New York City is saturated with baby and toddler classes to keep your kids busy and active. As a new mom in a new city, I was very excited to try out as many classes as possible. It was a chance for me to meet other moms and give my daughter the chance to experience music, art, and gym. After spending the summer doing trial classes as least once a week, we discovered which classes we enjoyed the most and were the perfect fit for my daughter and I. -Lauren Jimeson, Big City Moms (Adventures of A Mommy in the City)
As your child gets older, their needs for what they want in a class changes. Their desire for something different from what they wanted when they were a baby is apparent.
Suddenly the classes that you took them to as a baby as a chance to catch up with other moms aren't the ones they are interested in any longer."
Thankfully we live in a city that is full of options for every child's needs! Below are some of my all-time favorite classes in the city as well as other great ones you might want to check out. For a full list of classes in the city click here
Rockin with Andy
www.rockinwithandy.com
Rockin with Andy was one of the first classes I attended when I moved to the city. It was where I met a great girlfriend and my daughter met her best friend. The 45 minute class is held in the comfort of your own home or a friends home. Andy travels the city and sings some of your favorite songs with a play group you have selected. No need to bring any toys to keep them entertained because Andy comes with a suitcase full of musical instruments and puppets for the kids to join in on the fun. The class made my daughter much more comfortable because she knew everyone in her class and it was great to be able to catch up with my friends.
My Gym
www.mygym.com
This was our first "gym" class in the city. My daughter started this class as soon as she started walking and it was great for her confidence and coordination. The area is filled with tumbling equipment, structures to climb on, a rock wall, and even a zip line. The class was structured so that my daughter knew what came next, but relaxed enough that she could run around and do her own thing if she didn't want to participate in the organized activity. My Gym also offers free play to all members almost everyday which made it a great place to visit during the cold and snowy winter days.
Little Maestros
www.littlemaestros.com
My daughter has a definite love for music. She loves to dance and sing along to any song that she hears. Little Maestros is the perfect class for any music lover. The classes consists of four band members that sing classic songs, let your child be a part of the band, sing stories, and (my daughter's favorite part) put on a puppet show. The 45 minute class is packed with musical fun. Not only does it teach your child great music, but it also incorporates a letter in every class which makes it educational too. The class is structured the same way every week which makes it predictable for my two year old to know what's next and even tell me about it.
Kidville
www.kidville.com
Kidville is a facility that has it all. From ballet, to cooking classes, to tumbling, there is a class for everyone at Kidville. My daughter has had the chance to check out several classes at Kidville and there hasn't been a single one that she has disliked. As soon as she sees the orange awning from her stroller she yells "Yay, Kidville. I love it!" She loves it so much that we are celebrating her birthday here. There are many locations around the city and some are even equipped with a cafe and a kids hair salon. They offer playspace hours in the gym that is equipped with a tumbling/jumping track with a foam pit at the end, gymnastics bars and rings (that my daughter loves to hang from) and and several things to run around an play on. Kidville is great for kids of all ages!
MoonSoup
www.moonsoup.net
With three locations around the city and classes for kids up to age 5, MoonSoup is an oasis for both kids and parents. My daughter tried several classes at MoonSoup, but the Rock Tots class was by far her favorite. We were lucky enough to have the Co-Founder of MoonSoup, Susan Izatt teach our class and there was no doubt her love of music and the children. Between beating the drum to the beat of rock classics to swinging in a children’s sized hammock, this class was unlike anything we have ever experienced.
The Art Farm
www.theartfarms.org
The Art Farm is truly a unique jewel right here in New York City. Not only does it offer wonderful art and music classes, but unlike any other place in the city, The Art Farm also has an indoor petting zoo located in the bottom floor of the space. At the end of our class we were able to spend time downstairs while my daughter got familiar with bunnies, birds, turtles, and many more pint sized animals. The Art Farm also offers Animal Care Classes for children ages 4-7 which gives them a hands on experience of how to take care of and respect animals. The Art Farm offers multiple classes up to age 8, so you are sure to find a fit for your child.
Other favorites around the city:
City Treehouse
www.citytreehouse.com
City Treehouse offers popular children's classes, the largest indoor water play area in New York City, and a thoughtfully designed treehouse hideout. Whether it's a trip through our signature treehouse, exploring our fiber optic cave, enjoying our distinctive water play area or participating in a class, City Treehouse will ignite children's imagination and passion for learning.
Moomah
www.moomah.com
A place of sweet, whimsy, wonder and warmth, moomah is a creative playspace, a cozy cafe, a living classroom, a quiet hideaway, an art oasis, your neighborhood meeting spot. You favorite place to be together, and a place for your child to simply be.
ABC Do Re Me
www.abcdoreme.com
ABC Do Re ME is a premier children music and movement program offering unique, fun and educational classes. During the music classes, kids sing, dance, play, and explore instruments and read books in an atmosphere that is designed to be completely interactive. The music selection is eclectic and includes everything from nursery rhymes to the Beatles.
Taste Buds
www.tastebudscook.com
Have a budding chef in the family? Taste Buds offers creative and unique cooking events for kids and families of all ages. They strive to create a lifestyle around connecting, learning and growing in the culinary playground of the kitchen. They offer weekly cooking classes, summer & holiday camps, birthday parties, field trips and more. The Kids Kitchen is the first and only kitchen studio in Manhattan designed and built just for kids.
Lil Yogi's NYC
www.lilyogisnyc.com
Lil Yogi’s NYC is a children’s yoga and fitness studio designed to help children develop better physical awareness, coordination, and flexibility. The program explores the spirit of yoga, while emphasizing the importance of positive thinking and the preservation of a positive self-image. The classes combine interactive games, stories, pictures, and music with the traditional physical poses. Children are introduced to yoga in a welcoming and energetic atmosphere that embraces enthusiasm, freedom, and fun!
Kids in Sports
www.kisnyc.com
Kids In Sports is a specialized sports program for children ages 12 months - 12 years old. They teach the fundamentals of Baseball, Basketball, Flag Football, Floor Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer and Volleyball through our Multi-Sport or Sport Specific Classes. Kids in Sports classes are designed to offer a unified learning experience which engages the child's mind as well as their bodies. The first thing that is taught in all classes is that sportsmanship comes first, an important skill for all kids!
Planet Han
www.planethanchinese.com
File it under only in Manhattan, but in this city, it’s not uncommon to ask what second language is your child learning when they’re still in diapers. With one quarter of the world’s population speaking Chinese, many parents are turning to Mandarin lessons for their children. Planet Han Chinese on the Upper West Side teaches Mandarin to kids two to 12.
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