Gym classes for kids are more than just enrichment when winter hits. They can ensure that kids get the much-needed exercise that tends to fall away when days get darker and air gets colder. These little beings need to run - and climb - and it is not always ideal to do so in your home. Many of us want to get the kids into some sort of class - dance, soccer, music, etc. How do you pick which is best? Well, this year I realized if I picked my activity carefully, it would be very worth every penny. I recently registered my youngest at Gymboree for a music class. What I did not know was that this gym offered something that was as important to me as the “Daddy time” he would have and the chance to move and interact with children his age - the gym has free play sessions!

On certain days the gym is open for free for kids to run and climb and laugh and have fun. What’s even more exciting is that you are allowed to bring two kids to one adult. That means I can take both of my kids on those dreaded after nap times when we are all bored and let them get exercise, work up and appetite for dinner and much needed stimulation that ensures a great night sleep. For the holidays the classes are on break, but they have open gym almost every day. I repeat - for free! So, when my older son is going crazy (and so are we) with the long break from school, guess where I will be? Although the initial investment can be a bit pricey, if you use the open gym wisely, it works out to be a win-win situation. Gymboree classes are offered in many locations, so chances are you have one near you.

A couple of other gyms that offer similar programs are JW Tumbles and My Gym.

Let us know if you have any experiences with these places or have other programs that offer “free play” time. We are all looking for economical ways to get out kids moving!

I recently took my 1- and 3-year-old sons to Baby Loves Disco, a "traveling party" that sets up shop in nightclubs during the day for a kid friendly dance party. It was fantastic. I am all for anything to get my kids moving, especially in the colder months when we are desperate for spaces for them to run around. The best part is that you get moving too! Without realizing it you are both getting much needed exercise all while dancing to '70s and '80s music spun by the club's DJ. My husband and I had a blast "reliving" our clubbing days - even if it was post nap/pre-dinnertime!

The dance floor is occasionally showered with bubbles which I think is fun for both kids and adults alike, and the kids have all sorts of props to encourage creative movement. There are hula hoops, egg shakers and scarves. In our venue, there was a little stage that our three-year-old loved dancing on. Our one-year old just loved running back and forth in the open space. And myself? I actually broke into a sweat spinning my three-year-old around for a few songs on the main floor.

If the music is too much, or you need a break, there are many ways to get one. Baby Loves Disco sets up quiet rooms with toys and books, a room for nursing, feeding and changing babies, balloon artists creating all sorts of surprises for the little ones, massage chairs for mommies and daddies, face painting, healthy snacks for kids and parents (guacamole, hummus, cheese and crackers, veggies and dip etc). Oh, and did I mention that the bar is open for business?

To find out if there is a Baby Loves Disco party near you - and you should check, because they go to more cities than you'd think, go to Baby Loves Disco. It can be a bit overwhelming, but is well worth it for a family activity that gets everyone moving!

Finding time to exercise with small children can be difficult. Fortunately there are many gyms now that offer childcare, and this can be a wonderful thing for both baby and mom! Thinking of dropping your little one off in the care of strangers can be difficult, but I assure you, I if you do your homework and find the right fit, you will both be enjoying your days a bit more. When mama is happy… well, you know the rest.

There are many things to consider when taking this step, not the least being the consideration of both you and your child’s temperament. Look for a place where you and your child feel most secure. If you belong to a gym already, but are not happy with the childcare, you may want to look around, at least until your kids are in school. When looking into childcare come armed with questions so you know how to adequately make your choice. Some things will be more important than others, and may sway you more easily. Every gym has different policies, staff qualifications, and hours. Here are some things to consider when doing your research:

• Hours: What are the gym's hours for childcare? These are probably shorter than the gym's hours, and may offer very limited access on weekends. Make sure to find out if they are within the bounds of a workout schedule that can work for you. Do they require reservations? (Some gyms will limit the number of babies under a certain age.)


• Staff: What qualifications do the staff have? Ask about years of experience and CPR training. What is the staff to child ratio?


• Taking Care of Business: What is their diaper policy? (Some will change, some will not.) Is there a toilet in the room? How do they deal with potty-trained children when they have to go?


• Safety: What security procedures do they use to protect your child? Bracelets? Sign in? Driver's license drop-off? Pagers?


• Atmosphere: Do you like the look of the room? Is it clean? Does it have age appropriate toys for you child? Do they have any "down time" activities - craft options, games, coloring? Do they keep a video on? You may like or dislike this, based on your preferences or your child's relative interest in watching TV.


• What is their “crying” protocol? How long will they go before getting you? Can they make adjustments based on your preferences? Do they allow food? Water bottles? Milk bottles?

Most gyms will allow a trial day, so you can check it yourself and see how your child likes it. Inevitably, there will be something you are not crazy about. In one gym they allowed food, which I personally was not a fan of, and the gym I am in now always has the TV on. We just make this “the TV time for the day." Expectations have to be reasonable, and I found that having that hour to myself, even if to read a magazine on a bike, while my children got a load of playtime in, was worth the television “problem."

I usually only put my kids in for an hour a few times a week, as that is what works for us. Each family has to find what they are comfortable with. I will also point out that as the days get colder, it can be a great activity for the kids. They get to run around in a space designed for them and you get to get the much needed time and movement you need.

Do any of you have any hesitations about using a childcare in a gym? Please share the positive and the negative in the comments!