New Sensory Gym for Kids Opens in Woodbury to Support Neurodivergent Families

We Rock the Spectrum offers a safe space for children with sensory needs and their families in Woodbury

New Sensory Gym for Kids Opens in Woodbury to Support Neurodivergent Families
New Sensory Gym for Kids Opens in Woodbury to Support Neurodivergent Families

Woodbury: Josephine Martinez, a mom of six boys aged 7 to 14, knows the challenges of parenting kids with autism and ADHD. She believes in supporting other parents because everyone has their own struggles at home.

“When I see a parent with a kid having a meltdown, I just smile and think, ‘You got this,’” she shared. “We’re all just doing our best, whether we have one kid or ten.”

In December, she and her husband opened We Rock the Spectrum, a sensory gym designed for kids with special needs. The gym has fun equipment like a rock wall, zipline, and swings, plus areas for imagination and a dedicated teen space.

“I saw the need for a place like this,” Martinez explained. “I needed it for my family, and I knew others did too.”

The gym features 12 pieces of equipment tailored for kids with sensory processing issues. This gear helps with skills like self-regulation and socialization, and it’s designed to be comforting for neurodivergent kids.

For one of her boys, swinging with his eyes closed is a favorite. The gym is open to everyone, but some equipment has a weight limit of 300 pounds.

Hannah Bauman, a local mom, appreciates that the gym is inclusive. She has kids aged 2, 5, and 8, and one is on the spectrum. “It’s great for siblings too,” she said. “We can all enjoy it together.”

Alison Kacer, who drives 40 minutes from Andover, loves the gym. “It’s amazing,” she said. “It gives my son a safe space to be himself, and my other son can play too.”

Martinez received a heartwarming email from a man in his 30s on the spectrum, asking if he’d be welcome. “That made me so happy,” she said. “I want everyone to feel included here.”

“Play doesn’t stop when you grow up,” she added. “It’s for everyone.”

The cost for open play is $18.99 per child, with a sibling discount available. Monthly memberships and bundles are also offered.

On opening weekend, they had a clown, face painting, and a live comedy show. Martinez loved seeing families enjoy the space together, knowing their kids were safe.

“I wanted to create a place where parents feel they can come without being judged,” she said. “Everyone here understands what it’s like.”

We Rock the Spectrum started in California in 2010 and has grown to over 150 locations worldwide. The first Minnesota gym opened in 2019 but closed during the pandemic. Martinez’s gym is the second in the state, with another set to open in Eagan soon.

Martinez moved to Minnesota in 2022, seeking better support for her family. “In Georgia, we struggled to find the right services,” she said. “I knew we needed a change.”

Her journey with neurodivergence began in 2010 with her first son. She faced challenges but also found beauty in her boys’ unique talents.

They discovered We Rock the Spectrum in Georgia and loved it. “It was worth the drive,” she said. “There was something for everyone.”

Martinez hopes the Woodbury gym will bring joy and acceptance to families. “I want people to feel they can come here, take a break, and maybe even make a friend,” she said.

We Rock the Spectrum is located at 2101 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, with the Eagan location opening on January 25. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a brief closure in the afternoon.

For more details, visit werockthespectrumwoodbury.com.

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