Best Mommy and Me Classes in NYC

Dive right in with your child as they learn through experimentation with sensory materials and gross motor activities. Incorporating science, movement, music and art, this 2-in-1 class promotes physical coordination, fine motor skills, language development, problem solving and natural discovery through hands-on exploration. Jewish holidays are woven into the curriculum using songs, art materials, and stories. Make sure you and your little one dress for mess! Drop in for a class or purchase an all access package.

Learn more about the Parenting Program here.

Pure Yoga offers a variety of classes for moms and their babies (6+ weeks – crawling), all designed to strengthen your postpartum body while bonding with your baby. For a challenging workout, try the “Baby Wearing” class (babies up to 1 yr old) where moms carry their babies while engaging in ballet and prenatal yoga exercises.

Lisa R:  Gym-mazing was founded by an Astoria mom that wanted to create a neighborhood venue just for kids. Offerings at Gym-mazing include unique music, art and fitness classes, including a Messy-Art and Story-Time for toddlers. Check their online schedule to see what's happening now.

Lisa R:  What kid doesn't want to cuddle a bunny? At the Art Farm kids can feed and snuggle a variety of animals, socialize, and enjoy crafts and toys during open play and guided classes focused on art, cooking, animal care, pre-school prep and more. Visit their website for a rundown of current offerings.

Lisa R:  The Ballet Club offers focused dance classes for children as young as 18 months. Toddler classes use story-telling, games, and music to encourage exploration and movement.

The classes at Recess DUMBO cover gym, music, dance, art, preschool prep and more. Parents can view a complete bio of all of Recess DUMBO's teachers online before enrolling.

Kelly R:  New York Botanical Garden offers parent and young child classes where kids can participate in hands-on learning experiences to develop their appreciation of nature. The Nature Explorers Program lets toddlers discover nature through guided hikes, songs, stories, and take-home projects. The Garden Sprouts Program lets kids get their hands dirty planting, harvesting, exploring and crafting in the garden. Classes run for seasonal weekly sessions in Fall, Spring and Summer.

A variety of family yoga classes are offered for parents and their babies from ages 6+ weeks to crawling. Each class has activities designed for a specific age range, such as gentle stretching for infants.

Kelly R:  The Met holds a variety of classes for kids, including special offerings to spark artistic appreciation in the youngest learners. Hello, Met! engages kids in stories, songs, and activities based on the works of art housed in the museum. Parent-Child Workshops welcome kids and a caregiver to create their own masterpieces using techniques in painting, collage, sculpting, and more.

Kelly R:  Baby DJ School classes use musical games, dancing, play, technology, and fun(ky) original tunes to teach the youngest music lovers DJ skills. Kids enjoy a boost in cognitive, motor, language, and social development, and caregivers are immersed in the learning right along with their child. Little ones will experience the thrill of creating their own music with digital and analogue DJ instruments, and percussion. Classes are held in a variety of locations around NYC, and boast a generous makeup policy.

The excellent Mark Morris Dance School offers parent and child movement classes to introduce your child to dance. Each class has one instructor and one musician, who plays live music for the class. Instructors introduce children to movement using singing, musical instruments, and games.

NYC Elite offers classes for babies and toddlers in Tribeca, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side. Little gymnasts begin to learn movement and use preschool sized equipment, including trampolines and a giant foam pit. Kids will also play games with balls and hoops and work on coordination on obstacle courses with swinging, climbing, running, jumping, and other motor development activities.

The American Youth Dance Theater offers ballet classes for toddlers and a parent or caregiver. The youngest dancers begin learning basic technique and movement in First Steps and Mommy-n-Me classes.

The Alley Pond Environmental Center offers several early childhood programs where babies and toddlers can experience the natural world. Programs include special seasonal celebrations, story times, art classes, pajama parties, music, and games. There may even be live animal meet and greets!

Little Maestros infant and toddler music classes are a hit with both kids and parents. Talented and enthusiastic teachers strive to make this the very best music program for kids, with a focus on fostering a love of music, developing language, and sharing positive messages. The changing lineup of activities makes each class unique, and includes musical stories, puppet shows, dance parties, and catchy original music.

Classes are held at the original East 69th Street location and a number of other locations throughout the city.