Local dad Alex Weisman and his wife Marci are passionate about finding fun, fitness-oriented activities for their two young children, ages 10 and 7. When they didn’t find quite what they were looking for, they decided to invest in the popular KidStrong brand and bring fun and fitness to the Valley through KidStrong North Scottsdale, which opened this past spring, and KidStrong Paradise Valley, which opened just last month. The two locations have proven to be a hit with their own children and families across the North Valley.
“The KidStrong brand started nearly 10 years ago in 2015 and now has over 100 locations across the U.S.,” Weisman says. “KidStrong is a science-based program that helps parents build strong, confident, high-character kids. It’s well thought out and more than 50,000 kids go to KidStrong across the country each week. Our Gilbert location of KidStrong has been open for three years and we opened our two here in the North Valley this year.”
As the owner of all three Arizona KidStrong locations and the state’s area developer, Weisman explains that, “Our program focuses on character, physical and brain development through weekly 45-minute, age-based classes.” There are also at-home activities available on an app for KidStrong attendees’ parents and caregivers.
“At KidStrong, we have a three-pillar approach: Physical, Character and Brain,” he explains. “The physical is the exercise, which is always fun and based on scientific research. The character part is about soft skills kids need to learn, including proper social greetings with handshake and eye contact. And, the brain portion is comprised of a lot of brain games, such as learning ASL [American Sign Language].”
The KidStrong signature affirmation is, “I am strong. I am brave. I can do this.” Weisman often hears his own children recite the affirmations to themselves outside of KidStrong classes.
Why should parents and caregivers consider KidStrong? “We reimagine what parenting could be like without the stress and worry that comes with the desire to raise the best humans possible. We have clean, modern centers, world-class coaches and a commitment to helping parents raise awesome kids,” according to the KidStrong company.
“Our 45-minute weekly classes challenge families to live out the monthly KidStrong Superpower with brain boosts, fitness challenges and social skills training. Because our curriculum is action-packed, organized and fun, you won’t want to just drop your kids off and run. KidStrong parents love to hang out at class to see their kid thrive.”
For families who are nervous about the athletic portion of the KidStrong mission, Weisman says that the program is tailored to be welcoming to all kids no matter their athletic abilities.
“KidStrong is an athletic play program, but it’s more than that,” Weisman affirms. “Kids who are natural athletes will have fun but so will kids who aren’t necessarily athletic. It’s about having fun, moving your body, and boosting your brain power and soft skills. We welcome all kids.”
With the two North Valley locations having just opened, Weisman says that the local community has been welcoming.
“The community reception to our North Scottsdale and Paradise Valley locations has been great,” he says. “Both locations are growing really nicely, and we are just trying to get the word out there that we’re here and, for families who are curious, we offer free trials so they can see if it’s a fit.”
When asked what made KidStrong stand out the most, Weisman shares, “KidStrong is a parent-based program; they are just as excited about the program as the kids. We offer a whole child approach to children’s development that has proven successful for thousands of children and their families for nearly a decade. We’re so proud to have brought KidStrong to Arizona.”
To learn more about the Paradise Valley locale, 4605 E. Cactus Road in Phoenix, visit kidstrong.com/start/paradise-valley; and to learn more about the North Scottsdale location, 31313 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, visit kidstrong.com/start/north-scottsdale.
This content is sponsored by KidStrong’s Arizona locations.
