café au Play Programs
The Café offers a variety of programs. Open play is always free. Most classes and events cost $10 to attend. You can purchase a Café Class Punch Card to use towards classes. If you need a scholarship to attend classes, please reach out to the Director at durangocafeauplay@gmail.com.
Montessori Classes
Designed for children ages 1–4 and their caregivers, our monthly Montessori-inspired Play Class gives little learners opportunities to explore, create, move, and discover through hands-on play.
Each one-hour class features a new theme and a mix of stories, music and movement, sensory exploration, practical-life activities, art, and open-ended play. Activities are designed to encourage curiosity, independence, creativity, and confidence while allowing children to participate at their own pace.
No Montessori experience is needed—just come ready to explore together!
Baby Group
Baby Group with Abbie is a welcoming community space for new moms and caregivers to connect, ask questions, share experiences, and find support during the early months of parenthood. Hosted by Abbie Downing, lactation consultant, doula, and Café au Play board member, the group offers a relaxed, judgment-free environment where you can talk about feeding, postpartum life, sleep, development, or simply what it’s like to care for a new baby.
There’s no pressure or formal agenda—come as you are, feed or change your baby whenever you need to, and spend time with other parents who are in a similar season of life. Babies are always welcome, and our space includes comfortable areas for nursing, feeding, and relaxing.
Mini-Movers Group
Mini Movers is a playful, welcoming space for little ones who are on the move! Designed for babies and young toddlers who are crawling, cruising, walking, and exploring, this group gives children a safe place to practice their growing movement skills while caregivers connect with other families.
Come enjoy open-ended play, movement, and social time in a relaxed environment. Little ones can explore at their own pace, build confidence, and interact with other children while parents and caregivers have a chance to meet, chat, and build community.
No structured class or registration needed—just come ready to move, play, and connect!
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music WITH mANDY
Come sing, dance, wiggle, and make some music at Music with Mandy! This playful music class invites little ones and their caregivers to explore rhythm, movement, and sound together in a fun, welcoming environment.
Through songs, instruments, dancing, and interactive musical play, children have opportunities to build language, coordination, confidence, and connection—all while having a great time. No musical experience needed, and participation can look different for every child. Come ready to move, make some noise, and enjoy music together!
open pLAY
Come play, connect, and stay awhile! Open Play at Café au Play is always free and gives young children a welcoming space to explore while parents and caregivers connect with one another.
Our play space is designed with little ones in mind, with toys, books, imaginative play, and plenty of room to discover at their own pace. There’s no structured schedule and no need to arrive right at the beginning—drop in anytime during Open Play hours and stay for as little or as long as works for your family.
Open Play is about more than keeping kids busy. It’s a place to meet other local families, get out of the house, and find community during the early years of parenting. No registration or payment required.
oUTDOOR pLAY
Take the play outside! Café au Play's outdoor play space gives little ones room to move, explore, and enjoy fresh air in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.
Children can enjoy active and imaginative outdoor play while caregivers spend time together and connect with other families. Our outdoor space is available during Café au Play programming and Open Play when weather and conditions allow.
Bring sunscreen, layers, and whatever your little one needs for an outdoor adventure, and come ready to play!
aRT cLASSES
Get a little messy and let your child create! Café au Play's Art Classes are designed to give young children opportunities to experiment with color, texture, and different art materials through fun, process-based projects.
Each class features a new theme or creative experience using materials like washable paint, collage, stamping, and sensory art. We focus on the experience of creating rather than a perfect finished product, giving children the freedom to explore and make something that's truly their own.
Projects and recommended ages vary, so check our calendar for upcoming classes and details.
cOOKING clASSES
Something delicious is coming to Café au Play! Our new hands-on cooking classes, led by a registered dietitian, will introduce young children to food in a fun, positive, and age-appropriate way.
Little chefs will have opportunities to touch, smell, mix, scoop, taste, and help prepare simple recipes while building confidence and curiosity around food. Classes will combine practical kitchen skills with playful food exploration, giving children and their caregivers a chance to cook and learn together.
Community events
Café au Play supports local organizations by hosting a tent with toddler focused activities like at Durango Farmer's Market and Stillwater Music's Party in the Park.
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We welcome community members to host events at our space to share about their business or an important topic to our families. For example, Durango Kids hosted an educational event about the importance of teeth brushing and Pathfinder Chiropractic hosted an informative talk about how to improve sleep in your little ones.
If you are a business who would like to collaborate, please give us a call!
Holiday Parties
Holiday parties are always so much fun! The team at Café au Play always enjoys dressing up and celebrating.
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Be on the lookout for these holiday parties:
Valentine's Day
Mother's Day
Father's Day
Halloween
Christmas
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We appreciate any volunteers to help
set up/clean up and donate food or paper products for parties.