Parent's Night Out programs on Long Island offering drop off
Teacher Denise Schwartz during playtime at Tumbling Tunes & Active Kids in East Northport, which offers a drop-off night on the second Saturday of every month. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Rachel Swensen, of Melville, drops off her 8-year-old twin boys at Valhallan Esports Training in Huntington, a kids’ gaming arena, every Friday during Parent’s Night Out. The drop-in program provides a much-needed break for mom, and a night of socialization for the boys.
"My sons make new friends from other schools and get to see them every week," says Swensen, 47, who works as an executive assistance at a construction company. "There’s a place right next door that does pedicures. I’ll do that sometimes or go out for dinner with a friend."
Caden Haussel and Luca Pastore during playtime at Tumbling Tunes & Active Kids in East Northport. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
On Friday and Saturday nights, parents can drop their children off at gymnastic, gaming or art venues for Parent's Night Out. The program, an alternative to hiring a babysitter, is becoming a more popular offering at Long Island play spaces. With some programs starting at $15 for an hour of play, kids are entertained while parents enjoy a date night meal or run errands. Many parents in friend groups drop off all their kids and go on a double date, local venue owners say.
Debbie Gentilesco Mantia, who owns Seaside Celebrations in Long Beach, sums up the program she offers as, "an ideal time for parents to go out for dinner and have a conversation, watch a movie or just go home and do the laundry."
Here are five drop-off programs worth checking out, regardless of how you spend the extra time.
Kids' movie and craft night
Plasterkraze 2, 2369 Middle Country Rd., Centereach
DROP-OFF: 6 to 9 p.m., third Friday of the month, ages 5 to 12
COST: $30 per child for three hours
KIDS' FUN: Kids choose a plaster piece to paint — from animals to flowers to rainbows — then play games and have pizza for dinner while the project dries. The party room floor becomes a makeshift movie theater, with floor blankets and snacks. The night always ends with a dance party.
Noelle Rappa, 9, of Lake Grove, has been a regular since September. "The dance party is probably my favorite part. They put all the party lights on and play music," Rappa says.
PARENTS' FUN: Noelle's mom, Kelly Rapa, says she uses the time to get ahead on the week's tasks. "It helps me get ahead." Claudine Zegzula, of Medford, has been dropping off her daughter, 9, and son, 6, monthly since September. "My husband and I like to have a monthly date night. We don’t always have a babysitter, so it works out really good," she says.
HOW IT’S RUN: A maximum of 20 kids can attend a session. Owner Beth Toscano says she aims to have one adult staff member on-site for every five to six kids.
MORE INFO: 631-689-5231, plasterkraze.com
Gymnastics and play
Tumbling Tunes & Active Kids, 212 Laurel Rd., East Northport
DROP-OFF: 6 to 9 p.m., second Saturday of the month, ages 1 to 8
COST: One child $15 per hour, two siblings $25 per hour; two to three hours. Must register 24 hours in advance.
Leland Nania swings on the rings during playtime at Tumbling Tunes & Active Kids in East Northport. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
KIDS' FUN: The Parent’s Night Out evening flip-flops between structured activities and free play in two rooms. The first has a craft section, sensory corner, train table, pretend play area, book nook and ride-on toys. The second is a 1,000-foot space filled with preschool gymnastics equipment, plus an area designed for activities with a parachute and games such "the floor Is lava." Musical instruments add to the fun. Everyone gathers for pizza at 6:30 p.m.
PARENTS' FUN: Kerry Anastasi, owner/instructor says parents have recommended going out to eat in Northport at The Northport Hotel restaurant, Skippers, Robkes or The Ritz Cafe.
Haussel and Pastore play in one of two free play rooms at Tumbling Tunes & Active Kids. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
HOW IT’S RUN: A maximum of 25 kids can participate in a Parent’s Night Out event, with a ratio of one teacher for every four children. "If we have little ones on a specific night, we’ll make it three to one. If a baby comes, I’ll have one-on-one for that child," says Anastasi.
MORE INFO: 631-697-0140, tumblingtunes.com
Video game night
Valhallan Esports Training, 400 West Jericho Tpke., Huntington
DROP-OFF: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday nights, ages 6 to 16
COST: $55 per child
KIDS' FUN: The video game arena includes 24 gaming PCs with controllers. Whether kids are playing Minecraft, Fortnite, Super Smash Brothers, Mario Kart or any other popular game, owner David Glick says, "gamers can hang out with other kids on a Friday night and have pizza in person with other kids who share their interests."
Swensen, who brings her twin boys, says the program has helped teach her children how to play on teams, pick up coding skills and improve hand-eye coordination. "The minute we walk out the door, my sons are planning who they’re going to play with the next week," she says.
PARENTS' FUN: "A lot of parents go to Costco. We’re right near Huntington Village, so there are lots of restaurants nearby. But Costco seems to be No. 1," says Glick.
HOW IT’S RUN: A maximum of 23 kids can participate in a session. Each event is run by a manager and gaming coaches. The ratio is one coach per seven children.
MORE INFO: 516-696-7766, arenas.valhallan.com
Parent's Survival Night
The Little Gym, 2890 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown; 111 Broadway, Lynbrook
DROP-OFF: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the second or third Friday of the month, ages 3 to 8
COST: $57 per child
KIDS' FUN: Kids slide down parachutes onto mats, create a craft, do gymnastics on high and low beams, uneven bars, and do tumbling skills on mats. Pizza and juice are served. The evening ends with the inflatable track — a long, inflatable racing track with two lanes where kids can do different kinds of skills and jumps.
PARENTS' FUN: Miguel Madera, owner of The Little Gym in Levittown and Lynbrook says parents who drop their kids off at the Lynbrook gym go out to dinner in Rockville Centre. Near the Levittown gym, there’s a movie theater nearby, plus a salt cave and spa.
HOW IT’S DONE: In Levittown, a maximum of 20 kids can attend a Survival Night event. In Lynbrook, 15 kids can be accommodated. The ratio is one teacher per 10 children.
MORE INFO: Levittown: 516-893-1684; Lynbrook; 516-331-4398; thelittlegym.com
Pretend play
Seaside Celebrations, 949 W. Beech St., Long Beach
DROP-OFF: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights; ages 15 months and up
COST: $70, $10 for a sibling
From left, Maddie Powers, Maisie Callahan and Molly Callahan play pretend at Seaside Celebrations in Long Beach. Credit: Howard Simmons
KIDS' FUN: The indoor space has a pretend shopping area, living room section, school area and a mini stage where kids can perform. The outdoor playground has slides and kiddie cars. Pizza and drinks are served.
PARENTS' FUN: Seaside is within walking distance to the center of the town of Long Beach which has a wide variety of restaurants, bars and shops.
HOW IT’S RUN: There are always two or three adults working and playing with the kids.
MORE INFO: 516-432-4386, seasidecelebrationslb.com
