Kidberry, a learning and developmental play center for children in Harlem, offers some of the only classes of its kind in the neighborhood.
On Seventh Avenue between 122nd and 123rd Streets sits a space with cheery yellow and light green walls urrounding a colorful mat, ballet bar, and tables with toddler-sized chairs.
Opened in September, this is the new home to Kidberry, a learning and developmental play center for newborns to 10-year-olds that was founded four years ago by moms Mekia Denby and Pamela Flood Morrison as a solution to the lack of enriching activities for kids in Harlem.
The larger space allows for new dance classes like Hippitee Hop and Twos on Their Toes, along with new art and language sessions.
"When we moved to Harlem four years ago, there wasn't anything [for my daughter and me]," says Denby, now a mother of two. "[Kidberry] absolutely happened because I was a mom." Morrison, a former financial director for an entertainment company, experienced the same issue when she had her first child.
For the upcoming winter semester, Denby and Morrison plan to add sign language and cooking classes.
Kidberry also offers drop-in, by-donation classes for the entire family, including Live Band Fridays and a storytelling hour every Wednesday.
Kidberry is located at 2046 Seventh Avenue in South Harlem. For more information, call 212-866-5437 or visit kidberrynyc.com.
