Founded by the husband-wife team Kristine Swano and Gregoire Johnson, Bubbles Academy has one vision in mind: to educate the whole family and have fun at it. This school trains both new parents (through things like workshops on healthy eating for children) and children (the pre-preschool classes give them an extra head start). The list goes on with Summer Camp Imagination, in which kids get to pick imaginary characters and live as them throughout the summer. There is also open playtime on weekdays, when children get to come in and enjoy one of the colorful playrooms, each equipped with bouncy balls, mats and tunnels.

Classes run anywhere from $180 for Bubbles Family Yoga to $500 for Bubbles-Bees (a preschool alternative). In addition to instruction, you might get a few minutes of fame; the Academy's programs on sign language and yoga have been featured on ABC and WGN.

The people at Bubbles know that parenting isn't easy, so they try to accommodate as much as they can; they'll even keep an eye on children that aren't participating in classes (as long as their siblings are), so you can spring over to Whole Foods or the Container Store around the corner to get some shopping out of the way. The Academy is also a great space for children's birthday parties.

Centerstage Reviewer: Beatrice Smigasiewicz