My gym/little gym Bday Party

JulyMomma2U2 · June 2013

We took DS to a friends daughters birthday party today at a my gym.. He had a blast! I really didn't think there would be much for hm to do, but he really he had so much fun just walking around and watching the other kids! I actually just contacted our local little gym to see about weekly classes.. Anyone else do classes like this? Are the expensive? There wasn't any pricing info listed online so I'm not really sure what t expect when they call!

mork · June 2013

I know gymboree is a big thing here, because it's not like you can play outside with a little one in 120 degrees! Most of my moms' group goes there for $65/month. Usually that's only one class and free play times per week, but during the summer you can go to any/all of the classes for your age. (That may just be here, Phoenix, due to the temperatures.)

We went to a free trial class and I was thinking about doing it for the summer, but I don't think it's worth it, since E isn't really mobile yet. The classes seem even better than the parties though - more specific play and learning for the given age group.

Karen1998 · June 2013

The price varies by area. There's also usually a sign up fee in addition to the monthly fees. We don't have My Gym here, but have Gymboree and Little Gym. Gymboree does an initial fee (though they run specials, including one that waves that fee) and then monthly fees thereafter. It's $85/month here, but we can go to as many classes as we want and Open Gym (where all age groups can play in an unstructured class). Not all Gymboree locations are that open about jumping into another class. We do have to give 30 days written notice before we stop getting charged for classes. I'll probably drop them in the Fall since LO will be going to Mother's Day Out twice a week then. I'm debating giving him a month to ease in and see if it's too much or to just drop. Also, Gymboree gives out quarterly GymBucks that you can use at Gymboree stores. You get $25 off $50 every quarter during GymBucks redemption time.

When I researched Little Gym here, they had a similar pricing structure, but are more strict on classes, meaning you can't just jump in and out like you can at our Gymboree location. Ironically, there's a LG catty corner from Gymboree here. LG also has set contract periods - 3, 6 and 12 month, if I remember correctly - and it's harder to go month to month. I've considered trying out a class there to see what's what, but just haven't pulled the trigger. Here, both Little Gym and Gymboree offer a free class trial.

ETA: We started Gymboree when LO was about 10m old. He's now 22m. He's loved it the entire time and really blossomed in class. There are also moms of new babies who bring their LOs with them. They either leave them in the car carrier in front or wear them while they run after their toddlers. All of the other moms watch out for and enjoy the other babies, too.

JulyMomma2U2 · June 2013

Good to know!! Thanks everyone! Does little gym do free play times too? Saw my gym does 2 hour free play sessions Mon-Thurs 2-4p and its oly $10.. I think that's what I'd like to do with DS first before committing to a class... But, my gym is almost an our from us where as little gym is 15 min.

Karen1998 · June 2013

I hear ya on circle time. In our last level - level 4 (16-22 months) - the teacher pph loved circle time. I thought I was going to die. LO HATES circle time. He never, ever cooperates with it. It's hell. So, when we missed class one week, I jumped into another one. Guess what? Almost no circle time. So, we switched classes. We both love it so much more! Moral of the story - visit other classes if you can and if not, ask how each teacher runs his/her class as, regardless of which franchise you're at, it'll be different.

Also, you will miss classes. Inevitably, LO ALWAYS gets sick on class day. He'll be perfectly fine all week and then, bam, wakes up sick on class day. It's frustrating. However, their super easy make up policy makes it a lot easier. So, make sure you have a flexible make up policy wherever you end up going.

If you can, try to find out if your local parks and rec has an open gym type concept. If that's all you're looking for, and not a structured class, it will likely be cheaper through parks and rec. Ours has one, but it's a PITA to find out about as their site sucks. If you have a local mom's group or an Early Childhood PTA (look it up, it exists - weird as that sounds, it's national and the local groups often take the place of a Mom's club), that may help you to get the info you need to find one in your area. Ours here is a gymnastics gym (with bounce houses at the moment) that has specific toddler times 4 days a week. It's $5 per child per visit.

luvmyducks · June 2013

DD does a gym class every Friday with DH. I think they work out to like 7 or 8 bucks a class. There's an annual registration fee as well. She has a lot of fun but it is 45 min non stop so she sometimes gets tired or wants to do her own thing. But I think the structure is good for her. There is open gym time as well for 5 dollars. They have all ages or times specific for the younger kids. We go a lot during the winter.

MAtoNC · June 2013

RachaelA:
Little Gym has a 30 minute practice time once a week usually. They combine the Bugs/Birds classes and then the Beasts/Super Beasts. They just ask that you call ahead and let them know so they make sure its not too full. It could vary a bit by gym (since they are all franchises).

As Rachael mentioned, it varies. Our LG does not have practice time. But they do have parent's survival night every other Friday for $20 or $25 dollars (kids need to be potty trained). They play in the gym. Watch a movie. And have pizza.

DS has been going to LG since he was an infant. He loves it. He has just graduated from the Super Beasts class. It was a lot of fun, and I was a little sad because we have become friends with some of the other parents (all the parents of little girls who are moving into the "Funny Bugs" class (dancing and leotards and stuff like that). We have signed him up for the sports skills class. He is 3. I hope he likes it. The first one is tonight.

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