Kids Chicago - September 17, 2007

Tutu Cool

Rast Ballet & Dance Studio

You want your kids to grow up with all the right moves.

So, uh, maybe stop showing them that wedding video of you doing the Roger Rabbit to a Sade slow jam.

Then take them to the Rast Ballet & Dance Studio. Owned by Chicago Academy for the Arts teacher Natalie Rast, it’s a tucked-away spot where kids learn the ABCs of poise and movement.

Creative Movement classes, for kids age 3 to 4, focus on coordination. Beginning at age 5, they’ll learn more formal steps like demiplies and battement tendus.

Classes are capped at ten students, so your budding Baryshnikov will always get enough attention.

Ensuring at least one smooth operator in the family.

Rast Ballet & Dance Studio, 1803 West Byron Street, at Ravenswood Avenue (773-419-4487 or rastballet.com).

PLAY
Pump It Up
What: Treat the tots to a party at the new downtown location.
Why: Your kids will be walking on air.
When: Daily, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: 821 W. Eastman St., Lincoln Park (312-664-7867).

EXPLORE
The Crown Family PlayLab
What: Dig up faux dinosaur bones and examine butterfly wings in the just-opened learning center.
Why: It’s weird science.
When: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Last ticket sold at 4 p.m.)
Where: The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., at McFetridge Dr. (312-922-9410).