Some of us are winter people. Some of us aren’t. And some of us started the season as winter people but are thinking of changing teams.
No matter what type you and your family are, if you are looking for an excuse to stay indoors and out of the weather, but want to have fun and stay physically active, Rochester offers plenty of family-friendly options to explore.
Soccer World North offers Preschool Open Gym mornings, Monday through Thursday, for the preschool and younger crowd and their parents. With the entire facility to themselves, youngsters will enjoy a variety of physical activities (bounce house, tunnels, low-to-the-ground balance beam) and appreciate the opportunity to run around on a field of green (fake) grass.
"My philosophy is that physical fitness is year-round. If you teach kids different and fun ways to keep active, that will stick with them," says Kevin Lowery, owner of Soccer World and dad to two youngsters. Lowery adds that Open Gym is a great socializing and networking opportunity for parents. "It's fun to see parents socializing and interacting with their kids," he says.
And for a physically fun time the entire family can get in on, check out the Y’s Family Fun Night. Held Friday evenings and geared toward family members ages 4 and older, the event takes the emphasis off the final score and puts it on the fun to be had playing gym games (big base kickball, tag games, flickerball), doing scavenger hunts, and taking on family challenges.
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"We pick games and activities with families in mind. So they can have fun together and fun with other families," says Jessica Wacek, youth and family director for the Y, noting that Family Fun Nights are open to Y members as well as nonmembers.
Open Gym at Soccer World is $3 for children 2 and older, free for parents and younger kids. Family Fun Night is free for Y members, $10 for nonmembers. Call to reserve your family’s spot.
