Gymboree or Little Gym?
My son hates the organized circle time and honestly I find "Gymbo" kind of creepy. Kiddo also won't participate with anything involving the parachute. But he LOVES Gymboree's equipment, and I like how you can pay month-to-month, their liberal make-up policy, and their open play.
I haven't done a preview class at Little Gym yet, but I'm kind of turned off that I have to pay $25 to do so. I've heard that there is no refund there and that you have to pay for a full "semester" in advance. If I'm going to make that kind of financial committment, I want my kiddo to love it.
My kiddo is about 17 months old. What do you all think - Gymboree vs. Little Gym? Or, are they essentially the same damn thing in a different creepy clown suit?
We went to the Little Gym preview class - so much fun! And quite different from Gymboree. There was actual instruction on a gymnastics skill, which really got my kiddo engaged, something that gymboree hasn't been able to do yet. Very impressed with that. Of course, there is still the obligatory circle time, which kiddo refused to particpate in, but without the creepy clown, it seemed less painful.
Then, of course, we went to this week's Gymboree class, and it seems to be moving into more advanced things, which kiddo seems more into. He still hates the parachute and the circle time, but he enjoyed the different activities, which was quite a change.
We're going to preview a class at ASI this coming week, and maybe see about previewing a class at Kidville as well. Then I'll decide. I wish I could afford to do a different class every day ...
We did do kindermusic for a while ... he just wasn't into it. Not stimulating enough, I don't think. Maybe when he's older.
And the Little Gym forgot to ask me for my $25. They've called to ask me about it, but I just haven't answered the phone. :) They advertise it as free .... so it should really be free.
Have you looked into My Gym? www.my-gym.com I had my daughter's b-day party there, but have not done much more with them (because of being busy, not because we didn't like it!). It is supposed to be more of a "fitness center" for kids. Again, don't know too much (payment plan, etc), but could be another option!
Is there a "real" gymnastics place in your area? The good ones in our area (and other places we've lived) start off at about 18mo with Mommy&Me or Daddy&Me classes. Same/better/more equipment, MUCH better trained staff. Typically the first class to try it out is free.
Sometimes when I shop at Gymboree, online and in-store, I receive a coupon for a free first class.
My son loved Gymboree- we went from 6 months to 3 years. Not only play clasees but as he got older we did music and art. We made a lot of nice friends that we still see.
My son wasn't ready for any of those things till he was about 3 1/2 years old.
Personally I think he is too young for that sort of thing by himself.
My 2nd and 3rd went to a mommy and me class when they were toddlers. No one dressed up. Clowns are scary to toddlers anyway.
Have you checked out the Y or some of the fitness centers?
Have you tried Kidville - it's a little more expensive but you can use their indoor play area all summer for "free play" - bonus!! And they have lots of different classes so if you need to do a make up class you can try another.
There was just a Groupon for it.
We've done two semester/two classes and it's been great! (My twin girls are 15 months old)
It's hard to say one is better than the other because it depends on so much ... the owners (they are Franchise operations), teachers, your child, their interest, your expectations, etc. I've only been to a party at Gymboree and it was a greatn experience. However, we did The Little Gym with my son for from 1 y/o to about 3 y/o and it was great. We did preview the class for free before we decided to commit for a semester. I'm shocked to hear that the Little Gym charges $25 for the preview class. I do think they are essentially the same at that age except The Little Gym doesn't have clowns (at least not the one we go to in Arlington). Also, our Little Gym has a pretty liberal make-up policy ... you can make up a class anytime that semester. I don't believe there is open play. Good luck to you!
Both Little Gyms near me offer free trial classes. So if yours is charging I would definitly inquire as to why and I wouldn't do it to be honest. I feel bad but I did LG with my first from 12 mo to 2 or so and found it to be pretty big waste of money. He didn't get much out of it and didn't do anything I couldn't have done at home. I foudn that our rec center offers preschool classes from 18months and up on all different subjects, including "tumbling" and for WAY cheaper. I'd check there first and if not personally I'd wait until they are at least 3 or 4 to enter into a class. That's just my input on LG, have no experience with Gymboree...
We just started Gymboree last week! My 15 month old loves it! We only do circle time at te end. We do parachute and sing songs. My daughter hated the parachute the very first time, but enjoyed it better the second time.
A lot of the kids don't last through circle time. And it ok. The teachers and parents understand and it's nit a big deal. Little ones attention spans are short! I think like PP said, it depends on the owners, people who attend, and the teacher!
I also liked the idea of saving $100 by going to Gumboree over Little Gym!
Good luck!
I haven't done Little Gym, and we only did Gymboree for a few months, because the one near us went out of business mid-semester. We finished out the semester by driving to one about 30 minutes away, and there was a big difference in the teaching styles and even the format of the class. I probably wouldn't have continued with it after the trial class if our first teacher had been like our second one.
My son (who was between one and two at the time) loved Gymboree, but after it closed, we switched to Kindermusik and we've been with it ever since (6 years and two kids later!). They don't have climbing equipment, but it's a very physically active class, it keeps the kids engaged (while accounting for differences in kids' temperment), and it does a lot to help kids learn to take turns, follow directions, balance, create rhythm, etc. I highly recommend it!
We've also done mommy & me tumbling classes at the local rec center. They aren't quite as structured, but for the price, I thought they were a good substitute for Gymboree. Ours are for ages 17 mos. and up.
I just looked online for my own information, and it shows that The Little Gym offers free intro classes. I would check there and see if the one near you offers that. The Little Gym near me does.
What about http://www.firstgymnastics.com/page/page/2127773.htm? I have not tried it since my baby is not 18 months. But the price is so good. My older son goes to their homeschool gymnastics sometimes.
Sounds like your son will enjoy the more sporty and active environment of Little Gym. We did the month to month Pay plan.
