💪👟 Merrimack Valley Parent & Child Fitness Guide

Move, Play & Get Stronger Together!

Finding time to exercise with little ones around isn't always easy—but what if your child could join in the fun?

The Merrimack Valley has a growing number of Parent & Me, toddler movement, gymnastics, swimming and family fitness programs that get parents and kids moving together. From babies taking their first splash in the pool to toddlers climbing, tumbling and tackling obstacle courses, these classes are a fun way to build healthy habits while spending time together.

Here are some local options to check out!

📍 ANDOVER / NORTH ANDOVER

🤸 You & Me Gymnastics at the Merrimack Valley YMCA

Andover/North Andover YMCA

📍 165 Haverhill Street, Andover

This is one of the best true parent-and-child movement classes in the area.

The YMCA's You & Me Gymnastics is designed for children ages 6 months to 2½ years with a parent or caregiver participating alongside them.

Little ones explore movement while working on skills such as:

• Crawling and climbing
• Balance
• Coordination
• Gross motor development
• Confidence
• Social interaction

The YMCA also offers You & Me Open Play, giving caregivers and young children time to explore and move together in the Active Science Room. Parent/child classes are currently included with qualifying YMCA Household Memberships, and registration is required.

🏊 Parent/Child Swim

The YMCA also offers swim programming beginning with parent-and-child lessons, along with Open Family Swim for families who simply want to get in the pool and move together.

💪 Family Fitness

Families with older kids have options too. YMCA Household Membership benefits currently include Family Fit classes and family open workout time. Kids as young as 10 can join an adult in designated portions of the wellness center, while teens 13+ can participate in group exercise classes with their family.

❤️ Why we like it: One membership can cover parent/child classes, swimming, family fitness and adult workouts.

📍 LAWRENCE

🤸 Ready Set Go Kids Fitness

Ready Set Go Kids Fitness

📍 360 Merrimack Street, Lawrence

This indoor kids fitness and movement center at the Riverwalk is especially good for toddlers with energy to burn.

Its youngest programs include parent-participation classes, where caregivers join their children for teacher-led movement activities.

Classes may incorporate:

🤸 Tumbling
🏃 Obstacle courses
⚽ Beginning sports skills
🎶 Music and movement
🫧 Bubbles
🌈 Parachute play

The program serves children beginning around the toddler years and focuses on movement, coordination, listening and confidence.

❤️ Great for: Toddlers who love to climb, jump, tumble and explore.

📍 METHUEN

💪 KidStrong Methuen

KidStrong Methuen

📍 90 Pleasant Valley Street #315, Methuen

This is one of the newest family fitness options in the Merrimack Valley.

KidStrong combines physical fitness, brain development and confidence-building in 45-minute coach-led classes.

And for families with younger children, parents get involved too!

👶 BabyStrong

BabyStrong is KidStrong's parent-and-child program for babies from the crawling stage through early walking. Parents remain on the floor throughout class while babies work on movement, sensory exploration and motor development.

👟 Walking–Age 4

Parents also participate on the floor with children under age 4.

Activities can include:

• Obstacle courses
• Balance
• Strength
• Coordination
• Agility
• Games
• Problem solving
• Social interaction

KidStrong currently serves children from crawling age through 11, with classes divided by developmental stage.

⭐ Bonus: KidStrong Methuen currently offers trial classes, making it easy to see whether the program works for your child before committing.

❤️ Great for: Parents who want something that feels like an actual workout and developmental activity at the same time.

📍 METHUEN

🏊 Swimm with Timm

Swimm with Timm

📍 Classes held at Choice Fitness Elite, 116 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen

Swimming may be one of the best workouts parents and babies can do together.

Swimm with Timm offers dedicated Parent/Child swimming classes in Methuen, with parents participating in the pool alongside their little swimmers.

Classes introduce children to water using songs, games and guided activities while helping them develop comfort and early swimming skills.

For Fall 2026, Parent/Child class pricing starts at approximately:

💦 Beginner Parent Child — $30/class
💦 Intermediate Parent Child — $32/class
💦 Advanced Parent Child — $34/class

The Fall 2026 session is scheduled for September 14–December 13.

❤️ Great for: Families looking for small, structured parent/child swim instruction.

📍 METHUEN

🏊 Big Blue Swim School

Big Blue Swim School

📍 90 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen

Big Blue's Baby Blue program is designed for children as young as 3 months through age 2, with a parent in the water.

The 30-minute weekly lessons work on:

💦 Water comfort
💦 Coordination
💦 Early water-safety skills
💦 Confidence
💦 Parent/child interaction

Parent participation is required for the Baby Blue level, and classes currently have up to six parent/child pairs with one instructor.

Big Blue also offers lessons for older children once they're ready to swim independently.

❤️ Great for: Babies and toddlers getting their first introduction to the water.

📍 HAVERHILL

🏊 Haverhill YMCA

Haverhill YMCA

📍 81 Winter Street, Haverhill

The Haverhill YMCA is another good place to look for activities the whole family can enjoy.

Programming includes parent/child swimming lessons, open swim and youth fitness and recreation opportunities.

Families can combine a swim lesson for the kids with adult fitness programs, water exercise or other YMCA recreation.

Because YMCA sessions change throughout the year, check the current program schedule when registering.

❤️ Great for: Families who want fitness opportunities for several ages under one roof.

📍 NORTH ANDOVER

🤸 Legends Gymnastics

Legends Gymnastics

📍 165 Flagship Drive, North Andover

Legends offers gymnastics, tumbling and obstacle-style movement programs for children in its upgraded North Andover facility.

While many of its classes are child-only rather than true parent-and-child workouts, it's worth checking the current preschool and introductory schedule if you have a little one who loves to tumble, climb and move.

❤️ Great for: Preschoolers ready to transition from parent-assisted activities to independent gymnastics.

📍 METHUEN

🤸 Interstate Gymnastics & Dance

Interstate Gymnastics & Dance

📍 5 Burnham Road, Methuen

Interstate offers gymnastics and movement programs in a large gym designed specifically for kids.

Programs vary by session, so parents of toddlers and preschoolers should check the current schedule for beginner, preschool and parent-assisted opportunities.

❤️ Great for: Families hoping to introduce gymnastics at an early age and continue as their child grows.

📍 ANDOVER

🧘 The Wild OM

The Wild OM

📍 28 Chestnut Street, Andover

For families who prefer yoga to tumbling, The Wild OM offers fitness and yoga programming for adults along with Wildlings Kids Yoga for children in grades K–5.

Kids yoga incorporates yoga poses, movement, games and mindfulness.

This isn't typically a Parent & Me class, but it can be a great way for a family to build a shared yoga habit—parents taking adult classes while kids get their own introduction to the practice.

❤️ Great for: Families who want movement with a calmer, mindfulness-focused approach.

🌟 MORE WAYS TO GET ACTIVE TOGETHER

You don't necessarily need a formal class to make family fitness part of your routine.

Try:

🚶 Family walks on the rail trails
🚲 Bike rides together
🥾 Weekend hikes
🏊 Family swim
🛝 Playground obstacle courses
⚽ Backyard soccer
🧘 Parent-and-kid yoga at home
💃 Kitchen dance parties
🏃 Family fun runs
❄️ Ice skating in the winter

For little kids, movement doesn't need to look like exercise. Running, climbing, dancing, swimming and playing all count!

👶 BEST OPTIONS FOR BABIES & TODDLERS

If you're specifically searching for a Mommy & Me, Daddy & Me or caregiver-and-child class, start with:

💪 KidStrong Methuen — BabyStrong + parent participation under age 4
🤸 Merrimack Valley YMCA — You & Me Gymnastics, 6 months–2½ years
🏊 Swimm with Timm — Parent/Child Swim
🏊 Big Blue Swim School Methuen — Baby Blue, 3 months–2 years
🤸 Ready Set Go Kids Fitness — Parent/toddler movement classes
🏊 Haverhill YMCA — Parent/Child Swim

❤️ Fitness Is More Fun Together

One of the best things about exercising with young children is that they don't think they're exercising—they think they're playing with you.

Parent-and-child fitness classes can give little ones a chance to develop balance, coordination, strength and confidence while giving parents a reason to get moving too.

And maybe most importantly, you're showing your children from the very beginning that being active can be fun, social and something families do together.

Schedules, ages, prices and class availability can change throughout the year. Always check directly with the program before registering or heading out.