Gymboree Play and Music has been in the Grand Rapids Area for years, but now it has a new, more centralized home.  Located near Celebration Cinema North & Knapp Meijer, it allows parents to combine errands and fun into one trip.

Here is their new address and contact info:
1971 East Beltline Ave.
Grand Rapids,Michigan 49525
(616) 365-0015
grapidsmi@gymboreeclasses.com

We went to Gymboree Play and Music during their Grand Re-Opening Week and found a bright, clean space with enthusiastic staff ready to greet the many visiting children and adults.

Kids ages 0-5 were climbing all over the play equipment and having a blast.  Lots of padding and low structure heights ensure that kids are safe (parental supervision is required, too!)

The music room doubles as an art room to accommodate the many different types of classes they offer here. 

They also offer open play gym where the general public can come in a play for a fee.  This happens weekly on Mondays from11:15am-1pm, Wednesday 6:45pm-7:30pm, and Thursday 4:15pm - 5:15pm.  Call ahead for details and more information.

If you are interested in signing up for a class or program, be sure to use the coupon on grkids.com!
 
 
East Grand Rapids has just released their spring parks and rec brochure and it is jammed full of fun, unusual opportunities.  Even better, you don't have to be a resident to participate.  What are you waiting for? (If EGR is too far for you to drive, check out other parks and rec departments here...they're at the bottom of the page.)

Here are just a smattering of the possibilities:
  • Lacrosse
  • Abrakadoodle Art
  • Mad Science
  • Lego Engineering
  • TaeKwonMuDo (martial arts w/dance & music)
  • Fencing
  • Beginning Horsemanship
  • Baby Signs
  • Stroller Strides
 
 

Did you know you have a local parks and rec department?  Some of them go by other names, like community ed, or continuing education.  The beauty of these places is that they offer quality programs for great prices...for all ages.

What I didn't realize until after I had lived in Grand Rapids for four years is that you can take classes from a neighboring community Parks and Rec Department, usually for an extra $10 or so.

Where do you find the names and locations of the communities surrounding you?  At grkids.com, of course!  Visit the Classes page a scroll down for a comprehensive list of community programs ready to serve you!  Many of these are enrolling right now for the fall, so don't delay!

Also, if you've participated in a program at a Parks and Rec department, would you leave a comment telling others what your program was, where it was through, and how you liked it?  You'd really be helping other parents out!

Thanks!