We discovered Kids Are Tops Sports Center online before moving to the area, via their amazing…read moreresults in the local competitive scene and from watching their YouTube videos with my little son, mostly posted by parents I assume, and loving his excitement at what he saw! I knew we would pay this wonderful place a visit once we arrived, and true to luck, we decided to enroll in their Kinderbunnies Gymnastics program for 4-5 year olds.
Since then, in a short amount of time my son has learned much of the proper gymnastics postures that he will need to know for more advanced skills when he is older. He has learned how to properly mount the uneven bars, how to stand on his hands and toe tap (usually results in wild kicks hehe) and how to further his balance skills and coordination on a balance beam. His upper body strength is improving as well, as evidenced by watching him using the rings. In addition, for a homeschooled little one, it has taught him some valuable skills such as standing in line, social order (they do not allow the kiddos to just go crazy!) taking turns, being patient etc. All of these things of course I strive to teach him and he encounters here and there, but being that he has never been in any structured preschool with other kiddos, I am most grateful that they take such great care to run their exciting and fun program with order in mind!
All seriousness aside, my child is only 5, and as this is primarily for his enjoyment, for physical activity's sake, and for socialization opportunities being also an only child I think it is just fantastic fun! My son has a ton of energy, much more than most kids his age, and yet the instructors at Kids Are Tops have demonstrated they are each as gifted with children as they are with instruction and skill! I have found them all, each and every one, to be true professionals. I am so greatly impressed I cannot say enough! (But I'll sure try hehe!)
As we've discovered how much we love their programs, we've added classes to his routine such as their swimming courses. In a short couple of months they have taken my water shy child under their capable wing and coaxed out his inner fish! Can I truly say enough? For many summers we lived near the ocean overseas. Each of the countless trips to the ocean or the pool, our son had been afraid of getting water in his nose, face or eyes even with goggles. Nothing would comfort him beyond hanging onto one of us, using floatation devices or clinging to the side of the pools like a cute little monkey. Today, he dives under water in his baths without plugging his nose, stays under for quite some time on his back and his stomach and exhibits confidence in doing so such that I've never seen before. I am so proud and so is he! It is a credit to their extraordinary instruction and care.
Kids Are Tops has an amazing facility, full of many many different rooms boasting all sorts of fancy equipment and fun things for every level of skill. When you first walk in, you will be in awe of what appears to be an Olympic style gymnastics room where thanks to a wall of glass you will see the fruits of their labor and love, young children, flying through the air, flipping and spinning, balancing and jumping like we see on tv. It is truly amazing what these children can do! Little Olympic Gold medalists in the making they are! Further inside, they have a snack bar with (shockingly unhealthy hehe) comfort foods etc, a beautiful climate controlled indoor pool facility for their lessons with a sheltered glass viewing area. You'll find two large gymnastics areas for smaller children that host classes such as ours and even have a neat Mommy & Me type of parent/tot class where parents accompany their crawlers and toddlers around fun and safe obstacles. These areas are decorated for each holiday and are truly creative and exciting to behold for the kids! Dance classes are offered for all ages, and compete within the local scene often it seems. They have Martial Arts for ages 7 and up, and lastly, they offer apparel and educational toys such as Melissa & Doug inside their little retail shop, at very reasonable prices.
They offer discounts for multiple enrollments, as well as a very generous offer for spouses of "Deployed Military Members" wherein tuition for the deployed months is 50% off. That is a significant savings! Their staff are always friendly, professional and kind, and have incredible talents. I give this facility my full five stars. We drive quite a distance two times a week to attend their classes even with many gymnastics classes in other gyms nearby. It is worth the drive, hands down. I hope this review helps prospective parents make their decision! As a last temptation, they allow one free class as a trial if your child is interested in trying any of their classes, including swimming. They are awesome! They even host birthday parties in their facilities! Ok, I've said enough. Give them a try!
