Idaho Falls - toddler / kids gym (Boise, Rexburg: daycare, YMCA, college)

[sassy.sunshine]

We're moving to Idaho Falls next month. I was wondering if there is anything like a gymboree in town. I am looking for some place for my toddler to play, while keeping him out of the weather. I would think that since the winters are so cold, there would be a great need for this. Any suggestions?

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by sassy.sunshine

We're moving to Idaho Falls next month. I was wondering if there is anything like a gymboree in town. I am looking for some place for my toddler to play, while keeping him out of the weather. I would think that since the winters are so cold, there would be a great need for this. Any suggestions?

Hi sassy.sunshine,

Very honestly, I can't remember this specific of a question about activities for toddlers coming up previously. I'm sure many parents have wondered and dealt with the issue, I'm simply not positive of a direct link to give you. However, I have a few ideas.

1. YMCA - you didn't state how young your toddler is. You may want to check with them to see if they have programs.

2. If you belong to a church, many parents take turns hosting children playing together. Some call them play dates, some don't.

3. If you will be joining any group or organization, such as the Idaho Professional Women's Organization or other organizations/clubs in town, there will be other moms who will know specific info. Auxillary groups or volunteer organizations will also have other parents who have faced the same question.

4. Not sure when you say, "We're moving," if that means strictly you and your toddler, if dad is involved or other. In no way am I judging, just thinking of who can give you some additional help.

If you are relocating due to work, contact the employer and ask first if they have an Employee Assistance Program. While EAPs are designed differently for different companies, often those who work in EAPs are very familiar with local resources.

If there isn't an EAP, or in addition to an EAP, if you are relocating due to employment, talk to the HR Dept. and ask what other employees have done or do. I don't know if you've met others, who may be involved in a work setting or not. If not, tell the HR Dept. a bit about your needs and ask if there is a parent who has a similar age child who could advise you.

5. There are some great resources where you can scan information and post a question (via a new forum) without joining. The one I suggest the most often is the website of Idaho Falls Magazine. The address is:
Idaho Falls Magazine. Once at the site, look under Area Guide, then Children, Clubs/Organizations, or any other category that may fit what you need.

6. There are play facilities like Blast Off and others, but they aren't specific for toddlers. Nor do they have restricted time for toddlers, to the best of my knowledge, (however, I could be wrong about that).

You may want to contact those facilities and who knows, depending on what your interests are and your time, maybe you will help develop a new business in Idaho Falls for parents with toddlers. Although, I think most leave plenty of room in their basements for kids to play indoors in bad weather. Or, if their children go to DayCare, then the kiddies play with others during the day.

7. Also at the Idaho Falls Magazine website, there are forums for discussion. It doesn't cost anything to register. You may want to pose the question as a new forum discussion. A lot of people who know everything around town are connected with those forums.

As I try to pull up those forums tonight, I get an error message. I don't know if the forums have been discontinued, which would be a very recent development, or if they are just off-line for maintenance/update etc.

Please feel free to email the editor, Steve Smede and ask about the forums. While I don't know him personally, he has always been responsive to my emails. He may even know the answer to your question, given the ages of his kids (or he may ask staffers) as that is how Idaho Falls Magazine works...to help others.

8. A relative newcomer on the scene, which appears to be growing and does have an open forum where questions can be asked of locals is:

www.InsideIdahoFalls.Com-- - -Go to the section that says, "Ask a Local.." While it isn't as comprehensive as some local blogsites/websites, it is growing and advertisers are starting to post there. So they must be getting more hits

9. I'd also contact the Idaho Falls Chamber, odd as that may sound. They will know what businesses there are that may offer what you are looking for. Their link is: Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce.

10. There are a few local web chat sites. Of the two major ones, I'd reocmmend: EagleRockTalks appears to me to be the one who would most likely to be helpful. I use to particpate and helped grow, in some ways, the other major chat site. However, with a change in ownership, new moderation terms, new posting rules etc., I haven't been back there for over two years. Some people, who don't necessarily even live in the Idaho Falls area, have done their best to be quite destructive of others, at times. EagleRockTalks is probably moderated much more closely; however, people treat each other much better. There is a chatbox where you probably could ask this question without too much hassle. The site has political leanings, but also has people who try to help others just good info about what is available in the area.

Also, check the Blogroll on the right-hand side. I know Darlene's World is also a local site. I'm sure those who post on EagleRocksTalkz could tell you which of the Blogrolls contains more information for the Idaho Falls area. Many of the Blogrolls are political in nature; however, a few have wa wider content than just politics.

11. If you are going to live in the City of Idaho Falls, you might want to check the the city's Park and Recreation Dept. I don't think they have anything just for toddlers, but two things will be accomplished by contacting them. 1. Documentation of need. If more parents would make their needs known, more programs would develop either privately or via the city etc. 2. The personnel probably knows most facilities/programs in the area. That link is: City of Idaho Falls - Parks & Recreation

12. If all else fails, there is a Gymboree in Boise and there are eight in Utah. I am serious when I say that someone like you may write Gymboree, armed with some facts about how many toddlers are in the Idaho Falls Metro Area (I'd include Rexburg too with all the births to college-aged students at BYU-Idaho) and ask not "if," but WHEN they plan to place one in Idaho Falls.

Sometimes businesses have to have facts brought to them before they will enter a market.

I hope this helps. Please let us know what you learn as it will help someone else in the future. As I stated earlier, who knows, if you have time and are looking to open a business, you may have found a niche not presently being covered in Idaho Falls, at least by nationally branded chaines.

I hope your move goes smoothly. Please feel free to DM me, if I can provide further information. Good luck.


MSR