The University of East Anglia is home to SPRING – the SportsPark Gymnastic and Trampolining Centre. Several times a week they open the doors to pre-schoolers to have a go on all of the equipment. Sessions are £3.50, last for 45 minutes and are restricted to 30 children. Classes are pre-booked a week in advance – either by telephone or online. You stay will your child and supervise them on the equipment but the children are able to go on anything. This is quite liberating for the children and the parents as you do not need to do certain activities in order.
The gym contains foam filled pits, asymmetric bars/high bar, rings, parallel bars, beams, pummel horse, fast track, tumble track, vaulting track, two floor level trampolines with rig, a sprung floor area, wall bars and mirrors.
Adam’s favourite is the long trampoline. He loves to run along whilst jumping. He even managed to get Nana jumping! I don’t think it will take him long before he jumps off the end into the foam filled pit.
I love Adam’s independence during the sessions. He chooses what he goes on and isn’t worried about giving things a go.
The two large trampolines are the only pieces of equipment which restrict the number of children allowed on at once.
Adam can usually be found climbing around the foam pit. He has started to jump off the equipment into it but prefers to climb to the other side in order to get out.
Each session most of the equipment is set up differently. Near the large mirrors they usually have a variety of instruments, toys and hoops.
During the Summer holiday they had two types of sessions – Mini Springers for children walking up to 8 years old and Springers for children aged 9-16. Unfortunately the sessions were so popular we were unable to book a slot throughout the holiday.
There is only one disadvantage to the Spring Gym. To get there you walk down a very long corridor. Going there is not a problem. Adam can go in front and waits for me in the Gym. Leaving is a different issue. You can normally see me running full speed attempting to catch up to Adam before he gets to the main entrance. I certainly get a work out at Spring!
NB: I was given permission to take photographs during the session.
Check our other toddler friendly venues in ‘Adventures of Adam around Norfolk’.
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