If you live in NYC and have a baby or toddler, you’re probably freaking out about the upcoming winter. My kid is busy and once it’s too cold to go to the playground, it becomes tough to fill the hours. We’re members of several museums and hit up the library or bookstore (usually both) every weekend, but at some point we need more (more that isn’t plopping him in front of a tv, that is). I recently discovered The Rainbow, a fabulous play space in the East Village that will be coming in clutch in the upcoming months.
There’s a multi-level pretend area for climbing around (or serving me a snack), a block area, costume section (plus stage for performances), and plenty of toys.
We just went for open play, but it’s great to see they have actual programming. There’s sensory play, art, and on Monday they’ve got a “pumpkin picking” experience.
This place is right across from Tompkins Square Park and I LOVE that they lean into the city kid atmosphere – V loved that he was very clearly shopping at a bodega. I’m thinking and hoping that using actual neighborhood landmarks will make this place feel much more like a community. It feels homey and not like the franchised play spaces that abound.
Peaches to Apples 