You Are the Missing Piece

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 02:59:02 GMT

What a local gala theme has in common with learning a back handspring.

THE PARENT PLAYBOOK: THE MISSING PIECE

"You are the missing piece."

That was the theme of this year's Amelia Molloy's Angels gala on October 1 at White Star Ranch. Honestly, we could hang that line on the wall of every one of our gyms.

No athlete ever learns a back handspring by themselves. It takes practicing drills over and over, a coach who spots them through the first hundred tries. A teammate cheering from the next mat. And a parent who drove across town at 4:45 on a Tuesday with a granola bar and a prayer.

Take away any one of those people and that back handspring takes a lot longer to land. A community works the same way.

Ashley Antongiovanni started Amelia Molloy's Angels right here in Bakersfield so that no one going through infertility has to feel alone. They give grants to help families with fertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy, they run monthly support groups, and they send out Comfort Kits so families know someone is in their corner.

American Kids has been in that corner for a while, from sponsoring their golf tournaments to their annual gala. Last year we were a Blue Jean Sponsor of the Giving the Gift of Family Gala, and this year we were proud to sponsor a table again.

Danielle Holmes, Director of Gymnastics; Megan Williams; and Matt Williams, Director of Operations, at the Amelia Molloy's Angels gala on Oct. 1.

So why does a kids' sports center care?

Because families are what we're about. We've been doing this since 1984, and we've watched a lot of Bakersfield kids grow up on our mats, from their very first class to their first meet. We've watched little brothers and sisters tag along for months and then want to enroll themselves. Helping more people get the chance to start a family of their own just makes sense to us.

That's Bakersfield, too. When somebody needs help, people show up, usually with a casserole and a folding table.

So show up where you can, and bring your piece. Nobody needs a perfect landing. Our kids figure that out on the mat every week, and the rest of us are still working on it (along with our cartwheels).

Ashley, and everyone at Amelia Molloy's Angels, thank you for everything you do all year. We're glad to be a small piece of it.

See you around town.

— Matt Williams, Director of Operations, American Kids Sports Center

PS. If you'd like to support them too, you can learn more at ameliamolloysangels.com .

PPS. And if your kid climbs the furniture like it's an obstacle course, come see us. You can tour any of our gyms, no appointment needed. �� American Kids app · �� (661) 589-2100

Source: Amelia Molloy's Angels — 5th Annual Gala "You are the Missing Piece" .

A Not-Too-Spooky Night of Play: Halloween Spooktacular 2026 at American Kids

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:01:55 GMT

Costumes, obstacle courses, trunk-or-treat and face painting — join us Friday, Oct 23 at our Young St. gym for a not-too-spooky Halloween night.

Fair warning: on Friday, October 23 , our Southwest gym on Young St. will be overrun by tiny superheroes, at least four Elsas, and one kid dressed as a taco who refuses to explain why. We wouldn't have it any other way. American Kids Sports Center's Halloween Spooktacular is back from 6:30 to 8:30 PM , and it's Halloween the way kids actually like it: big fun, plenty of candy, and just the right amount of spooky (think "friendly ghost," not "sleep with the lights on until Thanksgiving").

What's happening at the Spooktacular

Obstacle courses — climb, crawl, jump and tumble through courses built by our coaches. Yes, in costume. Yes, capes make you faster. That's just science.
Trunk-or-treating — all the candy, none of the dark-street-stroller-pushing
Face painting — finish the costume, or start a brand-new one on the spot
Pumpkin painting — no knives, no pumpkin guts on your kitchen floor. You're welcome.
The fun maze — can your little monster find the way out? (Parents: we'll send them back. Probably.)
Food vendors on site, so dinner is handled and nobody has to eat candy for dinner. Officially.

Event details

When: Friday, October 23, 2026 · 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Where: American Kids Sports Center – Southwest, 5010 Young St., Bakersfield, CA 93311
Cost: $13 per child
Tickets: Reserve your spot online or call (661) 589-2100

Why a night of play is good for kids (not just a sugar rush with extra steps)

At American Kids, we've been Building Healthy Kids Since 1984 — and yes, a costume party counts. Those obstacle courses and the maze aren't just party games. They're the same kinds of moves our coaches use every day in gymnastics, NinjaZone and tumbling classes. We're just sneakier about it on Halloween.

Moving bodies build growing bodies. The CDC recommends that kids ages 3–5 be physically active throughout the day, and that kids 6–17 get 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous activity every day, including muscle- and bone-strengthening activity. Climbing, jumping and crawling through an obstacle course checks all three boxes — and kids are having way too much fun to notice they're exercising. (If only that worked on grown-ups.)

Play builds brains, too. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls play "key to executive function skills" — the planning, focus and self-control kids use at school and at home. Figuring out a maze, or waiting your turn at the next obstacle while a pirate takes forever, is executive-function practice in disguise.

Play helps kids handle stress. The AAP also describes play as a buffer against the negative effects of stress that helps build social-emotional resilience. A little "spooky" in a bright, safe, coach-supervised gym is a great way for kids to practice being brave. Bonus: nobody has to be brave about the dark garage.

It's a chance to try something new. Lots of families at the Spooktacular have never been inside an American Kids gym. It's a no-pressure way for your child to explore the equipment, meet our coaches and see what gymnastics, NinjaZone, tumbling and cheer actually feel like — without anyone asking them to sit still.

Loved the obstacle course? There's a class for that.

If your child spends the whole night on the obstacle course (and then asks to do it again in the car), that's your sign. We offer gymnastics, NinjaZone, dance, cheerleading, tumbling & trampoline, swim, preschool and adaptive programs at our three Bakersfield locations — Northwest (Allen Rd.), Southwest (Young St.) and our Adaptive center (Ride St.). Every child is welcome, and every class is built to grow strength, confidence and friendships. Your couch cushions will thank you.

Family bonus: your family pays full price for just one class — every additional recreational class in your family, for the same child or a sibling, is 20% off. Siblings: now cheaper by the dozen. (Please don't sign up a dozen.)

Ready to join the fun?
�� Get your Spooktacular tickets
�� Find a class for your child
�� Download the American Kids app
�� Questions? Call us at (661) 589-2100

We can't wait to see your costumes on October 23. Taco kid, we're counting on you.