ML Interest Tag: swing

The 9 Best Obstacle & Rope Courses in DC

by Meghan Yudes Meyers

If your little ones are swinging from the rafters these days, going to the park might not be enough to burn off all that energy. Check out these obstacle and rope courses around DC, where your wild adventurers can get their wiggles out in the air or on the ground. Whether they’re traipsing on bridges, swinging free through the air, or climbing walls (literally!), these courses have something for everyone and plenty of adrenaline to go around.

Adventure Park USA

Adventure Park USA

Make it a full day of adventure by heading to Adventure Park USA’s Hang ‘Em High Ropes Course. Hang out 13 feet above the ground to navigate this fun and challenging mid-air adventure perfect for anyone at least 40-inches tall. After you’ve had your fill of aerial adventures, take off your safety harness and enjoy some of their other adventures, like the go-karts or the rock wall.

Cost: $8 for the ropes course only; $25-100 for a fun pass that gives you the rope course and other adventures
Where: 11113 W. Baldwin Rd, Monrovia, MD
Online: adventureparkusa.com

The St. James

The St. James

This Springfield-based gym has a health club with fitness classes, racquetball courts, indoor sports fields and courts, ice rinks, an Olympic-size pool, a water park – and so on. But this is focusing on obstacle courses, so we’ll put on blinders here and head straight for the 30,000-square-foot area that has trampolines, a Nerf battle zone, a ropes course, colorful climbing structures and, of course, a Ninja Warrior Course. The biggest challenge may be tearing yourself away.

Cost: $13/one hour for nonmembers, $23/two hours
Where: 6805 Industrial Rd., Springfield, VA
Online: superawesomeandamazing.com

Summit Ropes

Summit Ropes

The largest indoor ropes course in the United States boasts 16,550 square feet of courses split into a Kids Course for ages 4-9 and the Main Course for ages 7 & up. Guests wear a full-body harness and use a smart belay system so climbers can go it alone or with a partner. The course uses via ferrata, a steel cable that runs along the route and is attached to the rock every 3.3-32.8 feet.

Insider tip: Reservations are required at this time. If you make a reservation and are a no-show, you will be charged the full amount for the booking.

Cost: Ages 7 & up - $29.50 (1hr), $48 (2hr)
Ages 4-6 (combo with adult) - $47 (1hr), $65 (2hr)

Where: 44810 Old Ox Rd., Sterling, VA
Online: summitropes.com

SkyZone

SkyZone

Children and adults can test their skills on a variety of equipment, such as the Ninja Warrior Course (open to ages 6 and up), which tests balance, strength and speed; rock walls, warp walls of varying height and difficulty; trampolines (open to anyone who can walk); and dodgeball. A main attraction is the Ropes Course (for anyone 48 inches and taller), which is suspended above the facility’s floor and requires a harness to use. Check the website for special events like Glow ($25/person ages 6 and up) on Friday and Saturday from 8-11 p.m. and Toddler Time ($10/child 5 and younger) on Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30-11 a.m.

Cost: Prices vary by location
Where: 21070 Southbank St. Sterling, VA; 5325 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA; 7807 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA; 15813 Gaither Dr., Gaithersburg, MD
Online: skyzone.com

ZavaZone

ZavaZone

With three adventure zones to choose from, there’s something for every goal, whether it’s scaling a warp wall, reaching new heights on a giant trampoline, winning a balance battle or swinging through the challenges of the high ropes course set about 20 feet off the floor. And if you’re tired from all that obstacle-crushing, take the 40-foot zip line from one high platform to another. The height requirement for the high ropes course and zip line is 52 inches, and the overall age recommendation is at least 5 years.

Cost: $19.50/one-hour ticket to $34/two-hour ticket
Where: 40 Southlawn Ct., Rockville, MD (reopening June 11, 2021); 45685 Oakbrook Ct., Sterling, VA
Online: zavazone.com

NOVA Ninja

Situated at CrossFit Loudoun, which is owned by a former “American Ninja Warrior” contestant, this gym has classes and drop-ins to suit every schedule. New is a weekly Family Ninja Night on Saturdays from 6:15-7:15 p.m. ($20/family). Youth programs are available for children as young as 5. The Ninja 101 class takes kids through seven obstacles, including rope swings, balance tanks and a ring row.

Cost: Contact for pricing
Where: 21531 Blackwood Ct., Sterling, VA
Online: novaninja.com

Go Ape!

Go Ape

When the kids start bouncing off the walls, it may be time to take to the trees. These obstacle courses in Springfield and Rockville take climbers to new heights. The Go Ape Treetop Journey is a good way to whet your appetite for high-ropes courses. During the hourlong trek, you’ll conquer 20 obstacles and two zip lines. For the more daring – and slightly older set – try Go Ape Treetop Adventure, which takes two-three hours to complete and sits higher in the tree canopy. The minimum height for either is 4 feet 7 inches. Note that these are open seasonally. Both locations reopen March 28.

Insider tip: They’ve discontinued the use of cash and only accept card payments due to Covid.

Cost: $37.95/ages (1hr); $64.95/16 & up or $54.95/15 & under (3hr)
Where: 7550 Reservation Dr., Springfield, VA; 6129 Needwood Lake Dr., Derwood, MD
Online: goape.com

Terrapin Adventures

With several options to choose from, it’s pretty tough to not find something challenging – in a good way. The ultimate is the Terrapin Challenge (open to kiddos 8 & up who are at least 4 feet tall and 70 pounds). It covers all 34 obstacles, including the Zip Line, Giant Swing, 43-foot Climbing Tower, Terrapin Flier and High Ropes Challenge Course. Or tackle just one or two of those. The 450-foot Zip Line starts 30 feet above ground and riders can reach speeds of 20 mph as they sail down. Take a ride on the Giant Swing – after you scale a 4-foot-high scaffolding. The company’s patented winch system pulls guests back and up almost 40 feet in the air before they release the swing and enjoy 2 G’s of force as they swing back and forth. The Climbing Tower – a rock wall – has 12 routes to the top with varying degrees of difficulty. Ever want to free fall 40 feet? You can here – safely. And no obstacle course would be complete without a high ropes course. This one has 18 challenges and reaches 40 feet into the treetops. Cost: $69/person for the High Ropes Course, Climbing Tower and Giant Swing; $29/person for the Giant Swing and Zip Line; $29/person for the Kid’s for Terrapin Explorer Ropes Course Where: 8600 Foundry St., Savage, MD Online: terrapinadventures.com

Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School

Open to ages 5 & up, this location offers 13 aerial forest trails of varying difficulty. Each has a zip line but they primarily have bridges between tree platforms made of rope, cable and wood. It’s possible to create 190 unique challenges, although there are restrictions on which trails the youngest climbers can tackle.

Cost: Mon.-Fri.: $60/ages 12-adult, $50/ages 7-11, $16/ages 5-6; Sat. & Sun: $64/ages 12-adult, $54/ages 7-11, $20/ages 5-6
Where: 16701 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring, MD
Online: sandyspringadventurepark.org

—Wendy Miller, Meghan Yudes Meyers and Stephanie Kanowitz

 

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4 Need-to-Know Ways to Develop Patient Parenting

By Jake Rubin

Photo: MamaZen

It is no secret that life suddenly starts throwing nothing but fastballs and curveballs when you become a parent. At least that’s how it feels most of the time, and most likely, you feel like you’re swinging at the pitches blindly. As parents, we get to the point where we’re so tired of trying to make one hit that we end up getting frustrated and burnt-out. Unfortunately, this stress ends up showing itself in negative ways, like our interactions with our children. The patient parenting approach strives to adapt the way we respond to our children, and in turn, we end up feeling better.

But, being a patient parent is sometimes easier said than done, like when you discover your toddler playing fashion designer with your new dress and some magic markers. However, with a little focus on these four key areas, you can develop a patient parenting technique that works for you and your kids.

1. Stay Calm 
Before you can be a more patient parent, you need to think about the basics; stay calm and breathe. Our kids have an incredible ability to push our buttons at all the wrong moments, but often, what really gets us worked up is our reaction. Although it’s challenging, focus on your response and try hard to take a breath before you react.

Whether your baby won’t go to bed, or your kid is having a meltdown in aisle three, or your toddler just won’t stop saying the word “why,” ask yourself, is this situation really the end-of-the-world? Is it worth you turning into a wild beast? Start to practice ways to help stay calm when these frustrating situations arise.

2. Relinquish Control
Many times, what tends to add to impatience is a sense that you’re losing control. When something doesn’t go as planned, yet you insist on trying to make it work, you likely end up getting even more aggravated and stressed. But, if you were able to give up the need to be in control and recognize that life will always throw you curveballs, you might be surprised to discover you don’t get as bent out of shape about the issue. Basically, you never know what might happen, so being able to roll with the punches can help you increase your patience in the long run.

3. Develop Empathy
You might already be working on teaching your child about empathy, but have you thought about your own sense of empathy? Sometimes, when you lose your cool with your kids, you might want to launch immediately into a lecture (or tirade), but what if you made the mindful decision to talk with your children instead of yell at them? Ask your child why he did what he did, what he was thinking, and try to see things from his perspective before you start to discuss the situation with him.

4. Practice Self-Care
It’s the absolute hardest thing for all moms to do, but it’s also the most important; take care of yourself. Think about it—if you’re tired, stressed, hungry, exhausted, and miserable, then how on earth can you have any hope of being patient? It’s no wonder you lose it if your kid even thinks about throwing her broccoli at the dog. As challenging as it is, self-care has to be a part of your life. Plus, if it helps, look at it as ultimately doing something for your kids because when you’re happy, they’re happy.

Indeed, patient and parenting are not often words you find in the same sentence when you’re a parent, but with a little focus and help from a resource like MamaZen, you can make patient parenting a way of life.

 

This post originally appeared on MamaZen.

Jake Y. Rubin, M.A, is a Board Certified Hypnotherapist, a former university professor of psychology, and a recognized expert in hypnosis and hypnotherapy with degrees in Psychology from UCLA and the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. He is the founder of the MamaZen app.

 

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Netflix’s “Floor Is Lava” Is Your Family’s New Favorite Show

by Jennifer Swartvagher

If you are looking for a fun show to watch with your kids head over to Netflix. The streaming service just released Floor is Lava, a game show based on the popular children’s game of jumping from across the room, surfing across pieces of furniture without touching any part of their body to the floor. Be prepared, your kids are going to want to recreate the scenarios at home. 

Floor Is Lava

According to Netflix, “Teams compete to navigate rooms flooded with lava by leaping from chairs, hanging from curtains and swinging from chandeliers. Yes, really.”

Floor Is Lava

Hosted by Rutledge Wood, the series walks viewers through the various obstacle course routes. The audience is given a clear picture of what needs to be done in order to conquer each level. Contestants need to work together as a cohesive team to finish each challenge. 

Floor Is Lava
As contestants advance to higher levels in the game they travel to the different rooms in a house, from scaling the bug infested basement walls to spinning around on a four poster bed. 

Just remember, the floor is lava!

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of ADAM ROSE/NETFLIX 

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Spider-Man Stars Swung Into this Children’s Hospital to Bring Some Smiles

by Shahrzad Warkentin

The wall crawler took some time out of swinging from high rises to use his spidey sense in the hospital. The stars of Spider-Man: Far From Home gave the patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles a special visit.

Kids at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles were treated to an advanced screening of the new film Spider-Man: Far From Home and had the opportunity to hang out with the costumed stars. Tom Holland, who plays Spider-Man, along with Jake Gyllenhaal (Mysterio) and Zendaya (MJ) paid a visit to the excited patients.

The stars stayed in character, with Holland doing back flips. They also gave autographs, posed for pictures and handed out high fives. This is Holland’s second visit to the children’s hospital, having swung in when Spider-Man: Homecoming was released in 2017.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles via YouTube

 

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7 Elements of Play & How They Impact Classroom Learning

By Anna Yudina

As a child, remember when you used to grab your bike and friends and head down to the park to play on the playground for hours? The value of play is undeniable, as it is closely tied to the development of cognitive, motor, physical, and socialization skills, and it is a powerful element in the development of the total child. But what exactly happens when children play and how do the elements involved lead to more significant cognitive development?

I turned to Deborah Stevens-Smith and Jami Murdock and below is what they shared with me about the seven elements of play and how they contribute to the development of the brain and benefit learning in the classroom:

1. Balancing

Balancing, which occurs in many types of play, is essential to the development of reading and writing skills, as well as problem-solving. Kids who develop balance and stability have better body awareness, coordination, muscle strength and endurance. Learning balance also helps children with concentration, which is essential for sitting and paying attention in class and helps develop eye-hand coordination, aiding children in appropriately placing letters and words on a page as they write.

2. Sliding

Playing on the slide and sliding down helps children with spatial awareness, which aids in letter placement when learning to write, by forcing them to judge the right time to start and when to put their feet down at the bottom to stop. It also enhances balance, coordination skills and teaches patience and cooperation, as they wait in line to use the slide. As children decide how to vary the way they slide using different techniques, critical thinking skills are developed as well.

3. Brachiating

Brachiating happens as a child is crossing the monkey bars, swinging with their arms from one hold to another. This type of play strengthens the upper body and develops grip strength, while also increasing endurance, flexibility and eye-hand coordination. Brachiating helps develop fine motor skills, which are necessary for coloring, cutting, writing and painting, as well as the upper body strength required to sit with correct posture. Additionally, this form of play develops kinesthetic awareness, helping kids understand personal space and moving without bumping into things.

4. Spinning

Spinning allows children to experience shifts in their weight, develop depth perception, balance and the cause and effects of motion. Spinning is the most potent form of sensory input that the brain takes in and processes, developing decision-making skills as children must think while in motion. It also enhances vestibular stimulation, which helps the brain decide if it is ready for more learning and can process what’s taught.

5. Climbing

As children climb, they need to make decisions, solve problems, and even visualize the solution, helping them to gain confidence, learn to cope with fear and stress, and develop self-reliance. All the stretching, reaching, swinging, pulling, and pushing with their limbs improves spatial awareness and reasoning, and enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills. Climbing also helps determine a child’s hand dominance, while developing coordinated eye and head movement so that they can perform tasks such as copying from the blackboard and reading across a page.

6. Swinging

Swinging assists the proprioceptive system which involves motor planning and control, detection of the movement position of the body and coordinated movements. It also strengthens arms, legs and children’s core, as it takes a great deal of coordination to make a swing move. Additionally, swinging promotes risk-taking (in a positive way) and develops the fine motor skills needed for writing and manipulating objects.

7. Sensory Development

Sensory experiences through play can stimulate excitement, calmness and alertness that contribute back to the classroom learning environment. The different textures present when playing, such as sand or the smooth metal on slides, provides a smorgasbord of sensory experiences. This sensory stimulation builds neural connections in the brain, supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving and social interaction skills. It also enhances memory, calms an anxious or frustrated child, helps children learn sensory attributes and learning through experience!

Each of the seven elements of play aid in early childhood development that shapes a child’s future learning ability. Understanding the biological impact of these elements will lead to understanding how cognitive growth is enhanced every day through play proving that the power of play transcends from the playground to the classroom!

Featured Photo Courtesy: The Genius of Play

Anna Yudina is the Director of Marketing Initiatives for The Toy Association™, a not-for-profit trade association that represents toy companies. Currently, she’s spearheading The Genius of Play™, a parent-focused movement raising awareness of play as a crucial part of child development and encouraging families to make time for play daily.

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19 Inclusive Playgrounds for All Kinds of Kids

by Kate Loweth

Swing, slide, spin, and smile—every kid has the same goal when heading to the playground. But, not all kids have the physical abilities needed to master traditional playground equipment. The good news? Many communities are taking everyone’s consideration when designing new play structures—allowing those with special needs to play alongside their peers. We rounded up our favorite from coast to coast, flip through to find one near you!

Owen’s Playground – Downers Grove, Il

After one mother saw her son's wheelchair get stuck in the wood chips on the school playground, she made it her mission to raise money for an inclusive playground where her son could play alongside his friends. Located at Hillcrest Elementary School, this playground is open to the public outside of school hours and has double wide ramps to allow kids in wheelchairs full access. Sensory play happens at the musical station where kids can spin the rain wheel or bang on the drums. And, to complete the package, climbing, sliding and swinging opportunities abound.

Online: dbpexperience.com

photo: Owen's Playground

Do you know of an inclusive playground in your area? Share it in the Comments below!

— Kate Loweth & Christal Yuen

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Swing Time: Make Music at This Super Summer Installation!

by Yuliya Geikhman

Battery Park City’s Brookfield Place is making a name for itself when it comes to presenting fresh, fun — and frequently interactive —  art installations the whole family can enjoy. Past hits for us have included beautiful and magical wishing stations and oversized, illuminated bunnies. Now, the downtown spot is hosting The Swings, a playful, musical sculpture that invites the public to  collaboratively create an urban symphony. Read on and then get swinging — it closes July 7!

Collaborative Art
Walk into Brookfield Place and you find an oasis of calm away from the business and tourist bustle of the World Trade Center area — as well as some refreshing A/C and a killer food court if you need to recharge and refuel.

Step outside to the public plaza you’ll discover the center’s latest installation, The Swings. This interactive art exhibit brings music, collaboration and a little bit of physical activity to the space, turning it into a fun place for kids and adults alike.

Getting Into the Swing of Things
The Swings exhibit is the creation of Daily tous les jours, a Montreal-based design studio whose works aim to bring people together through collaboration and art. The exhibit is a giant swing set, designed to look, feel, and sound aesthetically pleasing. Each swing emits a sound when it’s used, and represents one of four instruments: piano, harp, guitar, and vibraphone.

A poster displaying the rules points out that The Swings are an art installation, not a playground; that is, they are meant to be played with collaboratively. (Most of the time, though, kids — and adults — just seem to swing to have fun, rather than composing a new musical masterpiece. That said, even with each visitor doing their own thing, the swings emit a pleasant tune, like a set of wind-chimes swaying in a gentle breeze. The effect is especially soothing thanks to the outdoor, waterfront location of the exhibit.

The Rules of Swinging
A set of swings naturally attracts plenty of kids, but adults are welcome to swing, too. Note: no matter how old you are, before you enter the area of the installation, you must sign a waiver. The waiver contains the usual “if you get hurt, it’s not our fault,” disclaimer and parents or guardians are required to sign for children under 18.

The installation is made up of 10 swings, so there is usually at least a short wait, and during peak hours, time on the swings is limited to five minutes per person. However when we stopped by, exhibit personnel were still determining when “peak hours” were, exactly. In other words, if you see an unusually long line, try coming back another time for a longer turn at the swings.

The exhibit area itself is large, with plenty of space in front of the swings to park your stroller, or stand back and let the kids enjoy themselves. Parents of kids shorter than 36 inches are required to swing with their kids on their laps. The rules also ask that all participants remain aware of their surroundings, don’t stand or horse around on the swings, and take turns. Of course, parental supervision is mandatory.

Swing Time
The Swings are open from Noon to 8 p.m. daily, but they close in poor weather. Stop by before July 7th to make some music, and keep an eye out for Arts Brookfield’s other exhibitions, artwork, and musical experiences throughout the city this summer.

The Swings
June 10 – July 7
12 p.m.- 8 p.m. daily
Brooksfield Place
230 Vesey St.
Battery Park City
Online: artsbrookfield.com

Have you and the kids visited The Swings? Tell us about your experience in the comments! 

—Yuliya Geikhman

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Must See: Adorable Videos of Baby Animals

by Christal Y.

There’s nothing cuter than our little mini-mes, but these tiny baby animals come pretty close. Watch these adorable videos about animals in their cutest form, from an excited little pig named Hamlet to a 11-week-old bear cub who isn’t a fan of Conan. We rounded up five of the most “Awww” inducing videos below.

These rare babies have us all aboard Wildlife Conservation Day.

Watch this baby elephant chase birds. The cute factor is ten times stronger than when our kids run through a flock of pigeons.

Who knew swinging a bear cub calms them down? Disclaimer: Don’t try that at home.

This mom’s reaction to her baby sneezing will make you laugh.

Hamlet the Pig is domesticated, but his reaction is so adorable we had to include it here.

Want to take part in Wildlife Conservation Day? Visit the WWF website and take the pledge here.

feature photo: kumachii via flickr

This year give your child the whole world with a subscription to National Geographic Kids (ages 6-13) and National Geographic Little Kids (ages 3-6). Kid-tested and approved, each magazine is chock-full of amazing photos and fun facts about animals, space, history, science and so much more. Your little adventurer will thank you with every issue.

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Meet LA’s Grooviest Kids Bands

by Shahrzad Warkentin

LA is a haven for arts and entertainment, so it should come as no surprise that there are dozens of amazing local bands just for kids—and for their music savvy parents. You shouldn’t have to choose between listening to the  Frozen soundtrack for 2 years straight and precociously playlisting pre-teen pop to tiny tots. So don’t! Check out our favorite stars of the local scene; we guarantee you’ll want to jam to these LA kids bands just as much as your mini DJs.

 

Jazzy Ash

Bringing the Big Easy to the big blue Pacific, Jazzy Ash will have your kids swinging and jiving like they've eaten one too many sugar-dusted beignets. This LA kindie queen lends her brassy voice to fun ditties about cleaning up and keeping your hands to yourself. You'll be reminiscing about that brief summer you spent swing dancing at the Derby, while you cut a rug with your kids on the living room floor.

Online: jazzyash.com

photo: Jazzy Ash/ Brock Christoval

Note: In addition to their awesome albums, these bands can all be found playing at various venues around town so that you can introduce your tush-shaking tots to the joys of watching their favorite bands play live.  Check websites (or our calendar of events!) to see when these bands have local gigs.

What are some L.A. kids bands that get you grooving right along with your kids? Share your favorites in the comments!

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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Jump for Joy at These 5 Preschool Bounce Times

by rtstacycoplinpdx

If your energetic tots make you feel like you live with a house full of Tiggers, you need a setting (other than your living room) where they can literally bounce off the walls. For guaranteed nap time success, head to these five preschool-aged tailored spots that feature inflatable play spaces, slides, tunnels and trampolines. Flip through the gallery for the scoop.

Safari Sam’s

If you are looking to cover all manner of energy exertion, Safari Sam's is the place for you. They have two bouncy houses in the back, and they are often not overly crowded due to the myriad of options Safari Sam's has. From climbing and swinging through their parent-approved climbing jungle gym, the technique and skill used on the glow-in-the-dark jungle themed miniature golf course and the busy arcade chock full with games for every skill level. Whether you start or end you visit in the Nemo-themed bouncy houses everyone will leave tired and happy.

Admission for ages 2-17 (adults are free): Mon.-Thurs. $4.99, Fri.-Sun. $7.49
To add the option to play on the bouncers (ages 3-12 only), it's an additional $5.
16260 S.W. Langer Dr.
Sherwood
503-925-8000
Online: jungleoffun.com

photo: elPadawan via Flickr Creative Commons

Where is your favorite place to bounce away a morning?

—Stacy Coplin

 

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