FALLing for GiGi’s Fun Programs

GiGi’s Playhouse Madison is gearing up for our Fall 2024 Session – full of FREE Program offerings for ALL ages.

Math and Literacy Tutoring will kickoff the week of September 9th, while the rest of our Group Programs and Speech Therapy will start the week of September 16th.

As always, all of our Programs will run the same time and day each week. Check out our weekly Group Program offerings organized by age-group and our special events below!  

Programs for ALL   

Destination Discovery – supports the development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills and language through purposeful play and peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also brings families together to share experiences and build relationships. 

• All Ages + siblings are welcome to attend Destination Discovery
• this program will be held on 3 select dates: September 28, October 26, November 23 from 11:00-1:00pm.
• themes and details to come!

Dynamic Duals – is a monthly program designed specifically for families and individuals with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (DS-ASD) and/or sensory or behavioral challenges. Parents and adult siblings meet in one area to connect, have fun, share successes, resources, and strategies while individuals with Ds and ASD and/or sensory concerns engage in fun educational activities that respect the needs of each participant. Siblings can join their brother or sister in activities that match their interests or choose other options.

• All ages are welcome to attend Dynamic Duals
• this program will be held on 3 select dates: September 28, October 26, November 23 from 1:30-3:00pm.

Programs for Birth – 4 years old 

• Language, Music, n’ Our Peeps (LMNOP)  – is an interactive and engaging program designed to guide parents/caregivers and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication while using music, sensory and social-based activities.
  • recommended for ages birth – 4 years old
  • this program is run weekly, Fridays from 9:00-10:30am starting September 20th

Programs for School-Agers: ages 5-12 years old

• Kids Club – supports the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program will also support gross motor skills through active games, fine motor and self-help skills through meal/snack preparation and activities.
  • recommended for ages 5 – 12 years old
  • this program is run weekly, Thursdays from 4:00-5:30pm starting September 19th
  • this program will combine elements of GiGi’s Kitchen and GiGiFIT Kids throughout the session

Programs for Teens: ages 13-17 years old  

• TeenTastic + GiGi’s Kitchen Teen – focuses on building social skills with friends by participating in team-based activities, games and shared time in the kitchen. Skill development includes understanding compromise, turn-taking, problem-solving, and basic cooking + kitchen safety skills.
  • recommended for ages 13-17 years old   
  • this program is run weekly, Tuesdays from 5:00-6:30pm starting September 17th

• GiGiFIT Teen – introduces the key movements of foundational, hip strengthening, and vestibular/balance exercises, making them successful to implement and practice at any stage of life! Focuses on improving areas of fitness through activities in strength, endurance, joint stability, balance, movement control and more.
  • recommended for ages 13-17 years old
  • this program will run weekly on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:00pm
  • this program is now registration based – sign up using our online calendar!

Programs for Adults: ages 18+

• Fantastic Friends + GiGi’s Kitchen Adult – a fun purposeful & social gathering for adults with Down syndrome, their peers and the community. Supports the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting.
  • recommended for adults ages 18+
  • this program is run weekly, Thursdays from 5:30-7:00pm starting September 19th
  • this session, we will be incorporating GiGi’s Kitchen Adult into a portion of the Fantastic Friends class. Participants who are interested in Kitchen will have the opportunity to spend some time in the kitchen preparing a healthy dinner appetizer together. Participants who do not wish to participant in a kitchen activity will have the choice to stay with Fantastic Friends and engage in another activity

• GiGi’s Achievers – empowers adults with Down syndrome with purposeful activities to ensure continued learning and fulfillment of life. This program teaches and promotes communication, self-awareness, independence, health and wellness through community engagement.
  • recommended for adults ages 18+
  • this program will on select Wednesdays from 9:30-11:00am
  • this program will run in 3 ‘mini’ sessions – each session will have a theme/concept that activities will center around
    • Session 1: September 18, September 25, October 2
    • Session 2: October 16, October 23, October 30
    • Session 3: November 13, November 20, December 4

• GiGiFIT Adult – introduces the key movements of foundational, hip strengthening, and vestibular/balance exercises, making them successful to implement and practice at any stage of life! Focuses on improving areas of fitness through activities in strength, endurance, joint stability, balance, movement control and more.
  • recommended for adults ages 18+
  • this program will run weekly on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00pm
  • this program is now registration based – sign up using our online calendar!

Special Events:

Family Speakers:

• We bring in different experts to share information throughout the year.
• You can find upcoming speakers on our home page under ‘upcoming events’ and on our calendar!

Family Parties:

• We love celebrating! This Fall, we will host two parties for all families to attend
  • Halloween Party: Thursday, October 31st from 5:30-7:00pm – register HERE
  • Holiday Party: date coming soon!

To attend our Group Programs, please register using our online calendar here. 

For more information on One-on-One Literacy, Math and Speech click here. 

We look forward to seeing you at the Playhouse this Fall!