Moab Toddler Time will host its first dance party on March 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. for children under 10. The free event will feature black lights, glow accessories, and a curated playlist for young dancers at the Center Street Gym (203 E. Center St, Moab).
The special event builds on the program’s regular twice-weekly gatherings that have become a cornerstone for parents and caregivers of young children in Moab.
“We want them to walk in and think they’re at the club,” said Marlee Giron. Giron and Jennifer Wenzel are two of the volunteer organizers for the program, which is entirely volunteer-run and community-funded.
The dance party will feature dance balls, black lights, and a variety of glow accessories including necklaces, bracelets, wands, and “frilly sticks.” Organizers have arranged for professional sound equipment borrowed from the Moab City Parks, Recreation & Trails Department, a balloon drop, and a glow-in-the-dark photo backdrop where families can capture memories.
A carefully curated playlist will include child-friendly versions of dance music alongside traditional children’s favorites. According to Wenzel, some parents have suggested artists like Lenny Pierce, who creates techno versions of classic children’s songs like “Wheels on the Bus.”
Like all Moab Toddler Time events, the dance party will be completely free. The twice-weekly Toddler Time meetups started to address the limited activities available for Moab’s youngest residents, but have evolved into an important source of community for local families.
“One of my main goals when I started doing the fundraising is that I didn’t want any family or child to feel like they couldn’t come to something because they couldn’t afford it,” Giron explained.
Since its inception, Moab Toddler Time has grown significantly. What began as a simple playgroup now boasts an impressive collection of toys stored in a dedicated shed at the Center Street Gym. The group meets every Tuesday and Thursday morning, setting up a bounce house, push toys, and baby mats for local children.
Beyond playtime, volunteers share information about other child-friendly activities in the community, organize food trains for families going through difficult times, and coordinate seasonal activities like group swimming during summer months, with admission costs covered by Moab Toddler Time funds.
For many participants, the true value lies in the connections formed. Marlee Giron reports seeing “moms and even dads and caregivers make friends–good friends!–not just the kids making friends.”
“I wouldn’t be her bestie if it wasn’t for Moab Toddler Time!” she said. Wenzel laughed in agreement.
“I’ve seen a lot of these moms that come in with their toddlers…and they know that they’re not alone,” Giron said. “We’re all going through similar things at different times or the same time and we can bounce ideas off each other and ask for advice.”
The organizers hope the dance party not only provides a fun evening for local children but also encourages more families to join their growing community.
“We just keep adding and growing and we want to create some awareness about it,” Wenzel said, “So that way the moms and kids aren’t sitting home alone on a Tuesday and Thursday morning. We want them to come in and we want them to come play.”
For more information about the Dance Party or regular Toddler Time sessions, visit the Moab Toddler Time Facebook page.
