Playtime and snack time seemingly go hand-in-hand at these kid-friendly play cafes, which give parents a moment to enjoy a cup of joe—and more—while little ones let loose. These play cafes in Brooklyn and Queens offer welcoming environments, great food, and a caffeine jolt, as well as dedicated, safe play areas for your kids. Several of them are play spaces first, and cafes second.
So turn your meal into a play date with a friend, or sit back and relax while your little one explores. Either way, you and your kids are sure to have a good time.
Check out our NYC Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide for more great family-friendly eateries, or our Play Spaces Guide for more romper rooms.
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Fairytale Island is bright and airy and offers a cafe full of treats.
Best Play Cafes in Brooklyn and Queens for Kids
1. Fairytale Island – Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
This Bay Ridge play space emphasizes playtime over mealtime, but it does offer cafe seating with a menu of beverages, cookies, and ice cream. Kids love the ball pit, indoor playground, and more. Meanwhile, parents love the ease of combining snacks with playtime, plus the blazing-fast Wi-Fi.
2. Cupkins Play Cafe – Bayside, Queens
This play cafe is designed for children ages 6 and younger and boasts a slide, climbing structure, and ball pit plus a wide selection of toys, books, and imaginative play items. There's also soft play equipment for the younger set. Parents can enjoy coffee, tea, and smoothies while little ones play. Book your play pass in advance.
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Yummy breakfasts are a major draw at Good Day Play Cafe.
3. Good Day Play Cafe – Park Slope, Brooklyn
This sweet play cafe is modeled after Korean play spaces, offering plenty of bespoke wooden and all-natural playthings, including a mini climbing wall, playground, and a Hinoki cypress wood cube pit. The cafe serves kid faves like sandwiches and dino nuggets, plus coffee, tea, and smoothies. There's even free Wi-Fi. Please note: The play cafe is often closed Saturdays for private parties.
4. Nana's Wonderland – Jackson Heights and Little Neck, Queens
At first glance, the Little Neck location of this play space may seem slightly smaller than some others, but the designers made such smart use of the space that you won't notice the difference. Nana's boasts elevated play areas with lots of nooks and crannies to explore, including a Lego wall, a pretend shopping area, and plenty of costumes to try on. The Jackson Heights location is much bigger (about 5,000 square feet) and houses a large maze-like structure accompanied by different slides, a merry-go-round ride, and a giant inflatable. The cafes have a selection of snacks and coffee on the menu, and benches are placed throughout the space for parents to take a well-deserved break. Nana's Wonderland caters to kids under the age of 7.
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Kids can take a trip around the globe at Kid's Play World while parents and caregivers grab a delicious healthy snack.
5. Kid's Play World – Middle Village, Queens
There's plenty of room to feed your child's imagination. The owner, a mother of three, was inspired to open a fun play space for kids after visiting hundreds of play cafes. She created Kid's Play World so kids could take a trip around the globe without leaving Queens. Each area has a different theme, including a (toy) pizza-making station in Italy, a pyramid wall representing Egypt, and a mini replica of the Brooklyn Bridge.
6. PLG Coffee House and Tavern – Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
PLG, formerly known as Gratitude Cafe, is a cozy local bistro that offers drinks, breakfast, and brunch, as well as a special children's sandwich menu. Kids can stop by a small play area, which is partially enclosed and stocked with a selection of toys for little hands. Parents appreciate the emphasis on organic ingredients, coffee beans from local roasters, and healthy options like avocado toast and smoothies.
Photos courtesy of the venues
Originally published in 2016.