Got a little rocker on your hands? (Or maybe just a kid five or under who needs to get his or her ya-yas out?) Well, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan just opened “Frolic!”, a rock ‘n’ roll-themed pop-up play space designed exclusively for its tiniest visitors. We stopped by on opening day to check it out and get the skinny on all the programming and special events Frolic will be hosting all summer long and through the end of the year. Rock on!

Introducing: Frolic!

Located in the basement of the museum, Frolic! is a 1,500-square-foot, interactive play space specifically designed to encourage early childhood learning through music, movement and imaginative play experiences. The technicolor space features a replica of a paint-splattered 1970s Volkswagen minivan, a tongue slide inspired by the Rolling Stones’ iconic logo, a mini performance stage and ticket booth and an interactive video music wall. Kids can also climb groovy mushrooms or a butterfly, enjoy music-themed books, shake, rattle and roll with various instruments and of course, dance to a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack. Access to Frolic! is free with museum admission.

Created in response to feedback requesting an area for the youngest museum-goers, Frolic! is the latest product of CMOM’s “Arts and Creativity” efforts which bring original art and live performances to families, while also recognizing the vital role music plays in the development and education of young children.

photo: Children’s Museum of Manhattan

A Space for Play and Much More

In addition to providing kids five and under with the space to rock out, Frolic will also host all kinds of programming and classes until it closes on December 31, 2015.

Programming includes daily, drop-in workshops free with museum admission such as music, movement and story times. Visitors can expect activities such as grooving with a jam band, ribbon dancing, parachute games, yoga, puppet play and more. Frolic will also be the setting for Toddlers Rock!, a free Saturday summer concert series with kiddie music acts such as Joanie Leeds, Suzi Shelton, Tim Kubart of the Space Cadets, Co-Creative Music and Alastair Moock.

photo: Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Party On!

The new baby and toddler-friendly space will also be available for hosting birthday parties, with professional musicians, puppets, parachutes and instruments being part of the fun.

New baby classes for children and caregivers will also be held in the space. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Around with World” will get participants singing and dancing to music from all corners of the globe while they play along on instruments.

If your budding rock star needs to take some Frolic home, the gift shop is stocked with instruments, inflatable guitars, cool sunglasses and rad pint-sized concert shirts.


Join the Band

Like the sound of Frolic!? To celebrate the opening of the new space, CMOM is offering the new  “Under 5” membership, available for a limited time. Until July 31, a CMOM membership for one child under five years of age and one adult can be purchased for $149; this offer applies to first-time members only. (Membership gives you unlimited access to Frolic! and the rest of the museum.)

Want to give Frolic a free spin? CMOM is free the first Friday of every month from 5 – 8p.m!

Frolic! at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Now through December 31, 2015
212 W. 83rd St.
212-721-1223
Online: www.cmom.org

Where do you go to rock out with your kids? Tell us in the comments below!

— Mimi O’Connor

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