Tinkergarten Classes are now in Arlington!

My Facebook feed has been flooded with Tinkergarten posts for months now.

Friends signing up to be instructors. Friends attending Tinkergarten classes. Sponsored posts inquiring whether or not I'm interested in becoming a Tinkergarten leader.

To be totally honest, though, I didn't really know what Tinkergarten was. But I'm always looking for awesome things to do in the area. So when a friend announced on Facebook she would be starting up classes in the Arlington area, I was thrilled! More local activities for wee ones. Score!

Tinkergarten's mission, from its Facebook page: Teach parents how to share authentic, outdoor learning experiences with their children, so those children may develop into curious, capable and well-balanced people.

Tinkergarten is held in an outdoor classroom, which I love! The class that tiniest one and I tried on Monday morning was held at Bicentennial Park in Pantego. And class is held outside in all weather conditions, barring extreme weather (think lightning, ice, etc.). I love this! I love this because I grew up in the Midwest, where I was encouraged to go outside in Fall (put on a jacket!), in Winter (put on your snowpants, a hat and gloves!), in Spring (put on your rain coat!) and in Summer (take a bottle of water!). Encouraging kids to enjoy being outdoors in all weather conditions is important to me! One of my favorite quotes on the Tinkergarten Facebook page is "there is no bad weather, just bad clothes." This is so true! I love that Tinkergarten encourages kids to get outside and be kids in spite of the weather. Put on those rain boots. Button up that coat. Get out those gloves. And go enjoy the weather, whatever it may be!

My second-favorite thing about Tinkergarten was that my littlest one was encouraged to explore nature. Play in the dirt? Sure! Pick up ALL the sticks? Yes, please! Get messy? Absolutely! Tinkergarten encouraged my kiddo to be, well, a kiddo during class! And her being a kid didn't disrupt anything. If she wandered off, it was no big deal! If she lost focus for a bit, nobody minded. She was scolded never or in trouble for not participating in every activity. She was simply encouraged to play and explore her surroundings. I love that for her!

At this first Tinkergarten class here in Arlington, kids made magic "potions" with water and elements found in nature. They got to totally create their own magic. And then, they all took turns "sniffing" each others' potions and turning into a creature of the potion-maker's choosing (my littlest one said anyone who sniffed her potion became a kangaroo.) This was so fun because each of the kids had a chance to speak in front of his or her peers, and all kids got to flex their creative muscles to transform into the chosen animal. Creativity definitely flowed freely!

The class was so free-flowing and fun, but I did wonder how my kiddo (who is 4; the class is recommended for kiddos from birth until age 5 or 6) was actually learning from all this creative play. Tinkergarten classes incorporate schema into their lessons. What are schema, you ask? (Because, I'll be honest, I had to ask, too!) Schemas are patterns of repetitive behavior that you notice during early childhood play. You can learn more here: https://tinkergarten.com/skills/behavioral-schema

The 1 hour and 15 minute class also included a snack time, as well as circle time at the beginning and end of class where kiddos sang hello and good bye to one another. The first session begins April 9th. More info can be found here: https://tinkergarten.com/classes/40093

Tinkergarten is a great way to meet new friends- both for you and your little one! It's also a great way to support a local mama who is interested in helping your kiddo learn and grow. Highly, highly recommend! Go. Support local. Learn. Spend time with your kid. Enjoy!

Adventures in Arlington: Urban Air Adventure Park Arlington has Arrived!

My girls are fearless. They are roller coaster-riding, ropes course-conquering, nothing scares us kinda girls.

I, too, was once a daredevil. However, my courage left me years ago along with my 20s... But that's a story for another day.

We've traveled all over the Metroplex, my girls and I, in search of fun of all sorts. We've been to painting classes in Plano and dance classes in Mesquite. We've checked out play areas in west Fort Worth and cooking classes in Keller. We've been to Hurricane Harbor and Six Flags and Hawaiian Falls and Epic Waterpark and Reunion Tower and the Dallas Zoo and the Fort Worth Zoo and all the open play areas in between. Y'all... We get around.

But what I love even more than driving all over creation in search of a good time is staying right here in Arlington and having a blast. And now I can do that! Because Urban Air Adventure Park opened right here in Arlington on March 10.

The end to Spring Break Boredom has arrived.

Urban Air is an adventure park for kids of all ages. Literally everyone in my family is entertained here, from my 30-something husband to my 4 year old daughter. And with good reason! You can bounce, climb, race, battle, shoot and balance at this new hot spot at Collins and I30.

My girls and I popped in on opening day with the intent to stay an hour (I knew better!). Three hours later, I had to drag them out to protests of "That's not fair!" and "Five more minutes!" because the fun to be had here is perpetually endless.

After you walk in and get your wristbands (and socks- no bringing your own here, so you'll need to purchase on your first visit), you can hit the ground running. To your right are six different climbing walls, all requiring appropriate climbing gear and tethers for safety. My girls spent hours (and lots of energy!) climbing up and coasting down. Two of the climbing structures are even double-sided, meaning adventure seekers can race their friends to the top!

Beyond that is a climbing structure with an area of mini slides and obstacle courses perfect for tots. But climb to the top and you can check out the ropes course, an area where you can strap on your safety tethers and check your balance 12 or so feet off the ground. Daredevils need to be 48 inches to check this out- or have an adult chaperone. (Y'all- my youngest begged me to go with her on this. I'll admit- from the ground, it doesn't look intimidating. It's not that high off the ground, and I'm no baby! But man oh man... I made her turn back halfway through because Mom was toast. She likes to brag to everyone how much of a Scaredy Cat I was. It's funny... Now. It was not funny when I was on that course!)

Beyond the ropes course is plenty of seating and birthday party rooms along with bathrooms and a concession stand. There is even a TV, presumably so Dad can catch the game while junior catches some fun at Urban Air!

In the back left corner of the park is a large area of trampolines for bouncing, playing dodgeball and so on. My girls love racing me down the trampolines. This is way more my speed than the ropes course, let me tell you!

In the center of the park you'll find one of the main attractions- the obstacle course! Four different courses, each with a combination of climbing, swinging or hanging apparatuses challenge ninja warrior-style competitors to test their skills solo or against others. If you don't have the strength to continue your quest, you will drop a few feet in to a ball pit filled with clear balls. These courses aren't nearly as easy as they look! (I mean, that's what my 8 year old says or whatever, not like I've tried them and failed more than, say, a dozen times or anything...)

My five-year-old loved battled me over the foam pit American Gladiator style. Pick up your battle bar, make your way to the center of the beam, and try to knock your competitor off! I swear I didn't let her win...

In the back left corer is an area with several trampolines and a large airbag for trying out a few flips and being able to land softly.

My girls- ages 4, 5 and 8- all had a fantastic time and loads to keep them busy for hours. I was able to sit for a bit at the tables and catch up with emails or go and challenge them to races and duels or simply cheer them on. The convenient location in north Arlington means we can stop off for Chick Fil A, Wendy's, or ice cream at Cool Berry after some high-flying fun.

Definitely check this place out- both during Spring Break week and beyond! I dare you to tell me your kiddos are bored after this!

Find out prices, hours and more at their Website:
www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/arlington-tx/

Disclaimer: I was compensated for my review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.