For the past few years, open gym at Gleason’s has been our go-to Friday solution for getting the winter wiggles out. The trampolines always please and come in three different sizes. The staff changes the layout of the obstacle course weekly. My children have all loved the flying trapeze, rope swing, tumble track, and launching themselves into the pit filled with foam blocks.
Personally, I’ve been grateful for the assistance of the open gym coaches. In an arena where it’s encouraged to literally bounce and run from one apparatus to the next, it has been invaluable to have extra sets of eyes on my children. Their longtime favorite instructor, Sasha, is always on hand to spot them and make them smile. My little girls are fascinated by him.
After about an hour of play, Sasha gathers the tiny tumblers in a big circle for stretching, aerobics and safety tips. If I don’t have an infant strapped to my front, I’ll often join in. Adults aren’t allowed on most of the equipment during preschool open gym, but I find I still can get plenty of exercise just trying to keep up with my kids. Or they’ll summon me to grab an edge of the giant parachute and billow it up and down so they can hide under it. Today, for the first time, we set their baby sister down and let her grab at the ripples her sisters made in the parachute fabric. I made a point to savor that – before I know it she’ll be off running to the trampolines, too.
For the Files: Open gym for kindergarten and under is held at these times and locations. Fees are $8/child or $10/family. www.gleasons.com.
About the Author: Anne Kingston is the Owner and Founder of Tourmoms.com.