café au Play Programs
Below are descriptions of our programs that we offer to our families. Almost all of our events and classes are donation based. Our goal is to make all programs free to families, and with your donation to Café au Play we can make this possible.
Baby Group
Hosted by Abbie Downing, who is a certified lactation consultant and birth doula offering the group once a week. These free groups allow connection and support with postpartum caregivers.
In addition, Abbie hosts informal talks with families about postpartum life, feeding, and sleeping tips.
Occurs weekly on Thursdays from
10am-1pm (no charge)
Music with mandy
Hosted by Mandy Gardner, Deacon at Christ the King Church, who offers classes focused on introducing
music to babies and toddlers. These classes offer time
for young kiddos to sing, dance, and play musical instruments. It is the only free music class for toddlers
in Durango.
Offered 1-2x a month on Mondays & Wednesdays at 11:30am (no charge)
Toddler Speech/
Language sessions
Hosted by Kerry Tichi, who is a retired pediatric speech/language pathologist. She teaches techniques for parents to integrate speech practices at home. She also brings educational materials for parents to read and provides a calm and comforting environment for children to learn and practice their language skills.
Offered 2-3x times a month on Wednesdays 10am-12pm (no charge).
Story time for babies & Toddlers
Hosted by Dani Zafar who is the director of Café au Play and was previously an elementary teacher. It focuses on early childhood education and teaches the parents the importance of reading to their baby. Story Time includes reading, singing, practicing the alphabet and more. We hosted pop up sessions at Folsom Park two times in the summer which had over 15 families each.
Offered 2-3 times a month on Mondays at 10:30am
Montessori at home classes
Hosted by Tristan Kladzyk, who is a 15-year veteran Montessori teacher, certified for babies and toddlers. It's a hands-on parent and child class which is not offered anywhere else in La Plata County for ages 0-4. The class includes exploration of toys, songs and games, making a snack using tools, and discussing Montessori techniques.
Offered 2 time a month and costs $10 to attend. Sign up required.
Winter Series Sign Up: https://forms.gle/VBQZAvgEmNHEoAEN9
pop up events
We have also hold fun pop-up events on our campus and around Durango to include families into Café au Play. These events included: Baby and Me Yoga, Nature Walks with Ashley from Heartfelt Earth Walks (off campus), Toddler Olympics Event, Days at Lake Nighthorse (off campus), Playtime at the Park (off campus), Bubble Parties, and Café au Play’s annual Halloween Party.
Saturday play dates at the café
Starting in February, we will have the first or second Saturday of the month open for drop-in play at our play space! Indoor and outdoor will be available for two hours. This is based on an overwhelming number of you who voted in our New Year's survey. We appreciate your feedback! If you would like to host one of these Saturday play dates, please let Dani know, this helps keep our cost low!
We hope to see you on our monthly Saturday play-date from 10am-12pm. Check the monthly calendar for specific date.
Café Mom's Circle
Come hang out with the ladies for one evening a month! This event is free but some drinks or food may cost. This will be a sober event and will include an activity like a craft. Also please try and leave your kiddo with another loved one so you can have some time to get your mental/social cup refilled!
Each month we will have a theme and some sort of activity to go along with it. For February and March it will be hosted at EsoTerra Ciderworks in Durango.
Holiday parties
Holiday parties are always so much fun! The team at Café au Play always enjoy dressing up and celebrating. Be on the lookout around these holidays for parties.
Valentine's Day
Mother's Day
Father's Day
Halloween
Christmas
We appreciate any volunteers to help
set up/clean up and donate food or paper products for parties.