We Like to Moomah, Moomah

My mom came to spend some time with us during her spring break last week (she’s a very special RSP teacher for the elementary level in the Bay Area), so of course I couldn’t wait to show her one of my new, fabulous NYC finds. We’re all about hands-on, crafty and imaginative experiences in our home, so when I find something that embodies all of these things outside of our apartment, I’m all over it.

We took a taxi down to Moomah in Tribeca, and as I expected my mother was just as enamored as we were. “These are old school chairs!” she noticed as we walked in. The art tables in back are just the perfect size for little people, flanked in gorgeous oilcloth. It’s like a candy store for the crafty, with jars of buttons, cut paper, glitter and stickers stacked on the walls just waiting for little creative hands.

We immediately got comfy and began our projects; Jack chose to make a place mat, and Zoe went to town on a collage.

They both had so much fun placing the beans, buttons, cut out animals and funky shaped origami cut-outs on their projects, and the looks on their faces when they were completed? Priceless. The staff was so warm and helpful, and really made the kids feel like the mini artists that they are.

After craft time, we sat down and ordered lunch. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen a menu that is so healthy, child and adult friendly at the same time. Moomah is not only a place where children and adults come to explore their inner artists, it is also a cafe stocked with “locally sourced organic foods”, smoothies and a variety of beverages to choose from. I was even able to order my latest obsession: Greek yogurt with honey and granola.

I don’t get a ton of time to chat with my mom, so we took the opportunity during lunch as we all ate. Of course, the kids eat at lightning speed and then are quickly distracted, so we began to pack up mid-meal when one of the Moomah employees came over and invited the children to see the “Funky Forest”. Seriously, this place keeps getting better.

We were able to sit and chat a bit while Jack and Zoe went into the forest and explored the state-of-the-art wild and living ecosystem created by artists Theodore Watson and Emily Gobeille. The forest is made up of “sonic life forms and creatures who appear and disappear depending on the health of the forest”. Truly fascinating. We all ended up in the Funky Forest for a good half hour, moving the “water” on the ground and growing trees with our bodies. I’ve never seen anything like it.

While for us traveling to Moomah isn’t the easiest, it’s definitely a trek we will be making often. The environment is welcoming and imaginative, and even a simple stop for just lunch and crayons. It truly embraces and appreciates the organic imaginations that children possess while allowing them to explore.

You could say it’s a family favorite; The kids even came up with a song for Moomah, inspired by Madagascar: “We like to Moomah Moomah”.

I was not compensated or commissioned for our experience at Moomah whatsoever. All opinions are my own.