There’s no doubt that parent & me classes are special for both parents and little ones. But in addition to learning and bonding with your child, parent & me classes are great for socializing with other parents and young children. We’ve rounded up some of the city’s best parent & me classes this month. As you read the descriptions below, consider the classes as not only chances for your child to gain new experiences and skills, but also as opportunities to form new friendships—or at least schedule a few playdates.
14th Street Y
Meet other parents and babies in a relaxed environment at their New Moms Stroll-In (drop-in) class, for parents and children from birth to crawling. Parenting director Kiki Schaffer leads discussions on topics such as sleep, feeding, infant development, and balancing work and motherhood to guide you through the joys and challenges of parenting. 14streety.org
92Y
At 5-9 months, babies are waking up to the world and are ready for a class about them, as well as their grown-ups. Sing, dance, and play with your little one in Babies Together as you all make friends. Parents will bond with their babies and their peers and receive advice and much-needed support from experienced faculty. Classes are on weekdays and Saturdays, so you can find one that fits your schedule. 92y.org
Applause New York
Are you a little bit “Broadway” and a little bit “Rock ‘n’ Roll?” Dabble in both of Applause New York’s fabulous parent & me programs. Begin with the Broadway Babies class, where your child is introduced to a different Broadway show each week, then switch to Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies, where your child will explore a different rock band each class. Instruments, toys, and props move this educational and entertaining class along! applauseny.com
Art Farm in the City
The Art Farm in the City’s Rock, Smocks, and Animals class is a fun and lively “adult and me” class for children as young as 14 months up to 4 years! Each week you’ll have an animal adventure, which includes a meet-and-greet with the Animal of the Week, music, crafts, and a visit to the indoor petting zoo. Sign up for the spring semester and meet some farm friends, like the new baby chicks! theartfarms.org
Asphalt Green
Children 24-36 months can learn both gymnastics basics and swimming fundamentals in Double Tots. Each class has a gymnastics and swim portion, where children will explore gymnastics equipment and work on skills like rolling, jumping, hanging, and rebounding, and learn basic swim skills like blowing bubbles, submersion, and floating. Available at the Upper East Side and Battery Park City locations. asphaltgreen.org
Bija Kids
After a nap and lunch, but before bath and dinner, come hang out and play with other little ones at Bija Kids’ Playgroup (drop-in) for ages 0-3. With parents or caregivers present, little ones explore puzzles, instruments, books, and plush toys in a warm, safe, and enriching environment. One of their dynamic teachers leads an enrichment activity each afternoon. Expect bubbles, a parachute, paint, and more! bijakids.com
Chelsea Piers
Introduce your little one to the magic of movement in the Field House’s Little Athletes Gymnastics classes (12 months–5 years). With activities developed specifically with caregiver-child bonding in mind, this preschool and toddler series incorporates the earliest aspects of primary skill development and physical fitness. chelseapiers.com/fh
Columbus Gym
Keeping in the spirit of fun while teaching young children the skills they need as they grow physically, socially, and emotionally, the Tiny Tot Fitness program (10 months-3 years) concentrates on balance, coordination, and fine motor skills as children explore tumbling mat circuits, balance beams, rings, bars, trampoline, and activity stations. columbusgymnyc.com
Discovery Programs
Discovery Programs’ nurturing, fun, and interactive Pre-Ballet class (25-36 months) includes playful songs and stretches, a light introduction to ballet terms, movement activities, and ballet stories. Featuring live accompaniment, the class encourages children to discover the joy of dance and moving their bodies. discoveryprograms.com
Eastside Westside Music Together
Making music with your baby is a wonderful way to bond and stimulate learning during those precious early months. Join Music Together’s Babies Only class for infants 6 months and under and learn how music-making builds neural pathways and listening skills, supports emerging language and motor development, and enhances family bonding. Your child will continue to grow and thrive in our Mixed-Age classes, too! From birth to Kindergarten, ESWS Music Together offers great programming for family music making. eswsmusictogether.com
Gymboree Play & Music
The six-level Play & Learn program, spanning ages 0-5 years, provides a whole-child approach in six-month increments that exercises all aspects of a child’s growth. Original special events, multi-class discounts, and a generous make-up policy make them a must for new families. Free trial classes are available! gymboreeclasses.com
Gymtime Rhythm & Glues
The Gym Chef program combines the best of Gymtime’s Cross Trainer program with Kitchen Little’s Kids in the Kitchen for children ages 2-2.11. The fun-filled cooking class focuses on fresh, natural ingredients to produce exciting and tasty dishes that teach children about nutrition and healthy eating. Once the cooking portion is complete, children move into Gymtime’s state-of-the-art gym where they work on both gymnastics skills and hand-eye coordination. Children are challenged to move with control and coordination around the obstacle courses as they climb, tumble, balance, and jump, all with the support of Gymtime’s USA Gymnastics-certified instructors. gymtime.net
JCC Manhattan
The JCC Manhattan’s Tummy Time class makes tummy time fun for you and your baby. Through songs, nursery rhymes, and exercises designed to strengthen muscles and provide mental stimulation, your baby will reach important milestones in a playful and relaxed environment. It’s a perfect first movement class for your new baby. jccmanhattan.org
Jodi’s Gym
A popular class for children 18-35 months who love to both move and groove, Rockin’ Rollers combines the fun of the 45-minute action-packed Mighty Muscle Movers gym class topped with a 30-minute music class in which one of their dynamic music teachers will lead you through a singing and dancing extravaganza. jodisgym.com
Karma Kids Yoga
At Karma Kids’ Parent & Child class (strong walkers–age 3) partner with your toddler in simple animated poses, games, art, music, and breathing exercises that help to strengthen coordination and build body awareness. You’ll bark in downward dog, hiss in cobra pose, and flutter your wings in butterfly while you embark on a yoga journey that your child will never forget! Partner poses are always included. This fun class provides key bonding methods between parent and child, while strengthening their growing muscles. Caregivers welcome. Class is 45 minutes. karmakidsyoga.com
Kick & Play
Brought to you by the creators of Super Soccer Stars, Kick & Play is a parent-child pre-soccer and movement program for toddlers ages 12-24 months. Your little ones are guided through a world that exposes them to the basic principles of physical movement and pre-soccer through engaging activities using music, puppets, and more. It’s the best way to learn to have a ball! kickandplay.com
Kidville
Big Muscles for Little Babies prepares and teaches grown-ups how to support their little ones as they progress from crawling to cruising. Each class features baby muscle warm-ups; skill-of-the-week activities with inclines, balls, and tunnels; and bubbles galore! Children experience this gross motor class in Kidville’s state-of-the-art Big Muscle Gym. kidville.com
Launch Math & Science Centers
In Launch Math & Science Centers’ Launch Learning Toddler program, designed for children18-42 months, tots begin to foster a love of math! Parents and caregivers participate with children during finger play, math activities, and games–all set to the tune of a live guitar! Class sizes are small and take place in a welcoming environment, allowing each child to receive attention from our experienced instructors. It’s never too early to start learning and loving math! launchmath.com
Little Maestros
Little Maestros is an award-winning, early-childhood and educator-approved infant and toddler music program dedicated to providing an unparalleled experience. Little Maestros continues to raise the bar in its specialty: children’s music classes and parties. Classes are complete with original interactive activities, a language development segment, musical storytime, imaginative and pretend play, global awareness segments, puppet shows with a special message, a dance party, and much more. littlemaestros.com
MAGIC Activity Center
In its colorful baby gym, MAGIC offers a progression of classes for children 2-18 months, structured specifically for babies, crawlers, and toddlers. Each Tiny Tumblers class introduces appropriate stimuli, promotes physical strength and coordination, and explores the early stages of sequencing both the body and the mind. 74magic.com
New York Kids Club
An educational class that thrills both kids and adults, Musical Tots features classical music, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and favorite nursery rhymes in a fun, upbeat environment. A professional guitarist and talented singer lead group activities and sing-a-longs as your young musician is exposed to new rhythm patterns, melodies, and a diversity of percussion instruments each class session. Musical Tots stimulates important language development and increases music appreciation. nykidsclub.com
Poppyseed Pre-Nursery
Having fun while prepping for nursery school? It’s as easy as ABC. Poppyseed has amazing art projects, musical collaboration with instruments, story circles, dancing, tumbling, and more! Meeting 2-3 times a week, tots and moms boogie and bond while forging new friendships for life. The perfect bridge between home and nursery school, Poppyseed is for babies, toddlers, and 2s accompanied by an adult. poppyseedprenursery.com
Prenatal Yoga Center
Mommy and Me Yoga focuses on strengthening the spiritual, emotional and physical bond between parent and child. Using interactive, slow-moving postures, the class is ideal for mommies and babies 4 weeks-crawling. Class also includes a brief infant massage and various exercises that assist in the development of your child’s motor skills. Mommy and Me Yoga will help carry you smoothly through the busy early months of caring for a new baby. prenatalyogacenter.com
TLB Music
Get into the groove with brain-boosting beats at TLB Music’s Didi Does a Dance class this spring (for ages 4 months-6 years)! Every week, little ones will learn about a new genre of dance, playing the music that accompanies it and exploring the culture of its origin. Genres will include 1970s disco, Russian ballet, Fosse-style Broadway, Irish step dance, and more. TLB’s original curriculum targets early childhood development milestones through play while introducing kids to all kinds of music and instruments! tlbmusic.com
