‘Tis the season for trial classes and open houses! Held at many of our favorite venues across the city, free (or deeply discounted) trial classes and open houses are a great way for families to get a feel for a class before signing their child up for the semester. We’ll be keeping a running list of them here–check back, as we’ll be adding to the list!
[Note: If you are a provider of a children’s enrichment program in NYC, and you’d like us to list an open house or trial class, send all the info to newyorkfamily@manhattanmedia.com. Put “trial class” in the subject line.]
74th St. MAGIC offers classes for children ages six months through teen with emphases in gymnastics, music and art, cooking, science, and classroom time. Families are welcome to sample their 45- or 60-minute drop-in classes for $45 per class. Winter/Spring classes begin on January 31st. If interested, call 212-737-2989 or visit 74magic.com.
92nd Street Y School of the Arts
92nd
Street Y School of the Arts offers a wide variety of art, dance and
music classes for kids from preschool through teen. Faculty members are
professionals in their fields, and facilities include state-of-the-art
equipment and studios. Families are invited to stop by one of the
following Open Houses to tour the facilities and meet the teachers:
School of Music: Sun, Jan 23, 1-4 pm, FREE
Art Center: Tue, Jan 25, 4-6 pm, FREE
Applause NYC
Try the
Broadway Babies (pictured), Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies, a Little Stars or Stars class all semester. Call 212-717-0703 to sign up.
apple seeds
The children’s playspace and activity center is offering free demo classes (like Music Together, apple CORE training, songs for seeds and more) from January 10-15. Demo reservations are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis via phone only. For info on demo classes, call 212-792-7590. (There is a limit of two demos per child, per semester.)
The Art Farm
Stop by the Art Farm for a free trial of Rock Smocks and Animals
Mommy and Me Class all semester. Or try out one class of Mini Chefs or
Art Adventures and More without committing to a whole semester. Info at theartfarms.org or call 212-410-3117.
BAR is offering the following free trial classes:
Drama Class
Friday, February 4th, 2:15-3:00pm for 3 1/2-4 1/2 year olds
Friday, February 4th, 3:00-3:45pm for 4 1/2-6 year olds
Modern Dance
Monday, January 31st, 3:00-3:45pm for 3 1/2-4 1/2 year olds
Tuesday, February 1st, 10:45-11:30am for 3-4 year olds
Wednesday, February 2nd, 1:00-1:45 for 3-4 year olds
The Carousel of Languages
Register your little linguist for a trial class in Italian, French, Spanish or Mandarin. Call 212-501-8524 to schedule a trial class.
Chelsea Piers is offering two trial classes for this semester. The first, Golf Simulators, is an indoor golf class for all ages that feels like you’re playing golf one of the best courses in the world! Sign up for a free trial class at the front desk at the Golf Club. The second, BlueStreak Sports Training, provides elite, sport-specific training in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, running, soccer and volleyball. Call 212-336-6123 to sign up for the free trial.
Discovery Programs
Discovery Programs is hosting an Interactive Open House on January 23 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Those who register for their winter/spring classes at the Open House will receive $10 off their registration fee, and those who register for two classes will receive a $100 discount. To sign up for the Open House, call 212-749-8717.
Eastside Westside Music Together
ESWS Music Together is hosting a demo class on Saturday, January 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Manhattan Church of Christ 48 East 8th Street near Madison Ave. For more info, call 212-496-1242 or visit eswsmusictogether.com.
Gymboree Play & Music
Families are always welcome to preview classes simply by coming in or calling ahead to sign up. In addition, Gymboree will be hosting a free preview class for their new Young Performers Workshop, designed for budding thespians ages 3-5, at their Tribeca location (100 Reade Street) on Wednesday, January 26 at 4:30 p.m. For more details, call the Tribeca site at 212-566-2795.
Gymtime Rhythm & Glues
Throughout January, Gymtime is offering free trials for every age group in the Gym Programs. Families can also try out Gymtime’s new rugby program. For more info, call 212-861-7732 or visit gymtime.net.
Hola! A Playgroup In Spanish
This Spanish-language playgroup is offering both free trials and low-cost classes at multiple NYC locations.
Hola! A Playgroup in Spanish: Offering classes for
children 18 month-3.5 years with a caregiver on Fridays in January from
11:00 am-12:00 noon at a special rate of $40 for all four classes! To
sign up, email info@holaplaygroup.com.
apple seeds: Free trials for the toddler program
for ages 12-23 months (10:30-11:15 am) and the two’s and three’s program
(11:30 am-12:15 pm)
on Tuesday, January 18 and Tuesday, January
25,10 W. 25th St. Both classes include a caregiver.
Ballet en Español at Lotus
Music and Dance: Free trials for the “Ballet in Espanol” class for ages
3-6 on Tuesday January 18 from 4:00-4:45 pm, 109 W. 27th Street (ballet
attire required); and the “Flamenco en Espanol” class for ages 4-7 on
Wednesday, January 19 from 4:00-4:45 pm (dress shoes and skirt
required).
JCC in Manhattan
Pick from two trial classes at the JCC this semester:
Glow-in-the-Dark Yoga: Trial class for ages 4-6, January 25, 4:00-4:45 pm
Explore
ideas about compassion, kindness, gratefulness and love while
glowing-in-the-dark! This playful
class encourages self-expression and relaxation while strengthening young
bodies. Be sure to wear white for extra “glow-ability”! Taught by Karma Kids
Yoga. To register, call 646-505-5708.
Gymnastics Trials: Kids are welcome to take a free trial of any of the JCC’s gymnastics programming
at any time simply by setting up a time with the JCC’s Director of Gymnastics,
Michele Moreno. She can be reached at 646-505-4382, and the full schedule of classes can be
found at jccmanhattan.org.
Jodi’s Gym
Jodi’s Gym is offering free trial classes for new families during the months of January and February. Classes range from 6 months through 12 years and include Mommy & Me Gym and Gym & Music combo, preschool gymnastics, school aged gymnastics, tumbling, dance and Motion Evolution. Families can schedule a free trial class by calling 212-772-7633. For more details, visit jodisgym.com.
Joffrey Ballet School
The Joffrey Ballet School is offering trial classes for both its Children’s and Young Dancer Divisions throughout the months of January, February and March (a $50 savings). For details, visit joffreyballetschool.com or call 212-254-8520.
They’re offering a variety of trial classes at locations across the city. Visit karmakidsyoga.com for a list of classes.
Klub4Kidz
Starting this semester, this new enrichment center for kids in Williamsburg is now offering the songs for seeds music program. They’ll be holding a $20 demo class on Tuesday, January 18 at 10 a.m. (If you choose to sign up for the class after the demo, the 420 will be taken out of your tuition). For more info, call 718-599-5900 or visit klub4kidz.com.
Kids In Sports
Kids In Sports offers free trials in all of their classes. For more info and to reserve a class, call 212-744-4900 or visit kisnyc.com.
Try any class they offer, as long as it’s the right age group and skill level (and there’s space). Just call 212-289-8737 the day or week before to schedule.
Scribble Press
Drop in at the Scribble Press open house to meet the teachers and get more information about
classes on January 15 from 2:30-5:00 pm at 217 W.
84th Street (call 212-362-2555 for more info). There are also free trials of classes available during the first week, which begins January 17. Free trial classes are
available with advance reservation, subject to availability at both the East and West Side locations.
First time Taste Buddies can drop in to any of their seven weekly classes for $20. For more details and to sign up, go to tastebudscook.com/.
Yogi Beans
Yogi Beans is offering the following trial classes in January:
Postnatal Yoga for Me & My Baby (6 weeks to crawling): FREE trial class at Mom Prep (1316 Madison Avenue at 93rd St.) on Saturday January 15 from 10am-11am.
Trial classes at exhale Spa (UES) beginning the week of January 10th. Classes include Postnatal Yoga (6wks-crawling), Baby Beans (crawling-2), Me & My Parent (2-3), Drop Off (3-5) and Tween (9-13). Purchase 1 class card for $35.
Daily drop-in trial classes at Yogi Beans Westside studio located in The Jewish Center (131 W. 86th Street) for $25 per class.
Photo courtesy of Applause New York City.
