PLEASE NOTE: This post was written in 2014, and while it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it is also possible that it may contain some outdated information. Please check their website for the most current information, especially about things like schedules and pricing.
2014 POST
UPDATE: As of 2/4/14 the schedule and cost for this program has changed. The program is now being offered on the first Tuesday of every month AND every Friday. The program is now FREE but they will be accepting donations for a local charity. All donations will go to the FAVARH Children’s Playgroup. Please visit here for the latest schedule and program details.
Thank you to The Gymnastics Training Center in Simsbury for providing my family with complimentary admission to their Family Playtime class. All opinions are 100% my own.
Cut to the chase. Take me to the Momsense.
Back in November, a few friends mentioned to me that The Gymnastics Training Center in Simsbury had a drop-in program for the little one’s on Friday mornings. I love drop-in programs and I really love any program that can accommodate all my kids at once. So as soon as Sparkles finished up her Friday morning Dance Dance class, we made a trip to check it out.
Now, as usual I have the full skinny on the class below. But before I get into the details, I did want to mention that if you have visited this class before, there have been a few changes. Get all the details here, but these are the highlights:
- The class is now offered on Friday and Tuesday mornings.
- There is now separate pricing for current students and visitors. Current students are $10 per child or $15 per family. If your child is not currently enrolled, the pricing is $15 per child or $20 per family.
Now that we got the changes out of the way, here is what this drop-in program is all about . . .
The Gymnastics Training Center in Simsbury offers a Family Playtime for children ages 1-4 (and their parents). As I mentioned, the program is now offered on Friday mornings from 10:45 am – 11:30 am and on Tuesday mornings from 9:15 am – 10:00 am. (Please note. As of February 2014, the program is now offered on the first Tuesday of every month and will continue to be offered every Friday.)
The Gymnastics Training Center is located in Simsbury in the Simsmore Square Shopping Center.
When you pull into the shopping center, head all the way to the back of the complex and you will see their building right behind Big Sky Fitness.
Parking is available in the front of the building and on the side. There is no charge to park.
Once you enter the building, there is a small set of stairs that leads down to the gym. If you are bringing a baby with you, I would just plan to carry them down in their car seat or bring them in a baby carrier (like the Baby Bjorn).
We arrived a little early and the previous class was just finishing up. I took the kids into the area on the right where there were cubbies and hooks to store all our winter gear plus their socks and shoes. For this program, the kids will need to participate in bare feet and the parents participate in socks.
One of the restrooms is also located back in this area (note that it does not have a baby changing station).
While my husband was helping the kids get off their socks, shoes, and 800 layers of winter clothing, I went to figure out what needed to be done to check-in for the class.
My first step was to fill out the release (save time by printing it out at home from here and filling it out before you arrive). Normally my second step would be to pay for the class, but we were receiving complimentary admission in order to do this little post. On a regular day, however, I would pay the person collecting the release forms for the class. The day I was there she was located right in the main gym area.
In terms of forms of payment, I know that they accept cash but I do not know if other forms of payment are accepted. (Please note that as of February 2014 their pricing structure has changed. The program is now FREE but they will be accepting donations for a local charity).
Before things got started, I took a few shots of the main gym area.
The class began with circle time. The kids stretched, warmed up and Sweetheart became obsessed with a hula hoop.
Next stop was some playtime in the main gym area. The kids jumped in the pit, tried out the balance beam and did a mini obstacle course.
Following that, we headed to the back room where there was even more fun to explore. We went down a set of stairs and into a room filled with a trampoline floor and a variety of other equipment. The kids had a blast.
Here is Sweetheart again with her yellow hula hoop. She dragged it everywhere!
Before long, the teachers gathered the kids back up and we headed to the front of the gym where the last activity was to take place. On that morning it was playtime with a parachute. The parents helped with the parachute shaking and spinning and the kids enjoyed it all.
After the parachute, the program was over and it was time for stamps (which is always the highlight of any class) and socks, shoes, jackets and whatever other winter paraphernalia we brought in with us.
Thanks again to The Gymnastics Training Center in Simsbury for providing my family with complimentary admission to their Family Playtime class. All opinions are 100% my own.
The Gymnastics Training Center
Family Playtime Drop-in Class
520 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut
Phone: 860-658-7340
Email: gymnasticstrainingcenterct@gmail.com
Check them out on Facebook here.
Hours:
- Family Playtime
- Fridays, 10:45 am – 11:30 pm
- The first Tuesday of every month, 9:15 am – 10:00 am (updated as of February 2014)
- Classes are held most Fridays and the first Tuesday of every month, but check the schedule here or contact the training center for specific dates and times.
Cost:
- Family Playtime (Updated February 2014)
Current Students: $10 / Child or $15 / FamilyVisitors: $15 / Child or $20 / Family- The program is now FREE, but donations will be accepted for a local charity.
Tips and Things to Bring:
- This is a drop-in class. No pre-registration is required.
- The class is labeled as for children ages 1-4.
- Parent (or other adult) participation is required.
- A release (or member registration) is required to participate. Save time by printing it out here and filling it out before you arrive. They also have copies available at the training center.
- You and your child (children) should wear comfortable clothes for this program. No special clothes are necessary.
- Kids participate in bare feet and parents participate in socks.
- Parking is available in the front and the side of the building. Parking is FREE.
- A changing area is available to the right of the entrance to the main gym. This area contains cubbies, hooks and benches where the kids can store their socks, shoes, coats, etc.
- Bring cash for payment. I do not know if other forms of payment are accepted. I have contacted them for those details and will update this post as soon as I hear back.
- The building is not stroller friendly. There are stairs leading into the gym and stairs down to the back room. If you have a baby in your crew, bring them in their bucket car seat or baby carrier (e.g. a Baby Bjorn).
- Restrooms are available in the main area of the gym, near the changing area. I did not notice a restroom with a baby changing station.
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