Great Play In the News

March 2011 - Small Business Opportunities: Riches in Recreation

"Great Play is an innovative, franchised children's gym concept in a fast-growing industry that has a decades-long track record of success. Yet Great Play has introduced a wrinkle - a new and dramatically improved approach to kids' fitness that makes learning new skills fun and easy for children - and has been recognized as one of the most innovative in the world."

June 2009 - IHRSA CBI - Supplier Report: Youth Revolution

Great Play named one of the most innovative brands in youth fitness worldwide by IHRSA, the global trade association for the fitness industry.

October 2011 - Denver Business Journal - Great Play Tailors Gym and Workouts to Children

Expansion to Denver.

May 2011 - Business News Daily - Making a Great Play: a lighthearted interview with the founders

"Business News Daily meets lots of entrepreneurs. We always find that learning about the person is as much fun as learning about their business. Our PopUp Profiles go beyond the bottom line to learn what makes them tick."

June 2010 - Westchester County Business Journal - Kids gym 4.0

"Lighting? Check. Audio-visual? Check. For a minute you would think they were putting on a theatrical production... but, these are the basic steps in running one sensory-intense gym class."

April 30, 2010 - Stamford Advocate - Great Play Attracts Franchisees

"Great Play's innovative approach is energizing entrepreneurs across the United States."

June 2009 - IHRSA CBI - Consumer Report: Drew Blakely, Age 2

"Drew Blakely, 2, peers out from the lobby window at the 2,000-square-foot Interactive Arena with obvious longing... 'She loves it here,' her mother Kim, says. The observation is welcome, but unnecessary - Drew's beaming smile says it all."

May 2011 - Today in OT - Sense of Fun

Occupational Therapist Lisa Fuller describes the benefits of Great Play for her patients.

May 2011 - Special Needs Resource - Finding a Gym for Your Child

"Physical education is important for your children to reach their full physical potential, whether they are natural athletes or whether they are developmentally delayed and lack the confidence to fully participate." Article includes tips on finding the right gym for your children.

November 2011 - Fort Bend Sun - New Sugar Land Gym Provides Fitness Foundation for Children

"It was different," explains franchisee Lisa Garson. "The interaction that it gave my son, based on the skills that he was learning at such a young age... It's very unique compared to any other programs."

November 2011 - Fort Bend Parent - Great Play Debuts in Sugar Land TX

Franchisee Lisa Garson explains "I fell in love with Great Play when my son was six months old and he took classes in Stamford, Conn... After I moved to Texas, I knew it would be a perfect fit."

June 2011 - Stamford Patch - Gym Breaks Down the Science of Play

"I don't like seeing children not play with their friends because they don't want to be made fun of. I want them to be able to dribble, throw and take a shot without feeling embarrassed. I want to make them feel confident in their daily lives."

June 2011 - Johns Creek Neighbor Newspapers

“Our neighborhood is known for its outstanding schools, activities, sports and parks; Great Play is a highly valued addition for both kids and parents in the community.”

May 2, 2011 - The Daily Stamford

"Many kids seem born knowing how to work an iPad and master any new video game. But these hobbies often lead to inactivity." Great Play has "turned the tables on that" - using technology to promote physical activity.

February 2011 - Kenmore Reporter - High-Tech Gym Means Great Play for Northshore Kids

"The kids are really learning a lot, but they think they ar just having fun."

January 2011 - Raising Arizona Kids - MomPreneur Barbara Deppisch

An interview with our fantastic Great Play owner in Chandler AZ!

August 3, 2010 - Good Morning Arizona

Chandler location - motor skill class. "It's been so fantastic... it helps them with all of their motor development... I've seen a vast improvement with some of the things they've been doing. They love it! Every week they look forward to it"

April 16, 2010 - Fox 10 Phoenix - VIDEO - Cory's Corner

Cory's Corner features Great Play's newest site in Chandler, AZ. "You guys have constructed something really fun here at Great Play." "These kids are really having a lot of fun" "They are totally jazzed up!" "What a blast!"

May 2010 - Raising Arizona Kids - Something new to keep kids active

Great Play opens new location in Chandler, AZ.

2010 - Ruby Slipper Guide to the Eastside - Great Play Named Best Birthday Parties on the Eastside

Among the highlights: The coaches ROCK... They continually change it up... they base toddler play on real research... The music is good... It is safe...

April 3, 2010 - Chandler Republic

Chandler, AZ opening. "'Coaches at Great Play guide children in structured play that develops specific skills and fitness intended to boost confidence and foster a healthy, active life,' said Rich Iwanski."

March 2010 - Johns Creek Patch - Great Play Promises Great Time for Kids

"This is good for the children, and it's good for the community."

January 22, 2010 - Macaroni Kid, Rivertowns - More Reasons We Love Great Play - Sports Skills Program for Grades K-5

"I've seen it and it's amazing!"... "They teach kids to master 24 important, basic sport skills"... "I could FEEL the energy in the room, these kids were having fun!"

June 26, 2009 - Macaroni Kid, Rivertowns - 10 Reasons We (Still) Love Great Play!

Among the highlights: The coaches ROCK... They continually change it up... they base toddler play on real research... The music is good... It is safe...

February 11, 2009 - Seattle Eastside Family Examiner - A play gym for kids with a high-tech twist

"I recommend checking out Great Play in Redmond... it is more than just the regular gym... you won't go wrong at Great Play."

September 15, 2008 - Unique New Gym for Kids Opens in Scarsdale

"Great Play, a one-of-a-kind concept in the children's gym category, has opened its first site in New York State, in the Midway Center in Scarsdale."

August 16, 2008 - Redmond Reporter - Unique Experience for Kids

Covering Great Play's opening in Redmond, WA, reporter Tim Watanabe says, "The concept behind the city's newest gym, Great Play, is unique and extraordinary."

December 6, 2007 - Fairfield County Child - Birthday Party Review

"The buzz among area preschoolers is that Great Play on the Stamford/Greenwich line is the hot new place for birthday parties."