Our Happy Families
We have come to know so many parents, caregivers and kids since we’ve opened and love connecting with new families.
Guest Review
“We have been taking several classes and have been fortunate to have enjoyed many playdates at HOPS but the Nature’s Creators class is by far my son’s favorite. We started this class in the winter, a little skeptical about how we would manage in the cold, snow, or rainy days but with lots of love for HOPS and their creativity and dedication. The class really exceeded all expectations!
We enjoyed building igloos to keep our little animal friends warm in the snow, bird nests to ensure our friends had a safe and cozy place to rest, we learned about shadows, learned how to melt ice with salt and color snow, how to paint on little rocks we had collected in the neighborhood and so much more, all while dancing and singing our favorite songs … but above all, we learned to love nature as is, in the sun and the snow, in the cold and the warm days, with or without blossoming trees. As the weather warms up, we look forward to smelling the flowers together and continuing to create and appreciate mother nature. Thank you HOPS”
-Linda (Yelp)
Michelle (YELP)
"We celebrated our daughter's first birthday here in November. It was amazing. Given the pandemic, there are very few places we feel safe visiting and options for celebrating seemed limited. We then remembered HOPS from a workshop we attended there pre-COVID. We felt so comfortable being able to reserve a private play session and at ease due to the safety protocols they have in place. The owner Thuy was responsive, accommodating and addressed all my many questions along the way. Everything was so clean, organized and thoughtfully planned. Our daughter loved running around and playing in the sensory area. We had a lot of fun. We were so happy to have had the opportunity to celebrate there and for a moment the world seemed normal. Thank you HOPS for making this day so special and allowing us to feel safe so we could focus on this beautiful milestone.”
Heather (Google)
"We can't say enough wonderful things about "HOPS." We felt like our little one was missing out on so much during this time. She was just on the cusp of play dates when the shutdown started. We started attending private play events over the summer. So first of all - this is a very safe place for you and your kiddo. Covid protocols are followed to the t and you can relax knowing you aren't putting your child (or yourself) in danger. The entire place is just a toddler's paradise. So many exciting toys and things to climb on (safely). My daughter always beelines to this little house and grabs the baby (who stays with her most of the time) and then plays in the little cafe/kitchen area. The management and owners are incredibly thoughtful in their activities (which are of course limited to attention spans). The artistry and creativity that goes into their events is also so impressive. The best part about this has been an opportunity for my daughter to socialize and for me to meet other local moms. This was something we felt was seriously missing for my daughter (and frankly for me). HOPS - thank you for creating such a joyous, safe, sweet, FUN place for my family to visit!”
Joan (FacebooK)
"House of Playful Soul is more than just a beautiful play space. It is a place that puts community and people first. Even though they opened right before the pandemic, they have consistently given back to the community by organizing fundraisers and donation drives. We "won" a private brunch/play date through one of these fundraisers. My children had an amazing time. The beautifully designed space and curated toys were a special treat for my kids, who rarely get out! We felt safe playing there as HOPS also takes their COVID precautions very seriously, with their high tech hand washing station, air purifiers, and mask wearing policies. Thank you HOPS for such a special morning for my family!”
“I cannot say enough wonderful things about House of Playful Soul. As a new and nervous Mom unsure of how to approach classes or activities for my baby in the wake of COVID I didn’t know where to turn. I stumbled upon HOPS on a walk through Forest Hills and I am beyond grateful I did! The owner, Thuy, is so kind and made me feel immediately comfortable and confident with all of the health and safety measures they take. The teachers, Ms. Gaby and Ms. Kat are the kindest and are so amazing with all of the kiddos – whether its during playschool or open play sessions. I always felt it was the most warm and welcoming atmosphere and the activities and play offerings are perfection. My family and I recently moved out of NY and my first Friday without playschool was so sad! Both my son and I missed it terribly. All of this to say, HOPS is incredible! If you are considering going or joining the classes, it is absolutely worth it! Thank you HOPS for everything, we miss you! xo,”
-Michelle & Wes (Google)
Parent Review
“We have been taking several classes and have been fortunate to have enjoyed many playdates at HOPS but the Nature’s Creators class is by far my son’s favorite. We started this class in the winter, a little skeptical about how we would manage in the cold, snow, or rainy days but with lots of love for HOPS and their creativity and dedication. The class really exceeded all expectations!
We enjoyed building igloos to keep our little animal friends warm in the snow, bird nests to ensure our friends had a safe and cozy place to rest, we learned about shadows, learned how to melt ice with salt and color snow, how to paint on little rocks we had collected in the neighborhood and so much more, all while dancing and singing our favorite songs … but above all, we learned to love nature as is, in the sun and the snow, in the cold and the warm days, with or without blossoming trees. As the weather warms up, we look forward to smelling the flowers together and continuing to create and appreciate mother nature. Thank you HOPS”
-E D (YELP)
Rose (Facebook)
"My decision to send Mateo to school was a challenging decision to make. I knew that I would only be comfortable in a small setting and with families I knew. Creating a small pod was the ideal solution. When the opportunity came up to sign up to HOPS, I didn’t hesitate. The program was play based and it was a small group setting. It gave me the chance to take Mateo to socialize with his friends but in a structured environment. HOPS is a program where the children get to learn; there are weekly themes and lessons are planned accordingly. Miss Gabbi is great with the children, she is enthusiastic and patient with them. When they are in centers, she makes sure to go to each child and give them 1:1 time. Mateo is always happy to attend HOPS and to see Miss Gabbi. We are very happy at HOPS and we will be returning for the Winter session."
aLice (facebook)
"My whole family has been working around my first grader’s remote learning schedule, which included nearly two months of full remote time due to the holidays and COVID related closures. As a result, my toddler has not attended any live, in-person classes for the last ten months. He recently turned two and based on grocery runs, he will tolerate wearing a mask indoors for a short period of time. Unsure of how he will respond to a prolonged indoor playtime, I jumped at the opportunity HOPs provided with Playschool!! It is a program curated for kids in our situation where they have an opportunity to get used to wearing a mask whilst not penalized for their age, should they rebel. The class size is limited for proper distancing and comfort, and it is held once a week by four week increments. That’s perfect for us given the uncertainty of my other son’s school schedule. This past Friday was our first class and we loved it; one reason being able to escape the chaos that is our home to the serene setting that is HOPs. My toddler was timid at first but quickly warmed up to Thuy as she brought out materials unfamiliar to him as well as to me. We made snow! I loved seeing his eyes light up and having him grow more confident with each new tool. He sat more still than I could ever imagine of him and he was in such deep concentration, he even kept his mask on the entire time! It was a win all around. We also took advantage of the sensory box add-on which was promptly employed as soon as we got home and my older son enjoyed the “snow” we took home, as well as complimented his brother’s cotton ball artwork. I’ve felt so bad, not providing the baby the same attention and classes as I did with my elder pre-Covid, but Playschool definitely alleviates guilt, as well as provide myself with some adult socialization! Thuy is wonderful, warm, and graciously understanding. She noticed I have a physical disability and made sure I was comfortable, and as a mom with young ones herself, she does her best to accommodate our schedule! We are looking forward to our next class!”
A G (Yelp)
"I am SO grateful to House of Playful Soul. This has obviously been a very hard time for us and for our children and when my sons 3s program was cancelled I was very concerned about how he would get socialization and beginner learning skills. I am not cut out for teaching! We have had an amazing experience and HOPS and because of the nursery starter program, I am fully confident about my sin starting pre-k next year and being ready. He has now experienced separation and HOPS has really grown his social emotional education. When I ask him what do we do when we get angry, he says "take a dee breath." "At my school we take a deep breath." You can't put a price tag on that!!”