ML Interest Tag: gymnastics

Bring Back Date Night! Drop-off Childcare Spots Kids Will Love

by Nikki Walsh

Ready for a summer date night or a break from the kiddos? We’ve found a bunch of super fun drop-off childcare spots where your kids can jump on trampolines, do gymnastics and meet animals, all while you enjoy a romantic dinner, a day date, or catch up with your besties at a hip wine bar. Scroll down to see our top picks.

G3Kids Drop-Off

G3Kids via Yelp

Itinerary: Drop off your little one and shop to your heart's content! Whether you're in Pacific Beach or near UTC La Jolla you can drop off your kiddos. Then, you have up to two hours of free time to workout, dine or shop. This gymnastics fun space will have your half-pint engaged in climbing, jumping, bouncing and crafts.

Schedule: Reserve a spot online for kiddos two and up. Drop them off for up to two hours. Further, the cost is $30 for one hour and $50 for two hours. If you join it's $15 for one hour and $25 for two hours. The hours are Mon.-Fri. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Pacific Beach
929 Garnet Ave.
San Diego, CA
858-333-9009
Online: g3kids.com

4313 La Jolla Village Dr.
La Jolla, CA
858-333-1729

HomeRoom Hourly Drop-Off

Cassie H. via Yelp

Itinerary: Little ones have so much fun here they may not want to leave. From a small indoor field and sandbox to a climbing structure, books and arts and crafts there's plenty to keep them going. Even more, the staff is super friendly and there are animals to look at like a little chinchilla. Your half-pint will love coming here and you will love the break.

Schedule: If you have more than one kiddo, you'll get a great discount. The first child (ages two and up) is $14/hour, the second child is $7/hour. Hours are Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri., 7:30-11 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Even more, they serve a morning and evening snack.

1820 Marron Rd.
Suite 112
Carlsbad, CA
760-936-6722
Online: homeroomcare.com

La Jolla Rec Center

Joe R. via Yelp

Itinerary: Your little warrior can play and eat with their friends. While you and your hubby go out on the town! From organized outdoor games to arts and crafts, the rec club keeps kids entertained and fed too! You can grab a nice dinner in La Jolla or take a romantic stroll on the beach. All in all, everyone comes home happy.

Schedule: Parent's Night Out happens the second Fri. of each month from 5:30-8:30 p.m. It costs $20 per kiddo ages five to eleven. Dinner is served too. Register online.

La Jolla Recreation Center
615 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA
858-552-1658
Online: sandiego.gov/lajolla

Funbelievable

Funbelievable

Itinerary: Rekindle your date night while your kiddo has unbelievable fun. Grab three hours of couple time (or just you time!) while your half-pint runs, jumps, snacks and watches a movie. All under supervision of other grown-ups (not you!). Funbelievable hosts this event on Friday evenings. So, hurry and get your spot!

Schedule: Drop off your kids for $25 for three hours of structured playtime and add in an extra five dollars for dinner. Date nights fill up fast, so act quickly. The time is from 5-8 p.m. on Friday nights.

Funbelievable
11655 Riverside Dr.
Lakeside, CA
619-456-2474
Online: funbelievableplay.com

Kidsville

Kidsville

Itinerary: If you’re going out for dinner and a movie, your moppet will say ditto at pick up. They'll gobble up their meal of pizza and juice and they'll also enjoy a snack. They’ll ask if you got 30 minutes on a ‘roller coaster’ like they did and they’ll recount the enticing plot of the G-rated film that was played for them. Be sure to make room on the fridge for a coloring page they did just for you and mark in the date of Kidsville’s next night out.

Schedule: Hosted two Sat.’s a month, Kidsville welcomes ages 18 months-7 years. Non-members pay $45/child, members $35/child and there’s a $5 sibling discount. This particular night out needs a minimum of three enrollees for the event to proceed, so register early enough in advance to ensure the event will occur. This one goes 6-10 p.m.

Kidsville
2375 Marron Rd.
Carlsbad, CA
760-730-9022
Online: kidsvilleplaygym.com

Flip Force

Itinerary: Flip Force offers what a competitive gym should for a night out: access to Olympic bed trampolines, tumble track, rod floor, foam pit and more. A wide variety of activities are planned in advance and a kid approved dinner of pizza and juice will be served. And depending on the number of flippers, a night out might include a special event like the laser tag. Don’t be surprised if they ask you to reserve them a spot at the next hosted night out.

Schedule: Parent's Night Out runs on select dates, so check their website for a date that vibes with your schedule. It’s $25/members and $30/non-members. You may reserve a spot in-person or by phone for their 6:30-10 p.m. time slot. 

Flip Force
9282 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA
858-578-3547
Online: flipforcesandiego.com

Kid Ventures

Kid Ventures

Itinerary: A night out at Kid Ventures is like any other time they’ve been here with you, but they’ll dine with new friends and be entertained by supervised crafts and games that are conducted throughout the night. Sitting still will just not be tolerated here. The indoor play center has a new theme for each monthly event and very special guests have been known to make an appearance.

Schedule: Fri. nights are when it goes down at Liberty Station’s Kid Ventures. From 5-9 p.m., kiddos that are potty trained to 8 years-old are invited for a night in. This is hosted once a month, but the date often changes, so check the website for accurate dates.

Kid Ventures
2865 Sims Rd.
San Diego, CA
619-573-9625
Online: indoorplaysandiego.com/liberty-station

Toby Wells YMCA

Toby Wells YMCA

Itinerary: The Toby Wells YMCA offers a gymnastics date night, so you may pencil in a Saturday early evening night out one weekend a month (every third Saturday of the month). You’ll have to feed them before drop off, but they may bring a snack to nosh on throughout the evening. They can tumble, jump and play the night away.

Tip: Other YMCA’s may offer this program, so be sure to check the one near you. 

Schedule: This one is for ages 3-12 and it takes place certain Saturdays from 3-6 p.m. It’s $25/members and $33/non-members.

Toby Wells Family YMCA
5105 Overland Ave.
San Diego, CA
858-496-9622
Online: ymca.org/tobywells

-–Jeannette Swanson & Nikki Walsh

featured photo: Funbelievable

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Can Extra-Curricular Activities Improve Your Child’s Academic Performance?

By GoBambino Kids Activities

Have you ever wondered whether after-school activities are worth the hassle? Getting your child to activities after school can be incredibly difficult, especially in the city when we rely largely on public transportation. You have to be extra prepared by having a snack ready for your always-hungry student, sometimes bringing an extra bag with equipment for their after-school activity, and planning ahead for the weather. And if the bus is late, so are you!

According to a 2006 study, all of this hassle really is worth it if you want your child to do well in school, as the researchers found that extra-curricular activities improve academic performance in students. The study looked specifically at middle school students, but it is safe to assume that the results would be the same for younger children as well. The study did not look at the amount of time each student spent in after-school activities, and it is important to remember not to over-schedule your child as that can lead to burnout and increased stress for the whole family. The number of activities a child can handle without increasing stress each week will be unique to them. This should be a decision that you and your child make together based on your child’s wants and needs and what works for your family.

The study did look at the types of activities that have the most academic benefit for children. Interestingly, the study found that after-school classes that focused on study methods and how to succeed in school did not lead to improved performance in school. However, academic-based activities were highly beneficial for academic performance. Academic-based activities include foreign language classes, tutoring, science classes, and computer activities such as coding. As a secondary benefit, sports also led to improved achievement in school after academic-based activities. Sports classes include soccer, tennis, swimming, and gymnastics—any class where your child gets to move their body!

The biggest positive effect on educational achievement occurred when students were enrolled in both academic-based and sports-based activities.  Children who had a balance of extra-curricular activities demonstrated better academic performance than the other children in the study.

This suggests that finding one academic-based and one sports based activity for your child per week is likely to improve their performance at school. It is also important to ensure that you pick classes that your child is interested in, as you want your child to enjoy learning and participate during the class.  Classes should be a fun outlet for your child–not a source of stress! 

Go Bambino has a variety of academic-based and sports classes, so you will be sure to find exactly what you and your child are looking for!

This post originally appeared on https://family.gobambino.com.
GoBambino Kids Activities
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

GoBambino helps parents discover and book kids' activities, lessons, classes, camps and workshops. Stress-free and commitment-free. We built GoBambino to simplify (ever-so-slightly) the chaotic lives of today’s moms and dads.  

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Mario Lopez Has Someone “Extra” Joining His Fam in 2019

by Erica Loop

Oh, how the celebrity babies keep on coming! Between Meghan Markle, Kim Kardashian West and many, many more celebs having babies in 2019, we can barely keep track! Add another celeb to the mix: Mario Lopez and his wife are expecting, and their Instagram announcement was absolutely adorable!

Lopez, who’s already a dad to two, ‘Grammed their big family video update. Daughter Gia filled the fans in on what’s going on in her life, telling the camera that she’s busy with gymnastics, dance, piano and school. Well, that’s one busy little girl! Not to be outdone, Lopez’s son told fans that he’s also busy with gymnastics, jiu jitsu and wrestling.

So what are the adult Lopez’s busy doing? Mario is, of course, crazy busy with work. But when he asks his wife, “Mrs. Lopez, what about you?” she doesn’t respond with work or an activity. Nope. She turns to the side, lifts her shirt to reveal a cute little bump and sings, “I’m having a baby!”

If you’re wondering whether the Lopez’s new “party of five” will include a boy or a girl, they don’t know yet, either. But, judging by the video clip, it seems like daughter Gia wants a sister and son Dominic wants a brother.

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: Mario Lopez via Instagram 

 

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Flip It Good: NYC Gymnastics Classes For Kids

by alina adams

Did your child get struck with a serious case of Biles fever, Laurie love or Aly admiration this summer? With all the excitement of the 2016 Summer Olympics still fresh in their minds, perhaps it’s time to give gymnastics a tumble. NYC is flush with great options for babies, beginners and those who want to make a serious play for the gold. Here’s our picks for the top spots for gymnastics in Manhattan.

photo: via Chelsea Piers Field House Facebook page

Chelsea Piers
Starting with Tiny Tots general classes for babes 12 months old, Chelsea Piers also offers NYC’s youngest By Invitation Only program, “Future Stars” for 3.5 year-olds. Beginners five to 16 years old  can participate in the Developmental Gymnastics program, which introduces both the girls’ and boys’ Olympic events, before another invitation is issued to select 8-11 year-olds, who may then join the Advanced Training Class.

As you can probably tell, gymnastics are pretty hard core here. Chelsea Piers fields a seriously competitive team, which frequently places at the state and even national levels. This club’s biggest drawback is its way far west location. Unless you drive (and are lucky enough to find street parking or are willing to pay to use the garage), it’s not that convenient. Even the nearest subway drops you off a good distance from the Field House, requiring a lengthy walk or bus ride.

Chelsea Piers
62 Chelsea Piers
212-336-6520
Online: chelseapiers.com

NYC Elite Gymnastics
Barely walking nine month olds can be Tumbling Tots at NYC Elite Gymnastics, which offers classes for any age above that, as well as boys’ and girls’ developmental teams for ages 5-9 and 9-12. In addition to the traditional apparatus, NYC Elite also houses a trampoline, a cargo net and a giant foam pit. The competitive team is By Invitation Only and is part of the official USA Gymnastics program, beginning at Level Three and going up to Level Ten. NYC Elite Gym’s girls’ team qualified for Nationals this year.

421 East 91st St.
Upper East Side
212-289-8737
Online: www.nycelite.com
200 Riverside Blvd.
Upper West Side
212-775-1177

44 Worth St.
Tribeca
212-334-3628

The Little Gym
The exact opposite of a competitive facility, national franchise The Little Gym is all about little kids having big fun. Babies as young as four months can take classes here (as you may have guessed, Mommy still does a lot of the work in those), with Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Gymnastics for boys and girls ages 6-12 also offered. Here, the focus is on age-appropriate curriculum and a gradual development of skills to go hand in hand with the child’s development outside of the gym.  Parents receive a weekly e-mail filling them in on what was covered that week, and every semester culminates with a show for families, complete with medals, the Olympic flame (paper, for safety) and musical fanfare!

Multiple locations throughout NYC
Online: thelittlegym.com

NY Kids Club
Future champions start even younger at NY Kids Club, where a class for two month olds is offered! This Infant Milestones class fosters growth through music, movement, massage, gentle stretching and tummy time. Original songs, developmentally appropriate props, and both energizing and calming infant massage techniques are used each week to stimulate auditory, visual, and physical growth. This, presumably, will lead to a child ready to take their Gym Babies class (for strapping six month olds!), followed by Gym Tots, and Gym Kids. Rather than a gym team, NY Kids Club has a Gym Club (natch). Acceptance is based on program commitment and student enthusiasm.

Multiple locations throughout NYC
Online: www.nykidsclub.com

photo: Elliot’s Classes via Yelp

Elliott’s Gymnastics Classes
If you can stand the heat, consider signing your child up for Elliot’s Gymnastics Classes, which are held outside in the summer, though they do move indoors once the weather gets nippy. Along with the usual classes, starting with a Mommy & Me for six-month-olds and moving into Intermediate Tumbling for kids 6 and up, Elliott also offers Ballet and a pre-school alternative. Want to get to know Elliot and his methods before signing up for a full session? Try his free Infant Class!Elliott’s Gymnastics
131 West 86th St.
Upper West Side
917-517-8721
Online: elliottsclasses.com

Discovery Programs
There’s something for everyone at Discovery, including girls who just want to participate recreationally, those who want to compete at the top level they’re capable of, and those who are interested in competition, but at a slower, less intense pace. There is also a boys’ program, but it’s for kids ages 5-9 only.

Discovery Programs
251 West 100th St.
Upper West Side
212-749-8717
Online: discoveryprograms.com

 

92nd St. Y
Don’t confuse your Teeny Tumblers (12-18 months) with your Tiny Tumblers (18-24 months), or your Super Tumblers (3-4 years) with the Starbursts Advanced Super Tumblers (ages 3.5-4.5 years). This program splits minute hairs to make sure your child is placed exactly at their appropriate level and, as an added bonus, offers a program for kids with developmental disabilities, as well.

92nd St. Y
1395 Lexington Ave.
Upper East Side
212-415-5500
Online: 92y.org

photo: Columbus Gym via Yelp

Columbus Gym
Not content with just listing the physical benefits of gymnastics, Columbus Gym wants you to know that it can help your child academically. As this is NYC, where kids start getting tested at age three, they offer a Tiny Tots class for little ones 10 month olds and their caregivers… to get you both ready.

Columbus Gym
606 Colombus Ave.
Upper West Side
212-721-0090
Online: columbusgymnyc.com

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues
The puns don’t stop with the gym name, as they also offer a class called Gym’ny Crickets. But what’s unique here is a chance to combine a gym class with cooking, sign language or cross-training for other sports. They even give you the option of creating your own combo class!

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues
1520 York Ave.
Upper East Side
212-861-7732
Online: gymtime.net

photo: via Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation Facebook page

Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation
Why should downtown and midtown have all the fun? Uptown kids looking to tumble and flip can take boys and girls artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and even trampoline — at a cost much lower than most programs. (A Parent & Me class isn’t listed on the website, but it’s available. Contact WHF for more information.)

Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics
Riverbank State Park
679 Riverside Dr.
Upper Manhattan
Online: wendyhilliard.org

Harlem Armory
40 West 143rd St.
Harlem
212-316-0315

main photo: via Chelsea Piers Field House Facebook page

— Alina Adams

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The Summer 2016 Baby Name Trend We Support 100%

by Red Tricycle

In a recent Google Trends report, the search for “Simone baby name” spiked 230 percent in August. That’s right. Expecting parents are grabbing inspiration from the two Simones in the Rio games – which really, can you blame them? Both Simone Biles and Simone Manuel clenched gold medals in the Olympics; Biles for Gymnastics and Manuel for Swim. Google reports that this is the first time since 2010 there has been this much interest in the name Simone.

Are you inspired by the two Simones? Tell us in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Pixabay

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Your Guide to the Second Annual Seattle Children’s Festival

by Allison Rasmussen

The inaugural Seattle Children’s Festival produced by Northwest Folklife created quite the buzz last year and we’re happy to announce it’s back and better than ever! This one-day, multi-cultural event brings local communities and families together to celebrate “Our Big Neighborhood.” From hands-on activities to interactive workshops to well-loved children’s performers, learn about all the different cultures that make the Northwest so unbelievably fantastic. Oh, and did we mention… it’s completely FREE!

photo: Niffer Calderwood

What to See
Just like the Northwest Folklife Festival, there will be no shortage of fun at this event. Expect to find puppet and flag making, masterpiece creating with Seattle Art Museum, an instrument petting zoo, a gymnastics obstacle course put on by Seattle Gymnastics Academy and robot battles, as well as a variety of artists including The Eclectic Cloggers, Jamtown John, North City Rockers, and the Canote Brothers. If that’s not enough excitement, kids will have the opportunity to learn and listen to various music styles and stories with Sunshine Music Together, Siam Smile, Youth Theatre Northwest, Hand-made Crankies and Bollywood groups. After you check out the festival schedule and the full movement series schedule, the only question you will need to answer, is what to see first?

photo: Niffer Calderwood

What to Do
If last year’s festival was any indication, you know this year’s festival is going to be phenomenal and your things-to-do list is going to be huge! Clif Bar will be promoting their “Out To Play Program;” the Discovery Zone will have tons of interactive workshops and activities; the folks at Seattle Tilth will be teaching families how to build worm bins; the Rain City Rock Camp For Girls will be unleashing inner rockstars; and the “Movement Series” will include clogging stomps and Brazilian Capoeira as well as Vietnamese dance with the Duoc Su Lion Dance Team, hip hop with the North City Rocker B-Boys and jump roping with former Cirque du Soleil coach Rene Bibaud. 

photo: The Not-Its!

What Not to Miss
Seattle kindie rockers, The Not-Its! will be bringing their high-energy rock music to the stage, so come prepared to sing, dance, and get all your sillies out. The Discovery Zone in the Fisher Pavilion and Armory Lofts is going to be the place to be. Check out the full schedule and get ready to move, groove, create, learn and have fun. Psst! Be sure to grab an Event Passport on your way in to begin your interactive journey through the festival.

photo: Niffer Calderwood

Seattle Center including Fisher Pavilion, Armory and Armory Lofts
305 Harrison St.
Seattle, Wa 98109
Online: nwfolklife.org/SeattleChildrensFestival and on Facebook

Date: October 11, 2015
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free

Did your family attend last year’s festival? Will you be enjoying the festivities at this year’s festival? We’d love to hear about your experience in the Comments below.

— Allison Rasmussen

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