Here’s the thing about preschoolers. They’re busy little bees with a lot of energy to burn. Now here’s the thing about parents. It’s up to us to find a way to release that energy in a way that doesn’t involve wrecking the house or traumatising the pets.
Well, happy day, mamas and papas. We’ve found THE preschooler activity that pretty much guarantees tired kidlets. And an added bonus? They’ll learn a lot along the way.
Welcome to BOUNCE, where the trampolines go high and the children go home tired. Now if that’s not a recipe for the perfect activity for preschoolers, well then we don’t know what is. BOUNCE – you’ll know the place if you have older children – is heaven in a hangar for older kids. Kitted out with trampolines, it’s long been THE place for school-aged children to hang out. Now it’s time for the little ones to get in on the trampolining act, with a new class especially for the kinder set.
Mum Central visited a BOUNCE KinderGym class to see what all the fuss is about. And mums, you’re going to be so glad we did.
Bouncearama
BOUNCE KinderGym classes run during the day from BOUNCE centres across Australia. Strictly for the three to five year age group, little ones can jump safely and without the bother – or danger – of bigger siblings busting in. The instructors are all qualified gymnastics coaches too – and the program itself has the official thumbs up from Gymnastics Australia – so tots will pick up some important gym skills along the way.
In fact, when Mum Central stopped in, we saw preschoolers learning how to tumble and somersault, how to balance, how to roll and plenty of other skills, all under the watchful eye of Gymnastics Australia-accredited coaches.
The classes, designed to be an immersive sensory and physical development program, follow a series of fun themes each week to keep the kids interested. One week it may be colours, the next week kids are invited to bring a teddy friend to join the jumping fun. There’s songs, games and more fun than you can poke a stick at. Except you won’t need a pogo stick because the trampolines here have plenty of bounce.
It’s not just the kids who love it, though the giant smiles on their faces lets you know that’s true. Mums and dads are big fans too.
What do the parents think
Melbourne mama Samantha Torres, brings her son Oliver, 3 to do the class while she tends her newborn. “He loves it, it’s his outlet. His fine motor skills are definitely better. Just to balance on something at the park and not fall off, I definitely think is because of this,” Samantha says.
“I like the obstacle course, where they’re crawling through things and balancing on things, though Oliver loves the jumping best. It does exhaust him too, which is a nice bonus.”
Mum-of-two Rebecca Mitchell brings both her children – William, 4, and Amelia, 3 – and says the program has helped her son overcome his shyness.
“He’s very timid and I can see how it’s helped him. Because it’s a full hour, they really get into it. They have to sit and listen and follow instructions, which is important. And they always, always sleep well on a Friday!”
The BOUNCE KinderGym program runs in line with school terms, with Term Four due to start at the beginning of October, 2017. Bookings are open online now over at BOUNCE, with term fees $140.
Like what you hear? Mum Central and BOUNCE are giving four families – one each from South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia – the chance to win a term of KinderGym classes FREE.
To enter, simply complete the entry form below in full, comment underneath telling us what you love about the KinderGym program and you could be our lucky winner!
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
Win a Term of KinderGym at BOUNCE – 4 to be Won!
This is a sponsored post for BOUNCE
