Play Spaces

The Artful Place
www.theartfulplace.com
171 Fifth Ave between Berkeley and Lincoln Pls
Park Slope
718-399-8199  Subway: M, R to Union St.
Park Slope parents and their crafty offspring are flocking to this creative outlet for its selection of mixed-media supplies. The shop also offers a surprisingly wide variety of weekly workshops for kids, teens and adults.

Bija Backyard
http://www.bijabrooklyn.com/backyard.html
info@bijabrooklyn.com
20 Tiffany Place
Brooklyn, NY 11231 (Red Hook)
718.360.4552
Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-7pm; Sun 12n-4pm
Ages: 1 to 6 Cost: Single visit (up to 3 hours): $10 (1 child); $7 (each additional sibling).
10 Visits (up to 3 hours each): $90 (1 child); $155 (2 children)
Bija Backyard, a companion space to Bija Brooklyn, is an indoor play space for kids ages one to six. Parents or caregivers must remain with children at all times. 

Brooklyn Arts Exchange
http://www.bax.org/
421 5th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-832-0018
The playspace is only open certain times; for instance, parents can take an adult fitness workshop next door  on Mondays from 10-11 am while their children play in the playspace from 9:30-11:30AM and usually  the last Friday of every month for Family Friday and one Sunday per month for the Jumpin' Juniper Show. Activities include hoops, tunnels, coloring, balls, books and are with the help of the Playspace facilitator. Children can bring special toys, books, or other childhood comfort items, but must bring their own diapers, wipes, snacks and drinks. Parents must remain on site.  BAX is no-profit in Park Slope that offers classes in music, dance, baby & me, various baby and toddler classes, dance and movement classes, yoga and theater and acting. It also has a summer arts program.

Brooklyn Beads Boutique
www.brooklynbeads.net
244 Smith St between DeGraw and Douglass Sts
Carroll Gardens
866-390-8435 Subway: F,G to Carroll St.
Kids can get creative at this bead-it-yourself boutique, or use the play space so Mom can keep her creative focus.

Brooklyn Lyceum
http://www.gowanus.com/MORE?listingid=100086
227 4th Avenue (corner of President St)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-398-7301
Kid Run Around- most Saturdays from 10am-2pm: waffles, bagels, muffins, juice and hot chocolate. Check website for dates. This is generally a performance space that  has little warmth.  They play music, but not many toys. It is generally a good runaround space for older children.

Brooklyn PLAY Spot and Wellness Works
www.brooklynplayspot.com
399 Atlantic Ave at Bond St,
Boreum Hill, Brooklyn
718-852-2494
 Subway: A, C, G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn; N, R to Pacific St.
Mon-Fri 8:45 am-5pm; Sat, Sun 9:30am-6pm. (check times as they change)
Drop-in rate $12 per family (up to five people); see website for membership rates.
Play space that hosts various classes or just play. You can become a member or do a drop-in fee. Classes occur daily, from storytime to language to knitting. You can also take a Wellness Works class (classes range from express circuit training, Yogalates, meditative stretch, kick-boxing through to total body conditioning, a baby body boot camp for new moms and family fitness) and have your child watched for a $10 child care fee. (Members do not pay the child care fee) You do need to reserve for class and child care in advance (sometimes only up to 2 hours). For more information, contact Stacey Grant at: 718-852-2494 or e-mail: info@wellnessowrkshealth.com or www.wellnessworkshealth.com

It's early in the game, but I think some suggestions for Play: would like the activity time to be more structured and for some more hip design and aesthetics- I want to love hanging out in there and I want it to succeed!
-Candace

Play has changed its configuration, so now you play in 1 space and Wellness Works goes on  in the other. Although the play space is currently half of its original size, Birch still enjoyed playing with the trains and outdoor cars.  (There is a very small cement courtyard).  I was able to order lunch from delicious Bedouin Tent next door and have it delivered (a $9 lunch for both Birch and me) and eat peacefully while talking to other parents/caregivers and watch Birch. I do wish there was more space for gross motor toys and running and toys that could accomadate those skill building needs.
-Karen

Crispus Attucks Playground (inside and outside play area)
Corner of Fulton and Classon
Brooklyn, NY (Clinton Hill)
718-965-8938 or 718-638-8886
"Mommy and I Can Program": Ages 2-4 years old. Mon-Fri from 10am-11 am and 11:30 am-12:30 pm (though you can stay for both if you like).  Story time, puppets, art and crafts, music, tot tumbling, playdoh, etc.  Sponsored by the City of New York/Parks and Recreation. FREE.

The toys are fun, they do a lot of arts and crafts, story time and the puppet show is a smash hit. Jamal, who runs it, is very charismatic. My son Birch loves the playgroup and Jamal.
-Karen

Early Childhood Resource and Information Center
http://www.nypl.org/branch/local/man/ecc.cfm
66 Leroy Street (off 7th Ave South)
New York, NY 10014
212-929-0815
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6 pm Thurs 10-6 Friday 1-6 Sat 1-5 Closed Sundays
The Early Childhood Resource and Information Center (ECRIC)           is a unique center of The New York Public Library dedicated to serving           the needs of young children (birth to age 6), their parents, caregivers, teachers, and other early childhood professionals. ECRIC is located on the second floor of the Hudson Park Branch Library. The Family Room is the heart of ECRIC. It is a place where the parent or caregiver and child can work together in an environment created to stimulate and meet the developmental interests of infants and young children.The room holds a special collection of books, toys, and learning tools and includes a carpeted block area, housekeeping and dramatic play spaces, drawing easels, climbing & sliding equipment, puzzles, and other learning tools.

They have wonderful wooden toys, the largest collection of books on parenting, education and board books for children.  Sometimes it is really active with a lot of kids, and other times I have been the only one there.
-Elizabeth

Families First Brooklyn
http://www.familiesfirstbrooklyn.org
250 Baltic Street (bet. Clinton & Court)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This is a well-established community program offering a drop-in play space, children's classes and activities (like science, cooking, language, adult-baby play, etc), workshops for parents and caregivers
(choosing a nursery school, discipline, CPR, etc) and support groups for new parents.  Membership is $75 annually, with an additional $225 for unlimited play space access. Hours are 9-4 Monday - Thursday and 9-1 Friday.

Juguemos a Cantar
http://www.juguemos.org
juguemosAcantar@aol.com
47 Sterling Place
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Red Hook)
718-788-6472
Juguemos a Cantar is a unique program developed to introduce children birth to 12 years to practical Spanish through music and play.Juguemos Drop-in Playspace (WINTER TIME ONLY) is a place where children will freely play, move ride tricicles, slide, sing-a-long, read, dress up, listen to stories, do art projects using their imaginations and meet with friends. Children MUSt be supervised by a parent/cargiver at all times. You and your child can come any time between 10am and 12pm. adults will remain in the building at all times - this is NOT a drop off activity). No registraton necessary. First come first served as space is limited.

Madd Fun
http://www.maddfun.com/about_us.html
303 Stanley Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11207
718-498-9002
This is an indoor entertainment center- near to Gateway Estates (huge retail shopping). They have lazer tag, mini bowling, arcade, ball pit/tunnel and tubes arena, climbing wall, amusement rides, bumper cars, mini train, arts and crafts area, exclusive toddler soft play, private party rooms, food court, computer lab with classes. Package prices vary from $6-$21.

Mamalu
http://mamalu.us/
232 North 12th Street (btw. Roebling and Driggs Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-486-6312
Mamalu has 80 square feet of play space for babies and kids. It has a multimedia center, reading area, dress up corner and mural sized chalkboard. They have organic food for adults and homemade organic food for babies. You can host a birthday party there complete with entertainment and catering.

Very good food. It is nice that they have organic kids food that you can buy. I don't understand the $5 admission- I am buying food and drinks and in return I think it makes sense that my son should be able to play for free.
-Heather

Nice large play space with rubber matting, sumo sand bags for lounging, cubby holes for shoes and toys and books, wall-sized chalkboard with a fun and vibrant art drawing, lots of clean and educational toys that many can play on and fabulous organic food! The parents can sit and chat in comfy loungers while the kids play together.  It feels clean, safe and vibrant. Great for an hour getaway.  It gets my vote.
-Karen

Neighborhood Play Space
http://www.christchurchcobblehill.org
326 Clinton St (and Kane)
Brooklyn, NY 11231 (Cobble Hill)
718-624-0083
The Neighborhood Playspace program provides a place for young children to meet and play together, and a place for parents and caregivers to meet, socialize, and support one another. Located in the Parish Hall.
Hours: 9:30-12 Mon-Fri, ask about afternoons.

New York Kids Club
182 Henry Street
Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Heights)
718-228-0800
For kids aged 6 months to 12 years

NY City Explorers
http://nycityexplorers.com/
388 Atlantic Avenue (btw Hoyt & Bond)
718.625.NYCE
Open for drop-in play, babysitting, drop-off (special times) seven days a week from 9am-6pm. The day pass is $10 per family.
The Exploratorium features: Clean, safe, wooden toys, Fun tents & play tunnel, Comfy parent's lounge

This place has everything you want in a neighborhood play space and activity center. Their play space is clean, colorful and laid-back. There is a lounge and eating area where you can drop your shoes before indulging in the toys and space.  In the back they have a classroom where they host birthday parties and their academic- inspired classes like history, math and drama.  Their in house teacher Andrea  has her masters in curriculum development and has taught for seven years, so you can be sure she knows how to handle a roomful of energized kids. I have seen her at work and the kids adore her spirited guidance.  In addition, NYC Explorers offers special weekly events: Wednesday Dropoff Childcare, Friday Night Date Night (you get the date, the kids get lots of fun), Sleep-in Saturdays and more.  In addition, they offer adult support groups, after-school pickup and a babysitting service  either at their place at your own. They call it “edutaining”.  It is open 7 days a week from 9-6 pm. It is $10 for drop-in play or buy play packs or a discount packages.
-Karen

Playspace
250 Cadman Plaza West (btw. Clark and Tillary)
Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Heights)
718 875 9124
cms.playspace@gmail.com
An indoor space with all new toys, equipment and lots of room for children under age 4. The cost is only $10 per family per session.
Hours: Tues, Wed and Fri mornings 9:30 - noon and Mon, Tues afternoons 2 - 4:30 pm; Sunday hours, Holiday closings and any seasonal play hour changes to be announced.

Pratt Institute
200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
http://www.pratt.edu/saturday_art_school http://www.pratt.edu/

I view this as one of Brooklyn’s most valuable resources, and a little known one at that. Bring your tot(s) to the open campus during daylight hours and enjoy a picnic or stroll on the “Pratt Beach” (two wonderful green grass areas). No dogs are allowed on this 25 acre campus in Clinton Hill so that you aren’t dodging mine fields as your child crawls, sits and plays in the grass. Their sculpture park is the largest one in New York City with approximately 50 sculptures that are on a revolving exhibition.  Birch loves to climb the sculptures, peek in and out of them and just gaze at some of their extreme heights.  The Pratt Power Plant is open to the public and you can explore the engine room and search for the 25 domesticated cats that the engineer takes care of.  It is fun to try and spot them all.  The Institute has a great pool of babysitters too: young, energetic and educated.  The MFA open studios that are held twice a year are always interesting and fun to attend with your kids as well as the gallery exhibitions.  They offer a pre-college for students aged 16-18 and Saturday Art School for ages 3-18 and adults. The classes are taught by the esteemed Pratt faculty and some scholarships are provided.
-Karen

Tiny Cuts
9702 3rd Ave
Brooklyn, NY (Bay Ridge)
718-765-9822
Tue-Wed 12n-6pm; Thu-Fri 11am-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-4pm
 They have open play every Tues, Wed, Thurs from 9:30am-11:30am and 12pm-2pm. The play room is also available for children that are waiting to get their haircuts.  Cost is $10 per child/$7 for sibling.  In addition, every Friday night starting they will be offering "KIDS NIGHT OUT" from 630pm-930pm. At Kid’s Night Out, there will be arts n crafts/dress up for boys n girls/ story time/snacks/legos/disney movies and other fun things for them to do. The cost for is $25.00 per child/sibling $12.00. Space is limited so please call to reserve your spot.

Comments

[Karen]

Not knowing the answer myself, I wrote to Alison, owner of Midwood Martial Arts. I always ask her Flatbush neighborhood questions. She has a finger on the pulse of the neighborhood.

Her answer was, "We had the same problem when we moved in. We had a lawn but wanted to find other kids. There's the Tot Lot on the corner of Argyle and Cortelyou Roads for younger kids. The big new playground at Newkirk and Coney Island Aves is attached to PS 217 but was built for the neighborhood and is open after school hours. There is a large (multi-age) playground on Avenue L around E16th St. Most parents make their connections in the area through the Flatbush Family Network on Yahoo. Ellen Moncure is the administrator. There are also three local storytimes - many Mon & Wed at VoxPop, almost all Tuesdays at our place (Midwood Martial Arts), and one at the Cortelyou Rd branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (which I hear is not very good - the storytime not the library). There should be one at the Avenue J library also. On Tuesdays after Midwood Martial Art's storytime is a Flatbush Family Network playtime." (Check the FFN yahoo group to find out location).

[Nicolle]

Are there any playgrounds in Flatbush? Other than the local public schools, I haven't seen a swing, slide or monkeybar anywhere!