Playing & Learning Center - Scandinavia House

The Heimbold Family Playing & Learning Center is temporary closed at this time. Please check back to the website for news on its reopening.

Scandinavia House regularly offers virtual children’s programming and workshops, many of which are available to stream as digital programming. To explore Children’s Center virtual workshops, studio visits, and read aloud, visit the link below.

During our temporary closure, the Children’s Center is also sharing weekly emails that include upcoming virtual content as well as video tutorials, activity suggestions, and other ways to keep children busy and occupied at home. To subscribe to the list, fill out the form to the right!

ONLINE CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

EMAIL SIGNUP — CHILDREN’S 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!

*TEMPORARILY CLOSED*
REGULAR HOURS & ADMISSION

TUE-FRI—10 AM-5 PM, free; open only to ASF Members with a Children’s Center Membership.
SAT—12-5 PM, $15/child; Open to the public (space permitting)
We recommend arriving before 4 PM when entering with daily passes. Members are given priority access. Purchase in advance to secure a place.

Admission is for children ages 1 through 5. Please note that children must be walking on their own to be admitted.

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.

A maximum of two adults are admitted with each child.

Q&A

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 kids 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. During the week, this serves as your admission pass.
I am an ASF Member. Can my child bring a friend?

On weekdays, Children’s Center Pass holders are NOT permitted to bring guests to the Playing and Learning Center. This helps maintain the Playing and Learning Center as a benefit to ASF Children’s Center members, and keeps the number of visitors at a manageable level. If you would like to bring a friend, please visit on Saturdays when the Playing and Learning Center is open to the public (space permitting). ASF Children’s Center members may bring a friend on Saturdays for a reduced admission rate of $10 per child.
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. The Center holds a maximum of 20 kids and 20 adults. On occasion, due to extreme weather, school holidays, or other reasons, the Center can quickly reach maximum capacity, at which point we may limit entrance. On Saturdays, ASF Children’s Center members have priority access, if maximum capacity is reached.
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 $15/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 Membership, please visit here.
Can I wear my shoes?

To keep the Playing and Learning Center clean and minimize wear-and-tear, shoes are NOT permitted for kids 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 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 to stand and walk comfortably in order to play on their own in the Center. As kids of all ages move and play through the space, it could be unsafe for kids who do not yet walk.
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 available on a limited basis for private parties by advance arrangement. Please visit our Space Rentals page or contact the Scandinavia House manager.

For more information, please visit here.

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