Friday, February 28th • 4:00–6:00 PM • Be Well Collective, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Imagine dropping your child off at an event where they move their bodies, hear a beautiful story, create something with their hands, enjoy a snack, and play — while you get two glorious hours completely to yourself. No guilt. No rushing. Just a real, uninterrupted break.
That's exactly what we're creating on February 28th. Three Columbus-area women who are passionate about child development, literacy, and family wellness have joined forces to bring your kids an afternoon they'll be talking about for weeks — and give you the reset you deserve.
Sound Familiar? You're Not Alone.
If you're a mom of a child between the ages of 5 and 8, you already know how hard it is to find enriching activities that don't require you to hover nearby, keep one eye on your phone, or hold everything together while trying to "relax." Between school, homework, activities, and the mental load of just keeping everyone fed and clothed, real downtime feels nearly impossible.
And for your kids? The after-school hours can be overstimulating — too much screen time, not enough movement, and very little space to just be creative and calm.
This event was designed to solve both problems at once.
What Is Yoga Story Time, Craft & Snack?
This is a 2-hour, drop-off event for children ages 5–8 held at Be Well Collective in Upper Arlington, Ohio. While your child is lovingly cared for and creatively engaged, you are free to do whatever fills your cup — whether that's a solo coffee, a workout, a quiet walk, or simply sitting in silence.
Here's what your child will experience during those two hours:
- Kids Yoga A fun, imaginative yoga class led by certified kids yoga instructor Marisa Barsotti, designed to help children move, breathe, focus, and have a blast.
- Story Time & Sensory Bin A curated read-aloud experience followed by a hands-on sensory bin, brought to you by Kate Schafer of Little Book Club.
- Craft Activity A take-home craft that ties into the story theme, giving kids a creative outlet and a little something to be proud of.
- Snack Time A yummy, kid-friendly snack included to round out the afternoon.
- Professional Childcare Qualified, vetted sitters provided by Melissa Schreiber of Sitting Made Simple ensure your child is in safe, caring hands the entire time.
Marisa Barsotti: Owner & Instructor for FIT4MOM Upper Arlington + Hilliard
Marisa Barsotti has been a yoga instructor since 2012 and a preschool teacher since 2021, which means she brings more than a decade of experience guiding people of all ages through movement, breath, and mindfulness. As the owner of FIT4MOM Upper Arlington + Hilliard, Marisa is already a trusted name in the Columbus-area mom community.
Her kids yoga classes aren't just about poses, they're about helping children develop body awareness, emotional regulation, focus, and confidence in a playful, pressure-free environment. Marisa has a rare gift for meeting kids exactly where they are, making every child feel seen and celebrated.
Kate Schafer: Connections Academics Columbus, Little Book Club
Kate Schafer brings the story. As the head of Little Book Club through Connections Academics Columbus, Kate is passionate about building a love of literacy in young children through immersive, sensory-rich experiences. Little Book Club goes beyond simply reading aloud — it creates a full world around each story, inviting children to touch, explore, and engage with the themes in meaningful ways.
Kate's sensory bins are thoughtfully designed to extend the story experience and encourage curiosity, language development, and imaginative play — skills that support children both inside and outside the classroom.
Melissa Schreiber: Sitting Made Simple
Melissa Schreiber is the founder of Sitting Made Simple, a trusted childcare and sitting service based in Columbus, Ohio. Melissa and her team of vetted, caring sitters provide families with reliable, professional childcare — so that parents can step away with full confidence that their little ones are in wonderful hands.
Having Sitting Made Simple involved means this isn't just a drop-off situation — it's a genuinely supervised, nurturing environment where your child's safety and happiness is the top priority from the moment you walk out the door.
What Your Child Gets Out of This (It's More Than You Think)
Two hours might feel like a short window, but the benefits your child walks away with are lasting. Here's what the research — and experience — tells us kids gain from this kind of event:
- Improved focus and self-regulation. Kids yoga teaches children how to slow down, breathe through big feelings, and bring their attention back to the present moment — skills that directly translate to better behavior at home and in the classroom.
- Stronger bodies and coordination. The yoga portion builds strength, flexibility, balance, and gross motor skills in a way that feels like pure play.
- A deeper love of reading. Story time paired with sensory exploration helps children connect emotionally with books, boosting comprehension, vocabulary, and a lifelong love of literacy.
- Creative expression. The craft activity gives kids a chance to create something with their hands, which builds fine motor skills, problem-solving, and confidence.
- Social connection. Sharing a small-group experience helps children practice cooperation, communication, and making new friends in a low-pressure setting.
- Calm and joy. Above all, this is a space where your child gets to just be a kid — moving, laughing, creating, and feeling good.
And What Do YOU Get? Two Hours of You.
Let's be real — it's really hard to pour from an empty cup. This event gives you permission to step away without worry, knowing your child is joyfully occupied and completely cared for by professionals you can trust.
Use those two hours however you need them most. Go to a yoga class yourself. Sit at a coffee shop and stare out the window. Get a workout in. Grocery shop in peace. Take a nap. Read a chapter of a book. Call your best friend. Whatever recharges you — this time is yours.
You deserve a break. And your child deserves an afternoon full of adventure. This event gives you both.
Event Details
- Date: Friday, February 28, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Location: Be Well Collective, Upper Arlington, Ohio
- Ages: 5–8 years old
- Cost: $55 per child | 20% sibling discount
- Includes: Yoga, story time, sensory bin, craft, and snack
Spots are limited — grab yours before they're gone!