Gymboree Anybody ?

We did My Gym and loved it. My cousin did Gymboree about 18 years ago and I know she liked it but I dont' know how they compare.

I started my daughter in Gymboree at 7 weeks, and then started as a Gymboree teacher when she was a year, and taught for a little over a year. The friends I made there alone were well worth it- all my close mom friends I met at Gymboree. We no longer attend classes, as we cannot afford it now that I am not teaching. But I thought it was a great way to meet other moms, bond with my baby, and give me ideas on new things to play with my daughter and new songs to sing. She still talks about Gymboree and her friends from there, and we haven't been since Dec. It's a very fun time, though it is rather expensive. I did try Little Gym and was not impressed at all. Gymboree really tries to follow the child's cues, whereas Little Gym tended to push my daughter out of her comfort zone which she did not enjoy.

Both my kids went to gymboree and they loved it. They really became excellent climbers and could hang on the bars. They are still into that type of stuff and now on the gymnastics team. I put them in it for about one and a half years then transferred over to a park and rec gymnastic class and now they are onto bigger things. It isn't cheap but just wait all those classes get really expensive and I remember gymboree had free play days too and we always went to those so it was like paying for one class a week and going twice a week.

Hi F.,

I signed my 18 month old daughter for Gymboree this past month and we absolutely love it :) I hesitated at first because the price seemed pretty high for a once a week class, but compared to other organized activities tailored for infants and toddlers (like tumbling, dancing, music classes) the prices were actually comparable. And during June, July, and August they have what they call Endless Summer where you get unlimited classes in your child's age group provided the classes are not full. For example, we are enrolled in a Wednesday Level 4 class, but during the summer we can attend any level 4 class as long as there is room. Sometimes we go 4-5 times a week. Also July is Friendship month where they offer both the existing member and the new enrollee that was referred a $25 discount. I'm not sure if you both have to attend the same Gymboree though. I hope this helps :)

Hi,

I know what you mean about the cost issue. I think the biggest thing that I got out of it with my children was the socialization not only for my kids, but also for me. It was great to see how parents faced the same problems and much advice was offered during the sessions. Gymboree is a great start for babies and if you're a first time parent, they really make you aware about infant and toddler development.
You may also want to look into My Gym. My daughter, 8, and son, 5 currently go to My Gym. We've tried dance lessons and gymnastics lessons, but the kids prefer My Gym since there is constant activity (instead of waiting in line for your turn to cross the dance floor, etc.) The instructors are really good about teaching them other concepts such as listening, being patient, taking turns, etc. Good luck with whatever your decisions is.

We've done Gymboree, My Gym, The Little Gym, My Gym and city ran classes. No complaints with any of the above. I will say though the class we took through the city (at the time, Lake Elsinore) was by far the cheapest and believe it or not, the best! The teacher was a former Gymboree teacher and she was great! So, don't overlook your city programs. I also did Kindermusik with my first, I loved Kindermusik, gave me the tools and knowledge to contiunue with the class in my home with my daughter rather than pay someone else to do it.
Best wishes,
M.

We signed up our daughter at around 10 months (she is now 28 months) and we all really enjoy it. Our concern for her was interacting with other children her age and it has been perfect for that (as well as providing many other developmental/physical activities). The progression of classes has been completely appropriate for her and she really looks forward to it each week. We haven't tried any other pay activites (ie My Gym, community classes, etc) so I don't have anything to compare it to. Have fun whatever you do!

-M.

We do My Gym. I've done it with both of my boys. I started at 6 months and they love it. They learn to play well with other, share,wait in lines and all of that good stuff. They also have pre school programs. Its been great for us Good luck!

I signed up for Gymboree when my daughter was 10 months, she loved it and it tired her out. Although after 4 months of the class was repetitive and got a little boring for both me and my daugheter so I canceled my memebership. But it was worth if for the 4 months I went!

Totally worth every penny!!!!!! Not only for your child but also for you. Your daughter will thrive so much! You will also meet other wonderful moms there. I met by two best mommy friends there. None of us belong to Gymboree anymore but we still hang out several times a week. Go for it!!!!!!!

Hi F.,

yes, my son did gymboree from 3 months until 2 1/2, they are expensive but he love it! Now is wants to do everything by himself that was not working for us anymore!
Also is a great way to make friends!
I start a playdate when he was 6 months and we still getting together until now!
Give a try! You can take a free class and see how your little like!

Good luck!

Hello,
I signed up my daughter at 7 weeks and at that point in was more for me! Socializing with other mommy's that can relate to one another. Very helpful and you create a special bond. Now my daughter is 17 months and in their level 4 class. We love seeing her little toddler friends and playing at a special meeting place. The kids absolutely love it!

I agree that the price is steep, but after a few months of consecutive membership they give you a $10 price break. In addition to their classes you can take your child to free play and show Daddy their new skills!
If all else fails, the first session is free. But prepare to sign up after that class because they will waive any initiation fee...
Goodluck, we are off to Gymboree! =)

Hi F.,

We LOVE our Gymboree class!! My little angel had problems crawling and the classes helped her learn to crawl and walk! We go every week and have even signed up for some of the extra activities. My Chloe has friends her age (and size) and gets so excited as we walk through the door to the class. I was a bit hesitant because of the price too, but after a few classes I realized it was well worth it. We've been going for a year now. you can sign up for bonus classes ($20 extra a month for unlimited play) and they have a free tryout class so you can see how she likes all the excitement.

Hope this helps.

Hi F.,

10 months is the perfect age to enroll your daughter in Gymboree. My son started at age 8 months and he's now 14 months. We have an unlimited membership in Long Beach which is $85/month but you can also do pay as you go and pay $10 per one 45 minute class. They also have daily 'free play' times where if you are not able to attend the scheduled class in your daughter's age group for that day, you can go to the free play time later in the day where all kids of all ages up to age 5 are collectively playing in the open play area.
Here are the pros: your baby will have fun in a safe environment and be free to crawl and move around on her own unlike at home where there are safety restrictions that limit her movement (stairs, sharp table corners, etc). It's a relief for me to take my son to a place where I can put him on the padded, clean floor and he can go anywhere he wants and is happy to roam around while I shadow him and encourage him. He has learned how to go up padded stairs, how to climb ramps, slide down slides, and play along with other babies his own age. He used to be afraid of everyone who wasn't his parent but after the first 2 weeks of taking him to classes where parents are there with their children, he is now a baby with confidence and has self esteem you can see everytime he reaches the top of a ramp, or pushes a padded log across the room with other babies. Other pros are you get some good bonding time and you learn more about your baby's likes and dislikes and see how she connects socially to other babies and adults. She will also sleep better at night if she has a good workout, climbing and crawling around..there is plenty of room there! And you get a break from having to entertain her for an hour.

Cons: It's expensive. You pay per class or per month if you are unlimited in which case you go to as many classes per week and all free play times as you want. Another con is there is usually only one class per day in your baby's age group and you cannot take your baby to other classes if you missed the scheduled time of her age group's class...but you can come to the free play time later in the day during the week.

Good luck!

My daughter started Gymboree at 10 months old and LOVED it!! She went there for about 6 months and then about 2-3 months ago, we did the free trial at My Gym and it's alot more suited for her now. She was getting a little bored in Gymboree. My Gym has alot more advanced things for them to do. But for your 10 month old Gymboree would be a good start. As far as price, they all run about the same. It is definitely worth it. It not only is fun and educational it gives them something to look forward to and help break up the monotany of the day/week.

Hi F.,
My little girl is turning 10 months old this Sunday and she loves Gymboree. I've done other classes with her, but I like what Gymboree offers because it is both educational and fun for her. Their general classes give you flyers with activities you can do at home too. I'm a big believer that kids need to be around other kids, but it is expensive, so Gymboree is currently the only place where my daughter gets her "socialization" and I think it's working out great. Also, she always sleeps better the night after she's been to a Gymboree class... I hope that helps!

Hi F.,

We have not experienced Gymboree, but I take my daughter to a place called My Gym. I take her to the one in La Verne. They are actually hosting their open house this weekend and it is free. Saturday from Noon until 2. We love the teachers and their classes. We pay $65 a month and she goes twice a week. It is really fun and my daughter looks forward to it everytime we go. Good Luck!

I'm a big fan of Gymboree! We started going at about 10 months - my son is 26 months and we're still going. You can go for a free session to try it out and there was no pressure at the location where we go. I also tried Little Gym, but preferred the activities, environment, and songs at Gymboree. FYI- If you decide to sign up, you can list that someone referred you and they get a credit on merchandise so you might think of anyone you know that's already a member. Gymboree has been fantastic for my son's development, his social skills, and for me... I made friends with a group of 6 other moms and we do things together every week. Definitely give it a try and see what you think!

Hi F.!
It sounds like you have a lot of great toys, etc to build your daughter's gross motor skills! However if you want to try a school I would highly recommend "My Gym" my 11mo daughter LOVES it!! She screams in the car on the way there and then is all smiles. There are a ton of tunnels, balls, swings, bubbles, trampolines, music, etc and it's great to see them interact with other babies. We originally signed up at the Laguna Niguel one for $189 from end of June to end of August for twice a week sessions which I think is a great deal. We have switched to the NB one and they kept up our deal, but I guess it is a bit more as we got a buy one get one deal at Laguna Niguel.

Hi there - We started Gymboree when my son was 10 months old and he loved it. It was definitely worth the money. It was a great way to get him out of the house and interacting not only in a safe, kid friendly environment but meeting and playing with other children his age. It was great to see him attempt to do things at home that he had learned there. I give Gymboree or My Gym a big thumbs up!!!

not sure where you are located, but in my opinion, gymboree is not worth the money if you can find a good mommy & me program. The Burbank Adult School has a fantastic Parent Education program as do other cities; these are FAR cheaper and offer plenty of things to play with/on, circle time with singing and moving around and interaction with other kids...at an incling of the price.

I did Gymboree for my kids when they were little but when they turned one I switched them to My Gym and LOVED IT! I like Gymboree when they were younger but they got so much more out of My Gym and stayed there until they were 5.

Hello
I've tried Gymboree and My Gym and would recommend My Gym. They are always changing their equipment and just seemed like there was more activities to do. However, had I known before I signed up... check with your local city or nearby city to see if they offer any city sponsored mommy and me classes or even the local YMCA. I live in Torrance, Ca and they do have several classes (fractional cost of what I spent) and also joined the YMCA where they offer classes

Good luck!

Hi F.,
My son loved it.
C.

I tried the free classes to see if my 15 month old daughter would enjoy going. She was a little too young for the art class and we tried play and learn where they sing, dance and jump around. She liked that one better but again, a little expensive for the 1 hour class. We then tried the YMCA (Ecke) gymnastic center in Carlsbad which is great. You can pay $7 on Saturdays from 11-11:45 and the kids have the run of the gym. There are trampolines, mats, a large foam pit, etc... My daughter loves this and for the price you can't beat it. We now do this on Saturdays and she is exhausted afterwards. Just another idea.

I went a few yrs ago, and it was worth it. You could go to a few classes a week. Plus, you talk to other moms.

Most facilities, especially Gymboree offer their first class for free so you can go and check it out and decide if little one is going to enjoy it or not.

I loved Gymboree when my son was enrolled. He had a great time and I really believe it was a good experience. We left when my son was 2 1/2 because he was needing something with a little more structure, but I do believe it is worth the money for the little ones.

I have been taking my son, starting at age 12 months, to Gymoree and Rock N Roll classes at the Multigenerational Center in Henderson. The classes are taught by instructors from Gymboree and Rock N Roll, are right down the street from where we live, and are less expensive than those offered at the actual facility. We pay $25 for 5 classes (1 per week). It's great fun for the kiddos, and a couple of friends have now joined us.

I can't say enough how much we LOVE Gymboree. Our location even closed for a few months and we couldn't wait for it to reopen. My DD is very active as well and we do a ton of activities...swim, dance, playgroup, music, art and Gymboree by far is her favorite. It is such a treat for me to see how excited she gets when we get there. She even smiles and sings all the songs all the way home from each class. I think it is definately worth the money. We started her at 10 weeks old and she is now 19 months. The best part is seeing them advance along the way. When we first started, she couldn't even roll or move, but now just a year later, she is climbing and running and jumping. It is so much fun!