It’s open gym season! Let us help you find the one that is a perfect fit with our Open Gym Scorecard. Today we’re giving you the inside scoop on Grayslake’s Open Tot Gym.
Open Tot Gym at the Grayslake Park District is one of the first places I tried when we moved here, so it will always be one of our favorite—held at the Grayslake Recreation Center (240 Commerce Drive, Grayslake) three times a week (pending holiday schedules). It’s a low-key unsupervised open gym for walking toddlers through age 6.
It may not be obvious for first-time visitors how/where to go to the gym. You want to enter the Park District building through the main doors facing Commerce Ave. This will lead you into the Park District Offices, where you will pay your drop-in fee and get your child’s hand-stamped; adults are not charged for open gym. From there, they will direct you to the gym. You will need to sign in with the attendant in the gym when you arrive. Don’t bother trying to arrive early. There is a class beforehand, and they will not let you in until they open the doors.
The gym is set up with two Little Tykes slides, scooters, several bikes and ride-ons, pop-up tents and tunnels, mats, and a cart full of all manner of balls and hoops. There has always been plenty of stuff for my kids; I always have at least two with me to do. There is no designated mat or baby area as the gym is set up for walking kids and up. However, they have allowed me in the past to pull out a mat and sit my non-crawling baby on it to play while my daughter ran around.
For me, the best part is that it’s cheap, only $3 per child, and if you buy the punch card they never expire! The one we have been using this year was bought last year. The staff member that is in the gym is helpful and friendly, but parents are expected to supervise their children at all times.
Open Tot Gym at Grayslake Recreation Center
240 Commerce Drive, Grayslake, IL 60030
Monday-Wednesday-Friday 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
$3 resident/$5 non-resident per child
For ages walking – 6 years
To confirm days and time or for more information contact the Grayslake Area Park District open gym hotline: 847-223-2844.
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