Welcome to the Bloomington-Normal After School Activities Guide!
As local parents, we know that when the 3:00 p.m. bell rings, our afternoon is usually just beginning! Whether you've got a kid looking to burn off extra energy in a sport, express themselves through art and music, or build some new skills outside the classroom, finding the right fit shouldn't take hours of research.
We put this guide together to make life just a little bit easier for local families by gathering the best after-school options around BloNo in one simple place.
Whether your child is eager to try something brand new this season or double down on a passion they already love, we hope this guide helps you find their next favorite activity!
(Are you a local business owner or activity provider? If you'd like to feature or upgrade your listing—or if you're new to the guide and want to join our directory—you can explore all our partner opportunities over at mkbnadvertising.com!)
Sponsor Spotlight - Hip Cat Music School
This guide wouldn't be possible without the generous support of Hip Cat Music School!
If you haven't been to their spot in historic downtown Bloomington yet, Hip Cat is such a special part of our community. A constant favorite in The Pantagraph's Best of Readers' Choice Awards, they’ve created a genuinely welcoming, safe space where kids (and adults!) of all ages and skill levels can discover the joy of music.
With dozens of patient, enthusiastic instructors - many with advanced music degrees from ISU and IWU - they offer private lessons in everything from piano, guitar, drums, and voice to full band and orchestra instruments. More than just teaching technique, Hip Cat is all about building confidence and helping students truly love what they play.
We’re so thankful for their partnership in keeping this resource free for local families!
Music Lessons
Community School for the Arts at Illinois State University
Developing Melodies
Gizzi Music Studio
Illinois State University String Project
Kindermusik
Miss Laura's Music Class
Renee Chernick - Piano Teacher
School of Rock Bloomington
The Music Shoppe
Tiny Melodies - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Dance Studios & Classes
All About Dance
Dance Classes (Ages 3-12) - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Dance Factory
Dance With Me
McLean County Dance Association
Next Step Dance Studio
Parent/Tot Ballet - Bloomington Parks & Rec
The Studio Project
Twin Cities School of Dance
Uptown Dance
USA Ballet Youth Ensemble & Academy
Youth Dance Programs - Normal Parks & Rec
Martial Arts & Combatives
Bloomington-Normal Fencing Club
Coffrin's ATA
Fusion Martial Arts
PSF Legacy Jiu-Jitsu
Su's Karate Center
Tae Kwon Do - Normal Parks & Rec
Walker's Martial Arts
Gymnastics, Tumbling & Cheer
Gym Stars - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Gymnastics, Etc.
Lions Cheer Company
Parent/Child Gymnastics - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Super Tot Gymnastics - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Technique Tumbling and Cheer Prep
Tumbling - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Young Basics Gymnastics - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Youth Gymnastics & Tumbling - Normal Parks & Rec
Art & Creative Writing
Artful Designs
Children's Art Classes Bloomington
Clay Pottery for Youth - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Illinois Art Station
InStitches
Painting and Drawing - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Parent/Child Sculpture - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Sewing Studio
The Little Art School
Theater & Drama
Community Players Theatre
Crossroads Area Student Theatre
Creative Drama Program at ISU
Coding & STEM
4-H Robotics Clubs (U of I Extension - McLean County)
Code Ninjas Bloomington
FIRST LEGO League / Local School Robotics Clubs
Culinary Arts
Junior Chef Programs - YMCA Bloomington-Normal
The Farmhouse Youth Cooking Classes
Western Avenue Community Center Youth Culinary Programs
Nature, Ecology & Outdoor Education
Miller Park Zoo Youth Programs (Junior Zookeeper & Conservation Clubs)
Sugar Grove Nature Center Youth Programs
U of I Extension 4-H Environmental & Outdoor Clubs
Foreign Language & Sign Language Programs
Communication Junction (American Sign Language Classes)
IWU Language School for Kids
The Language Spot
Tutoring & Academic Support
iEXCELL LLC
Kumon Math & Reading Center
Mathnasium
Safe Sitter & Babysitting Training - Normal Parks & Rec
Safe Sitter Classes - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Stephanie Lee Tutoring
Sylvan Learning of Bloomington-Normal
Youth Fitness, Wellness & Multi-Sport
Four Seasons Health Club PIT Student Athlete Conditioning & Fitness
Iron Coyote Challenge Park (Ninja Warrior Training & Youth Fitness)
YMCA Youth Fitness & Esports Clubs
Sports - Baseball & Softball
Central Illinois Girls Softball (CIGS)
FUNdamental T-Ball - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Normal CornBelters Youth Leagues
Youth T-Ball & Baseball Clinics - Normal Parks & Rec
Youth T-Ball - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Sports - Basketball
Foundation Youth Basketball League
Foundations Basketball Academy
FUNdamental Basketball - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Hoopsters - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Ryan Pedon Basketball Camps
Youth Basketball League - Normal Parks & Rec
Sports - Football
Bloomington Knockers
Bloomington Wolves Football
FUNdamental Football - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Twin City Tigers
Youth Flag Football League - Normal Parks & Rec
Sports - Soccer
Central Illinois Storm Soccer Club
FUNdamental Soccer - Bloomington Parks & Rec
HappyFeet Soccer - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Little Sparks Soccer - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Prairie Cities Soccer League (PCSL)
Youth Soccer League & Clinics - Normal Parks & Rec
Sports - Swimming & Aquatics (Year-Round & Seasonal)
Bloomington Normal Swim Club (BNSC)
City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation Swim Lessons - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Shine Swim Academy
Splash & Soar Swim School at the YMCA
Swim Lessons & Aquatics - Normal Parks & Rec
Sports - Golf, Tennis, Ice Sports & Other Athletics
Figure Skating - Bloomington Parks & Rec
FUNdamental Sand Volleyball / FUNdamental Volleyball - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Hockey - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Junior Golf Program - Ironwood Golf Course / Normal Parks & Rec
Run Club - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Sporty Munchkins / Sporty Kiddos / Sporty Parent & Child - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Tennis Lessons - Bloomington Parks & Rec
Youth Tennis Lessons - Normal Parks & Rec
Youth Volleyball Clinics - Normal Parks & Rec
Sports - Equestrian
Breezy Bluffs Riding Academy
Sports - Lacrosse
Bloomington-Normal Warrior Lacrosse
Sports - Climbing & Bouldering
Proving Ground (Youth Climbing Clubs/Teams)
Upper Limits Rock Climbing (Youth Climbing Clubs/Teams)
School-Age After-School Care
A Shining Star Learning Center
After School Recreation Program (ASRP) - Normal Parks & Rec
Katie's Kids
Little Jewels
Scribbles
YMCA Bloomington-Normal
YWCA Bloomington-Normal
Youth Clubs & Community Leadership
4-H Youth Development (University of Illinois Extension - McLean County)
Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal (Character & Leadership Programs)
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Miracle League - Normal Parks & Rec
SOAR (Special Opportunities Available in Recreation) - Bloomington & Normal Parks & Rec
W.D. Boyce Council - Boy Scouts of America
Western Avenue Community Center (Willie Brown Leadership & Youth Programs)
