As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, we will spend the next few weeks reviewing some of the area's local indoor play spaces and children's classes. If you have a business you would like to recommend we review, please e-mail us at Lanim@macaronikid.com.
Last week, my son and I were invited to visit the new Kidville location in Bethesda. As many of you may recall, Kidville used to be located above the Container Store on Rockville Pike. I actually did not know they were still in the area, but was definitely happy to see them open, and busy on Bethesda Row near Bethesda Bagels. While the old location was more convenient to those of us in Rockville and Gaithersburg, I have to say I like the new location MUCH better! There is a warmer, more inviting feeling in the new location, and a lot less wasted space! The entire facility is immaculate! I think many of us have come to expect a certain amount of clutter, and possibly even a crumb of food that a snacking child has dropped at many kids play centers...but NOT at Kidville Bethesda. I am not kidding when I say the floor looked clean enough to eat off of...
Ok, so it is sparkly clean...what about the classes, and equipment?? We demoed to classes. The first class we tried was called Big Muscle Workout. This class seemed similar to a gym class at The Little Gym or My Gym. We loved the trampoline, much bigger than the small circular trampoline we have seen at some other gyms, and also loved the zip line with foam landing area. I'd say what really set this class apart was the small class size and very engaging instructors. For classes like this, the location is great for parents who would like to go grab a cup of coffee, or check out a book at Barnes & Noble right up the street during the 45 minute class.
The next class tried was Little Maestros. I must say I think this class alone truly sets Kidville apart from anything I have seen offered in this area. This is not a class where kids just bang on an instrument...Each class features four live musicians who sing and play guitar, piano, and drums. My son sat down and was engrossed in the band. It was truly like going to a children's concert. The singers, Ali and Stephen were great singers and performers and definitely kept the kids engaged. The show included musical storytime, great songs, language development activities, a short puppet show, and my son's favorite, "bubble music." If your child likes music or and/or live performances...this is definitely the class for you!
Kidville offers tons of other classes including their own fun takes on ballet, hip-hop, soccer, sports, gymnastics, art, science, summer camps for young kids (ages 18-24 months, 2 yrs. and 3-5 yr. olds), and a pre-school alternative program. When you first sign up for a class at Kidville you get a Silver annual family membership. Several other levels are available and each comes with perks such as guest passes, and discounts on birthday parties, and in the boutique and salon. Another thing that makes Kidville unique is that there open play is only open to currently enrolled members. Kidville also has an adorable boutique for a great last minute gift, or special surprise.
And, I cannot possibly review Kidville without including a word about their salon. When I first read about Kidville coming to Rockville years ago, I remember thinking what kid needs to go to a "salon?" Let me just tell you, yours! My son had a haircut at the Rockville location a few months before they closed. It was hands down, my favorite haircut he had ever had. I'm sure you can imagine how sad I was to return several months later just to find the location had closed...well, when I walked into the Bethesda location, almost two years after my son's great haircut...there was Chrisy, the stylist we had seen in Rockville. Not only does Chrisy give a great cut, your child gets to choose between sitting in an awesome airplane or a fire truck, while watching their favorite DVD. And, the best part, Chrisy asks you what style you want, and then, get this, actually listens!
If you are looking for a more unique class, I would definitely recommend taking a trip to Bethesda to try out at least one of Kidville's great classes. While we didn't have a chance to try every class, I would recommend the Little Maestros to everyone as the most fun music class...well more like show...we've been to so far.
