If your fam doesn’t live on the Upper West Side, you’re going to want to hop on the 123 train and head up to this family-friendly neighborhood to try out some of these activities. Learn to dance from an actual Rockette, make your very own candy at a chocolate factory, sing about riding in a taxi, and more. Read on to see our full “must try” list for the UWS!
Apple Seeds
0 – 5 years old
While described as an all-in-one play space, Apple Seeds offers up so much more than just open play (not that their awesome play area isn’t enough of a draw). Classes range from ballet to cooking to sports and everything in between. Top that off with the fact that they have an onsite healthy snack bar, hair salon, and book store, you can easily make a day out of a visit!
Baby DJ School
2 months – 5 years old
It’s an interactive singalong that makes music education a dance party! This hands-on class, literally hands-on, will have young music lovers mixing up sounds of their own as they are introduced to records, digital DJ’ing, and funky beats.
Broadway to Rockettes
2 – 4 years old
Taught by a former Broadway performer and Rockette, this high energy dance class introduces tiny dancers to the magic of Musical Theater with a combination of creative movement, jazz, tap, and ballet. Be warned, you will most likely have a lot of “performances” in your apartment after this class!
Chocolate Works
3 – 12 years old
Not only is this a delicious chocolate factory and candy store, but they also offer up mouth watering classes for any kiddo with a sweet tooth. Make a chocolate pizza topped with candy, create your own one-of-a-kind piece of chocolate or make use of their tasty chocolate fountain.
Elliot’s Classes
6 weeks – 14 years old
This gym/preschool alternative, founded by the infamous Elliot, offers up classes that focus on movement and development. Your little explorers can climb and jump in open play, tumble and roll in gymnastics, leap through a ballet class, and more.
FunFit Kids
3 months – 7 years old
If you’re not ready to commit to just one sport, try out one of these classes where little athletes will shoot, dribble, catch, and more as they experiment with lots of different sports like baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, volleyball, and gymnastics…to name a few. FunFit also has a great open play to get some exercise and burn off extra energy.
Launch Math & Science Centers
18 months – 12 years old
Learning plus a fun environment…well you do the math! Ranging from counting and music for the littlest of mathematicians to introducing coding to budding computer scientists, this center will get everyone excited about math and STEM.
Music For Aardvarks
6 months – 5 years old
Your city kiddies will love singing, dancing, and jamming out at this music class featuring songs about riding in a taxi and hoping on the subway. With influences of rock, blues, ballads, folk, jazz and pop, Aardvark’s original songs reflect and celebrate the lives of your kids growing up in the Big Apple.
The Creative Kitchen
2 – 6 years old
How many times a day do you hear, “can I have a snack”? This time you can say yes! Sign your little chefs up for a cooking class where they can make a healthy and delicious snack of their own, using fresh, wholesome ingredients. Recipes focus on kid friendly themes, colors, numbers, and shapes that are perfect for a mid-day snack!
The Paint Place
4 – 10 years old
Channel your inner artists and create a masterpiece at this art studio. Drop your kids off for an afternoon of painting or choose to make it a family affair and sign up for a Family Painting Day. Either way, make some room on the mantel, you’re going to want to display your artistic creations!