Gymnastics class for 2.5 year old

[mettelw]

My daughter is coming up to 2 1/2 years and is absolutely fearless, physically, and loves nothing more than to climb, jump, cling, etc etc. We think that she might love a gymnastics class, but are not sure whether there will be any classes / sessions for her age group and a search of the internet has not thrown up a lot of local stuff. Any advice or hints on classes/clubs would be much appreciated!!

[Princess]

Tumble Tots is pretty good for this sort of thing. They set up assault courses for the kids to clamber, jump and run over. The oldest session they cater for is 2-3 year olds. We go to the walking-2 years but I'm sure it's a similar sort of thing!

Px

[mettelw]

Thanks for this, sounds good - I'll look into it! I was also thinking of trampolining or a more formal gymnastics class - still not sure whether she is old enough if anyone has any advice?

[Lacey]

Jags has a parent and toddler trampoline session on a sat morning. You don't have to be a member and I think it's a drop in session (though you probably need to book during the week to be sure of a place). It says it's for 18 months to 4 years. I've not got round to taking my son to it as we go to their toddler football sessions instead which are also on a sat morning. When I was looking into gymnastic stuff, I saw that beckenham spa also has drop in toddler gym sessions.

[kemurf]

Soft play is really good - try Beckenham Spa (Buzz Zone) or Rascals in Bellingham (by Bellingham BR). Both ?4.70 (ish) per session. Big climbing area, slides, ball pit - brilliant for toddlers upwards. I started taking my daughter when she was 2.5 - she loves it. And you can join in and climb up with them. Or, leave her to it and get a coffee....good when there is a group of you...!

[nunheadmum]

Beckenham Spa do still do some gym classes for little ones - baby gym up to 3 years and mini gym for 3-5 years.

We did the mini gym and it was run by a proper gymnastics coach but I'm not sure if she's still there or not (I heard she was leaving). My LO loved it and came on a lot in confidence with physical things. I think the differential between the classes (baby / mini gym) was as much to do with the ability to follow instructions as the mini gym was without parents and more structured.

[Sanne Panne]

Tumble tots is indeed nice for physical / climbing / balance confidence and skills and they apparently do also have a 3+ class. We're doing 2-3 at the moment but would love to move on to gymnastics as well.

[EDmummy]

I think proper gymnastics is perhaps a little too structured at this age. Both mine went to Tumble Tots and one now still does gymnastics but did not start until 4yrs (3-4 is about usual start). 'Proper' gymnastics involves a fair amount of waiting around and paying attention - not always the forte of a 2 1/2 yr old.

[DGGC]

Charisma Gym Club in West Dulwich runs preschool classes on Saturday.

Classes are open to chidren between 2 and 4.

Good luck!

[fapl]

Ladywell Gymnastics Club based in Bellingham Leisure Centre is excellent. Parents must attend the 2 year old class, there is some warm up stretching at the beginning, then mostly free play on all the equipment, bars, foam pits, high beam etc. and the coach will call over the children individually to learn a skill, hanging on the bar, walking backwards on the beam for example. Just enough of an introduction to a formal gymnastics class, with mostly free play. Then if they are not worn out you can always take them straight into Rascals.