Alternatives to Gymboree classes?

[shell403b]

Dude, those are expensive. I'll pay the fees, b/c the choices look great, but wow, $100 for 4 group classes (a month's worth)? That seems like a lot.

Is that price considered expensive in the kid-classes-realm or am I being cheap?

[Willis Jackson]

Our parks dept does something very similar for $28 for 7 classes (1x a week). I would never pay for Gymboree.

[shell403b]

Hmmm, thanks Willisaurus! We have a great parks & rec dept in the county I live in...I should totally check that out. It's closer to my house anyway!

[fortmyersbride]

Jun 26, 2012 21:06:59 GMT -5 Willis Jackson said:

Our parks dept does something very similar for $28 for 7 classes (1x a week). I would never pay for Gymboree.

This. DS did gymnastic classes thru the parks dept, $25 for 6 wks. He loved it just as much as the $$ Gymboree classes he had taken previously.

[Deleted]

Can you guys tell me what names these classes were called? I am trying to use Google and am not coming up with anything for Atlanta, but I know there must be a ton here. TIA!

[Willis Jackson]

The one we've gone to is called Parent/Child Play Gymnastics. It looks like they're also offering something called JumpBunch.

[Deleted]

Perfect, thanks! I found some music classes and will try out the gymnastics classes.

[Deleted]

Our parks and recs has classes. I've only used them for swimming but tonnes of classes from gymnastic to arts.

Our HOA also has kids classes which we did mostly for the convenience. I liked not having to load the kids in the car.

[anna7602]

We did a lot of mommy & me yoga classes at a local yoga studio and music classes through a local program. I think it came out to $15-$16 per class at the time and this was in a VHCOL area.

Our local library also had free Mother Goose story hours.

The only time I ever tried Gymboree was when we were visiting my parents for a long vacation and that was the only gig in town for kids' classes.

[Deleted]

Do you have a Little Gym nearby? I really like their program, esp. for older toddlers and kids. They're big on teaching structure and rules, which is great reinforcement for the preschool age group, and they offer different kinds of classes (sports, dance, martial arts) for kids who are bored with plain gymnastics.

You pay by semester and I think it comes out to about $17 a class.

[Deleted]

Is it really 100, because it's less than that here (VHOCL area). Gymboree was actually one of the cheaper options for us. And, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I've really liked them for DD.

[af1212]

Are you paying for two kids? Our Gymboree is not nearly that expensive. I currently pay about $55 a month for the classes and think it is worth every cent. After being a member for more than 12 months, I get a 20 % discount, so the regular price is probably more like $70ish. Keep in mind that in addition to your scheduled class, you are getting access to the playgym sessions. Also, Gymboree allows make ups. Some of the other classes we have taken through our township or through the Y do not allow you to make up missed classes.

[frlcb]

Jun 26, 2012 21:49:36 GMT -5 @choco said:

Perfect, thanks! I found some music classes and will try out the gymnastics classes.

In Atlanta I would look at the libraries - also check out Music Together (you can try a class for free), or The Music Class. There is also My Gym and Play and Grow for classes aside from Gymboree, and there are classes at the Y's around here. Little House of Art in Brookhaven has some great classes/camps too.

[frlcb]

Also our gymboree is like $70 a month, $100 a month seems high!

[megs193]

I did gymboree with my son for 2 years and they always offered a big discount if you did the early bird special. I would pay them for the next semester 3 months ahead and the price would go down about 25%. It may be worth calling your branch and asking about that. I loved gymboree because we did the unlimited package which meant we had something to do every day no matter what.

[Deleted]

$70/mo? Hhmm, that seems really reasonable especially when I need something to do for him in the afternoons when it is hot as hell out. Thanks frlcb!

[hannamarin]

Our community centre (that I didnt even know about) has tons of classes. So does the Y. You dont always have to be a member.
Look at your city website

[DarcyLongfellow]

I feel like I'm always pimping this out on here, but DD has done Music Together for the past two years, and I can't say enough good things about it. It's a program designed by people who have really studied music and how children learn music, so it's a lot of interesting songs, not the same kiddie crap you hear everywhere!

I used to take DD to story time at the library all the time. But I haven't in a while because we joined our local Mom's Club, so there are always activities on their calendar. I really recommend checking out www.momsclub.org -- I have friends who are members in a few different cities and the groups seem to always be laid back moms who just want activities for their kids. It's usually a mix of free activities and stuff that costs a few dollars, with occasional things are are pricey, but usually still a big discount over the price the general public would pay.

[shell403b]

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies! I think some of those Gymboree classes really are $100--I saw one which was $100/month, and you got on average 4 class (1/week). Like I said, I'll pay it, esp. if they're great, but was wondering what else was out there. Definitely going to look into my local county rec program and Little Gym is a great idea too! Thanks again!

[keh2oblue]

We have a local kids sports place and a parks and rec department. Both offer parent & me activities for a lot less than that.

[frlcb]

Jun 27, 2012 7:06:06 GMT -5 @choco said:

$70/mo? Hhmm, that seems really reasonable especially when I need something to do for him in the afternoons when it is hot as hell out. Thanks frlcb!

It may be more if you add in more than one class a week, but I am sure that amount includes open play.

Also the two locations in Atlanta are at Toco Hills and Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs.