Rooted In Community: Local Gems For Families

At Little Roots, we believe it takes a village to raise confident, thriving kids—and we’re so grateful to grow alongside a community full of incredible people and places. This page is our way of sharing the love! Here you’ll find a curated list of trusted local resources and fun seasonal events—from play spaces and wellness providers to shops and services that support families just like yours.

Whether you’re looking to connect, explore, or simply find a new favorite spot, we hope this guide helps you feel even more rooted in our shared journey of growing together. Because Little Roots loves local—and we know you will too!

Therapies & Developmental Support

  • Amy Mack, LCSW, RPT

    Amy Mack, LCSW, RPT a trauma-informed therapist offering play therapy, family counseling, and parent support in Central New York. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, she specializes in play-based approaches, nervous system regulation, and relational healing. Services include individual therapy for children, family counseling, parent coaching, and group workshops grounded in neuroscience and attachment. She specializes in nervous system regulation and connection-based care for children and families.

    She is certified to lead Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: A Parenting and Caregiver Course. This parenting course, which was created by Robyn Gobbel, author of the book by the same name, supports caregivers with better understanding the neuroscience of behavior and provides practical tools for connection, co-regulation, and compassion-based parenting. 

  • Thrive SPOT

    Lauren Ruffage is a Speech Language Therapist who offers evaluations and treatment of feeding and swallowing, orofacial myofunctional disorders and speech sound disorders.  Her philosophy is holistic: determine the root cause in order to address a symptom.  Lauren serves children from birth to 12+, providing one-on-one therapy in the home, daycare or school setting.

  • CNY Speech Pathology

    Emilia Del Pino, M.S., CCC-SLP, COM works with children and young adults up to age 21, providing warm, individualized care across Central New York. With nearly 30 years of experience and board certification in orofacial myofunctional therapy, I specialize in oral placement, feeding, speech, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Whether in person, online, or a mix of both, I’m proud to partner with dental, orthodontic, and medical providers to make sure every patient gets the well-rounded support they need to thrive.

  • Mini Milestones Physical Therapy

    At Mini Milestones, we strive to provide a whole-body and collaborative approach from infants to adults. Our goal is to improve the quality of life of our clients while increasing their overall functional independence and self-efficacy. Brittany is a national board-certified, registered, and licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, who has a passion for thinking outside of the box and providing individualized care specific to each client and family. She is a Board Certified Neurologic Specialist, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, as well as an Introductory Level C DMI certified practitioner and Certified Primitive Reflex Practitioner.

  • SOMA PT & Wellness

    SOMA Movement Studio is a boutique wellness space offering a unique blend of performance-based 1-on-1 physical therapy, Pilates, and small group classes. Our expert team specializes in orthopedic and pelvic floor conditions, delivering high-quality, personalized care designed to help active individuals stay healthy, live pain-free, and move with freedom. From individualized physical therapy treatment to specialty strength, prenatal, and mommy & me classes, every offering is crafted to support movement longevity and whole-body wellness. At SOMA, we believe in empowering our community to feel strong, confident, and capable in their bodies—at every stage of life.

Wellness for Kids & Families

  • Primal Chiropractic

    Primal Chiropractic is a family wellness practice specializing in pediatrics, pregnancy, postpartum, & whole family health located in Fayetteville, NY. Primal Chiropractic is designed to make you feel at home, our team has a passion to educate and empower whole families in their holistic health care journey. The body houses your nervous system, the most PRIMAL part of you, our goal is to help you tap into its true potential, and become the BEST version of yourself!

  • Little Jaws Big Smiles

    Little Jaws Big Smiles is a warm, family-friendly pediatric dental office dedicated to helping children build healthy, confident smiles. Guided by our motto — “Caring moms, for kids” — our team combines a nurturing approach with professional expertise to provide comprehensive oral and dental care. From preventive checkups to specialized treatments, we strive to create a gentle, fun, and supportive environment for children. 

Support & Connection

  • Cuse Mom's Club

    Cuse Moms’ Club is connection and support for moms in Syracuse. This club strives to find, share and plan adventures for you and your littles around the area!

  • 5 Moons Doula

    Jessica of 5 Moons Doula has a deep passion for supporting birthing families, bringing a well-rounded foundation of training and hands-on experience to her doula practice. As your doula, she’s there to support you with knowledge, compassion, and confidence every step of the way — from pregnancy through birth and into the postpartum period.

    Every family’s journey is different, and her goal is to walk beside you with respect, warmth, and evidence-based care — wherever your path leads.

Creative Play & Learning

  • Play2Learn

    Play2Learn is a weekly program that offers parent child classes in Dewitt, Baldwinsville and Skaneateles. We offer a Baby Sensorimotor class for ages 5 months-16 months and our Multi Age Art & Sensory Class is ideal for ages 18 months-age 5. Founded by a mother and former teacher, we've created a class that encourages healthy development during the early childhood years. Each class offers a new theme, stories, music and movement, art and sensory play and of course promotes socialization and language development.

    Contact play2learntt@gmail.com to schedule a free demo class and be sure to stream the Play2Learn Podcast to learn from experts in the fields of parenting and early childhood development. 

  • Bluebird Music Together

    Bluebird Music Together brings the joy of family music-making to life through playful, research-based classes for children from birth to age 8 and the grownups who love them. In a warm, welcoming environment, families sing, dance, and explore rhythm together—building connection, confidence, and musical growth that lasts a lifetime. With expert teachers, engaging songs, and hands-on activities, Bluebird’s classes make learning music a joyful and fun shared experience. Offering locations across Central New York and free trial classes for new families, Bluebird Music Together makes it easy to discover the power of making music—together. 

  • My Gym Children's Fitness Center

    My Gym offers Mommy & Me classes, independent beginner gymnastics classes, camps and birthday parties for children starting as young as 4 months all the way up until 8 years old! With new class curriculum, fun themed camps and exclusive use of the entire facility for birthday parties, My Gym is a no brainer.

Outdoor Adventure & Nature Spots

  • Woznica Orchards

    Woznica Orchards, located in Cicero, NY, is a good 'ole fashioned, no-fuss u-pick apple orchard! Open Sat/Sun 11-4 from September through October, Woznica Orchards grows Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Goldrush, Empire, Triumph Fuji and Sweet Maia

Local Finds We Love

  • Soul Society

    Let food be thy medicine. Our team at Soul Society thrives on nourishing the body, mind, + soul. Let us serve you a colorful meal while you zen + take a break from the outside world.

  • Birdie James Lane Permanent Jewelry

    Birdie James Lane Permanent Jewelry offers a unique way to celebrate life’s moments with jewelry that’s as lasting as the memories it represents. Each custom-fit piece is welded on without a clasp, creating a seamless design meant to be worn every day. Simple, stylish, and meaningful—our jewelry is made to stay with you.

    Email biridejameslane@gmail.com for inquires!

  • Linked N Love Permanent Jewelry

    Linked N Love Permanent Jewelry is elegant, custom-fit jewelry that's welded directly onto the wearer—no clasps, no risk of losing it, just timeless beauty designed to last. Whether it’s a delicate bracelet, anklet, ring, or necklace, each piece is individually measured, then hand-welded for a seamless, effortless look that stays with you through everyday life. It’s the perfect way to commemorate milestones, celebrate friendships, or treat yourself with a meaningful keepsake. From sterling, 14k gold-filled, rose gold to stainless steel options, our pieces offer a beautiful blend of quality, craftsmanship, and sentimental value.

Events & Seasonal Fun

  • Thankful For You: Mommy & Daughter Day

    Join us for a cozy afternoon celebrating gratitude, love, and the special bond between moms and daughters (ages 5–12). Enjoy a playful yoga class, refreshing juices (one per person included), and a DIY flower bar experience with Soul Society to design your own 10-stem bouquet — all included in your ticket!

    Optional add-on: Permanent jewelry by Linked N Love will be available for purchase for those who’d like a lasting keepsake!

    November 15th at SOMA PT & Wellness | 11 AM - 1 PM

    $40 for mom/daughter duo. Bringing more than one daughter? It’s just $5 per additional child added to your ticket.

    Spots are limited to 15 families — sign up below!

  • Mommy & Me Yoga With Cuse Moms' Club

    Join us for a day of connection with your baby or toddler this Thanksgiving season! Two separate yoga classes will be offered—one for Mommy & Baby and a second for Mommy & Toddler.

    November 26th at SOMA PT & Wellness

    Toddlers (walking): 10-10:30 AM

    Babies (pre-walking, crawling, pre-crawling): 10:45-11:15 AM

    $15 per class - Venmo @CuseMomsClub or bring cash