After many months of researching various summer camps for my daughter, I was lucky enough to come across Hugs & Bugs. From the moment she stepped into her first day of camp, she could not stop smiling! Hearing about her day and all that she did made me want to be a child again! The themes each week are carried out with such thorough planning and never cease to amaze me! Teachers are kind, nurturing and always coming up with new ideas as well as open to student ideas. I am adding my younger son to attend at the end of the summer. This summer camp is absolutely the best!!!! read more

Our daughter had an amazing time here over Spring Break, we absolutely loved it! The kids got to go outside everyday (even when it was rainy), and had so many nature related crafts (clay pinch pot decorated with flowers, painted pinecones, etc.) read more

We love Hugs & Bugs! My son started at Hugs & Bugs in the 2's & 3's afternoon program around his 2nd birthday. As it was his first drop off program I was anxious about how he would respond - there were of course tears at first but the teachers there made it so easy and they handled it with such confidence that he quickly made the transition. Over the year, he developed so much - learning how to play with others, communicating, participating & sitting for group activities to name just a few. He had such a successful year we didn't hesitate to sign up for their summer camp as well! I highly recommend Hugs & Bugs for anyone who is looking for a caring and playful environment for their little ones to grow and learn! read more

Our son completed Summer Camp with Hugs and Bugs and I can not recommend it enough. Olivia,the owner, has built a truly magical program. Every day was met with a new adventure for the Kids. Communication with parents was excellent and the teachers were attentive, and provided a safe and fun filled summer. read more

if i could give them all the stars i would! my kids have been coming to camp here for the last 3 summers and my son completed school here last year. the creativity, thought and dedication these teachers put into each and every lesson/activity beats any place in town. my son loved going to school each day and actually cried on days he had off. im forever grateful to have found hugs and the memories/ experiences olivia has given my kids. read more

Hugs & Bugs Club is a gift to Hoboken. Our 3 year old daughter has just completed the Thursday/Friday afternoon program and is now getting ready to start their Summer Camp program. Our daughter has had such a fun time with the play-based activities and creative projects, and is always excited to share what she has done each day. The Hugs & Bugs Club app allows us to see pictures from each class which makes it fun for us to follow along too. As first time parents, it was a big adjustment for us too. All of the teachers at Hugs & Bugs Club are amazing, who I have grown to admire and trust implicitly. Thank you to the entire Hugs & Bugs Club team for making it such a positive experience for all. read more

My son started taking classes with Ms. Olivia and her team when he was a little under 2 and is still going now at 3 - he absolutely loves it. The classes are so thoughtful and fun. He has learned so much, got more comfortable getting a little dirty, and has a blast. Can't say enough good things about Hugs & Bugs. So lucky to have found such a wonderful class. read more

A complete gem! We have just completed our third full year of the Hugs and Bugs School, and we are full of such gratitude for our time there and such sadness that it is coming to an end. My son has come so far during his years with Olivia and her staff, and they truly practice what they preach. It is creative, nature-oriented, child-led, and chock full of play and imagination. We also hosted our son's birthday party there this year...I feel like that is the best recommendation I can give...my son goes to preschool there and he and his classmates were still so stoked to go to school on a Saturday! Olivia created a super imaginative, interactive, robot-themed birthday extravaganza and my son had a blast. Thank you H&B team for being so amazing...you mean so much to us! read more

Hugs and Bugs Club is as good as it gets. My 4-year old son has been to every camp / program in Hoboken and this is his favorite and his parents. The reasons are quite simple: (I) Ms. Olivia - the owner/operator - pours her life into the program; creates thoughtful / engaging curriculum; and provides a great space for the kids; (ii) My son always learns new things and creates interesting art tied to these - for instance, they had a superhero day and visited the fire station and police station and met w/ the firemen and police officers. The art / books for the week corresponded to this; (iii) the classes are small and personal. My son asked that he have his fourth birthday party at Hugs and Bugs. Of course we obliged and it was fantastic. The kids played in the play space; were read books; and completed a truck-oriented art project (my son loves trucks!). The party was a huge success and Ms. Olivia even coordinated each kid receiving a differentiated kids book and hugs and bugs t-shirt as a gift. The books were amazing and none of the kids had them so both kids and parents were pleased! I couldn't recommend Hugs and Bugs Club enough! read more

We love the Hugs & Bugs classes. My child has been participating for a year and a half and really enjoys the chance to explore, socialize and get messy with other kids in a small group environment. Olivia and her team are truly lovey people who care about the development of the children they work with. I'm very grateful that this program exists! read more

Excellent classes that are a great change off pace and open little minds and curiosities.

I started taking my 18MO daughter to the weekend class and we absolutely love it! As a working mother, it's hard to find weekend classes so it has been such a gift to do this with her on Saturday morning. Olivia and her teachers are the warmest people and we have so much fun with them! The sensory activities are so engaging and creative, but also very easy to do your own version at home, which Olivia explains at the end of every class. We sing the welcome song all the time and my daughter's face just lights up when we start. We can't wait for the next session! read more

Normally my nanny takes my son to class and comes home to rave about it and how much my 20 month loves going. I got the opportunity to take him yesterday and was very impressed! Ms. Olivia was so gentle and kind and interesting. She danced with the kids, read a book, played music and did some amazing sensory activities that gave me ideas to try at home. She even handed out snacks, every toddler's favorite! it was a very well run, a well rounded class and all the kids seemed to love it. I would highly recommend it!!! read more

My daughter loves hugs and bugs and she doesn't ever want to leave class when it's time to go home! She loves all of her teachers and talks about "her school" all the time. I wasn't looking for a preschool yet for my daughter but i was following hugs and bugs on Instagram for the activities that they did in class. I loved the way the classes were designed to learn through play and nature. When an opening came up i immediately sent in an application for my 2.5 year old daughter. She has been in a two day program for the 20/21 school year, and she has learned so much and made friends with other amazing kids in her class. read more

I love the weekly mommy & me class we're taking with Hugs & Bugs!! Every week is a new sensory experience, and it's so fun to watch my daughter explore and learn outside. The teachers are wonderful, and everyone in the class is engaged and enjoying themselves (parents included!). Thanks Hugs & Bugs! read more

This is such a unique class and so different every time. My son was around 16 months when we started the Daring Dashers "mommy and me" style class and he (and me) was hooked! I refer to this as our messy Saturday that mom doesn't have to clean. Olivia (owner) is so genuine and takes such pride in her business and it really shows through with each and every class. I'd highly recommend this to each and every parent. The classes are small and capped at a small size so that you nor the children feel crowded. It's very interactive but you can also sit off to the side a bit to let your child play independently. You will not regret the time you spend at Hugs and Bugs! read more

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The classes were really great for my little one. Every class has a different theme. The way Olivia made each class innovative and fun really keeps the children's attention and they have a wonderful time. As parents, we learned a lot from Olivia on how to use every day items to make our home a little more fun! The sign language incorporated into the songs was a great bonus! This truly a fantastic way that my child (who is not in daycare) could interact with other children through play and learning. Classes are just the right size and my family and I always felt welcomed! We love Hugs and Bugs! read more

Hugs & Bugs Club - Preschools Near Me

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My daughter loves going to Hugs & Bugs. She looks forward to going to school each morning - skipping and singing on the way. I am blown away by how much she loves learning and how inquisitive she has become. The projects they work on are all so creative and fun. She has formed such great friendships with her classmates and teachers. Hugs & Bugs is truly a gem of a school!!! read more

We are so happy we found this little gem. Olivia is just fantastic and so hands on it is great. Classes are small so she can get to know each student. She is so creative which makes the classes interesting and fun for our 2 year old daughter. Every class is so different and I love that she introduces a book at the beginning and incorporates into every class. Highly recommend! read more

Highly recommend! It's my favorite class my son goes to and it's always been his favorite class. Super interactive and creative. Each class is a great success. read more

My son did 4 weeks of camp at hugs and bugs this past summer and he had the best time. Olivia runs an amazing program and can't wait for next summer. He already tells me how much he loved that camp and can he go back. read more

absolutely one of the most amazing and creative classes! loved it

Hugs & Bugs is my daughter's favorite class! I love that she can get messy, and read and learn and play with other kids. Olivia makes the classes so much fun, and creative! My daughter always wants to reads the books class. I'll be sending my youngest too! I also enjoyed the Belly Babies class: spending time with other new moms and sharing experiences is always priceless. Highly recommended! read more

Our two year old really enjoyed the fourteen week session and looked forward to it every week. Different and creative adventure every class. Very hands-on activities that we normally wouldn't do at home, so it was a good chance for our child to explore. read more

I couldn't have been happier with Olivia, Reina and the whole team at Hugs and Bugs. I enrolled my son in the pre-school prep class about a year ago in an attempt to get him used to being away from me- for the first time. Any worry I had was immediately put to rest- Every child there is so loved and so cared for. Not only was our adjustment smooth, but my son learned so much and his behavior towards other children (sharing, patience) improved dramatically. He looked forward to it every week. After our third session, we are so sad to say good bye as we get ready for preschool. I tell every parent I see- Enroll in Hugs and Bugs! read more

My daughter just wrapped her first semester at Hugs & Bugs. It's her (and my) favorite class. She has so much fun every week exploring new ways to play and I like that each class offers something different. Olivia comes up with creative ways to use everyday items and ends every class with suggestions on similar activities we can do at home with our kids. We love this class and are looking forward to the spring and summer semesters! read more

Both of my daughters have participated in Hugs & Bugs - as Mommy & Me and as a drop-off. Olivia and her staff are absolutely amazing. They are incredibly creative and warm and each class is thoughtfully prepared and wonderfully messy. Each class is unique and lets children explore at their own pace. It is a delight. read more

Hugs & Bugs has been a huge part of our lives since my 3 year old son was a baby. I cannot say enough wonderful things about it!! We started with mommy + me classes and eventually my son went to the Preschool Prep, which he could not get enough of. Olivia and the teachers are all so engaging and encouraging. There is so much care and thought into each class and activity. Hugs & Bugs fosters early learning, creativity, imagination, social awareness, and much more. Above and beyond all this, my son has a few severe food allergies and Olivia has been incredible in accommodating him. She gave us the opportunity to do a drop off program at my son's young age, without worrying about his safety. He is now ready for Pre-K thanks to Hugs & Bugs - we love it and would highly recommend it! read more

It's not hard to see why this is known as the best class offered in Hoboken! The space is beautiful, the classes well-thought out with so much attention to detail, but most impressive is the owner/creator/teacher: Olivia. She has a magnetic personality that draws children in from the moment they meet her. I can't stop signing up for classes because of how much joy it brings to my daughter to see "Miss Olivia" each week. I recommend all the offerings Hugs and Bugs has to offer with the highest seal of approval! read more

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Hugs and Bugs! My boys have been going there for over a year taking several classes including the PK drop off classes. Olivia and the teachers are exceptional. They just get kids. Olivia is a mom to two young boys herself and you can see it in her interactions with kids showing love and patience, sharing smiles and hugs with all the little bugs that enter the class. When you observe the class you will see that the classes are totally hands on, interactive. From story time and learning sign language to shared snack time, crafts and fun play with music and lots of energy, you will quickly fall in love with the creativity of the program and the excitement of your little bugs to go to class to play and learn. We have been to a lot of different classes in Hoboken. Hugs and Bugs Club is far and away the best class in mile square. read more

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Hugs and Bugs was the first place I enrolled my toddler, based on a suggestion from a friend. Ever since, I always recommend it to others because it's such an amazing place. Olivia puts so much thought and care into the class planning. Each "semester" is centered around a single book and Olivia incorporates themes from the book in a really creative way. The sensory bins and activities are really fun for the kids (and parents, some of us can't help but play too). I always appreciate that Olivia ends the class by telling us how to recreate the same activity at home too. read more

This is one of the most creative and imaginative classes for children. Olivia makes everything fun and adventurous. I also love the size of the small class. I was on a wait list due to the popularity of the class and will say it was well worth it. Every week is something new and different. read more

Hugs and Bugs is the best of the best! I cannot say enough great things about it. Miss Olivia truly has a passion for what she does. She and her staff are attentive, engaging, and incredibly creative. I have been taking my son to classes here for two years now and it's both of our favorite by far. Each class encourages the children to get their hands dirty and stimulates their curiosity in a more sensory-focused way (with paint, dirt, balloons, beans, cotton balls, etc). My son is never bored in her classes and I enjoy watching him embrace the messiness (just not in our own home!) in a more creative way. We have also been to her new play space, Chrysalis Cove, which we love as well! Would highly recommend both the classes, as well as the play space, to anyone with young children. read more

Olivia and her classes are absolutely amazing. This developmentally appropriate- sensory learning classes/play center are unlike any other child space we've visited. Highest marks for nurturing creativity and engagement. My son and daughter went for the past several years and looked forward to every class. Extra bonus that Olivia is so wonderful. A wonderful time had by all, highly highly recommend. read more

Hugs and Bugs is our favorite class in the Hoboken community. We love how each semester is focus on one book and each class is packed with various sensory activities that allow all the little ones to have fun together. Our daughter started with the Mommy and Me class about a year ago and then grew into the three-hour drop off class. She enjoys every moment at Hugs and Bugs and is always eager to show off her books and art work. Thank you Olivia for giving our daughter such a joyful experience in the last 18 months. We highly recommend Hugs and Bugs to our friends and relatives. read more

I am a first time mom and was looking for a place where I could bring my 9 month old to keep her busy and learning. Hugs and Bugs was the perfect fit. She was starting to get some stranger anxiety but these classes were a cure all. Plus, I am able to meet other mom's, share stories about our little ones all while learning great new ways to overcome any little obstacle that arrises with my baby. She has so much fun in all of the classes and I look forward to taking her and meeting with the other moms. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful, I would highly recommend this place to all mom's and caregivers out there. read more

We LOVE Hugs and Bugs!! Our daughter has been going close to a year to the preschool prep class and thoroughly enjoys it.Ms Olivia's classes are very creative, sensory and encourages social interactions. Also, because of the small class size there is almost a one-one interaction between the kids and their teachers. Our daughter was also introduced to sign language and we can't believe how quickly she has learnt it . We also attended a Birthday party hosted at Hugs and Bugs and were very impressed with all the kids activities. I enthusiastically recommend Hugs and Bugs to anyone. read more

Our Daughter is currently in her 2nd session at the Hugs & Bugs Club PreK Prep Class- this is her first time being in a class and being dropped off and she absolutely loves it. She has so much fun, she's is learning so much from the class and this experience being with Olivia, her great teachers and other little buddies. I'm so glad we found this class it's been the perfect "prep" class for her! read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Olivia and Hugs and Bugs. My almost 2 year old daughter has been going here for about 9 months now and she LOVES it! This class is not only fun, but also super creative. My daughter gets so excited before each class wondering what cool new things she will learn and discover. From art, to dirt, to bubbles, to tents, to beans, to robots - Olivia has come up with an amazing mixture of creative learning! I don't know how she does it! read more

Olivia is such a wonderful teacher. My son actively looks forward to her classes and absolutely adores her. As a fellow mom, she knows the way to baby and toddler hearts and always makes learning fun. Such a fun class and highly recommended! read more