Gymboree

I live in Skokie and have a two year old and a four and a half year old. Gymboree was nothing speacial for us. It was too expensive, and I didn't feel like it gave much opportunity for the children to interact. But, here are some of my recommendations:

- the Skokie Public Library has amazing and free storytimes with music and movement and stories. You do have to register, but they are free and you can stay and enjoy the awesome childrne's section there and play....
- the Wilmette Park district gymnastics classes are really good and fun and not too expensive. Even if you are a non-resident.
- the Exploratorium is not too expensive and it a great treat.
- there is a class starting soon on Thursday mornings at the Morton Grove Park District that involves movement and art it is for ages 0-6. I highly recommend the teacher...

Feel free to email me at ____@____.com if you have other questions.

I have been taking my little girl to Gymboree at Old Orchard since she was 8 mos old. It's great and the teachers are nice. Since my DH and I work full time and a nanny comes in our home, my daughter doesn't get much exposure to other kids. This weekly class allows her to interact with others and learn a lot. Attending Gymboree allows her to learn songs and dances that we do all the time at home together. And with the cold weather it's a great escape. Our teacher, Amy, is good and all the others I've met at Old Orchard are good too.
Yes it is a little expensive, but it's worth it. Other similar experiences are "my gym" at several locations. IF you can find similar parent-tot activities in your suburban park district that may be equally good as well if cost is concerning.

U must be missing the warm weather. Just think of all the positives Illinois has to offer -- great schools, housing, resources, etc. Winter is already half over so hang in there :o) If u want other ideas what to do to beat the winter blahs let me know.

My 2 year old daughter did gymboree at Old Orchard for about 6 months...then suddenly said no Gymbo, no Gymbo. The teachers there are really nice and it is a good program. I think my daughter just got tired of it. Now I have her in the Parent Tot gymnastics class at the Wilmette Park District Community Center, which is just North of Old Orchard.

Good luck!

Hi, Gymboree at Old Orchard is wonderful and also the one in arlington heights. They are great teachers. I am also from miami and i am missing too the warm weather. Hope you like it. Your children are going to have a wonderful time there.

M. Mendez

N.,

We love Gymboree at Old Orchard...We've been going since my daughter was 8 weeks old...She's now 17months....
I know they have a multi-age class at several different times....

Good luck
M.

Hi, I enrolled my daughter in Gymboree when she was about 16 months and we attended for about 5 months. We just recently stopped going for 2 reasons .... the first reason is that I did not want to go anywhere near the mall during the holiday season as it gets pretty crazy at Old Orchard! The second is simply because of the cost. It is a wonderful program and our teacher, Becky, is wonderful with the kids. My daughter loved going and her favorite part was getting the "Gymbo stamps" on her hands and feet at the end of the class. I am going to enroll her in the Park District parent-tot class starting in January and we'll see how that goes. It is considerably less expensive than Gymboree! However, if you can afford it, the classes are great and well worth the cost. Good Luck!

I had my son enrolled in Gymboree in Northbrook, and I personally thought that the classes were not worth what we were paying. It seemed like he could get more through the Park Distrect for less money, and let's face it, having kids means saving as much as possible. I know that all of the programs are all the same, and the teachers are great, but NOT worth the money!!!