Do You Have an Indoor Play Facility in Your Area?

MamatoJackson · October 2011

We have one in town... it's basically a big retail space they've set up with every toy you could think of, costumes, crayons, etc. You pay $8 per kid to play. This price seems high to me but wondering what the 'going rate' is for this type of place. They don't charge for newborns but start charging the full $8 at eight months. Seems a bit ridiculous - They do have jumperoos/bouncers but she's not even crawling yet.

I should note that I fibbed about her age today so I didn't have to pay..........

ToBeMrsT · October 2011

We have a few here. We went to one today and it was $8 per kid because we got a discount for our mom's group. It's normally $12 per kid.

We're going to another one on Friday and it's $8 per kid (not a discount rate) or you can buy a $60 pass for the month.

We live in a MCOL area.

hayleydeee · October 2011

There isn't really much here, there is a free little area at the mall that people use when it's raining. But we don't have harsh winters either. I wonder if it's so much because they have high insurance premiums.

pinacolodas · October 2011

We have quite a few of these places in our city. Going rate seems to be 7-10 bucks. I found out our community center has the gym set up with bouncy houses, games, mats for tumbling, lots of toys (play kitchens, etc). They charge 1.50 a child, under 2 is free. Check and see if any community centers or churches have anything like this near you.

Although Gymboree can be pricey, you do get to use the play area at least once a week. I find it comparable to going to one of those play places. If you get a groupon you can pay $40/month for a class and then use the play area too.

MainelyFoolish · October 2011

Did you have to pay for yourself, too, or just the kids?

I've been to one play place in my area (it's a bit far, so I've only been once) that charges $4 per person (6 months and up) so I had to pay $8 for me and DD to go.

The other place I know of (also a bit far from me) charges $10 for two adults and one child and $4 for each additional child.

MamatoJackson · October 2011

Could be, though, they have everyone sign a waiver before playing. Maybe I'm just a tight-wad.

Ashl07 · October 2011

Check and see if a local moms group goes there. If you are part of the moms group they usually have discounts. I think our indoor play is three dollars on our group day.

HarrietNJMommy · October 2011

We have a lot more than one. I would say that price is around average.

I have to pay x3!

MamatoJackson · October 2011

MainelyFoolish:
Did you have to pay for yourself, too, or just the kids?

I've been to one play place in my area (it's a bit far, so I've only been once) that charges $4 per person (6 months and up) so I had to pay $8 for me and DD to go.

The other place I know of (also a bit far from me) charges $10 for two adults and one child and $4 for each additional child.

I don't have to pay for myself. The $8 doesn't seem like a big deal but to have to pay $16 for a couple hours of play seems high. Especially when the second child isn't mobile. What I don't get is that they are only open M-F, 10 to 4, so obviously their customers are mostly stay-at-home parents. One would assume (perhaps incorrectly) that most stay-at-home parents are on some kind of a budget.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · October 2011

We have a lot of places similar to that around here and they are all either $7 or $8 and most start charging at 1 year.

chicsub · October 2011

Ours are $7.50-$10 for the most part. I'm really not looking forward to the day when I have to pay for DD too. We go a decent amount now, but I could see that changing.

ToBeMrsT · October 2011

MamatoJackson:
MainelyFoolish:
Did you have to pay for yourself, too, or just the kids?

I've been to one play place in my area (it's a bit far, so I've only been once) that charges $4 per person (6 months and up) so I had to pay $8 for me and DD to go.

The other place I know of (also a bit far from me) charges $10 for two adults and one child and $4 for each additional child.
I don't have to pay for myself. The $8 doesn't seem like a big deal but to have to pay $16 for a couple hours of play seems high. Especially when the second child isn't mobile. What I don't get is that they are only open M-F, 10 to 4, so obviously their customers are mostly stay-at-home parents. One would assume (perhaps incorrectly) that most stay-at-home parents are on some kind of a budget.

Those are the same hours as the ones around here. It looks like they have parties on the weekends and evenings.

penguingrrl · October 2011

We have them here and they're expensive. Last I checked was when my older one was a baby and they were all like $20/hour/child so we haven't looked again because that was so unreasonable.

gatogrrl · October 2011

We have a few, although I have only been to one. They charge $12 a day, but that is for the whole family, not per child. Around here, that is cheap. It has 5 different rooms -- one with a bouncy house, one for art, one for running around and triking, one with toys and a few play rooms set up within, and one where the moms can hang out.

I like it for DD, but there's too much unsupervised activity for me to feel comfortable bringing baby there. Also, they can't really wash all the toys every night, so I have to be prepared for a cold following a visit there.

jnksmom · October 2011

We have a couple near us and they are all $7-10/child and that is usually for a set time. We have not been to any of them yet as we moved here in Spring so we have just been going to the park this summer.

When we live in KY, there was one about 15 minutes from us and it was $5 for one child and $3 for each additional child so it was $8 for 2 hours for both of my kids. It was great. And she didn't charge me until DD was almost 18 months and really playing on the equipment.

notreallyirish · October 2011

There are two facilities here run by the local children's hospital that have indoor play areas. You have to pay $75 a year to be a member, but then can come and play any time they are open. I go to the one near me several times a week, but it is only open from 9-12, so I still never have anywhere to go in the afternoon during bad (hot) weather.

I really wish there were more options for indoor places to go with toddlers. I keep saying I wish someone here would open up a coffee shop with a toddler area. That would be my dream come true. I'm not sure what I'd be willing to pay. $8 doesn't seem that unreasonable, but I think they ought to offer discounts for multiple kids because that can add up fast.

MAprincess · October 2011

The one near us is a big indoor playground (they sell those big play structures/swing sets and have them all set up indoors to play on). It is free to use two mornings a week. You have to pay for other times, but I don't know what it is because I only go during the free time:-)

lilone_06 · October 2011

We have one and I end up paying around $22/visit. We live in a very HCOL area. I haven't gone in ages, though, because the preschooler and toddler areas are separate so there's no good way for me to keep a good eye on both girls. I prefer to bring them to the mall play area - nearly as much fun, easy to get to, and added bonus of a wee bit of shopping for me and easy lunch at food court

KarBear · October 2011

We have 2. The first one is for younger kids, but does have 3 bounce houses and it's $8 for all day admission (under 1 is free); the other is larger and for older kids and it's $10/hour.

chelwig89 · October 2011

We have a children's museum in town and it's $5 per person, including newborns, parents, etc., but the place is also completely run on that kind of stuff and donations. It's pretty new so it doesn't have a whole lot, but it is pretty nice and it's the only one in town. There's one North of us that a friend told me about but I have yet to make it to. It is a big indoor playground with a little cafe- kids cost $5, adults are free, coffee and whatnot is $1. I can't wait to go up there

Oh and they have different art classes during the week that don't cost extra.

J&A2008 · October 2011

We have somethings that are similar, like children's museums. Do they have a yearly membership?

babypuplove · October 2011

We have one about a mile from our house that is $8/hour per child. If you are currently taking a music, art, or ballet class there, then you get free unlimited open play. We take classes there twice a year or so, so during that 2-3 month period we go at least once a week since it's free (and we do classes in winter or summer, so we're trying to get out of the heat or cold). There are a couple of other places, and they're about the same, $7-10 per child.

Stacyc625 · October 2011

MAprincess:
The one near us is a big indoor playground (they sell those big play structures/swing sets and have them all set up indoors to play on). It is free to use two mornings a week. You have to pay for other times, but I don't know what it is because I only go during the free time:-)

Ditto- that place is GREAT! We only go during the free times too! One of the major perks of being a SAHM!

jenifairies · October 2011

i desperately want one! the closest is 30 min from our house. so we make do with the indoor play area at the crappy mall nearby, or go to chick fila.

MAMAxB · October 2011

There is a Play Cafe down the street that is $5 for kids over 12 months (there are not really infant toys). You can also get memberships for the year too which I imagine makes it much less

webMistress0609 · October 2011

We have one that is similar to what a pp described - they sell wooden play sets & they have a play area/showroom. It's $7-8 per visit, but I bought a group of them on Living Social.

We also have a Bounce House that's part of the rec center, it's normally $7, but I purchased a yearly pass for $100 that includes anything rec center owned - so even the water parks are included. It's a pretty good deal since I take him to the Bounce House alone almost weekly.

Other than that we do Gymboree open play once a week & go to the indoor play area @ the mall a couple of times a month. It's too hot in the summer to play outside, & we do get a cold + wet spell in the winter so I am grateful to have the indoor options.

kcisthebombdotcom · October 2011

EveryNameIWantIsTaken:
We have a lot of places similar to that around here and they are all either $7 or $8 and most start charging at 1 year.

This is around the norm for our area too.

Princess_Lily · October 2011

There are two in our local area, and one a little farther north.

One charges $5.00 per kid, as long as you want.

One charges 10.00/hr., 5.00 each addt'l hour after <---I don't attend this one due to the pricing.

I think the one farther north is 5.00 - 8.00 for all day play.

All do not charge for adults, however food and beverages are served in cafes in 2 of the 3 locations which are charged

susanmosley · October 2011

Could someone please name names? What are these places called? No, we don't get out much.

regenab · October 2011

We have one here that is $10 per family. So it works well if you have more than one kid. They also sell prepay packages so you end up paying like $8 for each if you prepay for six sessions.

Want a personalized experience?

Do You Have an Indoor Play Facility in Your Area?

Re: Do You Have an Indoor Play Facility in Your Area?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards