is Gymboree worth it for a 7-month-old?

caserko

I'm considering Gymboree in the Galleria area, but am looking for reviews.  Also I'm confused about their prices--they have a couple different classes for babies and each says $72/month for the class, but can you go unlimited times to any of those classes during the month, or is each different class that much per month?  I know they have a free trial class so we might do that.  Thanks!

somethingchangd

We started Gymboree at about 8 months and Oliver clearly loved it right away.  It's also been a nice opportunity for me to get out and talk with adults(!) who are in the same situation as I am.  I think it's also been good for my LO to interact with other children his own age in a setting that he has become familiar with.  (He's very shy.)  For us it's been worth every penny.

The $72/month is for 1 class a week + unlimited "open gyms" (basically certain times of the day that you can go in and play on the equipment).  We haven't gone to any open gyms yet - O is still too young for them, really.

PAGAS

I looked into it, but in the end it seemed way too pricy for what you got.  I joined playgroups (free for her to interact with other kids.

DH really wants F in a music class, but they are all so spendy.  I am still not sure what we are going to do.

rayskit10

i've done gymboree with both kids. i think 7 mos is a great age to start. they do really enjoy it.

i've done playgroups too. both are a lot of fun and kids get a lot out of them. i liked the variety of doing both. 

caserko

Thanks ladies.  We are in a playgroup too, so that definitely helps with adult time plus letting him pull on other babies' toes, etc.    Gymboree seems pretty expensive for 4 classes a month!  Maybe we'll wait til he can use the open gym times so it'll seem more worth it.  Oh and we're signed up to do Fundamentally Music--I've heard such good things.  It's $115 for 5 weeks but then $85 for the next 10, I think, so that's a pretty good deal.  

CallMeKel

rayskit10:

i've done gymboree with both kids. i think 7 mos is a great age to start. they do really enjoy it.

i've done playgroups too. both are a lot of fun and kids get a lot out of them. i liked the variety of doing both. 

I concur. Gymboree vs. playgroups are two very different things (one being structured and run by a teacher, the other not).

Kendall adored Gymboree at that age!