Colorful text reading 'little lab' with clouds, star, and type indicating it's for ages 2-8.

Play is how children make sense of the world.

The Little Lab is a space for children ages 2–6 to gather with our trained Story Guides for three hours of story-based play — where good books, big questions, and hands-on creativity help them explore their imagination, their community, and the world around them.

We don't separate learning time from play time. For young children, play is learning — and we take that seriously.

A young girl with brown hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing a blue jacket, is standing in a forest holding a map and looking at it. The background shows a woodland scene with fallen leaves, trees, and sunlight filtering through the branches.

What is story based play?

We use children's books to give kids images and language for the big questions they're already asking. What does it mean to belong? What do we do when things are hard? What helps things grow?

These aren't academic questions — they're human ones. Play is how children work through them. We just give them good stories to play inside of.

“We believe children are born with a capacity for wonder, an instinct for goodness, and an eye for beauty. Our job isn’t to create those things. Our job is to notice them and protect them.”

A person playing with colorful colored pens and a wooden game with holes and colored pegs on a textured white surface.

Storytime @ the Little Lab

When you arrive, a whiteboard near the entrance shows you a snapshot of the day — the story, the craft, the snack, and a moment the guides wanted to share. You'll always know what your child's morning looked like. Here’s a sample of what you might see:

  • This week’s wondering - “What helps things grow?”

  • Today’s stories - The Curious Garden & After the Fall

  • Today’s craft - Mini terrariums

  • Snack of the day

  • A highlight from the day

A young boy with light brown hair wearing an orange T-shirt is standing at a white table, looking at a wooden box filled with sand and shells. He appears surprised or curious. The room has a neutral-colored wall with artwork and a white shelf with baskets behind him, and a small decorative lion figurine is on the table.
A woman reading a book to a group of children in a cozy, well-lit room with shelves, cushions, and artwork on the walls.
A young girl with pigtails sitting on a bed, reading a colorful magazine.

Helping Hands

For children ages 0–2 · Monday & Wednesday mornings

Sometimes you just need someone to hold the baby. Helping Hands is a calm, caring space where one of our staff members looks after your little one while you work.

Available to members only. Limited to two children per session.

Learn More about Membership Here