy quality time together, nurturing the child's imagination and encouraging social interaction in a fun and stimulating way. Note: This is a 4 week session. Dress for mess. This program is parented. A limit of one (1) person 16+ years must be in the room to assist the child for this program. 

There are 2 sessions being offered for this program. Register for one or both.

  • Ages: 1 to 3 years
  • Mondays: 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Cost: $20.12 - 4 weeks - November 11, 2024 to December 2, 2024
  • Cost: $20.12 - 4 weeks - January 6, 2025 to January 27, 2025
  • Location: Town Park Recreation Centre

Register for Music, Movement and Mess - Toddlers

 Stronger Together

A fun fitness class for families to exercise together combining cardio, strength, balance, partner work and stretching exercises. No two classes will be identical! This high-energy class will target all your major muscles using various equipment and formats including circuit, HIIT, yoga and other ways of getting fit in this family-friendly class. 

  • Ages: 6 to 10, accompanied by an adult who is 18+
  • Wednesdays: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Fees: $88.80 for 1 adult + $34.00 per child, multi child discounts apply - please register each participant
  • Location: Town Park Recreation Centre

Register for Stronger Together
Tunes with Tots
Join us in this fun filled program where children will be introduced to the magic of music. Participants and parents will explore rhythms, beats, and tempo through a variety of instruments, games, and songs. Note: This program is parented. A limit of one (1) person 16+ years must be in the room to assist the child for this program.

Register for Tunes with Tots

Unparented Children's Programs

We have a variety of unparented children's programs to choose from. Parents are asked to wait outside of the program room, either in the lobby or come back after the program to pick up their child. 

 Art We Active
Get crafty and active! Each class, children will create a craft and then spend time running, singing, dancing, and playing. This is a great opportunity to unleash their creativity and energy!
Dress for mess and don't forget a water bottle and closed toe indoor shoes.

Register for Art We Active

 Junior Bakers

Is your child interested in learning the basics of baking and dessert decorating? Do they want to learn some of the fundamental skills of cooking such as kitchen safety, measuring and mixing. This program gives children a chance to learn in a fun and hands on way, get their hands messy and their tummies full of delicious kitchen creations.

Register for Junior Bakers
Ninja Warriors

A fun, action packed program for children that helps get them active and build teamwork and sportsmanship skills. Children will learn to use their minds and their bodies to navigate obstacle courses and solve puzzles as individuals as well as part of a team.

Register for Ninja Warriors
STEAM Squad (formerly Art Attack/Science Squad)
Calling all curious and artistic kids! Come join us as we explore the wonderful world of science, technology, engineering and art! Each week participants will explore different creative mediums such as painting, sculpting, crafts, while getting a chance to work hands on with experiments, building structures, and understanding nature and the world around us!

Register for STEAM Squad
Tiny Dancers
This program helps children to build confidence and ease with their bodies and how they move and play. This is a fun, action packed program for children that helps develop their fine and gross motor skills, builds their independence, self-confidence, and friendships through basic gymnastics skills, obstacle courses, and a variety of engaging games.

Note: This program is unparented. Please drop off your child with a water bottle, socks, and closed toe indoor shoes.

Register for Tiny Dancers

Even more fun for kids:

We've got camp, birthday party packages and seasonal events for your family. 

children jumping outside

We’re all about Camp!

Looking for something fun and engaging for your child? Day camp is available during school holidays and throughout the summer for children ages 4 to 12 years old. 

Discover our day camps

Children with their hands up celebrating

P.A. Day Craze

Keep the kids entertained on P.A. Days! Enjoy swimming, skating, and crafting for just $5. Supervision is required for children aged 10 and under.

P.A. Day Craze schedule

Birthday cake

Celebrate with us

Looking for a cool, fun, affordable birthday party option? Our staff will lead your party, leave the stress and mess to us!

Find a party package

Calendar on phone

Event Calendar

Enjoy a variety of experiences and activities throughout the seasons. The Easter Bunny and Santa are just a few stars of the year. 

View the recreation calendar

Programming Guidelines

We are members of some important initiatives that play a part in our programming.  

HIGH FIVE® programming

The Municipality of Port Hope is a HIGH FIVE® accredited community. Our camp, program, and aquatic staff are certified in the Principles of Healthy Child Development. This allows our staff to make sure your child has the best experience possible. 

What is HIGH FIVE®

High Five LogoHIGH FIVE® is Canada's quality standard for children's programs and is an innovative approach to help us enhance program quality and provide positive experiences for children. HIGH FIVE® supports us with Training and Development, Program Assessments, Policies and Procedures and Awareness. HIGH FIVE® is a standard committed to assisting children along the path of healthy child development by:

  • Ensuring that program practitioners develop a high level of knowledge and expertise in child development; 
  • Helping parents to make informed choices and; 
  • Providing practitioners with the tools for enhancing and maintaining a high level of program quality. 

The Municipality of Port Hope is proud to be an Accredited HIGH FIVE® organization, maintaining the highest standard in Canada. 

For more information, visit High Five Programming.

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines

It is proven that being active helps young kids develop self-confidence, improve learning and attention, improvement movement skills and feel happier. Discover the recommend physical activity guidelines for children below. 

Children 0 to 4 years

It is recommend by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology that infants (less than 1 year) should be physically active several times daily, particularly through interactive floor-based play. Examples of floor-based play include tummy time, reaching for toys, and crawling around the home. Toddlers (aged 1 to 2 years) and preschoolers (aged 3 to 4 years) should accumulate 180 minutes of physical activity at any intensity spread throughout the day. These activities include:

  • Activities in different environments
  • Activities that develop movement skills
  • Progression toward at least 60 minutes of energetic play by age 5 years

Children 5 to 12 years

It is recommend by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology that children should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. This should include vigorous-intensity activities at least 3 days per week. Moderate-intensity activities include bike riding and playground activities. Vigorous-intensity activities include running and swimming.

It is also beneficial to include activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least 3 days per week.