When drop-in indoor romping spot PLAY opened its doors in fall 2010, we were impressed with its minimalist design, laid-back vibe and cute custom touches. But after the founders sold the business, the Greenpoint play space changed hands a few times and consequently underwent a lot of changes, not all popular with parents.
The good news is the current owners, Dave and his wife, Mish, parents to three-year-old Davin, have worked hard to bring back a lot of what families loved about PLAY in the first place, including the cafe with fresh coffee and complimentary Wi-Fi, clean and stimulating toys and equipment, and a friendly staff. They also made some great additions to the 2,700-square-foot space like a gym room, a music and art studio, and an eco-friendly play set in the main playground area.
Find out what else is new at PLAY and read about other drop-in indoor play spaces in Brooklyn in our Inside Activity Guide.
Dave and Mish took over PLAY in September 2013 and the first thing they did was give the place a thorough cleaning with eco-friendly products. They also solicited feedback from past and current customers so they can continue giving families what they want. The centerpiece is still the drop-in indoor playground, which features play sets with slides and stairs, small tables and chairs, riders, and a wide range of engaging toys and pretend stations. There's also a separate area for babies and toddlers where they can crawl around without worrying about getting tramped by the "big" kids. PLAY's signature wall mural, which depicts a colorful Brooklyn street with whimsical elements like giant animals, is still there, too.
Notable additions include an active gym room that doubles as a mini-movie theater, and a music and art studio, which is also used for mom groups (or, when available, a place to let sleeping children lie). PLAY also has a whole new slate of enriching classes for preschoolers like French and Spanish, ballet and creative movement, music and art, and even an indoor intro to soccer. Themed birthday party packages are also available. And this summer, PLAY will host its first-ever camp for children ages 3 1/2 to 5. A lot of great activities are on tap including active play, the arts and even age-appropriate academics.
The new owners have also brought back the cafe area with Wi-Fi, and parents are welcome to bring their laptops if they need to work (as long as they keep an eye on their kids). Although no food is for sale, you can bring lunch from home or order from a neighborhood restaurant and sit and eat there, too. Note: There are only two high chairs.
PLAY has drop-in hours seven days a week but it's best to call ahead in case it's closed for a private event: 718-387-2071. The owners also post schedule changes to PLAY's Facebook page. Officially, open play is offered Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 9am-4pm. Cost is $20 for the first child, $10 for siblings, memberships and discounts for multi-session packs are also available.
Find other awesome places where kids can play indoors in our Inside Activity Guide.