For some parents, the mention of another event for their kids might elicit an emotion akin to the stress response: When did this get added to the calendar? Where do they have to go? How will I manage carpooling?
Kids’ events at Life Time offer a less stress-inducing scenario: Parents can plan for their kids to participate in events at a convenient location, and parents can stay there — and even bring their other kids for play or care — while the events are taking place.
Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for healthy fun for their young ones and tweens, too. “My kiddos love the Life Time Kids events,” says Jenny Gogliotti, member at Life Time in Chesterfield, Mo., and mom of four (7, 5, 3, and 9 months old). “They enjoy playing games and sports, making crafts, and spending time with their friends.”
Each month, clubs offer themed Parents Night Out events, featuring games and activities related to the designated subject and giving kids the chance to connect with others their age. There are also monthly Tween Takeover events.
When parents drop their kids off at the Kids Academy for these events, they can spend time on their own in the athletic country club or leave the property to get other things done on their to-do list (or wish list!).
“We love that this is a safe and engaging environment for our kids to spend time at while we get to go out to dinner,” says Gogliotti. “The kids look forward to the Parents Night Out events as much as we look forward to the break. It’s so much more convenient than trying to find a sitter.”
Check out more about the events and themes taking place in January and February:
| JANUARY | |||
| January 7 | January 14 | January 21 | January 28 |
| Search for the Yeti | Search for the Yeti | Ceramics Celebration | Ceramics Celebration |
| Tween Takeover | Tween Takeover | ||
| FEBRUARY | |||
| February 4 | February 11 | February 18 | February 25 |
| Football Funday | Football Funday | Valentine’s Day Party | Valentine’s Day Party |
| Tween Takeover | Tween Takeover | ||
Tween Takeover
Ages: 9 to 13 years old
Length: Typically 3 hours
At Tween Takeover nights, kids rule! This time is for your tween to decide what they want to do at their athletic country club: They can play sports, create crafts, challenge one another to a board game, or participate in other fun activities. The space is theirs!
Search for the Yeti
Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours
As the legend goes, there’s a yeti hiding somewhere inside Life Time. Kids are divided into pairs and earn points by completing Minute to Win It challenges. For example, they may race to blow a “snowball” (a.k.a. a cotton ball) across the floor.
The top teams get to participate in the “final yeti challenge,” in which they search for clues across the gym and/or Kids Academy to find him before the night is over. Does your kid have what it takes?
Ceramics Celebration
Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours
Kids can unleash their inner artist and create a colorful ceramic masterpiece — it might be a piggy bank, plate, or other item (the pieces vary by club location). Kids decorate using oil-based markers so they can easily design their chosen ceramic. They’ll leave with take-home instructions for parents to help them heat their ceramics project in the oven to finish it.
This event also includes a S.T.E.A.M. lesson in which pre-K–age kids make pipe-cleaner towers, while kids ages 6 years and older participate in a paper-chain challenge.
Football Funday
Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours
Kids’ sports skills are put to the test during this GameFace Sport combine event. A kid-friendly version of an NBA or NFL combine, this offering encourages athletes to perform skills and drills and show off their abilities.
After being divided into smaller groups, junior athletes are challenged to perform movements that test their coordination, strength, and speed. There are four timed stations where they compete in assorted running drills — for example, 10-yard dash sprints — and four stations for simple strength challenges (think pushups or planks).
Kids can get competitive and challenge their friends if they wish, but there isn’t a winner of the night — all kids are encouraged to simply perform their best individually.
Valentine’s Day Party
Ages: 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club)
Length: 3 hours
Your kids will love celebrating Valentine’s Day with us! They’ll participate in themed gym games such as capture the heart, cupid tag, valentine’s tag, and musical hearts. There are also Valentine’s Day crafts such as love-bug headbands and heart cards. Plus, they’ll have a pizza party!
View your club’s schedule online or in the Life Time Digital app to see the calendar of events and reserve your kid’s spot.
Common FAQs About Life Time Kids Events
Tori Limmel, kids curriculum manager at Life Time, shares answers to commonly asked questions from parents.
What can I expect if I sign my child up for a Life Time Kids event?
Each event has a theme, and we build the curriculum around that so there are always fun new activities for kids to take part in. There are two themes per month, each offered on two different dates. The first two weeks of the month feature the first theme, and the second two weeks, the other. This helps us accommodate family schedules and allows a greater chance for every child to attend every theme if they wish.
Regardless of the theme, every curriculum follows an intentionally designed format: There’s always arts and crafts time, a S.T.E.A.M. project, a gym game, or a sports activity — or some combination of those — and then we always serve dinner, which is usually pizza and juice.
Events typically last two to three hours and can accommodate kids ages 4 to 12 years old (ages may vary by club based on state requirements). Tween Takeover events are generally for kids ages 9 to 13 years old but may vary by club as well.
Our Life Time Kids team members go through training before being entrusted with your kids. This training includes CPR training, a child-development course, and a classroom-management course to ensure they are in the safest hands.
When do kids’ events take place?
Kids’ events occur every Saturday. Depending on the club, there may also be additional events on Fridays.
Do parents need to stay at the club while their child is attending an event?
No. Parents can leave the club or stay on site. Most often we see parents using this time in the club, whether that be to take a fitness class, use the space and machines on the workout floor, relax in the sauna or steam room, grab a bite in the LifeCafe, or hit the pickleball court with friends.
Is there a cost to these events? And do you have to be a Life Time member to participate?
All kids’ events are included at no cost in junior memberships. Your child does need to be on a Life Time junior membership to attend the events.
