Before I was a mom, I swore a blue streak I would never set
foot in a place like McDonald’s. The food! The people! The germs! The horror!
And then I became a mom. And I had kids to entertain. And no
matter how many shopping carts full of toys I hauled into our playroom, my
girls were only ever entertained at my house for so long. And there were times
when we just needed to escape the confines of our house. (These were usually days when it was too hot,
too rainy, too something, which prevented us from being able to escape to a
local park.)
And so McDonald’s, the dreaded place, served as a shiny new
space, an indoor refuge complete with climbing contraptions and other tiny
humans and free Wifi! It became my second home. I could enjoy a coffee (and
some French fries), and the girls could enjoy some good old energy-burning fun.
We would traipse to play places all over the Metroplex, trying to find a new
play area and more tiny humans to fill our days and stave off boredom.
And then, to my delight, play areas starting popping up all
over DFW- ones that aren’t attached to a fast food restaurant! Now moms from
Frisco to west Fort Worth can drag their kiddos to shiny, clean play areas to
add some spice to their endless days without feeling guilty about the quality of
food being touted or the cleanliness of the play area (how often does McD’s
really clean those play areas? I mean really really?)
Here are a few worth checking out… And worth making the
drive to, if you aren’t local to that part of town.
Fort Worth/West DFW
Inneractive Playhouse (5950 Park Vista Circle, Keller)
Filled with a jumbo-sized, brightly-colored climbing
structure, Inneractive Playhouse is the perfect spot to bring the kids after
they’ve sugared up on snow cones or cupcakes. The structure features multiple
climbing levels with large slides in the middle for kids to run, jump and play.
A small, separate area for kiddos under three ensures that littles aren’t
trampled by older siblings and other big kids. Snacks are available for
purchase.
The Happy Lark (5816 S. Hulen St., Fort Worth)
Located close to Hulen Mall, The Happy Lark is a small,
modern kid’s store with a large, open play area in back for caregivers and
their tots. Mod, wooden toys and creative learning activities fill the open
space, offering a multitude of activities for little ones. Free coffee keeps
caregivers happy, too! Best for kids ages 5 and under.
Small World, Big Imagination (280 Commerce, Ste. 125,
Southlake)
Located in Southlake just off Highway 114, Small World, Big
Imagination is a treat for kiddos of all ages. Mini storefronts line the back
walls of the playspace, encouraging kids to role play (Want to be a fireman?
Store owner? Car mechanic? Vet?) while small tables near the front are filled
with all the supplies your tot could possibly need to create his next
masterpiece. Snacks are included with admission price and given upon exit.
Peek N Play (2805 E. Grapevine Mills Circle, Ste. 150,
Grapevine)
Oh, to be 5 again! Peek N Play is truly a playspace that was
designed with fun and creative play in mind. Two levels of games encourage kids
to play in oh so many ways. There is a tree house with a ball pit (not the ones
of your childhood, filled with old band-aids and load of trash underneath filthy
plastic balls) keeps kids climbing and sliding for hours while faux storefronts
encourage kids to stretch their minds and role play. Upstairs kids can build
with Legos or large foam blocks, or grab a book and get lost in the world of
make believe. Downstairs, parents will find a plush seating area with coffee for
purchase and free Wifi.
Dallas/East DFW
The Playdate Co. (2701 Custer Parkway, Richardson)
We don’t live anywhere close to Richardson, but this place
is so worth the drive for us! Lined with imaginative play areas all with
different themes, Playdate Co. is a bright, clean space where you’ll feel
comfortable letting your tot roam. My
girls’ favorite spot is a bike-like apparatus in the middle of the space that
allows kids to peddle in a circle as fast as they want (the bikes are all
attached to a single, fixed point). Free Wifi and a parents’ spot makes this
place ideal for relaxing while kids play. Even better? Across the street is an
ice cream place where you can treat kids to an afternoon snack.
The Coop (8802 Coleman Blvd., Frisco)
The Coop is the epitome of a kiddie cool. A large climbing
structure lines the center of the room with a ball pit the size of Texas
awaiting kids at the end of their climbing adventures (my 7-year-old self is
crazy envious). Bright, friendly colors make this space easy on the eyes and a cappuccino
bar in the lobby makes this space perfect for some R&R for parents and
caregivers.
Kid’s Expressions (1651 W. Eldorado Parkway, McKinney)
Newly opened, Kid Expressions is the perfect escape for kids
after a long week. The play space is divided into individual rooms with themes.
In one room, kids can bang on drums or play the guitar, in another they can
read. Large blocks, a basketball game and a bounce house adorn the main room,
giving kids of all ages something to get excited about.
Little Lakewood Salon (6434 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas)
Little Lakewood Salon is a trendy boutique, salon and play
area rolled into one. Toys, costumes and a play structure wait for kiddos who
can pop into the salon for a great cut and style before heading to the play
area to get creative. Mom can enjoy browsing the selection of boutique clothing
while kids interact with all the toys.
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