Formerly known as Child Watch and KidZone, Welcome to Y Play!

Play for Them. Time for You.

Y Play provides a safe, welcoming place for children to play, create and socialize while parents and caregivers enjoy the YMCA. Whether you’re working out, swimming, or taking a group fitness class, your child can enjoy age-appropriate activities, crafts and play with our Y Play staff.

Y Play is included as a benefit of Athol Area YMCA household memberships.

Check out our updated schedule of group exercise classes and find something to do while your child enjoys Y Play.

Non-Member Use

When space is available, Y Play may also be used by individuals who do not have an Athol Area YMCA household membership. Daily access may be purchased at the Welcome Center before entering Y Play.

$5/child/day drop in for non-member or with other membership units
$25 Monthly pass for up to 2 children  for non-members and non Family Membership units.

Pre-pay for your monthly pass here.

Y Play Guidelines

To help ensure a safe, healthy and enjoyable experience for every child, please review the Y Play guidelines below.

TAKE TIME FOR YOU WHILE YOUR KIDS ENJOY OUR SPACE!
  • Monthly theme projects
  • Gymnasium time
  • Branch information for families
AGES & TIME RECOMMENDATIONS

The Y’s drop-in Y Play is not a licensed child care center. Consequently, state guidelines restrict your child’s usage of Y Play to no more than 2 hours total per day. We recommend you limit your child’s Y Play visit to these age-appropriate lengths. Length of time is based on availability and space. Please check with our staff or app for full details.

  • 6 months – 9 months: 30 minutes
  • 9 months – 2 years: 1 hour
  • 2 years – 4 years: 1.5 hours
  • 4 years – 12 years: 2 hours

Working Together to Keep Your Child Safe

Athol Area YMCA has zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior involving children, and we take multiple steps to prevent child sexual abuse within our organization, including: criminal background checks, check of sex offender registry, check into employee’s prior employments and references.

CHECK-IN

All children must have a parent/guardian (18+) signed enrollment form on file at the Athol YMCA that they utilize. For your child’s safety, a parent/guardian is required to sign their child in and out of Y Play. The parent/guardian who signs the child in must also sign the child out, unless prior arrangements have been made with Y Play staff. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to check kids in and out of Y Play. All parents/guardians must stay on Y property while their child/ren are in Y Play.

Y PLEDGE AND PERSONAL SAFETY CHECKLIST

Review this list to make sure your child is ready for Y Play.

  • My child is wearing shoes, socks, and is dressed for play, crafts, etc
  • My child is in a clean diaper or has used the restroom
  • My child is well fed/nursed
  • All personal items are labeled with my child’s name
  • I have stored all toys from home to keep them safe and ready for me when I leave
  • I have reviewed the Y pledge with my child and they are ready and excited to role model the Y’s four core values!
  • Above all…I pledge to have fun!

Call The Welcome Center at 978-249-3305 to reserve your child’s spot today.

Please email ewhite@ymcaathol.org with any questions.