exercise

Gyms and studios that offer childcare in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC

March 2, 2020

Have you kept your New Years Resolution of maintaining a healthier lifestyle? Maybe you need a little convenience to get you sweating, we sure do! Here’s a list of area gyms and studios that will take care of your Bambinos so you don’t have to worry about them climbing on your back while you do a downward dog. This list should help you achieve your healthy goals this year if being at a gym is your thing. All you have to do is find the gym closet to you and sign up- most offer a free day or week! Let us know if we can add a gym to the list that you know has childcare. Also, check out Pearachute as they offer drop-in’s at a few gyms and studios with childcare.

Barre3
It’s easy to fit exercise into your life when you can bring the kids. Minors under 18 years of age are welcome. If minors are on the premises while guardians are in class, you must purchase a play lounge package. Reservations are highly recommended. Please reserve under your name and not your child’s name.

Equinox
The Kids’ Club is the ideal place to drop your tots while you work out. The space is bright and inviting. It is available to children ages three months and older. Appointments and drop-off services are available. With tumbling, art, obstacle courses, and plenty of inspired programming, it’s a pint-sized haven of well-being.

acac
When you include your kids on your acac membership, they have an all-access pass to active fun in the Kids Zone. The mission of the acac kids zone is to keep children physically and emotionally safe, while facilitating an engaging, clean, healthy, and kid-friendly environment of fun, age-appropriate activities and social behavior. Kids zone child care is available for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. Parents must remain on acac grounds.

LA Fitness
Thanks to reader, Amy for letting us know LA Fitness has childcare. Tip: British Swim School is also offered here.

Life Time Athletic Fitness
A family oriented environment where the kids program encourages healthy activities and playing for for child. Available for children ages 3 months to 11 years old. They also offer classes, birthday parties and camps for children!

The St. James
Members can take advantage of up to three hours of complimentary childcare each day. Children are actively engaged in free play time as well as supervised educational programming.

Mint Dupont
Childcare begins at 4 months and goes up to 11 years old. The childcare hours vary but is available 7 days a week.

Rock Creek Sports Club
For members, they offer a low monthly rate so you can maintain your fitness goals by visiting the club as many times as you wish with your kids. They allow you to keep your child in the childcare room for up to 2 hours, which allows you plenty of time to take your favorite class, workout, AND shower. Babysitting is for children ages 6 weeks to 8 years old, and reservations are not required. They also have classes for children.

Sport & Health
The mission is to provide quality gyms with child care in a safe, sanitary, and welcoming environment while you enjoy the full benefits of the workout facility. Hours are listed on the individual health club pages. Childcare starts at 3 months and some locations with a separate area for infants and older children. Most are complete with cribs, swings and toys. They recommend calling 24 hours ahead of time to reserve a spot. Locations that offer childcare: Bethesda, North Bethesda, Northwest, Old Town, Tysons, Capitol Hill, McLean, Lakeforest & Worldgate

Washington Sports Club
A club within the club “For Kids Only”. 6 months to 12 years old. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. Hours vary seven days a week. Costs also vary depending on whether it’s a drop in, a hotel member or member paying per hour. The area is large and has very nice indoor play equipment and toys.

The Women’s Club
Childcare is available 7 days a week with no reservations required. Put your mind at ease and enjoy quality time exercising while your children play and learn in an exciting and safe environment. Educational and creative crafts are offered daily. These activities and services are available for children 8 weeks to 12 years.

XSport Fitness
It’s easy to get your me-time in at the gym with our supervised Child’s Play area, a fun place for your little ones to hang out while you work out. Activities and games are ready to keep them occupied, with morning and evening hours available, all for a small fee in addition to your monthly membership.

YMCA Anthony Bowen
As a service to valued members, YMCA Anthony Bowen Child Watch/Cool Kids Club programs provide positive and fun on-site childcare during your visit to the facility for a maximum of 2 hours per day. Parents must remain in the building while their children are in the Child Watch or Cool Kids Club programs. See other YMCA locations here.

Related posts-
Exercising with Bambinos
Yoga with Bambinos

Weekend Picks for Families in and around Washington, DC

November 2, 2018

It is the final weekend for this year’s Kids Euro Festival which is one of the largest performing arts festivals for children in America, bringing Europe’s most talented children’s entertainers to the DC metro area each fall for two weeks of free performances, concerts, workshops, movies, storytelling, puppetry, dance, magic, and cinema.

Cinderella debuts at Imagination Stage this weekend. This wacky retelling of the beloved fairy tale takes Cinderella on a royal adventure complete with a wisecracking rat, evil stepsisters, and a smitten prince. When Cinderella’s stepmother forbids her from attending the ball, her fairy godmother convinces here that if the shoe fits- wear it! True love may await her if only she can put down her sword. Just the right fit for the holiday season! Recommended for all ages 4+.

Friday

Union Market Drive-In: Hocus Pocus
After three centuries, three witch sisters are resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night, and it is up to two teenagers, a young girl, and an immortal cat to put an end to their reign of terror once and for all. 1 h 36 min, rated PG
Lot opens 5:30, Lot closes promptly at 7:45, Film begins 8:00, Film ends at 9:50

Saturday

9:00am-12:00pm: Kids Workshop at Home Depot
Celebrate and honor all who have served our country in our hands-on Veteran’s Day focused workshop. You and your child can build a custom model military helicopter to spark a conversation with a Veteran about fighting large fires, moving troops, getting supplies to ships and transporting patients. Once the “helo” build is complete, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron, and pin.

10:00am-5:30pm: Smithsonian Food History Festival
The Food History Festival is a free day of hands-on learning, live demonstrations, talks, and stories exploring the past, present, and future of regional food cultures in America. Talented chefs, local organizations, experts, museum curators, students, and more will be on hand to spark conversation, lead activities, and dig into food history with museum visitors of all ages. All activities are free.

10:00am-12:00pm: The Forest Hills Playground’s annual Halloween Spooktacular
Come see our favorite magician, Abracadabra Alex, who also excels at balloon-making! There will also be a bake sale, face painting, spooky music, and the annual costume parade. This is Friends of Forest Hills Playground’s biggest fundraiser of the
year. 100% of bake sale proceeds and donations support playground improvements and programming like the popular summer concert series. Costumes encouraged for kids and grown-ups (but not required)!

10:00am: Native American Stories Family Day at National Archives
As NASA celebrates its 60th anniversary, this new documentary from Discovery presents a moving portrait of the agency’s many accomplishments in space: taking us to the Moon, to the surface of Mars, to the outer edge of our solar system, and beyond. Above and Beyondalso sheds light on the vital role NASA has played in measuring the health of our planet. Directed, produced, and narrated by Academy Award–nominated and Emmy-winning Rory Kennedy (Last Days of Vietnam). Save the Date: Story Time in the ReSource Room for Pre-Schoolers and Adults on Tuesday, November 20, at 10:00am.

10:00am-1:00pm: Glen Echo: Saturday Art Explorers
Drop in for an art activity and play in the Candy Corner Studio for $5, no need to pre-register. Play on the playground afterwards, look around the Glen Echo Park Aquarium or catch a show at Adventure Theatre or the Puppet Co.

10:00am-12:00pm: Michael’s Kids Club
They craft, you shop! Kids 3 and up can enjoy making a Christmas tree. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.

10:30am-12:30pm: Creativity Workshop at The Phillips Collection
Let your creativity fly in our art-making stations—it’s an art materials “petting zoo” for the whole family! Comes with Artful Wellness Kit for parents and caregivers. Geared for families with children ages 2 to 8.

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist explores a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Ages 1-5. Featured story: The Pout-Pout Fish

Sunday

9:30am: Fit4Mom is partnering with FRESHFARM farmer’s market
Join Stroller Strides on Sunday November 4 and November 11 at the TD Bank Dupont Circle. Bring the whole family for a workout and then shop the market goodies after class! The market is held on 20th St NW, right next to the class, and features fresh produce, smoothies, and ready-to-eat foods from local vendors! Bonus: The first class is always free.

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
Your child’s favorite stories will come to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. Each session you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Featured story: Mouse Paint

12:00pm-2:00pm: Pumpkin Hill at Nalls Produce
SPIRIT: RIDING FREE and TROLLS: THE BEAT GOES ON! will both be onsite to promote their new seasons streaming on Netflix. There will be free face painting, complimentary cotton candy, and fun SPIRIT and TROLLS promotional items, such as bubbles, bouncy balls, chap stick, hair ties, luggage tags, pencils, bookmarks, stickers, tattoos, and more, all while supplies last. Pumpkin Hill is a FREE fall playground event.

Have you entered to win a spot at Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC) weekend workshop?

Related Links:
Holiday Tea for Families

Yoga with Bambinos

Not your typical kid gym

June 14, 2018

Need a place to escape the heat (or cold in the winter) and head indoors? Here are a couple of places that are sure to make your child happy and get some exercise when it’s too hot to be outside in the afternoon (or too cold in the winter). Most of these unique spaces offer camps, classes and birthday parties in addition to providing a space for your Bambinos to move.

(Photo: Badlands)
Badlands Playspace– 5200 Randolph Rd. Rockville, MD 20852
Read about our fun there!

Scramble Indoor Play– 5412 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22304
Scramble is the first European-style play center in Alexandria. Scramble offers incredible indoor play every day of the week, birthday parties Fri-Sun and a full program of summer camps for Elementary-age children this summer.

Elemeno– 709 8th St SE Washington, DC 20003
Formerly known as SkillZone. Parent coworking, SkillZone indoor play, early childhood STEM, family social events, kid-free time & private parties.

Magic Ground– 3100 14th St Northwest 3rd Level Washington, DC
See original review here.

Laugh Out Loud Stations Mega Fun Center– 6250 Greenbelt Rd. Greenbelt, MD 20770
CRAZY FUN Rides and AMAZING attractions all in one place to develop LOL Stations as the Best Indoor Theme Park and Birthday Party Place in the Washington metropolitan area, where the entire family can play together!! LaserTag, Challenge Course, Tumbler, Bumper Cars, Ball Blaster, Bouncers, 4-Level Playground, Himalaya, and much more!! Purchase a package or pay for single games.

Hyper Kidz!- 9309 Snowden River Parkway Columbia, MD 21046
Themed zones for kids ages 0-13. Other attractions include an interactive LED dance floor, laser light show, interactive screen games, bubble machine, glow-in-the-dark play, a concession stand, souvenir stand, and giant lite brite boards. Hyper Kidz encourages healthy and active social play.

(Photo: Nook)
Nook– Nook Mosaic:Coming Summer 2018 & Nook Ballston Quarter:Coming Fall 2018
Nook is a play and learning space for the young, modern family. Not just a children’s play space, Nook is a blended play, work, and learning experience for the entire family.

Climb Zone-13200 Mid Atlantic Boulevard Suite 130 Laurel, MD 20708
Indoor rock climbing with individual walls, each with a theme. There are a few bounce houses, an area for kids 3 and under to play in, video games and a small cafe. Ages 2-5 are $12, 6 years and older $25. You can stay as long as you’d like. Outside food is permitted. You can have a birthday party here too. Put your harness on and climb aboard your favorite art whether it be Mt. Rushmore or the Alice in Wonderland themed wall, you’ll have a great time.

ZAVAZONE– 45685 Oakbrook Ct #110, Sterling, VA 20166 & 40 Southlawn Court Rockville, MD 20850
ZAVAZONE is an Indoor Adventure Park: a unique space dedicated to active fun for people from ages 5 to 105. ZAVAZONE brings together ninja courses, ropes courses, trampolines, climbing challenges, zip lines, and more under ONE soaring roof. It delivers a heart-pumping multi-action experience like no other. Every visit to ZAVAZONE grants access to ALL of these exhilarating challenges, so you’re always free to create your very own active adventure. The state-of-the-art equipment is overseen by highly trained ZAVAZONE coaches who ensure safety while inspiring guests to make the leap or try a bold new move. All ZAVAZONE activities are included with admission.

Animated Child– 5167 Waterway Drive Montclair, VA 22025
Animated Child is an innovative enrichment center that encourages a child’s natural curiosity, independence and creativity. We engage children in every element of intelligence to highlight their unique way of learning. By exploring in which way a child is smart versus how smart they are, children are empowered to recognize ability within themselves. Great for ages 2-12. Open exploration times, enrichment classes, summer camps and birthday parties are available.

Sprout at Saffron – 3260 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201
The ultimate new business concept that combines your productivity (coworking), relaxation, fitness or yoga with your kids playing and learning. Moms, dads and caregivers can catch up on work or relax in the cafe, take a fitness or yoga class while your kids are taken care of in a holistic and educational environment. Classes vary from supervised open gym, music, ballerina classes and more! Classes are also offered for kids or adults.

Busy Bees– 11 Wisconsin Circle Bethesda, MD & 6110 D Arlington Blvd. Falls Church, VA 22044
An indoor play space where everything moves, spins or flies just for kids under 48″. $15 (or a pass) will get your kiddos inside, come and go as you please. Open 9-5 everyday. Complimentary coffee, tea and wifi. They also through amazing birthday parties.

Don’t forget these indoor spaces as well:

My Gym–5110 Ridgefield Rd, Bethesda, MD 20816
Kidville– 4825 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Gymboree– Various Locations

Kidville Bethesda keeps Bambinos wanting to go back for more {and more}

April 30, 2018

Kidville Bethesda offers award-winning gym, art, dance, music, preschool classes and summer camp for children aged newborn – five years old. Their customizable birthday parties are a blast for 1-8 years old and they even offer haircuts for kids of all ages. I brought my first child here for his first few haircuts; it was the perfect environment for an apprehensive first-timer. Kidville also allows you to try a trial class before committing to a series of classes, click here for more info. They are conveniently located in downtown Bethesda, sandwiched in between coffee shops and delicious restaurants at 4825 Bethesda Ave.

My three year old sampled a few classes and has left her wanting to go back at any dull moment we have. She loved the Big Muscle Workout and the Kidville Gymnasts classes. She was able to get acclimated with all of the colorful, fun equipment and meet other classmates before the class started. The classes began with a warm-up, followed by some strength and skills obstacles. She was constantly moving and had a smile on her face the whole time {you can watch your child from various windows} or leave to get that cup of joe if your child is old enough for one of their “drop-off” classes. The teachers are up-beat, get to know your child, professional and energetic.

You can browse their website by age to see the lengthy list of classes appropriate for your Bambinos. When you sign up for classes you also gain entry to the Playspace, which is like open gym time and typically has at least an hour window of time each day of the week if not more. Click here for a schedule of classes.

My Gym Bethesda & Potomac Open House, Fall Enrollment + Giveaway!

August 28, 2017

My Gym has developed an extraordinary program and facility devised to help children 6 weeks thru 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. They offer structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. My Gym has earned the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.

Fall Open House at both Bethesda and Potomac My Gym will be on Friday, September 15^th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Visit My Gym for FREE! Meet some teachers, play in the space and learn about new classes and programs!

Fall Schedule for My Gym Potomac HERE
11325 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Fall Schedule for My Gym Bethesda HERE
5110 Ridgefield Rd #201, Bethesda, MD 20816

Fall classes start September 5^th – Reserve your class TODAY! Popular classes and times will book up fast. Try a NEW class like Ninja Training or Pre-Ballet. Don’t forget that all enrolled members get Open Gym (which they call Practice and Play) for free! This fall they are including MORE Open Gym times to accommodate members.

Not only does My Gym Bethesda and Potomac make having a child’s birthday party so easy but they offer very generous perks and policies. My daughter has taken classes at My Gym for a year now. This summer if you were enrolled in a class you received unlimited classes at either gym location! And you always get unlimited Practice and Play (Open Gym) in both locations when you are enrolled at either location. PLUS you can always do make-up classes in ether gym if there is a class that better fits your schedule. It doesn’t get much better than My Gym and trust me, I’ve been to many kid gyms!

****My Gym is offering 1 lucky Bambino a month of free classes at either Bethesda or Potomac location. Comment below with what class you’d be interested in signing up for and earn extra entries by commenting on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter. Winner will be announced on September 14, 2017****

Weekend Picks: Trains, trucks, music and art

June 5, 2014

Beginning Friday is Celebrate Fairfax! Children’s stage, art stage, beer garden, carnival and many stages that have a great line-up for. Uno Dos Tres Con Andres and The Great Zucchini are just a few of the kids favorites who will be on the Children’s Stage. Check the schedule so you don’t miss them.

Beauty and the Beast is also playing at Wolf Trap Friday-Sunday. Get a seat or bring a blanket for the lawn. Daytime and evening performances.

The curtain will be drawn for a few performances this weekend. See them before they are gone. See our Theatre Roundup page for details.

Saturday-

9:00am-2:00pm: 7th Annual “Truck Touch” at RFK Stadium (Lot 7)
(2400 East Capitol Street, NE)
Summer’s most popular free family festival allows citizens to get hands-on with city’s infrastructure and emergency vehicles. The DC Department of Public Works invites the public to attend a free, citywide “Truck Touch”. Come climb on packer, sweeper and boom trucks; sit atop MPD’s Mounted Unit’s police horse and maneuver the levers of a police chopper; ride Segways, and test drive electric sedan vehicles. Residents also will learn how potholes are repaired, sewers are vacuumed and received information about vital city services. DC’s Citywide Truck Touch features vehicles from the DC Departments of Public Works, Transportation, Health, Employment Services, Parks and Recreation, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the DC Water and Sewer Authority.

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