As a mom of an 11mo, I am always looking for drop-in play spaces around Palo Alto and the surrounding areas. It’s surprisingly hard to find places that offer playtime on a whim! Through some research (aka consulting my mom friends), I found the below drop-in play spaces for families. Be sure to check each place’s website on your own to ensure the hours are up to date!
1. The Jeff Center for Families
FREE
Families with young children are welcome at the newly renovated Jeff Center for Families (Building G, Room G-106), a collaboration of the Oshman Family JCC and Bay Area nonprofit Blossom Birth and Family.
The Jeff Center is climate controlled (a must during the summer!) and has nursing pillows, a toddler-friendly bathroom with potty seats, coffee and tea, and more toys than your kids will know what to do with. I’ve spent so many hours at The Jeff Center with both of my boys, and highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a drop-in play space.
Typical hours (but please check the website for up-to-date information):
Monday: 1:00–5:30 PM
Tuesday: 1:00–5:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
Thursday: 1:00–5:30 PM
Friday: 9:00–11:45 AM and 1:15–5:30 PM
3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303
2. Center for Children and Youth
$10/visit
This Palo Alto Center for Children and Youth is open twice weekly for two-hour sessions and can accommodate 15 families at a time. Plan to arrive just before the session begins to ensure that you and your child can participate!
Typical hours:
Every Monday and Wednesday
10:00am – 12:00pm
200 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
3. Arrillaga Family Recreation Center
$5/visit
Typical hours:
Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m-11:00 a.m.
The Arrillaga Family Recreation Center has soft play mats, toys, and sensory activities for your baby to explore, and a cozy, parent-friendly space for you to relax and chat with others.
700 Alma St., Menlo Park, CA 94025
4. Sunnyvale Library Early Learning Hub
FREE
A Sunny Place for Growing Readers is a play space inside the Children’s Room of the Library. The Early Learning Hub features toys and spaces that support dramatic play, STEM learning, and sensory exploration for ages 0 to 5 and their adult caregivers.
Typical hours:
Sunday: 1-5pm
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Note: The room is closed for cleaning Monday through Friday from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
665 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
5. Atherton Library
FREE
The Atherton Library is one of my favorite libraries I’ve visited with my children. The kid’s area is built out so perfectly for being able to let kids explore, but also be able to keep an eye on them. There are tons of board books in multiple languages, many toys to share, and a great outdoor space outside (with a coffee shop!!).
An added bonus? Their story time and class schedule just can’t be beat.
Typical hours:
Monday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Tuesday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Wednesday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Thursday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Friday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Sunday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton, CA 94027
Know of any other food drop-in play spaces around Palo Alto? Let me know so I can add them to this list!
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