HOPALONG ANDREW
Ages: 0 to 18 years
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- WHO: Apple Seeds
- WHAT: Classes, birthday party packages, day camp and kids’ hair salon
- WHEN: All ages
- WHERE: Chelsea, Flatiron, Upper West Side, Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town
Apple Seeds is a play space with multiple locations and offers more than 100 classes from music classes like songs for seeds, to art, cooking, science, construction, ballet, tap, movement, gym, soccer and language. It hosts weekday and weekend birthday parties, playdates and corporate events and is an award-winning day camp. It even boasts a kids’ hair salon.
PARENT CHILD PLAYGROUPS: help parents and children gradually separate their activities at a nurturing pace. Skills such as music, art, movement and performance help kids build confidence and groups help small children learn sharing and other interpersonal skills needed to become more independent and prepare for pre-school.
Apple Seeds was founded by two families that live in the Chelsea/Flatiron neighborhood and have small children who also enjoyed Apple Seeds. They saw a need for more engagement opportunities for growing families and created Apple Seeds so children had a safe and fun place to play and explore.
If you love Apple Seeds, let us hear it. Add your review to the ones below and help other parents and caregivers understand what it has to offer.
Ages: 1 to 5 years
- Who: A Musical Home
- When:5 months to 5 years
- Why: Coordination, listening, social skills
- What: Custom, Instrument based, fun, interactive music classes
- Bonus: Birthday parties, Jewish Music classes, In home classes
A Musical Home introduces children to music concepts, instruments, activities, stories and music-inspired movements. This helps children develop coordination, hones their listening abilities, improves social interactions, allows physical expression and self-discovery. Above all, children have fun while learning. Small group settings ensure children get personalized attention. Parents can also be a part of the lessons and see how each class benefits their children’s growth. Since classes are conducted in homes, it reduces commute, maximizes learning time and children are comfortable in their familiar environment.
Music helps with fine and gross motor development, accelerating brain development, generating an interest in arts, stimulating math and quantitative thinking, enhancing spatial and auditory skills and language development. Children get over stage fright, learn to interact and brush up on social and creative skills.
If you are a returning visitor to A Musical Home, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.
Ages: 2 to 18 years
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- Who: Abron’s Art Center
- Where: Lower East Side, NYC
- When:2 till 18
- Why: Hone motor skills, develop grace, balance, get creative, work as a team
- What: Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Arts
- Bonus: Private music lessons from professionally active musicians
Abron’s Art Center teaches dance, music, theater and visual arts. Children can get a foundation in dance and movement and work their way to become skilled performers. They learn techniques to develop good posture and form, grace, get alignment and balance. Learning ballet and creative play helps hone motor skills and promotes team work. Children learn to interpret meaning through movement.
Dance helps with strength training, cognitive and social skills, creative self-expression, co-ordination and focus. Children learn to listen, use their imagination and get creative. They learn to stay fit in a fun manner.
If you are a returning visitor to Abron’s Art Center, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.
Ages: 1 to 5 years
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- Who: Baby DJ school
- Where: Upper Eastside, Park Slope, Williamsburg
- When: Empower your 2-month to 5 year-old
- Why: Develop motor, language and social skills
- What: Use music to educate
Baby DJ school is an interactive music program to enhance physical, social and cognitive learning for 2-month to 5-year-old children with an introduction to records, digital DJing and fun educational songs. From birthday parties to private lessons, children develop fine motor, ocular language and social skills. There are many thrilling options for the future including new locations and a forthcoming tv series.
Music helps with fine and gross motor development, accelerating brain development, generating an interest in arts, stimulating math and quantitative thinking, enhancing spatial and auditory skills and language development. Children get over stage fright, learn to interact and brush up on social and creative skills.
If you are a returning visitor to Baby DJ School, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.
Ages: 0 to 5 years
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- Who: Baby Moves NYC
- Where: West Village
- When: 4-month-old babies to 5-year-old toddlers
- Why: Creative expression, social skills, Open play
- What: Developmental classes
- Bonus: NYC summer camps (16 months to 12 years)
Baby Moves NYC offer classes for babies and toddlers using a mix of scientific approach and fun. Classes develop fine and gross motor skill using musical movements, gym time, sensory explorations, singing, art, obstacle courses and a host of innovative methods. Children are also introduced to the magical world of books. 12 to 30 months babies are also introduced to soccer like activities. During the summer, they offer adventurous camps. They also have a camp where kids create their own fairy tale.
Kids get a boost through early childhood development classes such as music, dance, art, science, gym, sports, cooking and languages. It’s not just an exposure to a new skill, but kids get to engage with other children in a fun manner while learning to express themselves.
If you are a returning visitor to Baby Moves NYC, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.
Ages: 0 to 18 years
- Who: Bilingual Birdies
- Where: New York City
- When: Infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, beyond
- Why: Develop curiosity and compassion
- What: Foreign languages and live music
- Bonus: Birthday parties and camps.
Bilingual Birdies aims to encourage cross-cultural awareness. Children can learn Spanish, French, Mandarin, Hebrew and English as a second language through live music, dance, movement, dance, puppetry and theatre-based games. The curriculum aims to teach ten to fifteen basic vocabulary words and short phrases in each class using social and emotional play.
Learning a language is a great way to bridge an awareness gap while at the same time encouraging children to engage and be social. It expands their world vision.Children develop a healthy sense of curiosity and compassion. It helps them become better global citizens.
If you are a returning visitor to Bilingual Birdies, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.
Ages: 1 to 18 years
- Who: Bloomingdale Library
- Where: Upper Westside, NYC
- When: Toddlers to teens
- Why: Feeding the brain
- What: Read, socialize and chill out
Bloomingdale Library is a part of the New York Public Library. From babies to teens, there are many programs to choose from. Children can also visit the library to nerd out with friends, play Xbox 360, do arts and crafts and feed the brain with books.
Reading aids in brain development and inculcating a love for the library is a great gift for your child. Libraries offer a choice to children and are easier on the pocket. Libraries encourage active learning and many libraries develop special programs to benefit kids.
If you are a returning visitor to Bloomingdale Library, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.
Ages: 1 to 18 years
- Who: Brooklyn Heights Library
- Where: Brooklyn Heights
- When: Babies to teens
- Why: Establish a love of reading and learning
- What: Storytime, STEM, Live entertainment, Children’s librarian
- Bonus: Inclusive programs for children with disabilities
Part of the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Heights Library opened in May 1962. From babies to teens, there are activities for every age group. Babies enjoy books, learn fun songs meet other babies. Toddlers discover picture books and finger plays. Pre-schoolers continue the exposure to books and songs. Children can get homework help from Grades 1 till 8. Library labs expose kids to science, technology, engineering and math concepts. Chess sessions help children with critical thinking.
Reading aids in brain development and inculcating a love for the library is a great gift to your child. Libraries offer a choice to children and are easier on the pocket. Libraries encourage active learning and many libraries develop special programs to benefit kids. Children socialize with other kids and get exposed to a variety of non-reading programs too.
If you are a returning visitor to Brooklyn Heights Public Library, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.
Ages: 5 to 18 years
$
- Who: Brooklyn Kids Prep School
- Where: Brooklyn
- When: Children from K till Grade 12
- Why: Comprehensive learning environment
- What: After school activities, summer camps
Brooklyn Kids Prep School is an independent school for kids from Kindergarten until Grade 12. Apart from regular school academics, they offer activities to kids after school and also conduct popular summer camps. The curriculum is rich in a variety of subjects from Stem to music, arts and sports. Children benefit from highly skilled and motivated staff. In a safe space, children learn to grow outside of class too and learn about the world around them.
After school activities are a great way to expose your child to the world around them. They learn in a fun manner, socialize with children in a non-formal manner, pick up skills that will sustain them through life. Children build confidence and self-esteem.
If you are a returning visitor to Brooklyn Kids Prep, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.
Ages: 2 to 15 years
$$$
- Who: Child’s play
- Where: NYC schools
- When: Ages 2 till 15
- Why: Boost courage, compassion and creativity
- What: Empower through art
- Bonus: Scholarships available; Find camps, classes and birthday parties
Every child deserves a chance to develop his or her arts education. Founded in 2009, Child’s Play offers play, imagination, performance and movement workshops, camps, and birthday parties. The aim is to provide a comprehensive curriculum of performance art and imagination-based games challenging children to think critically, develop confidence and social skills as well as build a solid foundation for creativity and expression, enhance decision making, improve visual learning, academic performance and cultural awareness. Child’s play partners with The Drama Club, a non-profit, bringing theatre classes to youth in detention centers. scholarships and participation opportunities are also offered to students facing financial hardship.
ROLE PLAY: Theatre is a beautiful and effective way to present literary and historical themes and a great tool for parents and care-givers. Not only does it help develop imagination and dramatic arts skills but it helps develop perspective, kids learn to work together and in a sneaky way, gain exposure to art and history! Improved confidence also leads to academic improvement.
Reviews and video content give you a better insight into Child’s Play programs, camps, classes, and birthday party experiences.
Visit our community and learn more about how and when dramatic, artistic and performing arts can help your child develop.
If you’ve visited Child’s Play in the past, we’d love to hear from you! Add your review to those below to help other parents and caregivers decide.
Park Slope
Ages: 2 to 18 years
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- WHO: Dancewave
- WHAT: Dance and performance classes, workshops, birthday party rentals, and scholarships
- WHEN: Ages 2 and up
- WHERE: Brooklyn
- WHY: Dancing boosts physical fitness and confidence
In 1995 Diane Jacobowitz started the first Kids Café festival with one simple focus: treat young dancers as professionals in the making and they will rise to the occasion. This ensemble combined aspiring young dancers from across New York with some of the city’s top choreographers and grew into the Kids Company.
Kids Company continued to captivate until, in 2009, Dancewave Center was opened in Brooklyn and Kids Company was renamed Dancewave. Dancewave now serves over 5000 young people per year through its school, pre-professional dance companies, arts in education outreach programs, and produced events.
DANCE UNLOCKS POTENTIAL: Dancewave provides all NYC youth access to a supportive dance experience that embraces individuality, equipping students with the life skills to unlock their full potential as people and community members.The organization’s pre-professional dance education and performance training programs offer a rare mixture of high-level artistic integrity, educational rigor, and nurturing support.
Students who participate in dance and other dramatic arts do better in school and are more likely to graduate from college. Dancewave recognizes this and offers an annual event “Dancing Through College & Beyond (DTCB)” designed to help high school students explore college dance programs by meeting staff, current students, and alumni from universities all over the country.
If you have experience with Dancewave or any of its programs, we need to hear from you. Add your review to the ones below and help other parents and caregivers decide if it’s a good fit.
Ages: 5 to 13 years
Ages: 0 to 18 years
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- WHO: Gymboree
- WHAT: Free play, parent-and-child and school readiness opportunities, classes, birthday parties, and drop-in play
- WHY: Great for new parents and impromptu play dates
- WHERE: Upper West Side
- WHEN: Newborn and up
Gymboree is an iconic provider of classes designed by play-education experts and taught by creative, friendly teachers. Children will develop the confidence and skills they need for school and beyond.Gymboree’s class curriculum is developed by its experienced child development program directors and incorporates a balanced whole-child approach with activities to support what your child is mastering right now and what he or she will aspire to later.
Classes are designed in 6-month increments to continue to meet a child’s growing interests and abilities. From birth to age 5, Gymboree Play & Music has classes and events designed to challenge your child.
BABIES: Play & Learn classes are Gymboree’s most popular. They use play-based activities to exercise the body and mind.Gymboree also offers Baby Lab! An innovative space for babies 0 to 10 months old that allow them to explore with the help of a caregiver.
OLDER KIDS: Music, art and school readiness incorporate STEM concepts in a play-based setting. Based on availability, these classes can be drop-off or parent/child. Music classes re available for children 6 months and older and art classes start at 18 months.
If you love Gymboree Play & Music, let us hear it. Add your review to the ones below and help other parents and caregivers understand what it has to offer.
Ages: 1 to 18 years
- WHO: ¡HOLA! A Playgroup in Spanish
- WHAT: Spanish classes and private classes
- WHY: Engaging and fun immersion programming helps kids learn a new language
- WHERE: Chelsea, Forest Hills
- WHEN: Age 12 months and up
¡HOLA! A Playgroup in Spanish is a unique immersion, grass-roots program in which babies 12 months to elementary school-age kids enter the world of the Spanish language. Its success in teaching Spanish to young children and its special language acquisition philosophy is based on more than 16-years of experience. Year- round programs teach through hands-on play and exploration and include a wide curriculum aimed to steep students in language and communication skills. For ¡HOLA! students, the language surfaces spontaneously with great confidence and enthusiasm.
Through the program’s activities, children build and enhance cognitive, fine- gross motor, social, and artistic skills, and the program focuses on a wide repertory of concepts to build vocabulary, and help children acquire the correct use of phonetics from a native speaker, among many other benefits to their development. Play, artistic expression and socialization are the touchstones of ¡HOLA!’s programs.
¡HOLA!’s classes are taught using visual, auditory and verbal input, including original and traditional music, games, props, art, movement, play and literacy, engaging children in a multi-sensory learning process.
Children get to love Spanish with ¡HOLA! because it’s taught in the most fun and educational way, engaging children in this very special process of language learning.
If you have experience with ¡HOLA! A Playgroup in Spanish or any of its programs, we need to hear from you. Add your review to the ones below and help other parents and caregivers decide if it’s a good fit.
Ages: 0 to 10 years
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- Who: Naomi’s Music Together
- Where: Brooklyn Heights
- When: 0 to 10 years
- Why: Creative, social and cognitive skills,
- What: Sing a long
- Bonus: Complimentary alumni visit, pajama time, preschool program
Naomi’s Music Together, uses music and movements give children and parents an immersive musical experience. Parents relate to their children in a fun, relaxed and yet significant manner. Singing together enhances the sense of well-being and happiness in the community. The Music Together curriculum of modelling, engaging, supporting exploration and review is the most developmentally appropriate method to help children attain basic music competence.
Music is an essential part of a child’s curriculum. Learning music helps children develop cognitive, social and creative skills. Music enhances a feel good factor and can become a life-long passion, career and stress buster.
If you are a returning visitor to Naomi’s Music Together, we’d love to hear from you!
By adding your review to those below other parents and caregivers can choose their best fit.