Chabad of Dumbo
Estherchakoff@yahoo.com
147 Front St. suite#215
Brooklyn, NY (DUMBO)
Join us monday mornings from 10am -12pm where we will be singing Jewish songs, learning the Hebrew Aleph Bet, making great arts and crafts projects and much more!

Co-op School Play Group at Irving Place
The Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Cooperative Preschool
87 Irving Place (btw. Classon and Grand- near Fulton)
Brooklyn, NY (Clinton Hill)
Children ages 0-3 attend with a parent or caregiver to play with their peers.
The Play Group is a time for free-play. Age appropriate toys, musical instruments, and art materials are supplied and time is set aside for a snack time of parent supplied snacks. Parents and caregivers are expected to help set up and clean up activities. We meet from 9:00 – 10:30 am five days a week. You may join for two to five days a week.
weeks after the initial start date.

Creative Arts Studio
http://creativeartsstudio.com/index2.html
2 locations

310 Atlantic Ave (Boerum Hill)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-797-5600

119 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231 (Carroll Gardens)
718-243-0658
Playgroups include: Arfie’s Playgroup (play and art activities), Art Playgroup (relaxed, creative environment), Play School (ages3-4) for 3 mornings a week.

Christ Church Cobble Hill Neighborhood Playspace
http://www.christchurchcobblehill.org/welcome/?page_id=5
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NeighborhoodPlayspace/ (yahoo group)
Christ Church Parish Hall
326 Clinton and Kane Streets
Brooklyn, NY (Cobble Hill)
718-624-0083
Hours: 9:30-12 Mon-Fri, ask about afternoons

I have only been to this playgroup once, but the I really enjoyed it. The space is large with well-kept wooden floors, cheery wall and ceiling hangings. They have a nice glider to nurse in, a piano and plenty of toys to share all around. The atmosphere was casual and friendly. I would have gone again if I lived in the neighborhood, but as it was I was just checking it out.
-Karen

Clinton Hill/Fort Greene Embora Baby Play Group
900 Fulton Street (btw. Washington and Waverly)
Brooklyn, NY (Clinton Hill)
718-857-4360
Every Wed and Fridays from 10am-1pm from Jan 28-May 2. $250 for full session or $15 walk-ins. Can also sign up monthly. Toys and music are kept safe. 2 bathrooms and changing rooms.

Clinton Hill/Fort Greene Move With Playgroup
www.movewithgracestudio.com
718- 230-0013
469 Myrtle Avenue (btw. Washington Ave and Hall Street)
Clinton Hill/ Fort Greene
Call Move with Grace for session information and availability for 2007-2008- may be full even for drop-in. Begins Nov.7 and ends on Friday, March 28, 2008. Meets on Weds and Fridays at 10 am- 12 pm. Age range from 3 months to 2 years. FEES (for 1 child & caregiver; siblings are half-price):Twice-a-week monthly (8 days/month): $25 Once-a week monthly (4 days/month): $15 Two days a month (any 2 days, paid in advance): $8 Drop-in: $5 per day (cash only, payable at sign-in). You can change your “plan” each month if you like. If you pay by month, days paid for but not used are not transferable to the next month.

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

Families First “Practically Preschool”
http://www.familiesfirstbrooklyn.org
250 Baltic Street (bet. Clinton & Court)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
A playgroup for children ages 18 months to 3 1/2 years. Children experience classroom time and develop social skills through developmentally appropriate activities: free play, table time, art projects, stories, sing-a-longs, circle time, snack, and fun. Adults participate with children in hour-long sessions running 8 – 10 weeks.

My son goes to “practically pre-school” there and it is an excellent precursor to regular pre-school. You do have to join as a member for $75/yr but it is a lot less than private school and you can start immediately and not wait till your kid is old enough for “school”. Families First is a school/ community center/playspace and generally excellent resource all in one. The whole place is a wonderful resource for new families with young kids as they have a well stocked indoor playspace, an art/snack room and lots of classes geared towards kids up to about age 6. Its also a terrific networking place and they have workshops on all sorts of informative stuff. Oh and they are so friendly and nice and non-intimidating.
-Cara

Flatbush Family Network Preschool Playgroup
Every Tuesday from 10:45-11:45 am
Midwood Martial Arts and Family Fitness Center
1302 Avenue H (entrance at 801 E 13th St/Argyle Road)
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-258-KICK
Young children, babies and caregivers socialize for free in a child-friendly setting (air conditioned, soft floor for early walkers and non-walkers)

Fort Greene Clinton Hill Coop Playgroup
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fgchplaygroup/
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church
85 S. Oxford St.(corner of S. Oxford & Lafayette Ave.) (Enter on S. Oxford Street.)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
At the Fort Greene Clinton Hill Play Group, children have the opportunity to interact with peers through group activities such as arts and crafts, story time and music. As a co-operative venture, parents/caregivers determine the basic format, set safety and etiquette rules, provide snacks, clean up after each session and conduct general toy cleaning. All parents and caregivers are encouraged to share their ideas, special skills and contacts in the community to help make this an enjoyable experience for the children.

We have joined this playgroup for the last year. There are a ton of toys, 2 large rooms (one that is hardwood and the other I believe is tiled) and plenty of soft cushions for the little babies and housing and climbing structures for the toddlers. The sessions are divided into babies up to 15 months and then 15 months and up which is wonderful- babies don’t get trod on and toddlers can move with ease. Though it can be truly chaotic at times if all the enrolled children (25) show up for a session, it is a nice easygoing atmosphere for letting your kids play and for meeting other parents. Some of the toys could use some updating, but as it is a coop my expectations aren’t as high as they would be for a paid playspace. The signup and registration is rather mysterious though. It occurs once in a year- in early summer with the chance to renew in the fall. If you want to only do it in the winter, than you have to contact the yahoo group organizer for the year and ask to be on a waiting list- which can be very long (but definitely worth trying). There are period registration announcements on FGKids yahoo group.
-Karen

FortGreene Babies Fort Greene/Clinton Hill New Moms Group
yahoo users group:fortgreenebabies
fortgreenebabies-owner@yahoogroups.com
Meets on Tuesdays at 11 am- in good weather in Fort Greene Park under the largest tree at the park entrance. To find out where they meet in inclement weather, subscribe to the email address above.

Greenpoint Moms
Tuesdays at 2:30pm
Location: Greenpoint Reformed Church
136 Milton Street between Manhattan Ave and Franklin
http://greenpointchurch.org/
$5 per family
confirm at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brooklynbabyhui/

¡HOLA! A Playgroup in Spanish
http://www.holaplaygroup.com/
A Spanish program for 18 mos-3 yr olds and they also have a Ballet en Español Program for 3-5 yr olds. Verónica Braun is the Founder and Creative Director of ¡HOLA! a unique program that was established to teach Spanish to young children between the ages of 12 months to 8 years.
The program will run at:
NY Kids Club- Brooklyn Heights location
182 Henry St.
To register, please call (718) 228-0800

Homeschoolers Playgroup/Music Jam
Fridays at 11:00 am
Location: Greenpoint Reformed Church
136 Milton Street between Manhattan Ave and Franklin
http://greenpointchurch.org/
$5 per family
confirm at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brooklynhomeschoolplaygroup/

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. A diverse spectrum of programs accomodate the needs of different ages and levels. The Playgroup Program provides an opportunity for children to socialize in Spanish, and is offered for children ages 12 months to 18 months, 18 months to two years, two to three years, and three to four years. Playgroups are run by a bilingual teacher and are organized in three sessions (Fall, Winter, and Spring)

International School of Brooklyn
http://www.isbrooklyn.org
237 Park Place (at Vanderbilt)
Brooklyn (Prospect Heights)
718-369-3023
Toddler Language-Immersion Playgroups for children ages 18 months to four years are available in Park Slope, Prospect Heights and DUMBO. Children are taught through structured play and games, songs and music, storytelling, and arts and crafts. Parents and/or caregivers (no prior French or Spanish experience required) attend class with their child. An afterschool program for children ages three through eight features activity-based immersion classes. Summer Camp for children ages three through six is designed for any child, including those with a firm grasp of the target language to those beginning to learn..

Language and Laughter Studio (LLS)
http://www.thelanguageandlaughterstudio.com/
139 Nevins Street (at Bergen St)
718-852-2965
917 849 9959
pascalesetbon@boumdesign.com
A cheerful program of French and Spanish Language for children 18 months through 6 years of age.
Monday through Friday @ 9.30AM, 10.30AM, 1.00PM and 3.30PM
Children are placed in groups according to their age. Under the supervision of our qualified teachers they will acquire words and expressions by using them in a circle of interesting and age-appropriate activities, in a positive, playful, creative environment. Children will improve fluency and confidence through songs, stories, dances and games. Arts and crafts projects will reinforce the fundamentals of the foreign language.

Lets Play Group
http://www.letsplaygroup.com
playgroup@leleluiza.com
Address: NA
646-299-7005
Every event is a good reason to discover and learn. At the playgroup, we experience it with pleasure and care. We dance, jump, run and then we lay down and breath. Playing together and sharing toys, kids learn how to wait for their turn, how to ask for it and how to say thanks when they get what they want. Visit the website for more information.

Little People Parties
6632 3rd Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11220 (Bay Ridge)
718-492-8997
“Just for Me Alternative to Preschool ” Drop-off Playgroup. An alternative to a traditional preschool program for parents and chidren ages 2 thru 4, that don’t want the pressure of attending a more structured program. At Just for Me we provide an introduction to learning skills, independence and social awareness through art, music and social play. Our
children will be able to explore themselves and the world around them and test their independence, fire-up their imagination, and create a foundation to build
lasting friendships. We will explore numbers, letters and nature through books, songs, circle time and other activities. They will discover the world around them and expand their individual abilites and skills in a safe and nurturing enviroment. The program is run by a pre-school teacher with over 15 years experinence in art and early childhood education.

I tried to take my son to the Open Play today, only to find the place closed despite the large OPEN sign on the door and hours posted on the door that clearly stated they were open at this time (plus their website and outgoing phone message had the same hours). I wound up swinging by a hour later and saw they -were- open, and when I asked someone who worked there what was going on, they snipply said “Oh, we’re on summer camp hours now – we don’t have Open Play.” When I pointed to the door, and asked about their website and phone message, they just blew me off saying “Oh, I guess I’d better change that.” No apology, no pleasant attitude, etc.
-John

Midwood Martial Arts and Family Fitness Center
www.MidwoodMartialArts.com
1302 Avenue H
Corner of E13th St/Argyle Road
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-258-KICK
Midwood Martial Arts & Family Fitness Center hosts a pre-school storytime and playtime every Tuesday. StoryTime is from 10:15-10:45AM and is led by a former NYC Public School kindergarten teacher. Playtime follows right afterwards from 10:45-11:45AM. We ask for a $1 donation per child, but no one is turned away. Parents and Caregivers are expected to help with packing up the toys afterwards. (Clean-up, clean-up, everybody, everywhere;) Its a popular activity and a great place to meet other local families. Warm in winter, air conditioned in summer, 20×40′ matted playspace. If you can leave your stroller at home, please do since the stroller parking area gets crowded.

Montessori Playgroup
montessoriplaygroup.com
dana@szarf.com
917-2393121
A fun and nurturing Montessori playgroup for children between the ages of 18-30 months. Playgroup teacher, Dana Szarf will introduce your child to practical life, language, math and sensorial activities that develop muscle coordination, inspire independence, concentration, a sense of order and confidence. There will be a focus on preschool readiness, with reading, singing, crafts, music and explorations of your child´s interests. The playgroup session consists of free exploration of materials, followed by a circle time with songs and stories finally moving on to an art project where children will explore different materials and have many fun experiences. Parents are invited to join as partners in the learning process. However, If your child is able to separate with confidence and ease, you are welcome to sit back and enjoy observing your child at work. Playgroup consists of groups of 6 to 8 children and are one hour long.

NY City Explorers
http://www.nycityexplorers.com
info@nycityexplorers.com
388 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-625-6923
186 Underhill Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238
718-399-6923

Picnic Playgroup- Greenpoint
Fridays at 12pm
Location: McGorlick Park. The park is between Driggs and Nassau, Monitor and Russell. We meet on the Monitor side of the park.
Confirm by emailing to: brooklynbabyhui-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Saint Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church
http://www.standrewtheapostle.net
6713 Ridge Blved (Senator St and Ridge Blvd)
Brooklyn, NY 11220
718-680-1010
This playgroup is for children 4 and under. They meet on Wednesdays 11 30 to 1 pm. The cost is $15 per month for bagels coffee tea hot chocolate and snack for children.

Union Church of Bay Ridge Playgroup
http://www.ucbr.org/Playgroup.htm
8101 Ridge Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11209 (Bay Ridge)
718-745-0438
The Union Church Playgroup is for toddlers accompanied by a caretaker. The space is open, colorful, and child-focused with lots of interesting things for a child to do such as painting, blocks, trains, housekeeping, doll house, books, puzzles, puppets,crafts and more. A snack is provided along with Story Time and Music Time, which includes songs with musical instruments.Classes are provided on a 12-week session with 3 sessions per calendar year; classes do not meet in July and August. Please contact Jody at 718-745-0438 for current schedule,

Williamsburg Mommy/Daddy Group
Meets on Fridays at 12 pm in McGorlick Park. The park is between Driggs and Nassau, Monitor and Russell. They generally meet on the Monitor side of the park. Confirm by emailing to: brooklynbabyhui-subscribe@yahoogroups.com