Richmond Virginia Kid Friendly Activites and Information
Posts tagged birthday parties
Romp N’ Roll
1499 days
A few weeks ago I purchased some Open Gym passes for my boys from livingsocial.com. I was able to get several passes for each at ½ the regular price. Too good to pass up! Today we went to check out the Midlothian location for the first time, just back from the corner of Midlothian and Huguenot. It’s basically a large, colorful room full of padded equipment for kids to climb, jump on, hang from, tumble and run around like wild animals.
We were the only people there at first and it was nice to have the run of the place. They ran from thing to thing, sometimes stopping in route to dance to the music that plays at all times. They were able to be as loud as they wanted and I wasn’t worried about them falling and getting hurt. Like I said before…everything is padded. They spent lots of time shooting hoops, jumped on the trampoline, dangled from the monkey bars (I didn’t even know they could do that at this age), went down the slide countless times and climbed on top of everything that was stationary. When they tripped and fell they bounced right back up off of the padded floors. I don’t think that one tear was shed in the hour that we were there, which is a huge accomplishment for two clumsy boys.
Our passes are for the designated Open Gym times, but there are also several different class options for varying ages 
and interests. Our boys enjoy music so much that I am most likely going to sign them up for the class called Tumble Tunes. They also offer art classes, adventure classes and summer camp for children between the ages of 2 and 6. And like most places geared towards young children, you can even rent the space for birthday parties. There are several locations in the Richmond area, and you can try any class for free. I know that we will be going more frequently once it’s too cold to play outside. http://www.rompnroll.com/
The Weinstein Jewish Community Center
0507 days
My husband and I have wanted to join a gym for some time and recently began looking in to options for our family. We have several friends that belong to the JCC and rave about so we decided to check it out. The most important thing for me is finding a gym that also offers babysitting to include young babies. Not only does the JCC fulfill these needs, but it also offers so much more and is very affordable, in my opinion. 
Babysitting services are available to members each day starting at 6 weeks of age up to 7 years. This is perfect for me as I will likely be cleared to start exercising again once baby #3 is that old. You must make a reservation to ensure a space for your child or children which I think is fantastic. You never have to worry about getting there only to find out that they are full. I love to plan ahead anyway! The babysitting facility is very clean and bright and full of fun things for young kids to do while their parents work out. And when your work out is over you can grab the kids and head on over to the indoor pool which is open all year. Now that our community pool is closed this is a perfect alternative.
I was excited to learn about all of the other programs and activities offered for kids of all ages at the JCC. I am especially interested in the Great Beginnings class for newborns. It seems like a good place to take our littlest to socialize with other babies. Once your child is 2 they can enroll in the preschool. In the summer there are so many 
different camps for all ages that I cannot even list them here. And don’t forget about the swim team. I also recall looking in to swim lessons over the summer for our older boys. We were never able to fit that in but I look forward to signing them up as soon as we can. And if you are looking for a place to host your child’s next birthday party, they offer several themes including sports, dance and pool parties. I also know that we will utilize the guitar and piano lessons once our kids are in Kindergarten.
I have only scratched the surface when it comes to all of the things that the JCC has to offer kids and their families. Hopefully this will entice you to explore it further. Most (if not all) of the things that I talked briefly about above are available to members and non-members alike, although they will always be less expensive for members. Be sure to visit their website and schedule a tour if you think you might be interested. http://www.weinsteinjcc.org/
Core Kids Academy
0626 days
by bigoak
in For Richmond Kids
What to do when the energy level is just too much? A little gem of a place we’ve found for our kids is a neat, colorful nook nestled into the Quioccasin Station shopping center called Core Kids Academy.
Core is a small, female-owned gymnastics firm where Coach Cora Pedrazzi presides over all the bouncing, bounding, jumping, and leaping that goes on between her two trampolines and dozens of gymnastics props around the gym. Each one of my kids—now ages eight, five, and three—have taken group lessons there as well as had their birthday parties there in the past.
Although they may be lesser-known, they are small but mighty—classes are full but not overcrowded, and everybody knows your name. I like that.
It’s tough to keep all of my kiddos occupied when just one has a class, and one of the best things about Core is that they have a nice, spacious room where kids can go to draw, color, do homework, play DS, or just hang out and stay out of harm’s way while their sibling is in class. This room has saved us from trouble on more than one occasion!
Holly, Cora, and the whole Core team has really taken to each of our kids and worked hard to make it a fun experience for them; for that I’m truly appreciative. Although I don’t have a lick of gymnastics skill myself, I love watching these skills develop in each kiddo while their confidence grows.
I think that the people at Core—even moreso than the skill-building—has the most to do with that.
You can bet we’re heading there for camp this summer. See you there!
Kate Hall is the Founder/CEO of Richmondmom.com
