Cucu's Playhouse: Adapting and Giving Back to the Community

Marin Mommies presents a sponsored article from Cucu's Playhouse in San Rafael, now offering live streaming music and movement classes in Spanish.

Cucu’s PlayHouse is a children's activity space in San Rafael that offers music and movement classes in Spanish for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. They also sell educational, sustainably made toys that your child can play with during their Open Play times.

Like most small businesses in Marin, Cucu’s PlayHouse had to temporarily close its doors due to the public health situation just a short year after they first opened. Thankfully, they have adapted to this new reality and have found ways to continue serving their members and our local community as a whole:

1. Live Streaming Music and Movement classes in Spanish

The same day that Cucu’s PlayHouse closed for in-person activities, the mother and daughter duo that own it started thinking about how to keep sharing their music and culture with the local children. They were also concerned about being able to support their young project during these challenging times for small businesses.

A few moms suggested them to live-stream their classes, and they got to work right away!

On March 17, they hosted their first live streaming class, and have been offering daily classes Mondays through Saturdays since then.

The classes are fun, interactive, and a true Spanish immersion experience. Nilda uses puppets, musical instruments, and props to teach children basic vocabulary through action and interaction, rather than through translation.

2. Free spots in their classes for first responders' children

Being able to give back to those who are putting their lives on the line to keep us all safe has also been a driving force behind their streaming classes.

10 free spots per class are saved for the children of first responders; that’s 120 spots per week. In the past month, they have welcomed families from all over the country. Children of nurses, doctors, police officers, and social workers have been singing, dancing and learning Spanish every week with Nilda and her puppets: Cucu, Bartolito, and Lalo.

Bringing some normalcy and happiness into these children’s lives has been one of the highlights of these weeks.

3. Discounted Toys

Cucu’s PlayHouse is also offering a 15% discount on toy purchases, which is normally available to their members only. The discount is available to all Marin families while the stay at home order is in place with coupon code TOGETHER.

They carry a hand-picked selection of toy brands, including Haba, Plan Toys, Eco Kids, and Sarah’s Silks, chosen because of their sustainable practices, materials and design quality.

4. Free Next Day Delivery on Toy purchases in Marin

If you live in Marin, you can get free Next Day delivery on toy purchases over $39. For orders under $39, there is a delivery fee of $9.

Here is how to have a taste of Cucu's PlayHouse Streaming Membership

Until now, the easiest and more affordable way to join Cucu’s Live streaming classes has been to become a Member. You register once, and have access to three or six classes per week, depending on the Membership you choose.

However, Cucu’s PlayHouse is now offering an opportunity to have a taste of their Streaming Membership without the commitment: you can register for two weeks of classes for just $29. You will have access to three classes per week: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, or Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You will also have a choice between morning or afternoon classes.

If you can, go support this small business and don’t forget to tell your friends!