This evening, my little guy and I got a chance to check out the brand-new Dominique Dawes Academy in Mount Laurel before its official Grand Opening this weekend — and South Jersey families, this is a pretty cool addition to the area!

If the name Dominique Dawes sounds familiar, there's a reason. Dominique Dawes is a three-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist who was a member of the “Magnificent Seven,” the U.S. women's gymnastics team that won team gold at the 1996 Olympics. Now, her Dominique Dawes Academy has made its way to South Jersey with a brand-new location at East Gate Square in Mount Laurel.

It's bright, clean and has several different areas for kids to move, climb, flip, tumble and basically burn off every ounce of energy they walked in with. 😂

There are dedicated spaces for gymnastics, tumbling and Ninja training, plus birthday party rooms and a parent seating area. And we'll get to what I discovered in that parent area in a minute, because they definitely knew their audience. ☕😂

One thing I really loved about Dominique Dawes Academy is that children don't have to wait until they're older to start exploring gymnastics. There are programs designed specifically for the littlest athletes, giving them an opportunity to move, explore and build confidence from a very young age.

The Academy's youngest classes introduce movement through age-appropriate activities, with parent participation for the 18–36-month age group. As children grow, they can move into more independent classes that introduce foundational gymnastics skills.

And I love that the focus isn't simply on learning how to do a cartwheel. It's also about coordination, balance, confidence and giving children a positive introduction to physical activity.

Now THIS was the area that caught my little guy's attention!

If your child is the type who climbs everything, jumps off furniture and somehow has an endless supply of energy, the Ninja area is probably going to be right up their alley.

The Ninja program gives kids an opportunity to challenge themselves through obstacles and movement while developing strength, coordination and confidence.

And honestly, sometimes kids just need a place where they can climb, jump and get all that energy out in a way that's actually encouraged!

My 8-year-old was especially interested in this part of the Academy, and we're planning to get him enrolled in Ninja classes. So something tells me this won't be our last visit!

Of course, it wouldn't be Dominique Dawes Academy without gymnastics!

The facility has dedicated training areas where children can work on gymnastics fundamentals, from beginner skills to more advanced movements as they progress.

Depending on the class and skill level, children can work on things like:

What stood out to me was that the Academy isn't designed exclusively for children who already have gymnastics experience. Beginners have a place here, too.

Children can start with the basics and continue building their skills at a pace appropriate for their age and ability.

And for parents who are looking for something that encourages movement while also helping their children develop discipline, body awareness and self-confidence, gymnastics offers a little bit of everything.

Okay, parents. Let's talk about something that I personally appreciate.

While the kids are busy flipping, climbing and learning new skills, there's also a designated area for parents to sit and watch.

And as someone who works remotely AND runs this website in my spare time, I especially appreciate having somewhere I can bring my laptop and get a little work done while my kiddo is in class.

Between the parent seating, the opportunity to watch your child and the little conveniences that make spending time at a kids' activity easier, it's nice to see a facility that considers the entire family.

Because let's face it, an hour of uninterrupted laptop time while your child happily burns off energy? That's a pretty good arrangement in my book.

Something else worth mentioning is that Dominique Dawes Academy isn't limited to weekly gymnastics and Ninja classes.

The Mount Laurel location also has dedicated party rooms, making it another option for South Jersey families looking for an active birthday celebration.

And for families who want to explore the Academy before committing to a weekly class, it's worth checking the location's website for available trial classes and special programs.

Whether your child is just discovering gymnastics or already knows exactly what they want to learn, there are several different ways to get involved.

Now for the information every parent eventually wants to know: How much does it cost?

Dominique Dawes Academy offers different classes based on children's ages and abilities, with monthly tuition depending on the length and type of class.

The Academy operates on a month-to-month enrollment model rather than requiring a long-term contract. Sibling and multiple-class discounts may also be available.

Since class schedules, availability and promotional pricing can change, I recommend checking the official Mount Laurel location page for the most up-to-date information before registering.

And because a place like this apparently wasn't already exciting enough for kids, Dominique Dawes Academy also has its very own mascot!

It's one of those little touches that adds to the overall experience and makes the Academy feel like a place designed with children in mind.

Between the gymnastics equipment, Ninja obstacles and Dom, there's certainly plenty for kids to get excited about!

I'm always excited when something new opens in South Jersey that gives our kids another opportunity to get active, try something different and discover something they love.

And Dominique Dawes Academy is certainly bringing something special to Mount Laurel!

What I appreciate most is that this isn't just a place for kids who dream of becoming competitive gymnasts. It's a place where children of different ages and abilities can explore movement, build confidence, challenge themselves and have FUN doing it.

Whether your little one is taking their very first gymnastics class or your older child is ready to tackle the Ninja obstacles, there's something here for a variety of interests and skill levels.

And after getting to explore the Academy with my little guy, I can definitely say this is one we're looking forward to visiting again.

Especially since I have a certain 8-year-old who has already decided that Ninja classes are in his future!