The Little Gym of Seattle at Maple Leaf

We've had a great experience with The Little Gym at Maple Leaf for the last year that we've been going with our daughter. We've tried out a lot of different classes in the area, and Little Gym is the one that we keep signing up for again and again. It's a wonderful space that is kept really clean and that creates a friendly environment for kids to run around, swing from bars, jump off of mats, throw themselves onto mats... and socialize with other kids. Our daughter has not only learned a lot of movement skills like forward rolls etc, but she has learned how to follow instructions, how to share with other kids, and how to take turns.

The teachers are terrific. We especially love Payten, Emilee, Kaitlyn, and Lauren. I know that several of the teachers are currently studying early childhood education at local colleges, and I've heard them talk about how great it is to be able to apply what they're learning in school to how they teach. It definitely shows in their warmth, their enthusiasm and their patience.

I always hear complaints online about the price, but the price for each class is definitely on par with other classes in the area. And if you go to a class on a weekday, it's cheaper.

About the prerecorded instructions, yes, they're a bit lame, but the upside of that is that you know that every class is going to be the same. Yes, of course, the teacher makes a difference (and I wish that they would list the teacher's name on the schedule for each class - we love all the teachers, but our daughter definitely feels more attached to specific ones), but even if the teacher is not as experienced, you know you're still going to have a good class.

As for not "clicking with other people" in the class, that's just Seattle, people. The freeze is real and I totally hear you that it sucks - Seattle is one of the most unfriendly places I've lived in. It takes a loooooooooong time for people to warm up to each other here. And sometimes you just don't click with a certain group of parents or kids. But that's going to happen anywhere. The great thing about Little Gym is that they are really flexible, and it's easy to schedule make-up classes, and it's also easy to switch classes if you need to. So, it's a good idea to try out different classes of different days and find the class that fits you the best.

My only regret with the Little Gym is that I didn't start classes here sooner.

Wow- I take both my granddaughters to Little Gym weekly. Today one of them threw up as we were getting ready to leave. As neither had any previous symptoms of illness I was surprised - but had my daughter call to inform Little Gym that they would not be attending as we didn't want to infect others. My daughter just received a text that in the future Little Gym will need at least 2 hours notice or no makeup class - as if they were going to cancel the class if the kids didn't show up! It isn't even a money credit situation - if you miss a class with notice, you are generally allowed a similar makeup class IF THERE IS ROOM IN THE CLASS - in other words, it costs them nothing. Sure leaves a bad taste in my mouth as I can hardly anticipate something like unexpected and sudden illness, particularly as the teachers in this classroom have been inconsistent - not easy on toddlers who need time to warm up to new people and breaks in the routine.

High turn over with staff. We had been attending over a year, and the staff and customer service has really gone down hill since they changed management/were bought out? Pretty disappointed with their cancelation policy, we had accrued several make up classes we were hoping to still use. They made no mention that we wouldn't be able to use these credits.

I'd give the Little Gym of Maple Leaf 10 stars if I could. The staff is wonderful- always smiling, kind and interactive with the kids (my daughter is 4.5 and we've been going since she's 18 months). The weekly classes are excellent. I've read other reviewers complain about the recordings with directions. I'm not sure why. Class is lead by a teacher and the "recordings" are music and occasional verbal instructions peppered throughout. The kids have a blast and with each developmental stage, classes increase in skill and activities.

My daughter's preschool shut down for the year due to covid. TLG started a preschool program, Wonder Kids, 2 days a week. My daughter has been learning her letters and doing great art. TLG did an amazing job pivoting with the time and adapting its offerings to support families during these unprecedented times.

Policies with makeups are flexible and easy. Camps from 1 to 4 are also well run, easy to enroll in, and use over time. You get a discount for buying a pack. Prices are on par with similar programs in the Seattle area. Staff is easily accessible through text and phone and the website is also easy to use.

My older daughter (6) also goes to the camps sometimes and loves them.

You can't go wrong with TLG. It is a safe, loving, nurturing environment that is a great addition to your early childhood education efforts for your children. Shout out and a big thank you to the wonderful staff!

This is probably one of the worst places out there and a "cheap" copy/version of Gymboree. As a parent you need to click with other ppl and G* forbid you are the "new" one. My two kids were always getting sick so who knows with what they clean. The class starts with a circle time and prerecorded instructions (really?), staff is genuinely unhappy and talking bad behind each other's back. The instructors are usually young girls with no intention to be out of their routine to adapt to their class so it was obvious they would much rather be somewhere else. And to make everything even worse My car got broken into right by their door.
it's was not relaxing for anyone....
Zero starts for creativity
Zero stars for attitude

We had my kiddo's birthday party here yesterday and had such a good experience! The staff was so lovely and engaging with the kids. They did a great job leading activities and allowing for the kids to participate at their own level. They handled everything from start to finish and all the kids had a blast. The only hard part for me was sitting back and not doing anything (that feels so unnatural now as a parent ). We will definitely be coming back here.

We've only done one class (the "try us out free of charge" class) and I am impressed with the Little Gym. They are well equipped and the semi-structured learning environment works great with little ones. For ~$20 you get 45 minutes of fun play. The class starts with some simple songs and some basic concepts then moves on to three skills. The skills are interspersed with free exploration time and the engagement varies according to age and interests. The instructor was great and made sure all the kids got a bit of attention. Funny to say but I think the parents end up sweating more than the kids.

My only qual has to do with the class size, 14 toddlers is a lot to handle even if they come with 1-2 parents. Smaller classes would be a bit more social.

I'd like to provide a current review. If your business model/mission is built on serving families with young children, please learn the value of flexibility, good customer service and quality programming.

A week ago I went as a "guest" with the understanding that I could attend 1 free trial class. Turns out that policy has changed and my only option was to sign up for a 3 pack trial session at $45. I was told I must use the classes 3 consecutive weeks in a row.

Let me speak to the quality of the class. I expected a very interactive teacher, leading us in games, songs and movement that she/he directed. Instead a recording was played over the stereo system and we were instructed to follow the voice of a person not in the room or physically in front of out children guiding them. There was a kind young woman leading the class, but she was not a teacher I paid $15 to listen to a recording, you have got to be kidding!!

We did my daughters birthday party here a few weeks ago and I just cannot say enough about how wonderful the staff was. They did everything and more to make sure the party was wonderful for both kids and adults. I was expecting to do a lot more work putting out food, clean up, etc but they wouldn't even let me do it. Everything was seamless and we actually got to chat with parents because the kids were so well entertained and everything was taken care of. And the kids LOVED the time they had in the gym. The instructors masterfully managed a mixed age group of kids, some of whom were quite shy. The staff who work here are amazing and I sure hope they are well paid for their efforts!

We've been taking our (now) 3-year old here for almost 2 years now and it's still as entertaining as the day we started. The structured, yet not rigid, class design means that even the most active of kids will find something to do, but you can feel confident they're learning (not just running around like maniacs). Not inexpensive, but I couldn't stand having one of those kids who's all "I can't go down the slide" or "those stairs are too scary" - and I definitely credit Little Gym for giving him the skills and confidence for that not to be an issue.

I also really like their philosophy regarding how to praise your kid and have used some of the phrasing I've learned at Little Gym in other situations as well.

All the weekend classes are super full, but the weekday classes are more manageable.

We're just about to the point where our kid will be in a class without us (just kids and teachers) - so that will be an interesting transition, but we're going to keep going until he stops enjoying it. He'll probably be the only boy in the class (like most gymnastics classes it skews heavily towards girls after around 3), but whatever.

Last little tip - they're opening new locations in Ballard and West Seattle soon, and I hear a rumor of a location around Columbia City. We'll see.