Open Gym at the New Romp n’ Roll

PLEASE NOTE: This post was written in 2015, and while it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it is also possible that it may contain some outdated information.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.

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2015 POST

Thank you to our sponsor, Romp n’ Roll, for providing me and my family with complimentary admission to their open gym program. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.

Cut to the chase. Take me to the Momsense.

Back in January, there was a bit of a buzz in the world of indoor play as a new venue opened its doors in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Readers contacted us, friends contacted us, and everyone wanted to let us know that the first Connecticut location of Romp n’ Roll was now open for business. Both Shawna and I were excited to visit (and of course share this new destination with our readers) and I FINALLY made it happen last week when I took my little ones there to check it out.

The day we visited Romp n’ Roll we were attending their Open Gym program.

Open Gym is offered several afternoons and evenings each week and it gives kids ages 3 months to 6 years old a chance to run, play, climb, and just have a lot of fun. If your child is currently enrolled in classes at Romp n’ Roll, than Open Gym sessions are FREE for you. If your child is not currently enrolled than the cost is $10 per child, per session and you must purchase a 5 session punch-card (which can be shared with siblings and friends and never expires). As an added bonus, you get one FREE admission when you buy the 5 session punch card. So basically you get 6 sessions for $50. Adults are free for open gym and babies that remain in their car seats are free as well.

But before I give you the tour and all the details on the Open Gym program, I want to take a moment and mention all of the other fun activities available here.

• Birthday Parties: Have your birthday party here and just sit back and enjoy. They handle (almost) everything and give you the chance to celebrate your little one’s big day!
• Classes: These are offered for children ages 3 months to 5 years old. A monthly membership fee gives you the ability to take classes throughout the month and also gives you FREE access to the Open Gym sessions. Class types include gym, music, and art and you can try out your first class for FREE!
• Drop-Off Programs: Help your child become a little more independent (or give yourself a much deserved break) and take advantage of the many drop-off programs available here. Some of them start as young as 2 years old (and they don’t have to be potty trained!). Check out the details for Parent’s Morning Out, Kid’s Night Out, camps, and Rompy’s Aventure.
• Open Gym: Yes, I mentioned this one already but it needs to be on the list. Afternoon and evening open gym sessions are offered several times throughout the week. Just drop-in and let the kids play!

Wow! There are a lot of fun play options available here, BUT, I should probably get back to my original reason for writing and give you the details on our trip to the Open Gym session.

It was a dreary, rainy day when we visited Romp n’ Roll and when I walked inside and was greeted by bright, happy colors, it definitely put a smile on my face.

Right in the front is where you check-in for the open gym program and, as I mentioned before, currently enrolled students can go to Open Gym for FREE while all other visitors will need to pay. Non-members will need to purchase a 5 visit punch-card for $50. The punch card can be shared among siblings and friends, doesn’t expire, and you get one child admission FREE when you purchase the card so you end up getting 6 sessions for $50.

I can never keep track of what venue has what requirements when it comes to your feet. Every place has their own rules! Here at Romp n’ Roll the kids can either be barefoot or in socks. The adults, however, must all be in socks. Did you forget to bring socks (a more common occurrence if the temperatures ever increase)? You can purchase some there for $1.

There was a bulletin board in the entry area loaded with information for parents including classes, programs, and even other kid-friendly activities happening in the area. One sign I took note of, though, was that this facility was peanut-free. I’m sure that would be a very welcomed sign for any parent of a child with a peanut allergy.

Before we went in to play, all the kids got a quick squirt of sanitizer. That stuff has been my lifesaver this winter!

We made our way through the purple gate to the large play area waiting on the other side.

My kids were so happy. There was gymnastics equipment and lots of things to climb.

Oh and just a quick heads up. The restroom is located in the very back of the play space and there is also another one located right around the corner (you just have to exit through the back door into the hallway).

Each week, Romp n’ Roll changes up their play area and adds new equipment and features for the kids to explore.

About every 30 minutes during the open gym program there was an organized activity for the kids. It was a great way for the little ones (and their parents) to get a glimpse of what is offered in some of the Romp n’ Roll classes. The day we were there my kids participated in a very exciting parachute activity and also explored a variety of musical instruments.

There was also a special area in the gym designated just for kids ages 18 months and younger. Moms with kids of multiple ages could keep an eye on their older child who would be playing in the large gym area while giving their baby a chance to play and explore in a safe environment. When I was there, the room was filled with a nice group of moms who were enjoying the chance to catch up with each other while their kids explored.

Sounds nice, right?

My kids were working hard and burning a lot of energy at Open Gym which ultimately resulted in several trips to the water fountain (located in the hallway right next to the check-in area).

While we were there, I took a look (and of course grabbed a few pictures) of the birthday party and art rooms.

We ended up staying at Romp n’ Roll’s Open Gym for almost two hours and my kids had so much fun. We were there on a Friday afternoon when the program lasted from 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm, so we could have stayed even longer. What a great way to fill up an afternoon!

Afterwards, I really wanted to head next door for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings (Shawna’s been to the Manchester location) but my children literally couldn’t keep their eyes open they were so worn out from our Friday afternoon adventure (I will miss a meal out for that!)

 

Romp n’ Roll

1275 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, Connecticut

Phone: (860) 436-5821

Email: wethersfield@rompnroll.com

Find them on Facebook.

Hours:

Open Gym hours can vary, so always be sure to check the latest schedule. Currently it is offered in the afternoons (and some evenings) Monday – Friday.

Pricing:

• If your child is currently enrolled in classes at Romp n’ Roll, than Open Gym is FREE (actually it is just included with your membership)
• If your child isn’t enrolled in classes than you will need to purchase a 5 class punch-card for $50. This card can be shared with siblings and friends and does not expire. Purchase of the card also gets you one FREE admission to open gym so you end up getting 6 sessions for the $50 price.
• Adults are FREE.
• Infants that remain in their car seat are FREE as well. Programming at Romp n’ Roll starts at 3 months old and they have a special room for little ones ages 18 months and younger.
• Membership rates are as follows:
  • ROMPY’S CLUB
    • $89 every four weeks per child
    • Daily classes
    • Unlimited Open Gym sessions
    • (Price is $160 for two children and $220 for three or more children)
  • CLASSIC MEMBERSHIP
    • $69 every four weeks per child
    • 4 classes
    • 4 Open Gym sessions
    • (Price is $124 for two children and $172 for three or more children)

Details:

• Stroller Friendly: YES. Bring your stroller. They love babies here 🙂
• Coffee Mug Friendly: NO. Food and drink are not allowed in the gym area.
• Restroom: YES. There is a restroom in the back of the gym area and one in the hallway.
• Baby Changing Station:  YES. There was one located in both restrooms.
• Parking: YES. Plenty of free parking is available in front of the building.
• Food for Sale: NO.
• Outside Food Allowed: DEPENDS. Food and drinks are not allowed in the gym area for the Open Gym program. Other activities, however, may allow outside food to be brought in (e.g. birthday parties, classes, etc.)
• Cash Required: NO. Credit cards are accepted.
• Dress Code: YES. Children can wear socks or play in bare feet. Adults are required to wear socks in the gym area and if they forget to bring them, they can purchase a pair for $1.
• Evening/Weekend Hours: YES. Currently there are Open Gym sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, plus a Sunday morning Open Gym from 9am-11am. There are also regular classes offered on Saturdays.
• Discounts: Like them on Facebook for the latest information on special promotions.
• Birthday Party Venue: YES. Get more information here.

• Connecticut Children’s Medical Center – The state’s only free-standing hospital that offers comprehensive, world-class health care to children. Based in Hartford, Connecticut Children’s also provides services at several locations throughout the state.
• The Independent Day School – Located on a rural campus in Middlefield, CT this private pre-school, elementary and middle school serves families from over 20 communities.
• Mandell JCC – The Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT, welcomes and serves families and individuals of all ages, stages, backgrounds and faiths. Our fitness, wellness and recreation, arts and culture, camp, early childhood education programs, classes, clubs and services are open to all. You Belong Here!
• Marie-Chantal Luxury Children’s wear – Giving one lucky reader a chance to WIN $500 to spend in their online store. Marie-Chantal is a global lifestyle brand creating unique and beautifully crafted designer children’s clothes and gifts for boys and girls from newborn to 12 years old.

Want to keep up with things to do with kids in Connecticut?

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