We will be updating our list of fall trial classes and open house events throughout the month of September–if you work with an awesome NYC kids’ venue, please email Mia Weber ([email protected]) for information on having your event or class listed here! In the meantime, also check out our guide to Fall Classes HERE!
74th St. MAGIC: There will be a fall open house on Saturday, September 6, from 11am to 2pm. There will be fun, games and sample classes for the whole family plus you can come explore the laws of motion at Mad Science’s abundantly engaging show Marvels of Motion (presented at 11:30am); rock out with Music for Aardvarks, an amazing interactive musical experience for the little ones (presented at 12:30pm); and meet MAGIC’s dedicated teachers, tour the facility and don’t forget to enter to win a free 45-minute or 1-hour fall semester class. 74magic.com
92Y: On Sunday, September 7, the 92Y will have two fun events. The Creative Kids’ Club has a morning, from 10am to 12pm, of free activities where the whole family can enjoy a sampling of the many classes available for kids and teens at their School of the Arts. Dabble in drawing, try your hand at guitar or dance the day away! As you complete each workshop, collect tickets to redeem for prizes, class discounts and more! Find a full schedule of activities and RSVP at 92Y.org/CreativeKids. There will also be a Gymnastics Studio in the Sky open house–learn gymnastics basics, meet the coaches and instructors and have a day of family fun! Advance registration required; various times and ages. For information: 92Y.org/OpenHouse
Advantage Tennis: Check out Advantage QuickStart Tennis, free! It’s real tennis, customized for kids ages 4 and up, with special kid-sized racquets, smaller courts and slow-bouncing balls. So it’s easier to rally and play “real” tennis sooner. Players learn fundamentals in a non-competitive atmosphere. Classes are available at 6 convenient locations, and the first class is free for new students. quickstartny.com
Applause NYC: Applause is offering a free Broadway Babies Trial (ages 4 months to 3 years) on Wednesday, October 1, at 11:15am. Broadway sets the stage for this educational, interactive and unique mommy and me class, held in our beautiful new dance studio. With an introduction of a Broadway show every week, teachers will share what the show is about and with props, costumes and a multitude of musical instruments, help develop the children’s imagination, as well as musical and rhythmic skills. Call to reserve your spot–212-717-0703. New clients only. applauseny.com
The Art Farm in the City: The following classes from Art Farm offer free trials throughout the semester until each individual class is filled and they pro-rate families in if they want to join: Rock, Smocks and Animals, Animal Care Class, and Laurie Berkner’s The Music in Me. theartfarms.org
Baby Fingers: Baby Fingers will have a demo class at Karma Kids Yoga, on Thursday, September 18, 1:15-2pm. The cost is $25. Reserve your space by emailing [email protected]; have questions? Email [email protected]. mybabyfingers.com/schedule
Ballet Academy East: BAE will offer a free Modern Trial on Tuesday September 23 and Wednesday September 24 at 1:30pm. There will also be a free Tap Trial on Tuesday September 23 at 3:00pm. Students interested in these trials my sign up online or call 212-410-9140. balletacademyeast.com
Bilingual Birdies: Bilingual Birdies is a foreign language and live music program for children 5 and under. They are offering free caregiver-and-child classes through the New York Public libraries on a first come first serve basis. Locations and dates are as follows: Speakin’ Spanish at the Mulberry Library, 10:30-11:15am, September 5, 12, 19, 26 and October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Movin’ to Mandarin at the Battery Park Library, 4-4:45pm, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Speakin’ Spanish at the Columbus Library, 11-11:45am, November 3, 10, 17, 24; Fun in French at the Columbus Library, 11-11:45am, September 8, 15, 22, 29 and October 6, 20, 27; Speakin’ Spanish at the Kips Bay Library, 3pm, September 3, 10, 17, 24; Movin’ to Mandarin at the Roosevelt Island Library, 11am, September 4, 11, 18, 25; and additional options at their locations in the Bronx. bilingualbirdies.com
Children’s Museum of the Arts: CMA doesn’t technically have specific trial classes or an open house, but they do however have their Drop-In Classes in their WEE Arts Studio on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday each week from 10:45am to 12pm. These classes are a really great way to get a feel for our WEE Arts Registration classes. You are able to get to know the studio space, the teachers, and many of the materials they use in the classes. CMA usually suggests that a drop-in class is the perfect way to decide if a WEE Arts registration class is for you and your child. The fall semester of WEE Arts registration classes starts September 29. cmany.org
Church Street School For Music & Art: Church Street School has trial classes running September 8-12. The trials are only for selected classes; call 212-571-7290 or email [email protected] for inquiries and reservations. Thursday, September 18, from 8-10pm is Church Street School’s Open Mic. This is an adult only event where people can come and perform with a live band for fellow music lovers. The Open House will be September 20, from 10am-4pm. There will be free classes, performances, and art and music activities for the whole family. churchstreetschool.org
Cumbe: Center for African & Diaspora Dance: Cumbe’s youth program begins with a Pay-What-You-Wish Week September 8-14. Come try any youth class for a donation of your choice during the first week of classes! Make sure you reserve your spot, classes are filling up fast! cumbedance.com
Diller-Quaile School of Music: Diller-Quaile has two free trial class coming up— free Early Childhood Trial Music Classes on Saturday, September 6 from 11-11:45am or Saturday, September 27 from 11-11:45am. Prospective students (3 months to 2.6 years) and their accompanying adults will experience the joy of music through movement, singing, storytelling, and playing instruments. Class features a music teacher(s) and professional pianist. Please contact Dorothy Appleton at 212-369-1484, ext. 43 or [email protected] to reserve a place. diller-quaile.org
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. Demonstration classes begin September 16 at various locations. ESWSMusicTogether.com
Freshmade NYC: Freshmade will offer several trial classes and an open house this season! Don’t miss the following offerings: Kids Dinner Club preview class on Monday, September 8, 5:15-6:15pm, ages 3-6.5; Brunch N Munch preview class on Tuesday, September 9, 9:30-10:30am, ages 2.0 to 4.5; an Open House event on Wednesday, September 10, featuring appearances by family-focused businesses, healthy snacks from Freshmade NYC, crafts, music, gift bags, and more, from 2-6pm; Young Chefs preview class on Thursday, September 11, 4:30-5:30pm, ages 7-12; Palette-Palate preview class on Friday September 12, 10:15-11am, ages 18 months to 3 years. RSVP is required for all events and space is limited—call 212-475-0500 or email [email protected]. Families who register during fall preview week will receive a 10 percent discount off fall semester classes. freshmadenyc.com
Fukasa Kai Martial Arts: These martial arts classes for ages 3-14 offered in the World Yoga Center, are age-appropriate, non-competitive, and focus on technique, physical aptitude, and self-defense. Classes are goal-oriented, with set curricula leading to earning accredited martial arts ranks and belts. Fukasa Kai Martial Arts will be hosting open house events on Monday, September 15, Tuesday. September 16, and Wednesday, September 17. All classes are free the whole week (by appointment only). fukasakai.com
Gymboree Play & Music: Art, Music, Theatre Arts…Gymboree is so much more than gym classes! Give all their programming a try during Open House Week, held during the week of October 5 at their Manhattan and Long Island locations. To find the location nearest you (and a schedule of classes running during Open House Week), please visit their website and RSVP! GymboreeClasses.com
Gymtime Rhythm and Glues: Gymtime Rhythm and Glues offers trial classes in gymnastics, sports, cooking, art, and music for children ranging in ages 7-months to 12-years-old. Families are eligible for one trial per semester, per child. Gymtime is also offering new families a 10 percent discount on the fall semester (through September 31). Gymtime.net
¡HOLA! A Playgroup in Spanish: There will be three trial class options coming up: ¡HOLA! for 18 months through three’s at apple seeds/Flatiron on September 12; ¡HOLA! for Two’s-Threes at apple seeds Flatiron, also on September 12; ¡HOLA! Afterschool for ages 3-5 at City Tree House in Chelsea on September 11. RVP at [email protected]. holaplaygroup.com
Hudson Way Immersion School: The school formerly known as Bilingual Buds is offering the following open house events: Wednesday, September 17, 6pm, After School Open House for the Mandarin and Spanish After School programs; Saturday September 20, 12pm., After School Open House for the Mandarin and Spanish After School programs; and Friday October 24, 10am, Preschool & K-5 Open House for the Mandarin and Spanish After School programs. Come and join HWI for a chance to meet their teachers, school directors, and other parents as they present the programs and provide a tour of the school. hwis.org
Intellectual Kids Club: Intellectual Kids Club is offering a free trial class On Saturday October 4, at 11am at Cap21 Studios 18 West 18 Street, studio 612. Please reserve your seats at [email protected]. intellectualkidsclub.com
The JCC in Manhattan: The JCC’s Fitness Open House is Sunday, September 7. They have the following things available for children and their families: Get Moving with the JCC Coaches: Lacrosse 4-7 years; Get Moving with the JCC Coaches: Tennis 4-9 years; Get Moving with the JCC Coaches: Basketball 6-10 years; Healthy Back to School Lunches and Snacks w/ Diane Insolia RD,CDN demo w/tastings and lecture; Hands on Kookin Kids event; Teen/Tween Ride – Indoor Cycling. Additionally, trial classes at the JCC are available for the following classes: Little Maestros, Ballet, My Art Studio, Little Man Dance Jam, Lil Sports and Run, Catch Throw (ages 12 months to 4 years), Lacrosse (ages 4-5 year), Shooting Stars: All Girls Basketball, Tumbling (ages 10 months to 3 years), Junior Gymnastics (ages 3-5 years), afterschool Fencing, afterschool Tae Kwon Do (ages 4-5 years), Robotics, and Crazy Constructions. jccmanhattan.org
Jodi’s Gym: Jodi’s Gym is offering free sample classes for new families from September 8-20. They have classes for children from 9 months to 10 years. Check out their website for more specific class info! jodisgym.com
Joffrey Ballet School: All Joffrey Ballet School students enrolled in the Children’s program are invited to bring a friend to class during the week of: Monday, October 13 – Saturday, October 18, 2014. Participation form can be found online at: joffreyballetschool.com
Karma Kids Yoga: It’s never too early to start dancing! Karma Kids’ unique and fun approach to dance focuses on building physical strength and flexibility, focus and attention, body awareness, confidence and self-esteem, and a love for dance! Karma Kids Dance classes will help kids become more confident movers and dancers at any age, whether they want to dance forever or just for fun. Don’t miss their open house dates: September 15, 4-5pm Movers & Shakers (7-10 years); September 16, 10-1045am Tiny Dancers (2-3 years) and 4-5pm Flash Dancers (4-6 years); September 17, 10-1045am Tiny Dancers (2-3 years) and 4pm-5pm Flash Dancers (4-6 years); and September 18, 10-1045am Tiny Dancers (2-3 years). Call 646-638-1444 to reserve your space in an open house class! karmakidsyoga.com
Kids At Art: Kids At Art offers free trial classes for all ages (2-teen!) always—check out their website for specific class listings and request a free trial at your convenience! kidsatartnyc.com
Intellectual Kids Club: Intellectual Kids Club is offering trial classes on Saturday September 13 at 10:30am and 12pm at the Church Street School for Music and Art. Parents are welcome to attend too. There will be Stories from Shakespeare and Greek myths galore at 10:30am and Voyages from ancient to modern fiction at 12pm. There is limited space, so please reserve your seat by emailing [email protected]. intellectualkidsclub.com
Music For Aardvarks: Music For Aardvarks SoHo is offering the following trial classes: Monday, September 15, at 3:30pm, at Freshmade NYC; Thursday, September 18, at 9:30am, at Freshmade NYC; Tuesday, September 16, at 4pm, at Seward Park Community Room; and Wednesday, September 17, at 11am, at Seward Park Community. An RSVP to Breezy is required to [email protected], with child’s name, age, parent/caregiver name, and phone number. musicforsoho.com
National Dance Institute: On September 20, from 2-4pm, the National Dance Institute (NDI), the non-profit organization that has transformed the lives of millions of public school children through the arts, will host the Third Annual Open House Celebration for the community at their state of the art facility in Harlem. The Open House will feature free classes, a number of performances by the children of NDI, live music, and fun for the whole family. nationaldance.org
The Peridance Capezio Center: Peridance’s new Dance & Drum class will have a free trial the first day, September 20–there will be Djoniba Dance & Drum at Peridance Kids from 12:30-1:15pm for ages 5-8; and Djoniba Dance & Drum Teens, from 1:15-2pm for ages 9-13. There will also be a free trial class for the Dance Around the World class on Sunday October 5. peridance.com
Playgarden: Playgarden always offers free trial classes for Music (12 months to 3 years), Playmusic (3-11 months), and Playgroup (3-11 months). Anyone who wants to try a class, just needs to call and let them know which time and day works and they also get time on the playground on the day they come in for the trial. playgardennyc.com
Poppyseed Pre-Nursery: Join Poppyseed for an Open House on Thursday, September 11, from 3:30-6pm. Come anytime with your child (babies, toddlers, and 2s) for a great fall 2014 preview. Call 212-877-7614 or email [email protected] for more info. poppyseedprenursery.com
RoboFun: RoboFun has the following as one-off classes that are how they refer clients when they’d like to try it out: Sunday Workshop: Scratch 3 Hour, Sunday, September 28, 9:30am to 12:30pm, grades 1-3 and 4-6; Girls’ Weekend (two-day event), October 4-5; Preschooler and Parent – Single Session, October 12 and November 23, 10-11am; Sunday Workshop: LEGO Robotics, October 26; and Sunday Workshop: Stop Motion Animation, November 23, 9:30am to 12:30pm, grades 3-6. robofun.org
The School at Steps: Give the joy of dance to your child through classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and more! From October 18-31, the school offers FREE trial classes in select Young Dancers (ages 2-6) and Technique Program (ages 6-18) classes! 1 free trial per discipline. Discover the schedule of available classes on the school’s website. StepsNYC.com/school
SocRoc: At their new location on the Upper West Side—at Young Israel 210 west 91st street—SocRoc will be having a free trial and open house on Tuesday, September 16, for ages 2-9. You must RSVP by email ([email protected]) or call 917-703-0409 to register for the event. jcsocroc.com
Tennis Innovators: Tennis Innovators is open to offer a free trial class at all of their NYC locations for the entirety of the months of September and October. Check them out for the ultimate experience for budding tennis players, and see their website for location info. TennisInnovators.com
TADA! Youth Theater: TADA! will have a fall education open house on Saturday, September 20. Join them for a free sample class with TADA!’s professional Teaching Artists and a Q&A with the Education Department Staff. Ages 2-3, 10-10:45am; ages 4-5, 10:45-11:30am; ages 4-5, 10:45-11:30am; ages 6-8, 11:30am to 12:15pm; ages 9-14, 12:15-1pm. tadatheater.com/classes
YMCA Chinatown: The Chinatown YMCA is having its Annual Bridge Walk on 9/27 10am-12pm with an Open House to follow from 12-4pm with special demos, games, and on-site registration from Citi Bike. The Chinatown YMCA’s annual Manhattan Bridge Walk is making moves down the Bowery, so bring a walking partner with you! Every step you take will help strengthen the community and raise dollars for our Annual Campaign. Also, the Chinatown YMCA has a new partner, Little Peep Prep running some early childhood programs this fall. Anyone is welcome to drop-in a class to try it out one-time for free! ymcanyc.org/chinatownWALK
YMCA Cross Island: Tours and one-day guest passes are available for all guests on October 11, 11am to 4pm, at the Cross Island YMCA for their Fall Family Festival. The event will feature Touch –a-Truck, family-friendly vendors, food, and a free Y Open House. Plus, the Cross Island YMCA is holding a special until Monday, October 13, join the YMCA and Pay $0 Joiner’s Fee. ymcanyc.org/crossisland
YMCA of Greater New York (all locations): All YMCAs of GNY have open houses planned for the following dates from 12-4pm: 9/13, 9/27, 10/11. Some of the specific activities include: Kids Zumba Jr., Family Zumba, Boot Camp, Play Street with hop scotch, sidewalk chalk, hula-hooping, four square, and jump rope. ymca.org
YMCA Greenpoint: Join the Greenpoint YMCA between now and October 13, and pay $0 joiner’s fee. Whether you are looking to get healthy, stay fit, meet new friends or just decompress and recharge, the Greenpoint Y has a wide range of classes for everyone. Plus, they will host a Community Day/Block Party Open House on Saturday, September 13, with free classes; a Sports & Fitness Day Open House on September 27, with free classes; and a Greenpoint Day Open House on October 11, with free classes. ymcanyc.org/greenpoint
YMCA Harlem: Join the Harlem YMCA for some fun themed open house events on select Saturdays from 12-4pm to get fit this Fall! From Super Heroes (Saturday, September 13) to Tropical Island (Saturday, September 27) to Throwback Retro (October 11), your kids are sure to be in for a fun surprise. Also, for a limited time, pay $0 Joiners Fee when you sign up for an Adult or Family membership at the YMCA! ymcanyc.org/harlem
YMCA Staten Island: The Staten Island South Shore YMCA will be hosting a community health and wellness fair and open house on Saturday, September 27 from noon to 4pm. The event, sponsored in partnership with Fidelis Care, will feature activities for the whole family, including arts and crafts, face painting, balloon animals, fitness classes, nutritional counseling, information about health programs, FDNY fire safety education, NYPD Operation Safe Child, blood pressure screenings, healthy snacks and more. For more information, call 718-227-3200. The South Shore YMCA is located at 3939 Richmond Avenue in the Eltingville section of Staten Island. ymcanyc.org
YMCA Vanderbilt: The Vanderbilt YMCA has three open house events this season: Saturday, September 13, 12-4pm; Saturday, September 27, 12-4pm; and Saturday, October 11, 12-4pm. Stop by and check out a host of fun happenings! ymcanyc.org/vanderbilt
Yogi Beans: Yogi Beans is offering their amazingly low-priced trial classes for the entire Fall season (9/4-12/20). Fall in love with kids yoga this season! Yogi Beans, the popular children’s yoga company, offers trial classes for beans of all ages in its beautiful UES Studio. New beans can try a kids yoga class for just $15 (60 percent discount), while new mommies and baby beans can try a yoga class together for just $25 (45 percent discount). RSVPs required. yogibeans.com
