Top Toys With Long-term Play Value
Looking for young kids gifts for the holiday season? Here are some of my top picks for long-term play value making the toys worth every penny.
Happyland or Early Learning Centre brand Little People-like sets have been with us since my daughter was 18-months old. Now 4.5 and still plays with them. All friends that come over love them, boys and girls. The most resent, Moonhouse, is now a favorite and often houses Lalaloopsy and Playmobil figures.
For more gift ideas check out Mamalaide’s Picks.
A Little TLC: Breast Cancer Awareness Video
This is a must see Breast Cancer Awareness video done in an extremely cleaver, entertaining and educational way… just maybe not for office viewing. I downloaded the App (it’s free) and it is educational. I set my reminder to “surprise me” so I’ll post an update after it get my first reminder.
Washington Heights Classes For Kids
I’ve spent hours and hours looking for and researching classes for my two kids in the Washington Heights area. This might be a little late for Fall 2011 sessions although many classes my kids have been involved with are flexible and prorate if you have missed a class. I know there are more classes offered in and around Washington Heights and Inwood so if you know of good ones please add them to the comments section with a link or contact information so other parents can find them. Feel free to comment on your experience with classes as this can really help new parents when searching for the right fit for their child and schedule.
Pro Soccer Kids Best bang for your buck as far as classes go! Kids run, run, run and laugh and have fun. They learn real skills and about teamwork. Pro Soccer Kids is an extremely well run, professional organization. They are flexible if kids start the class and don’t like it. Not really a drop off class for the younger kids.
Tappin in the Heights with Bobby Clark. This class is so great! I remember watching a story on 60 Minutes about the tap program Bobby Clark started in Washington Heights and am so glad Vivien is able to take lessons from him. The kids really respond to him. It’s the perfect tap class for boys too. It’s not too late to start Fall 2011 classes for Beginners 4-6 years olds Weds. 4pm, Advanced beginners Weds. 5pm and Intro tap Tues. 10:30am. Email Clark or come check out a class at WHAS Cultural Art Center.
In Grandma’s Attic Class Vivi just started this class and smiles the whole time! She loves that they 
dress up and act out stories using ballet moves they learn during the first half of class. It can be drop-off but most parents stay.
Barnard Swim classes Not in the neighborhood but not too bad a commute ( near Broadway and 116 st stop on the 1 train). Cheapest swim class we have found in the area (currently $135 a semester about 8 classes, only Fall and Winter classes offered). Don’t be late for registration as there is always a long line and spots are limited. Teaching is done by students and schedules follows school schedules so you never have to worry about missing class due to holidays.
Riverbank State Park Pools on 145st are great. Indoor year round and outdoor warmer months. Closed for month of September every year for cleaning then reopens in October. Four years old and under are free, $2 for adults, $3 for lap swimming. They have classes as well. Call for schedule. It’s a bit of a hike with little ones. No strollers are allowed inside so they have to be left outside so you are taking a risk (bring a cheap umbrella stroller and no extra valuables if possible). You cannot bring any bags or street clothes into swimming area so bring a standard size locker lock to lock up valuables and clothes. (We brought an oversized lock and it didn’t fit.) The plus is the pools are really nice and big, perfect for teaching your kids to swim yourself or just having fun in the water.
Bumblebee Tennis This class is new to Washington Heights and is being offered at Corner Stone Church on Bennett Ave.
Broadway Performing Arts Center Traditional dance as well as Hip Hop and Acrobatic classes. Well run and very organized. This is a mandatory drop off. No parents in class. Seems a little scary if your kid isn’t use to being away from you but Tina Gross is a pro. Kids love the structure and classes. Last summer they held a 4 day Drama, dancing, singing camp. Vivi was just crazy about this class and a perfect summer camp to consider.
Wiggles and Giggles Playhouse This is a great place for classes for under 5 years old. My daughter was in their Stepping Stones preschool-like classes last year and LOVED it! She still talks about it and says how much she loves Wiggles and Giggles. The art projects they did always amazed me. The teachers really care about the students and are very good with informing you of positive and negative issues. The owners, Stacy King and Janet De Jesus are very flexible and really care about kids and offering classes appropriate for the Washington Heights community. There was even a very touching graduation ceremony for the kids who regularly attended throughout the year. They also have a boutique toy section of really great age appropriate books, toys and crafts. No need to go downtown for birthday gifts. Check here for classes and schedule.
City Kids Music Not just music classes (Music Together program). They offer art and drama as well. The schedule for classes usually comes out on the later side so if you plan early you may have to wait for the upcoming schedule. One of our dearest friends Yvonne Anderson-Bill is teaching music this fall. Click here for Music Schedule.
Uptown Sports Complex - Offers gymnastics for ages 12 months +. They also have dance, batting cages and more.
YMCA Washington Heights and Inwood I’ve found getting information difficult but have heard from many that once you are registered the classes are really great. They do offer Pre-K as well.
Check out the comments below for additional neighborhood classes!
Fat Burning Pilates At Wiggles & Giggles Playhouse
Yeah! Wiggles and Giggles Playhouse is offering a Pilates class again on Tuesday nights at 7:30pm. It’s not just any Pilates class but Fat Burning Pilates taught by Perry Longno. Perry is also the creator of Bounce Bebe, also taught at Wiggle and Giggles on Wednesday mornings at 9:45am. Fat Burning Pilates brings cardio to the traditional mat class. You perform many of the same mat exercises, only standing, with additional cardio blasts interspersed. It’s wonderful toning class for those that want a cardio aspect as well. I met Perry, a mom who also lives in our neighborhood, through Bounce Bebe after I had Piven. The schedule worked out perfectly – while Vivien was in Stepping Stones, also at Wiggles (notice a theme?), I could take the first hour to exercise with Piven without having to pay a babysitter.
I contacted Perry this summer to see if she would be interested in leading a group of moms who could exercise only in the evening after their husbands were home. We didn’t want to go far for the workout so as to not spend more time away from family, but really wanted to do something for ourselves. Perry, wanting to get back to teaching after having her second baby agreed. We had our classes outside in Ft. Tryon Park among the bugs and skunks(!). Now that it’s getting dark and colder Wiggles and Giggles is offering the class. So for moms and dads who want to work out close to home you can contact Wiggles and Giggles Playhouse. I’m thrilled and can’t rave enough about Perry and the workouts. You don’t have to be a parent to join…just want to sweat! Classes start October 4, 2011 and the price is $20 per class or $100 for a 6 class package.
Lalaloopsy Halloween Costumes
We just got our Mittens Fluff-n-Stuff Halloween costume last night. Of course Vivi had to try it on. When she saw it on the bed after her bath she kept saying “I’m so excited. I can’t believe my eyes! I can’t believe my eyes!” Seriously makes it worth every penny. For those looking into these Halloween costumes this year I wanted to tell you that the quality is really nice. The wig is great, fits her head! We got a Daphine, from Scooby Doo, costume last year: dress is big, which is fine but the wig we couldn’t even get on her head at 3-years-old. She does have a larger head but it’s not that big that they couldn’t make a wig in size with the dress size.
The Lalaloopsy costume is well made and very cute! And what’s Piven going to be? Mitten’s pet polar bear of course! (Photo is product shot, not Viv. We’ll save those photos for Halloween.)
Related Post:
Lalaloopsy Books Available For Pre-order
Visit Mamalaide’s Picks to buy Lalaloopsy
No One Ever Told Me
No One Ever Told Me is a short multimedia piece about motherhood by Marvi Lacar, photojournalist, multimedia producer, wife and mother of 2 young boys, who shot and edited the piece while at the Maine Media Workshop this August. I use to work with Marvi at Getty Images and can attest to her powerful vision, the depth of her research and the power of her visual story telling. This is a touching piece about BJ Kopishke on motherhood I think all parents can relate to. Marvi lives in Brooklyn, NY with her family.
Bennett And J. Hood Wright Park Renovations To Begin
Phase I Reconstruction begins September 12th for Bennett Park!
What This Means For Hudson Heights
In an email from Jennifer Hoppa (Administrator, Northern Manhattan Parks and Executive Director, Fort Tryon Park Trust Fort Tryon Park Cottage) she states “We are working with NYC Parks New Media asking them to get an update on the Parks website. The Bennett Park project is listed on the Capital Projects map (although it’s obviously quite a lot of information to sort through). The playground will remain open – contractors have been directed to do the water feature as a discrete item, so that the public can continue to use the playground. Most other areas will need to be closed off due to construction.”
For More Details
Official letter from Jennifer Hoppa:
Dear Friends of Bennett Park,
After a series of public outreach meetings, a public scoping session, consultation with the park’s various constituencies and a public hearing at
the local Community Board and Public Design Commission, a master plan for Bennett Park was developed and approved.
Borough President Stringer and Council member Jackson each allocated City Capital Funds to execute a $1.6 Million Phase I of the plan for the park, which will be going into construction on September 12, 2011 and consist of:
- Improved delineation of the historic fort outline and interpretation of the site’s historic significance in the Revolutionary War, including a cannon replica
- Improved access for all ages/abilities to the historical marker of Manhattan’s highest point
- improved access to the rock outcropping so it can be more readily used as a play feature/gathering space
- Reconstructed plaza around the flagpole with more sustainable materials for gathering.
- Reconfigured and reconstructed lawn panels that will be ADA and stroller accessible
- A new park entrance on Pinehurst Avenue
- A reconstructed southern plaza that is more conducive to ball playing and bike riding but flexible enough to be used for concerts, performances, festivals
- New seating and tables
- Unified fencing
- A new spray shower between the two existing playground sections
Phase 2 (yet to be funded), will consist of a new high performance and ADA accessible park house/restroom building and an expanded and upgraded playground with better sight lines between the two age group areas, and a new children’s garden area.
Jennifer Hoppa, Administrator, Northern Manhattan Parks www.nyc.gov/parks www.FortTryonParkTrust.org
Renovations At J. Hood Wright Park
From Ms. Hoppa: “Construction starts mid-September. The project will include lawn restoration, dog run reconstruction, Pinehurst ramp repair, and new safety surface/drainage repairs for the large playground. NYC Parks’ construction contractor is projected to begin work soon after September 19th. Work is expected to last one year. (The playground’s resurfacing will only take a few weeks so it will only be closed temporarily)
In terms of the Recreation Center repair- the heating, ventilation, cooling capital project funded by the City Council is slated to start in October, but the Recreation Center will remain open during construction. The project will also include the repair of the historic cupola, which is funded in part by Borough President Scott Stringer. ”
Periodic Updates
Updates can be found on Northern Manhattan Parks website, where you can also see a map of the $150 Million in capital projects recently completed or underway in Washington Heights and Inwood as well as the Conceptual Master Plan developed for all of uptown’s parks in conjunction with community residents, neighborhood organizations and the Community Board.
Other Helpful Neighborhood Links:
The Uptowner is an online newspaper covering Harlem, Hamilton Heights, East Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. From stories on sports and politics to education and the arts, it provides a voice for upper Manhattan communities that other news outlets miss. Stories appearing on the website are reported and produced by graduate students at the Columbia University School of Journalism.
Streetsblog NYC covers the five boroughs of New York and important transportation policy developments in Albany. Starting with its first scoop in 2006, which tallied up the rampant abuse of parking placards, they’ve helped set the agenda for local transportation coverage. They’re read by an influential audience of decision makers and ordinary New Yorkers passionate about improving the livability of their neighborhoods. Streetsblog stories have made the case for progressive policy changes that are saving lives and creating a more sustainable future for New York.
Washington Heights Towers Would Add 500+ Parking Spots on Top of 1 Train
The Streets Where We Live is a blog covering Washington Heights and Inwood created by DNAInfo.com reporter Carla Zanoni. This blog is worth checking out. Its archive has lots of interesting items about the neighborhoods for new residents and the daily life local pictures add a nice lightheartedness.
Related Posts
Hudson / Washington Heights 360 Mamalaide
George Washington Bridge Bus Station To Be Overhauled Adding Major Retailer
Highest Point in Manhattan & Journalism History!
Please feel free to add information or links that may be helpful to others in the neighborhood in the comment field.
