Play & Learn with Gymboree

Gymboree is hosting a play and learn session for babies and toddlers at the Pike Branch library on Thursday, November 12, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM. It's a half-hour session led by a Gymboree expert, so it's a low-commitment way to get your little ones moving and interacting without needing to clear your whole morning.

Inside, babies and toddlers are introduced to sensory play, songs, and the beginnings of social play. The sensory part is usually the biggest draw for the youngest ones—things they can touch, hear, and see that get them curious about the world around them. The songs bring in a rhythmic, musical element that's easy for kids to latch onto, and the social play is where they start to notice other children and figure out how to be around them. It's all guided by a Gymboree expert, so you don't have to worry about leading the activities yourself; you just show up and follow along.

One of the things that sets this apart is the mixed-age format. Younger children get to watch the older ones and see what's coming next, while the older ones get to be leaders, which is a nice shift in role for them. Because of that, it works well if you have siblings of different ages attending together, or if you're a caregiver with a group of children at different stages. It's a space where kids and adults can grow together rather than being split up by age group.

The program is made possible by the Everwise Foundation through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. You'll find it at Pike Branch, 6525 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, on Thursday, November 12, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM.