Brooklyn Game Lab

My son had been cooped up, in front of his computer trying to virtually learn without having any physical activity during the day. I discovered Game Lab and the various flexible programming they provide for children. The mid-day recess sessions and the after school sessions have become an absolute game changer for my very active son. After just 2 weeks of attending Game Lab's programs, my son is almost back to his old smiling self. He looks forward to running around in the park with his kids playing organized games by attentive safety monitors. I am looking into additional programming for my tween (11 yo) with Game Lab this summer. Thank you for this very thoughtful program from a parent who was desperate to find uncomplicated yet very well thought out program for kids to RUN AROUND!

So glad to have this place downtown now! Brooklyn Game Lab is the solution I was looking for, for creative, outside-of-the-box, problem solving and enrichment. I love this place for my girls, 5 and 7 years old. The game lab offers after school classes, but in June I was interested to try their all-day summer camp. (Bonus that they offer early drop off and late pick up, for working parents.)
When I came to pick up my daughters, they didn't want to leave. They felt triumphant that they had played and explored new games that stretched their problem-solving skills, teamwork, and social negotiating skills with other children, with whom they worked on creating their games.
Staff are professional, caring, very careful with finding out kids' needs, and patient. My girls look forward to going back.

Seemingly good idea.
Implementation, however, is a whole other thing.
For one, the instructors are all college age (or looking) males. They kind keep to themselves, and not interacting with children very much (even the ones sitting at tables 'playing' with the kids.)
I brought my daughter, who just turned 7. She clearly felt uncomfortable initially by the overwhelming majority of boys in the club as well as male instructors. She didn't feel welcomed or like she "fits in" - her comment. I stayed with her, playing hoping the instructors would pick up the conversation with her and engage her in some way as to help her feel like she belongs. Fail. The instructors are not trained to help children transition into this group. One counselor asked my daughter if she wanted to play a game of unicorns! Seriously? He didn't ask her what she likes, he just kind of assumed she would like unicorns because what... she is a girl. At least, he didn't offer her a Barbie game. Ultimately, she didn't want to stay and I completely understand why. So, advice to management, diversity in your team might make the place more welcoming to children who are not boys. Training your staff to speak with children and to help them navigate difficult emotions are kind of essential since ... well, you're dealing with children. Disappointing. Not to mention a waste of money.

My son absolutely loves it here. We son tried a trial session and he asked to go every single day because he enjoyed it so much. The staff are all very kind and it's a great place that encourages creativity.