We view playspaces with some serious ambivalence. On the one hand, they offer something structured, fun, and unusual to do — and the kids wear themselves out. On the other, they can be crowded, wild, and — on occasion — full of the kind of entitled New York City parents you want to avoid.
Still. It’s winter and new ground to cover is new ground to cover. When the arts-and-crafts routine has grown weary at home, I’m ready to pay for some entertainment and willing to travel for it.
I’ve had Williamsburg‘s new Klub 4 Kidz on my radar since reading about it on Mommy Poppins. Goodbye, construction paper- and glue stick-strewn dining room table! Goodbye, Park Slope! Hello, neighborhood that makes me feel OLD AS HELL.
Chrissy had to be convinced. But that wasn’t hard, given that she knew I wouldn’t shut up about the place until we went. She caved easily. Here’s what we found.
Ready, set, run!
What it is:
Klub 4 Kidz is a big, bright, cheery new playspace where your kids can run, jump, climb, and slide. There’s a big climbing structure (where Jasper and Magnolia spent every second of their time, pictured above) and a rock climbing wall. My kids are 4 and 6 — it was perfect for them. Older kids (and a couple of adults) gravitated to the rock climbing wall.
There’s also a separate toddler play area and an arts space.
My kids were happy making the loop on the climbing gym — there’s a little Zip-slide thingie, tunnels to crawl through, different levels to clamber up and down, and two impressively fast slides to zoom down.
Klub 4 Kidz also offers classes and parties; they have a small cafe with snacks for kids and coffee for tired parents.
What it costs:
Open Play in the playground area is $12 for one kid, $20 for two. Ditto the toddler play area. See prices for rock climbing (it’s extra), combo passes, and daily play passes here.
Where it is:
Klub 4 Kidz is at 159 North 4th Street (bet Bedford and Driggs) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Tel: 718-599-5900
What we thought of the place:
A huge hit and we will definitely go back! They open at 9am on the weekends, and I think getting there when the doors open would be a great idea — let the kids exhaust themselves in the morning, then go have lunch, and you’re in great shape for the rest of the day.
Kids leave hot, sweaty, tired, and happy.
More Shiny Brite Reviews:
Melisa
Hmmm. Looks good! Now what would be even better is if you could drop your kids off and wander off down Bedford for a night out.
Agreed. Drop-off would make the experience even better. (Although we did eat dinner out in W’burg recently — at Pies & Thighs — and I swear to God everyone in there was 25 MAX.)
Chris, next time you head there drop me a line & I’ll try to bring H over! We live nearby.
I didn’t realize you were over there! Want to check out that that Japanese grocer you found. BTW, congrats on the WW gig- very cool.