Mommy FTW

Last winter my mommy friends and I were desperately seeking a place to take the little ones where they could have a little fun and we could do some socializing.  The word around Fort Greene was that Der Schwarze Kölner was a really kid friendly spot that we should check out.  So, slightly dubious, our playgroup headed over and Babies and Beer began!  The get together was a huge success and word quickly spread around the parent set.

This year Der Schwarze Kölner has really stepped it up and started an amazing playgroup called Stutengarten Brooklyn which meets Monday -Thursday 2.30-5pm.  All they ask is for a minimum purchase of $5 – or a donation.  If you are wondering what you can purchase there to satisfy this amount (besides beer, duh!) the kids love the chicken sausage (it’s very mild) and Cameron was always a fan of the pretzel as well as the cheese.

I asked Randi, one of the owners, and mom to Sophie, to send me some pictures of Stutengarten Brooklyn since sadly I’m in DC and can’t attend.  I was blown away at how baby friendly they’ve made the space – with playmats, toys, and lots of open space.  Fort Greene and Clinton Hill have always desperately needed a playspace, and while this isn’t exactly that, it certainly is a good option on a cold or rainy day.  So if the winter is stretching on endlessly – check out Stutengarten Brooklyn Monday -Thursday 2.30-5pm.  Have a beer, or not, and meet some neighborhood parents.

To learn more about Stutengarten Brooklyn check out their facebook page.  You can also learn more about Der Schwarze Kölner at their facebook page, or on their website.

Most of my Fort Greene readers know that I am huge fans of the local Beer Garden Der Schwarze Kölener.  The owners and the staff have always been so child friendly, and especially in the long winter months it’s a great place to take your little ones, meet some fellow parents, and grab a beer – of course!

Ho, Ho, Ho, Bring me a Bitburger!

Well this Sunday, December 5th, they are giving us one more reason to love them: Santa is coming to the Beer Garden!  From 3-5 pm Nikolaus (aka Santa Claus) will stop by with his big bag of presents. Recommended age 3-6 years, but younger kids are encourage to come and soak up the festive atmosphere.  I suggest you swing by, take some pictures, and relax!

FYI, as far as grub for the kiddos go, Cameron always loved the pretzel plate with cheese and pickle, and the chicken sausage is always a toddler crowd favorite.

Der Schwarze Kölner is located at 710 Fulton Street, Fort Greene/Brooklyn.  Even if you can’t make it this Sunday to see Santa, stop by some other time and enjoy some Babies and Beer!

These last few days have been very fall-like!  I’m sure summer isn’t over yet – but more rainy and gloomy days are on the horizon, so I decided to do a re post / update on an old topic I visited last winter – Indoor Baby Friendly Places in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill area:

The Booklyn Flea – On Sundays you can find the Brooklyn Flea indoors at One Hanson Place (the big clock tower) from 10am to 5pm.  The Flea is on the main floor and lower level.  According to one mom, the lower level has food options, and the upper level is where the sales go on.  She said the lower level is a great place to take kids and let them roam around, and that there is space for strollers.  So if you are looking for a weekend activity – check out the indoor Flea!

Story time at Greenlight Bookstore – Greenlight Bookstore is located at 686 Fulton Street and has a free story time on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM.  Check it out for more weekend fun.  And for any day of the week – Greenlight has a great childrens book section – you can browse while your child plays in the cardboard house, draws on the chalkboard, and snuggles with the giant stuffed bear.

Story time at Brownstone Books – Brownstone Books is located at 409 Lewis Ave in Bed Stuy.  Story time happens every Wednesday and Saturday from 12-1pm.  Unfortunately this is smack in the middle of Cameron’s nap time, so I have yet to check it out.  The suggested donation is $5.  For more information, check out the Brownstone Books website.

The Clinton Hill Library – Not only does Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) have a great and free Reading for Babies program on Tuesdays at 11:00 as well as Toddler Time on Fridays at 11, it’s a great place to take your kid to let them roam around even when no scheduled activities are going on.  We spent many a cold winter day here!

Chuck E Cheese – Now this one, I never would have thought of!  One day a few of us moms and babes were hanging out at Der Schwarze Kölner and one of the moms said that she had just been at Chuck E Cheese with her little one.  She said that it was her nanny who had originally suggested it, and although she was skeptical – it turned out to be a great place for him to roam around, and it was free (since they aren’t playing any games).  Chuck E. Cheese is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.

Der Schwarze Kölner aka the Beer Garden – As I mentioned above I’ve been going to the Beer Garden (710 Fulton Street) with Cameron and some other moms + babies.  It is a great rainy day (or super hot day, or snowy day) option – and they are so welcoming and nice!  Read more about Der Schwarze Kölner at this other post I wrote.

Finally, there’s the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.  It’s not really in Fort Greene / Clinton Hill – but it’s just a short drive away.  I did a complete write up on the Children’s Museum here, so check it out to get all the news you can use!

If you have other ideas to share, please leave a comment!

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Recently Cameron and I went to explore a playground that I had been hearing so many great things about. It’s the South Oxford Park, located on South Oxford Street at Atlantic Commons (Between Hanson Place and Atlantic Ave). Although it sounds off the beaten path, it’s just down the street from Music Together and the Beer Garden Der Schwarze Kölner – so really you’ve most likely been right near it, and never knew! Well, weather this park is near you – or not, it is most definitely worth the trek.

Half of the park is a huge AstroTurf field – although quite sunny, it’s a nice open place for the kids to play. We brought bubbles and some balls. Cam had fun exploring the space. It almost feels a little suburban there, with the Atlantic Commons town homes surrounding you, and not a whole lot of street traffic to speak of. The park also has some tennis courts, which I hear are much less busy than the ones at Fort Greene Park.

Down a path you will see large cattails that look like sculpture, but they actually form a water feature that I’ve been told is pretty great. Unfortunately, it’s not on quite yet, but should be after Memorial Day. Past the sprinklers is a nice little playground. It’s got a great slide that ends close to the ground – perfect for Cameron’s daredevil head first sliding technique since there’s no big drop off at the end. The ground also has rubber padding. Although the playground is better for kids a little older than my little guy (17 months) he navigated it just fine, and found many fun things to explore. This is certainly a playground we can grow into – and believe me, we will be back, many, many times!

I am so fortunate to know a lot of moms who share with me their ideas and advice.  This post is based in their experiences, as well as information gained from the Fort Greene Babies Yahoo Group and Parents Around the Hill (PATH).  I haven’t checked out all these places myself – so I can’t speak to every one of them personally – but my mom friends haven’t steered me wrong yet.  The reason I have decided to post about them before being able to check them all out is I am guessing that a lot of you are starting to feel a little desperate with all this snow and cold weather – I know I am!  So here are some ideas of places to take your baby in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill area:

The Booklyn Flea – The Flea has moved indoors for the winter months.  It’s new home is at One Hanson Place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm.  The Flea is on the main floor and lower level.  According to one mom, the lower level has food options, and the upper level is where the sales go on.  She said the lower level is a great place to take kids and let them roam around, and that there is space for strollers.  So if you are looking for a weekend activity – check out the indoor Flea!

Story time at Greenlight Bookstore – Greenlight Bookstore is located at 686 Fulton Street and has a free story time on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM.  Check it out for more weekend fun.

Playgroup at Brooklyn Junior – Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon there is a free playgroup at Brooklyn Junior (150 Clinton Ave – corner of Myrtle) from 3:15-6.  Please email info@brooklynjunior.com if you would like to go.  Children of all ages are welcome.

The Clinton Hill Library – Not only does Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) have a great and free Reading for Babies program on Tuesdays at 10:45 and 11:30, but I’ve also been told it’s a great place to take your kid to let them roam around even when no scheduled activities are going on.

Chuck E Cheese – Now this one, I never would have thought of!  Last Thursday a few of us were hanging out at Der Schwarze Kölner and one of the moms said that she had just been at Chuck E Cheese with her baby (he is an early walker).  She said that it was her nanny who had originally suggested it, and although she was skeptical – it turned out to be a great place for him to roam around, and it was free (since they aren’t playing any games).  Chuck E. Cheese is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.

Der Schwarze Kölner aka the Beer Garden – As I mentioned above I’ve been going to the Beer Garden (710 Fulton Street) with Cameron and some other moms + babies.  It is a great winter option – and they are so welcoming and nice!  Read more about Der Schwarze Kölner at this other post I wrote a few days ago.

If you have other ideas to share, please leave a comment!

I am pretty sensitive about bringing Cameron to a bar… after all, there are plenty of people who aren’t on board with the idea, and I don’t want to be one of “those moms” who are getting dirty looks from across the room… but so many moms had told me that Der Schwarze Kölner (710 Fulton Street, Fort Greene/Brooklyn) was really child friendly, and my bi weekly playgroup needed a place to go.  So last Thursday afternoon, that’s where we ended up.  And thank goodness we did!

Beers for the moms

Snack time for the babies

We descended upon Der Schwarze Kölner at 4, just as they opened.  As I walked in, the place smelled of just being cleaned, and was totally empty.  The wait staff was extremely welcoming, and gave my group a big area in the corner.  There was plenty of area of stroller parking.  I brought a few toys for the kids to play with, and so did the other moms.  The moms had beers, the babies had brats (Cameron practically housed an entire one by himself) and some cheddar bunnies.  It was a total success!  I have to admit I’m not 100% on board for taking Cameron out to a bar in the evening (besides, it’s way past his bedtime) but in the afternoon when no one else is there?  I don’t see the harm in taking advantage of a great, clean space… while the moms can hang out, and the babies have fun too.