Here’s another unknown kid resource in the Raleigh area!
Clayton Crossings Open Gym
Clayton Crossings Church in Clayton has a free open gym meet-up for kids and their moms every second Friday of the month from 9:30am until 11:30am! They have an awesome gym filled with ride-on toys, balls, and scooters where kids can run wild! There’s also plenty of seating for mom, so this is a great spot for a rainy day or if you just need a contained space to let your kid wander.
In the corner of the gym they also setup a baby section with a soft mat and bouncers for the littlest munchkins to play safe away from the big kids. This was great when my youngest was still only crawling! I could put him in a bouncy chair and chase after my oldest if necessary!
Indoor Play Place
They also have an indoor McDonald’s-style play place in a separate room from the gym. It’s entirely closed off and lots of kids can fit up there and play together! There is also seating for mom and cubbies for shoes within the room.
Music and Story Time at 10:30am
If your kid is getting bored with all of the toys, which I’d be VERY surprised if they were, Clayton Crossings also leads a music and story time in the worship center starting at 10:30am. All of the kids gather at the front while someone leads them in song and dance with a corresponding video playing on the big screen. The songs are all upbeat and fun to dance to, but heads-up the songs are all are religious in nature. After a few songs they have all of the kids sit and listen to a bible story on the big screen.
Preschool Rooms for quiet play
After the music and story everyone returns to the gym or play place for some more free play. The preschool classrooms are also open during this time for “quiet” play. They include your typical preschool toys like magic tracks, magna-tiles, play kitchens, and mega blox.
Free Coffee
Another great perk is that usually there’s some free coffee for mom in the lobby! I mean, how much better can you get?!
If you’re looking for a rainy day activity and you don’t live too far from Clayton, this is a great option to check out! It’s a lot like the Abbott’s Creek Tot Time and Green Road Open Gym, but better!
Join the Clayton Crossings Moms and Munchkins Facebook group for more information. They also have a MOPS-style meetup on the 4th Friday of the month where moms rotate bringing brunch and childcare is provided so you can have an uninterrupted conversation. They host playdates in Clayton and the surrounding area during the month as well.