Monday, August 17, 2009

Amy's Playground

In the heart of the Mission West District, Amy's Playground offers an indoor wonderland for South Pasadena's adventurous under-six crowd. (And as I've mentioned before, this burgeoning demographic group is quite a crowd!)

Beyond the old-fashioned toys and boutique gifts in the storefront windows you'll find nearly 3000 square feet of indoor play space complete with tumbling mats, a giant bouncer and an elaborate floor to ceiling maze. When your little one is tired from all that climbing, sliding and running, you can both sink into a plush sofa and read one of the many available children's books. Or, duck your head and exercise imagination in the wooden playhouse with play kitchen. Tables and benches along the perimeter offer a space for packed picnic lunches -- or for sneaking a few minutes on your laptop while your child tries to snag a turn on one of the riding toys. Amy's even provides complimentary coffee for tired parents -- a nice respite after Junior has worn you down for "just five more minutes... PLEASSSSSE!????"

I really appreciate the fact that unlike most kid zones, Amy's doesn't feel like a giant, festering petri dish. (Hello Chuck E. Cheeze!) Here, the bathrooms are immaculate, and staff members regularly wander through the play areas with cleaning supplies and antibacterial spray. Oh, and the music is kid-centered but kind to adult ears. (You'll hear a lot of mellow Jack Johnson and fun Elizabeth Mitchell but no mind-crushing Barney.)

Amy's Playground is open to the public Monday through Friday, and available on weekends for private parties. (Bring along socks, as no shoes are allowed.)

10 comments:

Gunn said...

A nice and colorful place to play. I like the bright pink color!!:-)

Judy Williams said...

What a wonderful place!!! Sounds like Amy's has it ALL going on. The checked cris-crossing of the webbing really adds a fun texture and opposing purple to this mostly red image.

Yakpate said...

FANTASTIC image! It perfectly captures the other-worldly excitement of these play zones. I want this enlarged and hanging in my family room.

And crews roaming the site with anti-bacterial spray? The proprietors have such big, innovative brains that I can only assume they play regularly at their own facility!

Margaret said...

This place opened when my girls were a little older, so I've never visited, but I've always wondered if it was nice. Now I know.

Virginia said...

How fabulous. I've got my socks and I'm ready to roll! I like the cleanliness aspect as well. Some of those play areas are scary!! Great shot LA!

Mister Earl said...

Nice. I took a very similar shot, only with purple and blue hues, of my niece coming down a circular slide about 20 years ago.

Anonymous said...

We absolutely had nothing so high tech when we were kids. Today's parents are ever so cool.

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks, everyone! Little Bit just loves this place, and I'm grateful that it's clean AND Barney-free.

Mister E, it's a classic photo op, isnj't it?

Til tomorrow...

Kaori said...

What a darling name for a playground! Love the photo, looks fun fun fun :)

Laurie Allee said...

Thank you, Kaori!