KidStrong Elmwood Park — Local services in Leyden Township

Parents be skeptic. Don't trust my review or anyone's reviews. Always verify. Call the office. Visit the office. Try the trial class. Your mileage may vary. Every child is different.

I am writing this review after our 2nd session with KidStrong at Elmwood. My feedback may change as time goes by. As of this moment, I can say my experience with KidStrong is quite positive.

I am aware of the negative reviews in Google Reviews but most of them are related to the late opening of the Elmwood branch. It's not about the service or the program.

I understand the frustration. It's like a game or a show you had been waiting for months and when the month came, they just told you it got moved back further. I had been there, so I know how that feels, but I am also aware that it doesn't really tell anything about the quality of the game or a show until you try it. It's the same thing here.

I went there last week to check if the branch at Elmwood is open. What's the worst case that could happen? It would be close, and I'll be one of those parents who might be disappointed. But I called ahead of time and they have been open for 2 weeks now. So I guess I am lucky in terms of timing.

When I entered the place, it reminded me of one of those martial art dojos that I have joined when I was younger, except the colors here are vibrant. There's parents and lots of young kids / toddlers. The staff are quite friendly. I won't mention specific names because I am not good with names, but everyone is respectful. I have a quick chat with one of the owners today and also had a chat with Q. They are all good and friendly. They listen.

In terms of the program, it's a physical activity. It's like going to the gym, a martial arts club, with a mix of cross fit activities but for toddlers. It's fun and engaging. Parents should expect that they need to be proactive and participate in the programs and not just let their kids do their thing here. Not every kid can do things by themselves. I don't think this is child care where you just leave your kid and go to work. This reminds me of a question I asked in a nearby martial arts class. I asked him what program is best for my toddler. He said the best program is where I joined as a student along with my son. He is basically saying I can't just leave my toddler in the dojo and expect him to do great. As a parent, I need to be proactive.

Is the KidStrong program effective? Like I said I am writing this after our second visit. It would be dumb for me to say the program is effective or ineffective. Time will tell. What I can tell now is me and my son are enjoying the program so far. My son is able to burn those endless energy that he has I am also able to burn some extra fat too. When we get home, it felt like we had a good exercise.

Again, parents be skeptic. Don't trust my review or anyone's reviews. Always verify. Call the office. Visit the office. Try the trial class. Your mileage may vary. Every child is different. We are currently enrolled for one month. After one month, I will evaluate if we should continue or not. So far, I...

We have been bringing our son to KidStrong since the doors first opened, and it has been one of the most positive and rewarding decisions we’ve made for his development. As a parent, especially of a child born during 2020, I’ve always placed a strong emphasis on nurturing communication, confidence, and independence, and KidStrong has been instrumental in supporting all of these areas and more.

The growth we’ve witnessed in our son, both physically and emotionally, has been incredible. His confidence has soared, his independence has strengthened, and his communication skills have developed beautifully. The affirmations used in each class are powerful tools that have become part of our daily routine at home, helping to reinforce a strong, positive mindset not only for him, but for our entire family.

What sets KidStrong apart is the intentionality and structure behind the program. It goes far beyond physical activity, as each class is thoughtfully designed to challenge children in age-appropriate, empowering ways. The curriculum blends movement, brain development, and social-emotional learning in a way that is both fun and deeply impactful.

We also deeply appreciate the consistency of the coaching staff. Familiar faces, encouraging voices, and a structured environment have created a strong sense of safety and belonging. It’s clear that every coach is invested in the growth of the children they teach, and that level of dedication is felt from the moment you walk in.

They are phenomenal with catering to children of every ability, offering extreme love, care, and compassion in every interaction.

KidStrong is not just a program, it’s a community committed to raising strong, confident, and capable kids. I recommend it wholeheartedly to any family looking to invest in their child’s development in a meaningful and...

Our 4yo boy loves KidStrong! We arrived early yesterday and he begged us in the car to open the door and go inside. "Please mom, I want KidStrong!" As aSpEd Preschool teacher, I have to comment on the curriculum. It is a teacher's and possibly an OT's dream to have something like this in a school environment. The curriculum integrates movement while working on a ton of critical skills (math, social emotional skills, language, problem solving, self-awareness, the list goes on!) It is fun to watch how inclusive this curriculum is. As a mom, of a very impulsive and I can't stop moving kind of kid, this is exactly what my son needs. The owners are very knowledgeable on child development and they get kids! Needless to say, the coaches do an excellent job at implementing the curriculum and working with the kids. I want to speak highly of Coach Kia! Our son needs a little more support (verbal redirections, modeling, language). Our son has made great progress in just 3 classes, thanks to the extra support that Kia has given him. He has language needs and yesterday I observed her presenting him with the question beforehand so that he'd be ready once it was his turn to speak. Well done! So far, great experience for all of us. Most importantly, our son is having fun and strengthening some of those really important skills. Thank you all and know that your work is positively impacting our youngest learners in our community.

The center is always clean! I...