In the last week, through an Australian expat group, Chris found out about a kids’ play space that would be fun for Kaia. Space Club has two locations, one in Fort Greene and one in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It’s open 365 days a year and is $39 for one child accompanied by one adult for a two-hour play session. Any additional time is $15/hour. It seemed like a reasonable price given the cost of rent in New York City, plus what they offered.

The space was really thoughtful and well done. They have magna-tile and Lego building areas. There are walls that kids can put letters on or play on with sequin designs. There is a huge maze that goes up and down in various ways with slides that dive into a “star” pit. They have a glow-in-the-dark room with endless stars and spelling areas. There are sound and music areas. They have different types of swings, ladders, and ropes. The beading room, where you can literally swim in beads and make (and take!) as many necklaces and bracelets as you want, was a huge end playtime highlight for Kaia, who got to bead her very first handmade necklace. There’s also a cute cafe area with sanitizing wipes and big paper towel rolls, an Aussie-inspired, reasonably priced menu, and two spacious single restrooms with wet wipes, stools for littles to reach the sink, a nursing area, and clean open counters for you to rest any of your endless kid supplies/bags on. Space Club has Wi-Fi for any parents/caregivers who need to work or browse their phones.

Needless to say, Kaia was obsessed and did not want to leave. I also had a friend and their child come along, and their kid loved the play space, as well. I am already thinking about when I want to take her back here to enjoy other parts of the space that she didn’t get to play in much. New York needs more spaces like this that are affordable and creative for littles.