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A New Place to Play: Kith + Kin opens in Brewerytown

Opening April 2, this new playspace offers community, classes, and much more.

Brewerytown is getting much brighter with the opening of Kith + Kin. A community space aimed at babies and kids (ages 0-5) and their parents, this beautifully appointed space will be a place to play, learn, gather, and more.

 

Founded by local parents Eden Coffey and Jess Jones, Kith + Kin fills a neighborhood need, and seeks to be a home-away-from-home for its young residents and their families. The space is filled with light and decorated in natural tones—plus a custom mural by artist Lauren Cat West—and encourages open-ended play and enrichment.

 

Here is what you can look forward to when this exciting new space opens on April 2.

Play

The light-filled 3,000-foot playspace has a selection of toys and play areas that are designed to inspire child-led exploration. Coffey, who has a background in early childhood development, made sure that all items were low enough to be at a child’s reach, so they can discover little surprises like a sensory bin, an exploration station, or a magnetic wall. The goal was to let kids have some independence and guide their own play, something that Coffey noticed was not happening enough in play situations she had observed.

 

While there are expected toys like a play kitchen and Magnatiles, there are also unique experiences like a “wind tunnel” with a basket of scarves to send through, a conveyor belt with an assortment of toy animal travelers, and a rainbow puzzle the size of a toddler. A treehouse-inspired climbing structure is coming soon, which will have a dress-up station on the balcony.

 

For the littlest guests, there’s an infant pod with a baby gym and other tactile challenges—plus a comfy nursing chair so you don’t have to leave the action.

 

Upstairs in the café, a reading nook with a bookshelf keeps the kids occupied while you enjoy your coffee, or could just provide a quiet respite if play gets too overwhelming. Chalkboard walls and puzzles are also located upstairs.

 

The playspace will be open from 9 am—5 pm on Tuesdays through Fridays (closed Mondays), and 9 am—3 pm on weekends. You can drop in and play for $12 (the first time is free), buy a 10-day drop-in pass for $100, or an annual membership for $360.

Take a Class

Kith + Kin has partnered with some Philly favorites to offer a variety of classes (both drop-in and session, depending on the class). There are two classrooms in the building—a small cozy one downstairs for support groups and music classes, and a larger upstairs one for yoga and movement (complete with a basket of yoga mats in the corner).

 

There are yoga classes—including prenatal, postpartum (babies are welcome with mamas), toddler, and kid (ages 4-8) offered weekly. You can drop in, or buy a 5-class yoga pack for a discounted rate.

 

On Fridays, Nimble Crafters will run drop-in art classes for toddlers and preschoolers with their caregivers. Weekly take home projects are inspired by nature, cultures, and art appreciation; and offer the opportunity for kids to explore different media of expression.

 

Roots with Ruark will run drop-in music classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays—each day will have one time slot for babies and one all-ages class. Meanwhile, ZoomDance will host eight-week sessions—one for toddlers, and one for preschoolers.

 

There are also language and literacy classes, including Baby Wordplay (drop-in) and  weekly Spanish storytime; and later in May there will be eight-week Spanish immersion sessions for preschoolers hosted by Bilingual Butterflies.

Find Your Village

Coffey and Jones are both parents who live in Brewerytown, and it is their hope not just to create a fun destination for local families but also to “put down roots” and give something back to their community. When you walk into the space, there is a “lending library” of parenting books on the wall, immediately signaling their intention to support both kids and parents.

 

So, in addition to the specialty classes above, Kith + Kin will host parent support groups. These include breastfeeding support, parent-led baby playgroup, new parent support group, a monthly birth sharing circle, and a postpartum mood and anxiety support group. Periodic workshops like infant care basics will also be hosted—be sure to check their online calendar for upcoming dates.

 

Kith + Kin truly wants to be a space that welcomes the community, and has taken efforts to be perhaps the most inclusive of all comparable facilities. Their Onward Mama Initiative includes a Mama Share, where guests are invited to contribute money which will create scholarships for families seeking enriching experiences for their children, but cannot afford to do so. Additionally, ACCESS Card holders get 50 percent off drop-ins and memberships.

 

Shop

Repeated Philly Family LOVE Award winner The Nesting House has set up a mini outpost at the front of the store, offering used clothing as well as a great selection of new toys, gifts, and care items for mamas and babies. The little alcove is small but really makes the most of the space to give a taste of The Nesting House experience. It’s an especially convenient resource if you’re already there to play and need a last-minute birthday gift.

 

Note: Unlike their shops, they do not do buy-sell-trade or accept store credit from other Nesting House locations.

Eat

Upstairs, a self-serve café overlooks the playspace and will offer locally sourced parent favorites like La Colombe coffee, kombucha from Inspired Brews, and sandwiches from High Point Café. There will also be plenty of healthy prepackaged snacks for kids. The café area has a communal table, high chairs, and other play opportunities, like the cozy book nook.

Party

Kith + Kin will also host birthday parties and other events. The yoga studio becomes a private party room, and depending on the package you select, you can have private access to the playspace as well. To make your party planning easier, decorations, tableware, and party assistants (including setup and clean-up) are included with the party. Add-ons like live music by Rhythm Babies and fun art projects hosted by Nimble Craft are also available.

Kith + Kin is located at 3060 W. Jefferson Street in the Brewerytown section of Philadelphia. They open on April 2 (with a sneak preview party on March 23 from 10 am—3 pm). Playspace hours are 9 am—5 pm on weekdays (closed on Mondays), and 9 am—3 pm on weekends. See their website for class and workshop schedules, as well as special events. Drop-in play is $12 ($6 for siblings), and 10-day passes are available for $100. Annual family memberships are just $360 and include class discounts and other perks.

 

 

Photographs by Laura Swartz.

Contributing Writer

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