Indoor play places on Long Island for toddlers
Keira Suh, of Hicksville, plays in the ball pit at Nana's Wonderland in Massapequa Park. Credit: Randee Daddona
If Peter Pan knew of Long Island’s open play centers that inspire imagination, he probably wouldn’t fly back to Never Land. Kids can create their own hands-on adventures inside playhouses, pretend cafes, doll cities, kid-sized fitness play areas, ball pits with obstacles, or on mini carousels.
Frances Cuomo Perpero, owner the Little Doll Studio in Rockville Centre, says, "When I see the kids rearranging the doll furniture around our doll studio, that’s when they’re starting to use their imaginations, creating their own storylines."
Jessica Valdivia, of Oyster Bay, brings her family to indoor play at Madeline’s Play Café in Glen Cove because the indoor, French-themed center is ideal for a playdate, she says. "We’re always at the park. This is something different," she says.
In addition to open play sessions, all indoor centers offer variations on birthday parties, classes or special events.
NASSAU
Schoolhouse Play & Cafe
441 Main St., Farmingdale; 516-667-6993, schoolhouseplaycafe.com
What began as a simple weekend class has turned into a thoughtfully curated play and learning space for young children and a welcome gathering place for their families.
The play place, which opened in July by former teacher and mom of two Taylor Carney, offers a mix of early childhood education and imaginative play in a space that feels equal parts classroom, playroom and coffee shop.
Azaria Allison, 3, of Bay Shore, serves tea to her mom, Marilyn, at Schoolhouse Play & Cafe in Farmingdale. Credit: Linda Rosier
Weekly themed classes focus on early learning concepts like sequencing, storytelling and music, using hands-on materials to keep kids engaged.
Target Age: 9 months to 5 years
Cost: $38 for a 45-minute class with 45 minutes of open play, $22 for an hour and a half open play.
Children’s Social Club
280 Sunrise Hwy., Rockville Centre; 516-544-4019, thechildrensocialclub.com
This play space features a new interactive touchscreen sensory table, along with a train table, craft area with puzzles, magnet boards, a ball pit, mini rock-climbing wall, trampoline and infant area with soft toys. For kids who need a bit of quiet time, there’s a reading nook with life-size Lite Brite boards, books and puzzles.
Target age 9 months to 7 years
Cost $25, $20 second child; infants under 8 months free for 90-minute session. Reservations required.
Liddle Bites Play Café
132 E. Park Ave., Long Beach; 516-442-3131, liddlebites.com
The play center/snack bar boasts a two-story dollhouse that’s big enough for kids to play in. It includes a living room and kitchen/ice cream shop downstairs and a bedroom upstairs with a pretend piano and makeup mirror. Kids can also enjoy train and truck tables, cribs for dolls and a crawl-in rocket ship.
Target age Infants to age 8
Cost $15 per child, siblings discount; all-day pass $35.
Little Doll Studio
137 N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre; 516-238-6159, littledollstudio.com
Avery Fallon, 9, styles her doll at The Little Doll Studio in Rockville Centre. Credit: Rick Kopstein
In this studio filled with more than 100 dolls and a "doll city" with 30-plus rooms, open play is offered during school breaks and weekends when available. Choose a doll, dress it up, take photos and play in an area that includes a doll-sized Starbucks, Target, ballet studio, library, campground, wedding venue and more. Open play includes an opportunity to create a doll craft, dress up and join a dance party.
Target age 3 to 8 years
Cost $35 for two hours.
Lollibop Kids
398 Central Ave., Lawrence; 516-341-7777, lollibopkids.com
This kosher restaurant/cafe has an open play section in the rear, which includes a clubhouse, clothing for dress-up, play kitchen, rock-climbing wall and video games. Free Wi-Fi. Limit one adult per family in play area.
Target age 1 and up
Cost $15 for 90 minutes, $12 sibling.
Madeline’s Play Café
36 Glen St., Glen Cove; 516-503-8928, madelinesplaycafe.com
Zane Kurian, of Hicksville, and Rawlings Leachman, of Locust Valley, play with wooden toys at Madeline’s Play Café, in Glen Cove. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
This play center is sprinkled with French charm. A decorative Eiffel Tower and wall coverings of the Parisian countryside surround a two-story playhouse with a pretend cafe, ball pit, mini rock-climbing wall, dolls, trains and cars, a book and coloring section, and a carousel with white horses. Parents can enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee and purchase kid-friendly snacks.
Target age 6 months to 8 years
Cost $30 per child for two hours, $25 sibling aged 2 and up.
More Than Play
128 Hicksville Rd., Seaford; 516-804-4837, morethanplayli.com
This speech pathologist-owned indoor play and enrichment space features avenues for purposeful play including open play sessions and adult-and-me classes led by credentialed educators and therapists. The language-forward enrichment space includes a dramatic play center, bistro, wellness center, construction zone, seasonal garden, magnet wall, toy rotation and separate classroom space.
Target age Up to 5 years
Cost $22 per child for one hour of open play. Classes: $32-$35.
Nana’s Wonderland Massapequa
5050 Sunrise Hwy., Massapequa Park; 516-502-1876, nanaswonderland.net/home-massapequa
Mia Doodnauth, of North Bellmore, plays at Nana's Wonderland in Massapequa Park. Credit: Randee Daddona
Stairs that play musical notes when you step on them, a kid-sized rocking school bus and a pretend theater are three of the highlights in this indoor play space. Kids can crawl through tunnels with obstacle games, slide into several ball pits, or play hide and seek in fun hideouts. The center also has a separate, soft infant area. Coffee, smoothies and snacks are sold.
Target age 1 to 8 years
Cost $20 per child for 90 minutes. Reserve sessions online.
Oh My Goodness Kids
301 Main St., Port Washington; and 61 New Hyde Park Rd., Garden City; 516-636-5444 ext. 1 for Garden City, ext. 2 for Port Washington; ohmygoodnesskids.com
Winding slides, ball pits, a sensory clubhouse, swings and a plethora of wooden building toys fill this play center, which includes an organic cafe extending from the activity area. "Pre-preschool mini classes" are offered to 1½- to 2½-year-olds, plus more.
Target age 6 months to 7 years
Cost $20 per child for one hour.
Once Upon a Treetop
151 Dupont St., Plainview; 516-349-1140, onceuponatreetop.com
Twelve preschool-sized rooms make up a city in this homey center that includes a firehouse, a police station, campsite, vet’s office, construction zone and a three-story climbing maze.
Target age 1 to 7 years
Cost $20 walkers, $15 crawlers, $10 infants for two hours.
Party in the Park
1019 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park; 516-308-3751, partyinthepark.me
Myla Murphy, of Lindenhurst, watches a Ms. Rachel impersonator during an event at Party in the Park in Massapequa. Credit: Morgan Campbell
This indoor mini town for imaginative play features a pretend kitchen and grocery store, plus a music jam area with instruments, tool shed and sensory items. Free Wi-Fi. Coffee and water are offered for caregivers. The center also has a clothing boutique for newborns and children up to age 6.
Target age 1 to 6 years
Cost $20 for one hour, $15 siblings; private 60-minute play dates for 10 are $200.
Rookies Kids Fitness & Athletics
2477 Merrick Rd., Bellmore; 516-871-4881, rookieskids.com
A kid-sized version of a fitness center is filled with everything from a balance beam to monkey bars, medicine balls and sports equipment. Open play is available during school breaks and holidays. Groups geared for children with special needs are also offered. Open play on Sept. 23-24, Oct. 2, 13, Nov. 4, 11, Dec. 24, 26, 27, 29, 30-31.
Target age 15 months and up
Cost $25 per child for one hour.
Sensory Beans
3309 Merrick Rd., Wantagh; 516-308-1462, sensorybeans.org
Kids with all abilities can enjoy swings, hammocks, a tactile sensory wall, a mini rock wall with rope ladder, a soft foam pit and climbers. Sensory circuit open play stations include a sensory gym, sensory bins, arts and crafts materials and more, all designed to develop gross and fine motor skills. Sensory-friendly movies are also featured as special events.
Target age 9 months to 9 years
Cost $24 for 90 minutes. Reservations required.
Sippy Cups Café
3890 Merrick Rd., Seaford; 516-221-3814, sippycupscafe.com
Jerry Sampson, of Massapequa Park, talks with his wife, Lori Sampson, as their son, Harrison Sampson, plays with Ella Ordonez and Brandon Martori at Sippy Cups Cafe in Seaford. Credit: Jessica Rotkiewicz
This open-concept center includes indoor and outdoor play areas equipped with a wooden climbing structure with two slides, pretend kitchen/grocery store, a Lego table, train table and a book and puzzle nook. There's a full coffee bar with a variety of food and beverage options for adults.
Target age Up to 6 years
Cost $24 per child, $14.50 siblings and crawlers for 2-hour play sessions.
Social Play Haus
200 Express St., Suite 100, Plainview; 516-200-6444, socialplayhaus.com
A full-menu cafe featuring fresh salads, vegan options, hot entrees and more is combined with a loft-style play center featuring wooden play sets, slides, a kid-sized rock-climbing wall, a make-believe kitchen/garden/bake shop, STEM toys, children’s books and a baby nook with toys for infants. Explore play stations including a veterinary hospital and a sensory nook. Brunch-and-play sessions are offered on weekends.
Target age Up to 6 years
Cost $30 per child for two-hour weekday session. All sessions by reservation.
Maureen Tropiano feeds her daughter, Rae, at Social Play Haus in Plainview. Credit: Linda Rosier
SUFFOLK
My Play Space
105 W. Main St., Babylon; 917-455-4534, myplayspaceny.wixsite.com
Isaura Sanchez spent 16 years teaching special education and bilingual education in Queens before deciding to bring her classroom philosophy into a space of her own. She opened My Play Space in January, offering open play, sensory experiences and specialized classes for children and their families. The layout includes a ball pit and slide, a classroom area and a separate sensory room with a chalkboard wall, fidget baskets, a sequin wall and a large beanbag chair. Toy rotations and themed sensory tables change regularly. Classes begin as early as 6 weeks old, with baby yoga, sensory play and physical therapy-based movement sessions. The space also hosts pop-up events like princess visits and a Ms. Rachel impersonator, as well as birthday parties and social nights for older children.
Target Age: 6 weeks to 12 years old
Cost: Ranges from $20 to $35 per class.
Jetsetter Kids Club
155 W. Sunrise Hwy., #2, Lindenhurst; 631-592-1500, jetsetterkidsclub.com
The play space, which opened in June, is a large-scale indoor facility that blends education, movement and enrichment under one roof. The space was created by Long Island real estate developers Justin and June Farahan to meet what they saw as a growing need for multiage, full-service family spaces. The club also offers sensory-friendly programming and smaller weekday class sizes for children.
Target Age: Up to 14 years
Cost: $20 per hour for the first child, 10% discount for additional children.
Lil Steps Fun Zone
628 Middle Country Rd., Selden; 631-839-6332
Lil Steps Fun Zone is more than just an indoor playground. Opened in June by Nabil Nasim and his father, Asim Nasim, the family-run space was built to fill a gap they noticed for kids 10 and under. Lil Steps hosts birthday parties in a private room with a stage, lights and a birthday countdown on a TV screen. Families are free to come and go throughout the day during operating hours, with the purchase of a day pass.
Target Age: 2 to 10 years
Cost: $20 for a day pass, $15 for each additional sibling.
A Latte Fun
570 E. Jericho Tpke., South Huntington, 631-944-3170; and 90 Adams Ave., Hauppauge, 631-245-6145; alattefunlongisland.com
A Latte Fun, a coffeehouse and play space, in Huntington Station. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Play at the farmhouse market with toys and sensory boards, plus a room upstairs for kids 3 and under. Parents can sip lattes in the cafe while they watch their kids try sensory games, bounce on a tire trampoline, ride a mini carousel or hug a rubber dinosaur. A new location at 90 Adams Ave., Hauppauge, opened this year.
Target age Up to 7 years
Cost $21.75, $17.40 siblings, $15.20 crawlers at the South Huntington location; $25, $20 siblings, $16 for crawlers at the Hauppauge location for two-hour open play.
La La Land
158 E. Main St., Babylon; 631-482-1619, playatlalaland.com
Toddlers have room to roam at La La Land children's play space in Babylon. Credit: Drew Singh
This three-sectioned open play center features a wind tunnel, monkey bar and slide area, an imagination section with a play cafe, vet center, car table and a "crawlers corner" with toys for infants. Caregivers can enjoy a complimentary self-serve espresso bar, with snacks and drinks for kids as well.
Target age 9 months to 5 years
Cost $25, $17.50 sibling, $15 crawler for open play sessions, typically 3 hours.
L.I. Salty Kids Cove
646 Old Medford Ave., Patchogue; 631-897-5910, lisaltykidscove.org
This beach-inspired indoor playground offers open play in three rooms. Room No. 1 focuses on gross motor skills, with a tunnel for kids to crawl through, a slide and sand tables. Room No. 2, dubbed "the village," includes a pretend market, car repair shop, hair salon, campsite and more. Room No. 3 offers sensory play with panels on the wall, and liquid tiles on the floor that spread colored fluid as children step on them.
Target age Up to 6 years
Cost $38 a month per child for unlimited play; $22 per child for two-hour drop-in, $20 siblings, $18 crawlers.
Little Bean House Café
260 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset; 631-400-2013, littlebeanhousecafe.com
Karen Saravia plays with her neice Penelope Velasquez, both of Ronkonkoma, during a play session at Little Bean House Cafe in Nesconset. Credit: Randee Daddona
Laptop-friendly tables with outlets give parents an opportunity to work, grab coffee or smoothies from the in-house cafe, and keep an eye on their children as they romp in two playhouses, toot musical instruments, hop on slides, dress up in costumes and flop in ball pits.
Target age Up to 6 years
Cost $18.95 walkers, $15.95 for siblings, $12.95 crawlers for 90 minutes. Reservations required.
The Nesting Place
95 Horseblock Rd., Yaphank; 631-318-3382, thenestingplaceli.com
Manpreet and helps her son, Lukas, balance at The Nesting Place in Yaphank. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
This "play lab" boasts plenty of comfy seating and complimentary tea/coffee, as kids check out two playhouses, manipulate neon lights at a sensory light table and clamber on a climber. Additional locations in Farmingdale and Merrick don’t offer open play, but feature classes such as "parent and me."
Target age 6 months to 6 years
Cost $19 per child, $10 additional child for 90-minute open play. Reservations required.
Play a La Mode
254 Main St., East Setauket; 631-364-2519, playalamode.com
Preschool toys for imaginative play are found in a make-believe town that features houses, each with a different theme. There’s a salon, gym, school, market, fishing area, racetrack, tool workshop, vet office and pretend cafe.
Target age Up to 6 years
Cost $28 walkers, $24 crawlers, infants free for 90 minutes. Reservations required.
