You may not know this, but nestled deep in South Wallingford is a Mecca of play spaces for toddlers. OmKids Play Gym at OmCulture on Pacific Street offers a drop-in playtime five days a week that kids and parents alike will adore. I took my 2-year-old son to try it out, and I think I had as much fun as he did, which is saying something because he had A LOT of fun.
The gym is a huge room, almost circular, with a high vaulted ceiling that gives off the faint aura of circus the moment you walk in. And that feeling only intensifies as you take in the variety of equipment available for use. Gymnastic rings, a balance beam, a large trampoline, a trio of mini trampolines, kid-size tunnels, sling swings suspended from beams, a knotted gym rope like most of us scaled in elementary school and the hugest pile of cushions you've ever seen. Vast windows, tall mirrors and gauzy curtains keep it light and bright, and the background music is just loud enough to sing with or talk over.
The rules are simple. In fact, there is really just one rule: Keep an eye on the kids (yours and any other ones running around.) Now, I've been to plenty of play gyms and I've participated in dozens of parent-tot classes, but I've never been to one so relaxing before. Twenty small children were in this room jumping, swinging, dancing, running, flying (onto pillows), soaring (in swings), and no one was fighting. Meltdowns were minor and fixed with a snack (Yes, you can eat in the gym – no peanut products, please.) And, all of the parents were smiling, including me.
I walked around after my little guy, puzzling over this for a while as he dashed from station to station in accordance with his 3-second attention span, and I finally figured it out. Most classes and play gyms are only for kids. Parents are there to monitor behavior and ensure that the kids follow the program. Here, there was only one (aforementioned) rule, and parents get to use the equipment, too. I jumped on trampolines, I rolled on cushions, I walked the balance beam, swung in the sling swings and climbed the rope – albeit not as quickly as I did in elementary school.
And that was only half the fun. Midway through open gym, equipment is moved aside, and everyone loosely collects for circle time. Instructor Michael Suzerris gathered our attention, ran us through a few fun songs, did a quick round of introductions and brought out the drums. Yes, drums! Big drums, little drums, shakers and rattlers raised the rafters in a 10-minute impromptu rhythm jam session that left my son emphatically signing MORE when it ended. There's no doubt we'll be back for MORE soon.
IF YOU GO
Where: 2210 N. Pacific St. (enter building from Bagley Avenue N.)
When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 3 to 5 p.m.
Cost: Drop-in $7, five classes $30, 10 classes $55. Adults and babes in arms are free.
Contact: 206-829-9969; www.omculture.com/omkids.
Erika Lee Bigelow is “Going Places” editor for Seattle’s Child and the mother of three.
