Long Island City parents have a new place to spend a rainy morning. Mimloo, a play cafe built for children from birth to age six, is open at 21-46 44th Drive, across the street from the Court Square subway complex, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The idea is one room for two generations: an open play space for small children, and a cafe where the adults can sit with a coffee and still see the kids. Mimloo says its seating was set up with a view of the play floor for exactly that reason.

What is inside

The cafe pours Partners Coffee and runs a kitchen with what Mimloo describes as a healthy menu. Every dish on it also comes in a kid-sized version, so a parent and a toddler can order the same lunch at two sizes.

Beyond open play, Mimloo runs daily classes in four areas: music, sensory play, sports and story time. The classes are taught by teachers from the neighborhood, according to the cafe.

Mimloo was started by parents, and the cafe says the founders built it out of their own experience of looking for somewhere to go with young children. They also work there day to day, on the play floor, behind the counter and at the door.

Memberships and drop-ins

The cafe offers a family membership that covers up to six people, which can include children, parents, grandparents and caregivers. Members get one class a day included. Mimloo does not post membership prices on its site, so families who want the numbers should ask at the counter or through the website.

A membership is not required. Drop-ins are welcome, which makes it an easy stop for a family passing through the neighborhood, or for a grandparent with a toddler for the afternoon.

Getting there

Court Square is served by four lines, the 7, E, M and G trains, and Mimloo sits directly across the street from it. That puts it within one stop of Hunters Point and Queensboro Plaza, and a single train ride from Midtown, Greenpoint, Jackson Heights and Forest Hills.

If you go

  • Where: Mimloo, 21-46 44th Drive, Long Island City
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily
  • Ages: birth to 6
  • Classes: music, sensory play, sports and story time, daily
  • Coffee: Partners Coffee, plus a kitchen menu with kid-sized versions of every dish
  • Train: 7, E, M or G to Court Square

Sources