Inspiring Children Through Gymnastics

Our Philosophy

The Children’s Gym is a Portland children’s gymnastics gym, offering gymnastics classes and camps for kids of all ages. Our motto is “Inspiring Children for a Lifetime!” and that pretty much says it all. Inspiring children is what we strive to do. We want every child who comes through our doors to leave feeling happy about life, proud of themselves, and excited for next time!

Unlike competitive programs that focus on skill level alone, our focus is to build self-esteem and encourage positive group interaction in a non-competitive environment. Students are not competing with each other, but are striving for self-improvement. This is made possible with excellent coaches and teachers, small student-teacher ratios, and detailed lesson planning.

Our coaches and teachers use hands-on spotting and interaction. They combine this with the guided independent work from students to create a mentally and physically challenging class that instills confidence, enthusiasm, and fitness. Our staff members infuse safety with creativity, respect with kindness, and clear expectations with positively delivered discipline.

Our Portland Children’s Gymnastics History

Traci Criswell was a young girl when her parents first signed her up for gymnastics class. It didn’t take long for her to develop a love for the sport, and what would turn out to be an unbreakable bond with gymnastics. Traci trained in gymnastics for many years, and when she was seventeen, began coaching at the Oregon Athletic Club. It was during this time that she, along with her mentor, developed a brand new gymnastics program specifically designed for the developmental intricacies of pre-school age gymnastics. The program flourished! When Traci assumed ownership of the program in 1984, The Children’s Gym was born.

The Children’s Gym spent the youth of its existence at 43rd and Sandy. In 2010, Traci and The Children’s Gym team made the decision to move the business to a bigger facility. One frenzied week of everyone packing and moving gymnastics equipment 26 blocks down to the new building, and the new Children’s Gym was open for business!

“It is important to me that The Children’s Gym provides great services that children love and parents value. We endlessly enjoy what we do. We want to make sure that we are always offering the very best of activities and programs to our wonderful families.” –Traci Criswell, Founder & Owner

The new 12,000 square foot facility allowed The Children’s Gym to undertake dreams that had been stashed away for many years. Traci and the team had waited for a space that could accommodate them, including the introduction and expansion of Portland gymnastics programs like the After School Care Program, Birthday Parties, Camps, Dance Classes, Music Classes, Preschool, and more!