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Face it: No matter how much we love our children, we do need time away from them. The baby-sitter isn’t always available, though, and relatives aren’t at our beck and call (assuming they even live within a 50-mile radius). When you want a moment to yourself, where can you go for a little help? There are, of course, those all-inclusive parent clubs that let you check your child into a yoga class, while you get a pedicure or sip a latte in peace. But such clubs usually come with hefty membership fees—something we’re not really into. So Time Out Kids hit the streets to find places that will accommodate your wee ones for a relatively low cost (or a little sweat labor).
GYM #1:EQUINOX FITNESS CLUB
If you’re not a member, that’s not a problem. Equinox extends its in-house child-care services to nonmembers who book a spa appointment. You’ll not only have access to baby-sitters, but will also be able to use the gym or join a class. Just $9 per child buys you two hours of free time to be massaged, steamed or twisted into some implausible yoga position. Children, meanwhile, will be well entertained. The Kids’ Club in the Tribeca location (54 Murray St at West Broadway, 212-566-6555) is kitted out with everything from infant swings and bouncy chairs to computers and a shorty-size basketball hoop. The sitters—there’s one for every six kids—have all been background-checked and CPR certified, and do actually play with the kids. It’s a popular spot, though, especially in the mornings, so get there before they hit their limit, or try later in the day, after 3pm. Children must be at least three months old to enter, and any children under eight months must remain in a car seat or stroller. Check equinoxfitness.com for other club locations.
GYM #2:NEW YORK SPORTS CLUB
New York Sports Club offers a deal similar to the one at Equinox: Nonmembers can either book a massage or purchase a $25 day pass to have full access to the gym, including the baby-sitting services. Here again, the staff has all been background-checked and CPR certified, but the facilities leave a bit to be desired. At the Reade Street location (151 Reade St between Greenwich St and West Broadway, 212-571-1000), the kids’ area is one tiny room with a floor mat, a brightly painted wall, a table with chairs, some books, a television and a toy bin—which was completely empty when we visited. Apparently the club was in the process of replacing the old toys with new ones, but in the meantime there were only a few playthings thrown in a corner (we counted four). Another downside: Each New York Sports Club sets its own child-care hours, but this particular location offers the service only Saturday through Wednesday mornings. Still, you can’t beat the price: It’s $2.50 for 30 minutes of baby-sitting, with a two-hour maximum. Now that’s something to talk about. Go to nysc.com for more information.
THE STORE:IKEA
If you need a shopping session more than a workout, there’s always Ikea. The Swedish furniture giant probably has the best in-store playroom around, and it’s one of the most child-friendly retail chains we’ve come across. To get an idea of how much little ones love this place, you need only walk past the entrance to the free Ball Room at Ikea Elizabeth (1000 Ikea Dr, Elizabeth, NJ, 201-843-1881), where you’ll see children literally running through the gates once they’ve been registered and name-tagged. Because of fire code restrictions, the play area only allows entry to kids 37" to 48" tall, which Ikea estimates includes most children ages three to ten. Children also need to be potty-trained (no diapers or pull-ups allowed). If they meet those requirements, they’re free to run around in a giant, window-enclosed playroom featuring a slide that lands them in a sea of plastic balls. There is also an area with a make-believe kitchen, dining room, classroom and even a pretend movie theater. If none of that strikes your kid’s fancy, there are a few toys scattered around, too. The store limits the child/adult ratio to 10:1 and sets a 30-minute time limit during peak hours, meaning you can’t spend too long dawdling in the rug department. When your time’s up, though, the restaurant with Swedish meatballs and cookies is only steps away. For other locations, go to ikea.com.
THE GROCERY:PARK SLOPE FOOD CO-OP
Okay, this one takes a little more work—but you’ll get more baby-watching time out of it, too. The Park Slope Co-op (chances are you already love it or hate it) will watch your kids for free if you are a co-op member. To become one, sign up for orientation, and pay a $25 joiner’s fee and a refundable $100 member investment. Then—here’s the tough part—commit to working a two-hour-and-45-minute work slot every four weeks. In exchange for that labor, you get a great selection of veggies (and wholesale-priced veggie chips) plus free care whenever you work or shop (the co-op has a generous four-hour time limit). Since the supervising adults are other co-op members trained in child care, you won’t have to feel like you’re leaving your kids with complete strangers. And because of members’ work schedules, many kids come at regular times, meaning the children often form friendships. What else is in it for them? A room full of secondhand toys, mostly in good condition; a bookshelf stocked with well-loved kid lit; and free bagels. 782 Union St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-622-0560, foodcoop.com).
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