Flatiron Businesses Offer Virtual Learning and Fun for Families

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, cultural institutions and businesses that cater to kids and parents in the Flatiron District are offering online classes, workshops, downloadable activities and other opportunities to keep children—and their parents—engaged in learning and entertainment while socially distancing at home.

The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) has created a webpage listing the offerings—as well as fitness classes and wellness experiences from neighborhood studios.

In recent years, a growing number of innovative businesses catering to kids and parents have opened in and around the BID’s two neighborhoods, Flatiron and NoMad. The trend has been fueled by a residential boom, along with the district’s central location in the heart of Manhattan and six subway lines that make it a convenient destination for families from across the five boroughs.

“The many unique family-friendly businesses and cultural institutions in Flatiron and NoMad are a part of what makes this district such a great place for families to live or visit,” said James Mettham, Executive Director of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership. “We encourage families from throughout New York City and beyond to support them, especially during this difficult time, and enjoy their educational and entertaining online programming.”

The latest list of offerings is below, but please visit the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership’s webpage for the latest updates and new additions.

Kids Entertainment & Learning

apple seeds – Offering new, free online content from its popular classes in music, dance, art and more. Subscribe to their songs for seeds and apple seeds YouTube channels to access songs and activities.

Karma Kids Yoga - Offering Zoom, YouTube, and Instagram classes for FREE.

Girls Who Code - Making CS educational activities available for download FREE of charge, to anyone who wants to access them. Sign up for their updates to receive a new activity each week.

National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)

• Mind-benders for the Quarantined! - FREE each Sunday, MoMath will send you a challenging mathematical puzzle. On Tuesday, you'll receive a subtle hint; on Thursday, a serious push; on Saturday, the solution. And the next day, of course, a new puzzle.
• Online Student Sessions - Sign up your child for a FREE fun, interactive mathematical session delivered with a highly trained educator from the National Museum of Mathematics! Sessions are available daily for grades pre-K through 12.
• Mathplay for 3-5 Year Olds - Engage your preschoolers in playful activities to help them develop a strong foundation in math. Children will participate in songs, stories, and activities tied to a different theme each week. Each registered child must be accompanied by one adult caregiver (who will be present for the entire 30-minute session).

NY Kids Club – Bringing creative and innovative classes and special events to a screen near you. NY Kids Club’s virtual curricula provides children the opportunity to engage in physically challenging, artistically enriching, and intellectually stiumulating programs from home, with a paid membership.

TADA! Youth Theater – Watch clips from their shows you YouTube. Sing and dance at home with new warm-ups, music, choreography and lyrics posted every week. Post your own song-and-dance videos to participate in the #TADAHereWeAre Song Challenge – include the hashtag!

Adult Learning & Fun

General Assembly - GA is offering all classes and workshops remotely. Additionally, they are hosting FREE Fridays from now until June, giving access to their most popular workshops which originally range from $60 to $200 in value. Learn how to code, work photoshop, or master the ins and outs of digital marketing from the comfort of your couch.

The PIT - The People's Improv Theatre is hosting remote comedy classes. $9.99 / Class.

Poster House - Poster House is the first museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to posters. They're hosting several FREE upcoming design workshops, remote tours, and much more.

Rizzoli Bookstore - Support Rizzoli by ordering books from their online bookstore. The Rizzoli team is processing and shipping orders.

Simons Foundation - The Simons Foundation presents a FREE virtual tour of the solar system from the safety of your own home, where you can explore each of the planets in our cosmic neighborhood. Astrophysicist, Paul Sutter will even point out constellations you can see from your own backyard. Register here for this family-friendly event happening on Friday, April 17th from 4 - 5:30 pm.