Our website is currently undergoing a few renovations, so some features may not be accessible just yet.While we put the finishing touches on our new home, we wanted to share a little look at our journey. Nook & Cranny will be reopening soon, and we cannot wait to welcome you back!
What to Expect
Our open play sessions are up to 2 hours long. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, a parent or caregiver must remain with their child for the duration of the visit. Open Play is designed for children ages 0–9 but welcomes children of all ages.
Open-ended play. Multi-room space. Endless possibilities.
Room 1: Beginning Discovery
A gated baby area, toddler slide, light table, and hands-on activities provide a welcoming space for children to explore at their own pace. Ideal for ages 0-6.
Room 2: The Making Studio
Art materials, building opportunities, and creative projects invite children to experiment, invent, and express themselves. Ideal for ages 1-9 (with supervision).
Room 3: Big Imaginations
Sensory play, a loft kitchen, dress-up, and large building blocks create endless opportunities for movement, storytelling, and play. Ideal for all ages.
Unlimited Open Play, All Month Long
The More You Play, The More You Save
Our memberships are designed for families who love to visit often. Use the chart below to see when a membership starts paying for itself—and how much you could save each month.
Not quite ready for a monthly membership?
Choose a 5-Visit Pack and save 10%
Purchase a 5-Visit Pack and receive 10% off regular admission. Your visits can be used at your own pace and are valid for 3 months from the date of purchase, making it easy to fit playtime into your family's schedule.
Choose a 10-Visit Pack and save 15%
With our 10-Visit Pack, save 15% off regular admission and use your visits however you'd like—they can be shared between multiple children and are valid for 3 months from the date of purchase. More flexibility, bigger savings, and plenty of play!
Perfect for families who visit regularly but don't need unlimited play.**Play Packs expire 3 months from the date of purchase.
Check out our different workshops, hosted by our community, for adults, children, and families
Do you have a skill you would like to share with your community?
Share your passion.
At Nook & Cranny, we believe our community is full of talented people with knowledge worth sharing. Whether you're an artist, maker, educator, musician, gardener, crafter, or simply passionate about a skill you'd love to teach, we'd love to hear from you.We're always looking for engaging workshops and classes for children, families, and adults that encourage creativity, curiosity, connection, and hands-on learning.Whether you already have an established following or you're looking for support bringing your idea to life, we offer a collaborative partnership model designed to help everyone succeed.
Workshop Information:
Workshops are generally held in our Art Studio
Available workshop times include:
Monday-Tuesday: 5:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Wednesday–Friday: 1:00 PM– 7:30 PM
& Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM–9:00 AMWorkshop availability is subject to our event calendar and space availability.
Our art studio is 18' x 11.5' and can accommodate up to 17 adults or up to 18-20 children.
Photo of our Art Studio with 17 stools
Photo of our Art Studio with 15 stools
Our Workshop Partnership
We partner with instructors through a simple revenue-sharing model.
$30 non-refundable workshop fee to reserve your date and time
50/50 revenue split between the instructor and Nook & Cranny
What We Provide
When you partner with Nook & Cranny:
We provide:
A welcoming, family-friendly space
Online registration and payment processing
Promotion through our website, social media and other community channels
Communication with registered participants
A supportive community that values creative learning
As the workshop instructor, you'll:
Plan, prepare, and lead a workshop or class that encourages creativity, learning, and connection
Provide any necessary materials or supply list (unless otherwise arranged)
Help promote your workshop through your own network
If you have an idea you'd love to share with our community, we'd be excited to hear from you! Complete our Workshop Proposal Form below, and we'll be in touch.
Workshop Proposal Form
See what’s happening at Nook and Cranny next!From special play days to seasonal events and community gatherings, there’s always something new to discover.Don’t see an upcoming event just yet? Check out our workshops for hands-on experiences you can join throughout the year.
Celebrate, Play and Make Memories
Choose Your Celebration
Weekend Birthday Party
$350- 2.5 hoursAvailable Saturdays & Sundays beginning at 1:00 PMPerfect for larger gatherings and weekend celebrations.Includes:2-hour private party
Private use of the entire play space
Up to 15 children included. (Additional children are $10 each, with a maximum of 20 children.)
30 minutes of setup time before your party
Bring your own decorations, food, and cake
Weekday Mini Party
$275 - 90 minutes (+20 minute set-up)Available Wednesday–FridayA shorter celebration that's perfect for younger children, preschool friends, or families looking for a weekday option.Includes:90-minute private party
Private use of the entire play space
Up to 15 children included.
20 minutes of setup time before your party
Bring your own decorations, food, and cake
Community Closet
Take what you need. Give what you can.Our Community Closet is one small way we can support the families around us. We believe that when we share resources, lend a helping hand, and look out for one another, our whole community becomes stronger.Our community closet is located in the entrance of Nooks. Available during regular business hours.
Collaborations and Connections
Collaborations and community connections began before our brick-and-mortar doors opened—and they’ll continue for many years to come. We’ve had the joy of starting our collaborations with families, educators, artists, and local organizations.This page is a living record of shared moments, learning, and community care we’re grateful to be part of. If you would like to collaborate with us, please reach out via email at [email protected]
Connections in the Park
Hamden CT
March 2025
Sacred Heart Academy ,
Hamden CT
April 2025
Free Community Book Swap
Hamden CT
August 2025
Cheshire Fall Festival
Cheshire, CT
Sept 2025
Sunday Newhallville Electric Vehicle and E-Bike Ride & Drive,
New Haven CT
Sept 2025
Brooksvale Fall Festival
Hamden, CT
Sept 2025
Community Play Atelier
Cheshire, CT
Sept 2025
Hamden Pride Set-up
Hamden, CT
Oct 2025
Local Singer Hannah Clare as Elsa
Hamden, CT
Nov 2025
Local Dancer Collab with Grace & Grow
Hamden, CT
Nov 2025
Kid Vendors Market
Hamden, CT
Nov 2025
Mobile Art Therapy ArtReach by Artlighten
Hamden, CT
Dec 2025
Matt Matthews Magic -Raising Money for the Local Food Bank
Hamden, CT
Dec 2025
Sacred Heart Academy Easter Connections
Hamden, CT
March 2026
Science Outreach for young learners
Hamden, CT
July 2026
Who We Are
Nook & Cranny is a child-centered play space created for little ones to explore, imagine, create, and simply be.We believe children are naturally curious and capable, and that they deserve spaces where they can follow their interests, make choices, get messy, try something new, and discover the world at their own pace.Our spaces are intentionally designed around open-ended play, imagination, creativity, movement, and connection. Rather than telling children exactly how something should be used, we give them the freedom to decide what play can become.
Meet The Owners
Nook & Cranny was created by two early childhood educators and lifelong Hamden residents who wanted to build the kind of space we wished existed for local families.Antoinette & CourtneyWhat began as a shared idea grew into Nook & Cranny—a place where children can play freely and families can feel welcomed, connected, and at home.With backgrounds in education and a shared love for working with children, we bring our experiences, creativity, and a whole lot of heart into everything we create.We believe childhood doesn't need to be rushed. Children need time to wonder, experiment, make mistakes, use their imaginations, and just be.Nook & Cranny is our way of creating more room for that.
Why Community Matters
Nook & Cranny was built with community in mind.We believe children thrive when they have opportunities to connect—not only with their caregivers and peers, but with the larger community around them. We also believe that the sense of wonder, curiosity, and playfulness children carry so naturally lives within all of us. It deserves to be nurtured, celebrated, and given space to grow.That’s why we’re proud to collaborate with local educators, artists, organizations, businesses, and families both inside our space and beyond our doors. We hope to create a place where children can explore freely, grown-ups can reconnect with their own sense of play, and everyone feels a little more connected to the people around them.Because community is about more than raising children together. It’s about creating a place where all of us can belong, connect, and keep a little bit of our childhood wonder alive.We’re growing alongside our community, one little connection at a time.
Summer Hours of Operation:We are currently open to both walk-in and appointment, Please feel free to schedule your session in advance through our online booking system or walk-in to play. Availability may be limited. Here’s a general guide to our open play availability:Monday & Tuesday: Closed for the SummerWednesday: 9:30 am - 11:30 am - Tiny Ones Social (0-24 months)
12 pm - 5 pm Open PlayThursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Open PlayFriday: Open play from 9:30 AM - 5:00 PMSaturday : 9:30 am - 1:00 pm, (with options of extended hours until 4:30 pm certain weeks)Sunday: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm, (with options of extended hours until 3:00 pm on certain weeks)Weekend afternoon hours may vary based on birthdays and events.🕒 Online booking is currently encouraged but not required for all visits.
We update availability weekly — be sure to check the schedule before arriving!
Address: 10 Broadway, Hamden, CT 06518
(Entrance on the Right Side of the Building)Phone: (203)-233-3250Email: [email protected]