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Fun For The
Wee Lads And Lasses

Diane Baldwin
AppleTree Staff Writer

I

n my ongoing search to find

fun, family-oriented activities, I
discovered Kidsports Fun &
Fitness Center.
Located at 29633 Franklin
Road, it is behind the
Franklin Fitness &
Racquet Club. Many
are familiar with
Kidsports because of
its reputation for host-
ing birthday parties
and offering fitness
classes. However, I
was surprised to learn
that it also has Family
Open Gym, which is
open each day to the public.
There are two gyms: the
Weesports Gym, for children 6
months to 4 years, and the
Kidsports Gym, for children ages
4-12. The Weesports Gym is
equipped with age-appropriate
structures, including an inflated
star castle for inside jumping, stair
structures for climbing, a few soft,
roly-poly pieces for balancing or
rolling or standing, and many Little
Tikes play pieces including climb-
ing blocks, chunky slides, a short
basketball hoop, a merry-go-round
and mini-scooters. The room is
carpeted and has mats on the
floor, with low mirrors and colorful
designs painted on the walls.
The Kidsports Gym is more spa-
cious and has larger equipment
like a high basketball hoop with
real balls, a hanging net and

other structures for climbing, and a
concrete floor for hockey or run-
ning games.
To be honest, I do not enjoy vis-
iting places that are loud and
overwhelm the senses. I was
pleased with the calm, safe and
peaceful environment of the
Kidsports open gym.
I liked the fact that I
could see the whole
room from wherever
I stood. My son
Nicholas, 9 months,
is not yet walking or
crawling and I was-
n't sure what he
would be able to
do. But it turned out
this adventure was worth the non-
membership fee.
Nicholas was happy to stand
inside a big donut-type mat and
hold onto a strap while he
watched other children play. He
liked to go down the Little Tikes
slide and play on his belly on a
big roly-poly-type thing.
He also enjoyed sitting on a
scooter as I pushed him around
the room, making "vroom" noises.
He laughed and "talked" with the
other children. He was in no hurry
to leave. It was an eye-opening
experience for me, a first-time
mother, to witness this side of
Nick. I could easily imagine stay-
ing at Kidsports for a couple of
hours, especially once Nick starts
crawling or walking.
For Nick's sake, I was relieved
to discover that children older than
4 were not allowed in the
Weesports Gym.
For parents concerned about
safety, the two gyms are divided

It h as a
Ca Im,
pea cefu
a i r.

Diane Baldwin is a mother and

freelance writer who lives in
Clarkston.

by a carpeted hallway and a par-
ent must be with his or her chil-
dren at all times (unless the chil-
dren are attending special drop-
off events). Because of this, and
because gym equipment is geared
for children under age 12,
Kidsports is not a teen hangout.
The Weesports Gym has a
swinging door to keep children in
the room and a wall of large win-
dows for easy viewing of the hall-
way. The front doors are connect-
ed to a siren that sounds whenev-
er the door is opened, and a half
door separates the office area
(and front entrance) from the
gyms, bathrooms and eating area.
The hallway has coat hooks on
the wall to keep the rooms free of
clutter. Both rooms were clean and
I was told that all equipment is
washed weekly. Families can
bring a lunch or snack. There are
two bathrooms, including one with
a changing table.
Kidsports operates via member-
ship dues. All members receive
discounted rates on fitness or •
Kindermusik classes, special
events, preschool classes, birthday
parties as well as free entry for
Family Open Gym sessions. These
also are available to non-mem-
bers, at a higher rate.
Family Open Gym fees are free
for members, $8/session for the
first child and $5/session for
each additional child. Times vary,
but are held every day of the
week, including weekends.
Membership fees are S12 a
month for the first child, S16 a
month for two children and $20 a
month for three children. For infor-
mation, call (248) 352 - 5437. ❑

Got a question? Get an answer
from the Federation Resource
Line, (248) 559-4411; (248) 559-
6146 TT (Text Telephone for
people who are deaf or have
hearing
impair-
ments)

A program
of the
Jewish
Federation
of Metro-
politan
Detroit

Federation
Resource e
line

1,

(248)
559-4411

7:559-6146
Fax: 559-6140

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Specializing in Adult
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Dr. Levran is a graduate of Wayne State University
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now affiliated with St. Maly Hospital-Livonia.

TIII LEVRAN, M.D., P.C.

Mon.-Wed, 10-6, Thur. and Fri. 10-9
Sat 10-6, Sun. 12-5

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7" hest maple

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1 1 /21

1997

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