The Heimbold Family Children’s Playing & Learning Center

THE HEIMBOLD FAMILY CHILDREN’S PLAYING & LEARNING CENTER

Incorporating inspirations from early childhood education centers in Scandinavia into this premier indoor learning and play space in New York, the Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center integrates the best of Scandinavian design while emphasizing early childhood sensory perception. Young children and their caregivers have fun while learning about the culture of Scandinavia through books, toys, art workshops, and interactive programs.

Within the two distinct yet complementary areas – an activity room and a sensory room – design highlights include a reading theater, sensory tunnel, custom Lego® corner, landscaped BRIO® train table, indoor climbing corner, mushroom house, a “please touch” wall, light landscape, and imported Scandinavian educational elements.

This magical interior landscape transports children from Park Avenue all the way to Scandinavia and back again, without the need for an airplane ticket!

Admission

Reservations must be purchased in advance for each child through our online ticketing system, Elevent. A waiver must always be signed online before children can attend the Center. ASF family memberships are $125 ($110 tax deductible); the cost per child per session for members Tuesday through Saturday is $20. Non-members will pay $25 to attend the Saturday session, space permitting.

Masks are strongly encouraged while in the Playing & Learning Center. Staff will be masked while in the Center.

Parental and caregiver supervision is required at all times. We discourage the use of mobile devices in order to ensure a safe and joyful environment for everyone.

If any unforeseen circumstances result in the need to cancel, please contact mem@amscan.org for assistance and next steps.

PURCHASE ASF FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

All Children’s Center patrons are required to sign a liability waiver before children can attend the Center.

Please bring a copy of the signed form with you before your first visit or email a copy to mem@amscan.org. You will not be permitted in the Playing & Learning Center without a signed waiver. Waivers will be kept on file and will be renewed annually with your ASF Family Membership.

HOURS & ADMISSION
Admission is for children ages 1 through 5. Please note that children must be walking on their own to be admitted. A maximum of two children are allowed with each adult. A maximum of two adults are allowed with each child. Parental and caregiver supervision is required at all times.

TUESDAY — FRIDAY:  OPEN TO ASF FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY

SATURDAYS: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS MEMBERS
There will be two 2-hour play sessions per day.
Play Session I: 10 AM-12 PM
Play Session II: 2:30 PM-4:30 PM

Reservations are required. You must purchase a reservation ticket for each child using the space. The cost is $20 per child for ASF Members from Tuesday through Saturday, and $25 for non-members on Saturday sessions. Reservations are non-refundable. ASF Family Members will be limited to three reservation spots per play session. Sessions can be booked one hour into a session, space permitting; however, we encourage reserving early to be guaranteed a spot, particularly on Saturdays when the Center is also open to non-members. Reservations must be purchased in advance for each child through our online ticketing system Elevent; see the FAQ for instructions to make a reservation. The Children’s Center does not accept cash payments.

MAKE A RESERVATION WITH ELEVENT

Q & A

HOW DO I MAKE A RESERVATION ON ELEVENT?

-On the Elevent site, please make sure you are registered and signed in. On a desktop, the sign in can be found in the top right corner of the screen. On a mobile, the sign in tab is in the top left corner. You must log in with the email address associated with your membership to access reservations.
– Once logged in, go the Scandinavia House Events and scroll down to find the Children’s Center reservations.
– Click on the week you would like to reserve, then click on the day of the week and the specific session (AM or PM).
– Add quantity of tickets (maximum of three per session) and proceed to check out.

CAN I DROP MY KIDS OFF TO PLAY, OR DO I NEED TO STAY WITH THEM?

Parents or caregivers are required to be present with and responsible for their children at all times, as the Playing and Learning Center is not a daycare or a preschool.

I AM AN ASF MEMBER. CAN MY CAREGIVER TAKE MY KIDS TO THE PLAYING AND LEARNING CENTER, OR DO I HAVE TO BE PRESENT?

Your caregiver (nanny, spouse, grandparent, friend, etc.) is welcome to accompany your children to the Playing and Learning Center. Simply provide your caregiver with your ASF membership card to present to the front desk and the Center’s attendant.

DO I NEED TO HAVE MY ASF MEMBERSHIP CARD WITH ME EACH TIME I VISIT THE PLAYING AND LEARNING CENTER?

Yes, please present your stamped ASF membership card upon arrival at the Front Desk.

I AM AN ASF MEMBER. CAN MY CHILD BRING A FRIEND?

ASF Family Membership holders are NOT permitted to bring friends to the Playing and Learning Center Tuesday – Friday. The public can purchase reservations for Saturday play sessions only. Advanced online reservations are required.

HOW BIG IS THE PLAYING AND LEARNING CENTER? HOW MANY KIDS CAN PLAY AT ONCE?

The Playing and Learning Center is comprised of two rooms, connected by a doorway and a kids-only tunnel. Due to social distancing and our reservation policy, we have limited capacity to 12 children.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF KIDS WHO PLAY AT THE CENTER?

The Playing and Learning Center is geared towards toddlers and preschool-aged children. Kids begin playing in the Center when they are able to walk on their own, which can be as young as 10 months old, and tend to enjoy the space through ages 5.

CAN I VISIT THE PLAYING AND LEARNING CENTER BEFORE I BECOME AN ASF FAMILY MEMBER?

The Playing and Learning Center is open to the public, space permitting, on Saturdays for $25/child.

I WANT ACCESS TO THE PLAYING AND LEARNING CENTER DURING THE WEEK. HOW DO I BECOME A CHILDREN’S CENTER MEMBER?

For information on ASF Memberships please inquire at the Front Desk or contact Membership at mem@ascan.org or 212-847-9716.

CAN I WEAR MY SHOES?

To keep the Playing and Learning Center clean and minimize wear-and-tear, shoes are NOT permitted for children or adults. Please store your shoes in the bins located outside the entrance on the 4th floor.

CAN I BRING MY CHILD’S OWN TOYS?

To prevent confusion with the Playing and Learning Center’s toys and supplies, we ask that kids leave their own toys at home or in their strollers.

WHERE CAN I CHANGE MY CHILD’S DIAPER?

A private restroom with a changing table is located on the 4th Floor, equipped with a diaper disposal bin. Diaper-changing is NOT permitted outside the restroom. Additional restrooms and changing facilities are located on the B-Level of Scandinavia House.

WHERE DO I STORE MY STROLLER?

Stroller storage has been incorporated into the design of the Playing and Learning Center. The stroller closet is located in the 4th floor hallway, beyond the Center’s entrance. We do our best to accommodate all visitors, so please be respectful of other guests’ property and fold your stroller to maximize stroller space. Scandinavia House is not responsible for the security of any items left in the stroller closet, so please keep track of all valuables.

WHY DO KIDS HAVE TO BE WALKING ON THEIR OWN TO BE ADMITTED?

To ensure the safety of our youngest visitors, children must be able stand and walk comfortably in order to play on their own in the Center. As children of all ages move and play through the space, it could be unsafe for kids who do not yet walk. Caregivers must be supervising at all times.

ARE FOOD AND BEVERAGES ALLOWED IN THE PLAYING AND LEARNING CENTER?

Absolutely NO food or beverages are allowed in the Playing and Learning Center. We want to keep the space as clean as possible, so please finish all food and beverages before entering the 4th floor. You will be asked to put away or dispose of any drinks or snacks. If you would like to eat or drink, please proceed to the 1st floor.

IS THE PLAYING AND LEARNING CENTER AVAILABLE TO RENT FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES?

The Playing and Learning Center is not available to rent. We do have other rental spaces available in Scandinavia House. Please visit our Space Rentals page or contact the Scandinavia House manager to learn more.

Still have questions or concerns?
Please call 212-847-9716 or email info@amscan.org and we will do our best to assist you.

Rules

In order to keep the Playing and Learning Center safe,
clean, pleasant, and available to everyone, we ask that you
abide by the following rules:

BE SAFE

– Parents or caregivers must supervise their kids at all times.
– Only kids who are walking on their own are admitted to the Playing and Learning Center.
– There is no running or playing in the hallway or the Halldór Laxness Library.
– Please do not leave any valuables unattended. Scandinavia House is not responsible for missing or lost items.

BE RESPECTFUL

ASF Membership Cards must be presented upon entering the Playing and Learning Center, or at any time the attendant asks.
During the week, the Center is only open to ASF Members with a Family Associate Membership or above. The Center is open to the public on Saturdays only. Members may not bring guests to the Playing and Learning Center during the week; guests will be admitted to the Center on Saturdays only.

A liability waiver must be signed for all kids playing in the Center. Membership cards must be stamped at the Front Desk.
Absolutely NO food or beverages are allowed in the Playing and Learning Center. We want to keep the space as clean as possible, so please finish all food and beverages before entering the 4th Floor. You will be asked to put away or dispose of any drinks or snacks. If you would like to eat or drink, please proceed to Smörgås Chef @ Scandinavia House on the 1st Floor.

Diaper changing is permitted only at the diaper changing stations. These facilities are located in the restroom on the 4th Floor. Diaper changing is NOT permitted outside the restroom. Additional restrooms and changing facilities are located on the B-Level of Scandinavia House.

Please take care that books and toys are not damaged. We ask that you take responsibility in putting away books and toys after your kids have used them. To prevent confusion with the Playing and Learning Center’s toys and supplies, we ask that kids leave their own toys at home or in their strollers.

Due to the size of the space, there is a limit of 20 children, plus 20 adults in the Playing and Learning Center at any given time. Priority will always be given to ASF Members.

HAVE FUN!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center, please contact the ASF Membership Coordinator at 212-847-9716 or mem@amscan.org

WAIVER INFO

In light of the redesigned and reimagined Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center, which encourages free play and exploration, as well as additions in programming for kids and families, we are requiring patrons of the Center to sign a liability waiver. This is common practice for such activity spaces for children and will allow our Center to continue providing the highest level of quality learning and play for your child(ren).

We ask that you sign the attached form and bring it/send it the next time your child(ren) visits the Playing and Learning Center. As of May 15, 2012 children are not allowed to play unless a waiver has been signed. Waivers will be kept on file and will be renewed annually with your ASF Membership.

—DOWNLOAD WAIVER FORM

 

If you have questions or concerns please contact the ASF Membership Coordinator at 212-847-9716, or mem@amscan.org

The Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center is made possible by the generous support of the Heimbold Foundation/The Honorable Charles A. and Monika Heimbold.