PLEASE NOTE: This post was written in 2020, and while it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it may also contain some outdated information. Please be sure to visit their website for the most up-to-date information, especially about things like hours & pricing.
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2020 Post:
Thank you to It’s Playtime for providing Tiffany with complimentary admission to an open play session and a reduced party fee for the purpose of writing this post. All opinions expressed by this blogger are 100% her own.
We have found a new favorite play spot.
I know we kind of say that a lot, but I REALLY like this one! It was just after Christmas when it dawned on me that I really needed to get going on planning a party for Rex – my January baby. This happens EVERY year… I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and before you know it, it is January and all the “good” party places are booked! So I was scouring the internet for something new or just different… I even posted to my Facebook asking for recommendations on something different. I mean, we have had lots of awesome birthdays at great places, but I just wanted to find something different.
So, fast forward to me stumbling upon It’s Playtime in Avon on Facebook.
The first thing I thought was, why have I not heard of this place before?….and the second thing I thought was, is it actually as cool as it looks online? To answer those questions – I hadn’t heard of them before because they had just opened at the very end of 2019 and was it actually as cool as it looks online? I kind of think online didn’t do it justice – it was very cool in person.
When I reached out they just so happened to have ONE open party slot for the month of January and that one open slot just so happened to be the weekend before Rex’s actual birthday and since I was already late to the game in booking Rex’s party, we went right over that afternoon to check it out.
It’s Playtime is located in a super convenient location. Right off of Rt 44 (380 West Main Street, Avon, CT) in the Avon Marketplace. In the same shopping plaza as CVS, Starbucks, and Gap, and is nestled between Ulta Beauty and Munson’s Chocolate.
There is LOTS of free parking in this lot in front of the building, and there are even a few spots behind the building with an entrance directly into It’s Playtime. This parking lot can be busy, but you shouldn’t have trouble finding a place to park.
There are two ways to get inside – If you go in through the entrance at the front of the building, you’ll go down a long hallway to get to the entrance of It’s Playtime – or – if you enter from the rear of the building, you’ll see the entrance right inside the door.
When we first walked in, we found ourselves in the coat and shoe area. There are lots of hooks on the walls and lots of cubbies for shoes. Everyone has to take their shoes off to enter, and everyone must also be wearing socks. You can bring your own or purchase some there, but the same rules apply to children and adults – whether you plan to play or just relax and watch the kids play.
We were quickly greeted by the friendly staff who offered to let the boys go and play for free since they were closing in about a half hour.
We had only planned to go check things out so we could book Rex’s party, so when they found out they could play too, they were super excited. (The whole drive over I was giving them the -“We are only going to look” pep talk). All we had to do was fill out a simple waiver on an ipad at the counter and they were off playing.
It was great though, it gave them a chance to really check things out and gave me the opportunity to ask some questions, check out the party room and see all that they had to offer. I knew right away we wanted to do his party there. They were super helpful getting us on the schedule for his party and made the process very quick and easy.
After our visit, I reached out to Shawna to tell her how excited I was that we found this new place and that we were going to be hosting Rex’s party there. Of course, she also agreed that it would be an awesome place to post about. I was really excited to have the opportunity to be able to share not only about what a great play spot it was, but to also share the birthday party experience with all of our Out and About Mom readers. I always have friends reaching out to me about great places to host parties and although the blog shares about a lot of great places that offer parties, I think its pretty rare (if it has happened at all?) to get to specifically share about our own experience having a party at any of the venues. When I reached out to the owner of It’s Playtime about possibly including details about the party too, she was totally onboard and also excited about the idea. So this (I think) is a sort of a first for Out and About Mom.
One of the cool parts about their birthday parties is that it is essentially just inviting your friends to open play. Like I mentioned earlier – we have had lots of parties at lots of places over the years – most places do things about the same way, but there are always certain aspects that I like about certain venues over others.
For It’s Playtime I really liked a lot of the way they did their parties. First – I loved that we could bring our own food. Sometime party places can be pretty strict about what type of food you can bring in, or require you to order directly through them. It’s Playtime allows you to bring in whatever drinks, snacks, pizza, cake, goody bags etc that you would like. BUT also very cool is that if all of that sounds like more than you want to worry about planning, for a very reasonable amount you can also upgrade your party package and have the staff take care of all of that for you! Literally just invite the guests and show up. I love that they provide you with that choice. All of their party package options, including pricing, is located right on their website.
The Basic Party package is $325 (which is the package we did) includes:
- up to 16 children
- 75 minutes of play time
- 30 minutes in the party room for food/cake (not provided)
- Each child gets a game bracelet pre-loaded with $10 on each bracelet
- Use of the Photo booth located in the party room to create fun memories (up to 30 strips of photo paper)
- Paper goods (paper plates, utensils, napkins)
- It’s Playtime T- shirt for Birthday boy or girl
Did you happen to notice that 5th bullet? Use of the Photo booth in the party room? Rex is in kindergarten but they had so much fun using the photo booth.
The staff was so great about helping them work it and the kids thought it was so much fun. That was a really nice added touch. The kids also really enjoyed the $10 game bracelets for the arcade. I think my kids spent most of their points on the candy machine, but there are probably about 10 games/activities for them to choose from – and the kids all had a blast with that too. The staff was very helpful the entire time allowing us to set things up how we wanted, but also were right there offering their assistance every step of the way.
The party room – which is exclusively yours for the duration of the party – had EVERYTHING you needed besides the food – paper plates, napkins, utensils, candles. It was awesome.
I highly recommend checking them out if you’re looking for a party venue for your child from 1 to about 6 or 7 years old. Older kids would have fun there too. Rex turned 6 and all of his kindergarten friends had a great time. I should also point out that Rex’s party was during a time when they were also open to the public. If you prefer to have the whole place to yourselves there are times during the weekend when you can host a private party for an additional charge. I usually like to select venues that are not also open to the public during our party, but honestly with the separate party room, it didn’t make a difference at all because of how organized they are there.
Aside from the cool extras that are included with a birthday party, open playtime is pretty awesome all in itself. There are so many different play aspects offered at It’s Playtime. The main attractions include: an interactive ball pit, a 2-story climbing & sliding playscape, ball blaster & ball fountain, a race track with plenty of pedal cars for everyone, a kiddo sized donut shop and grocery store, and of course – the game area with various arcade favorites.
I was trying to think about what my kids favorite area to play in is – and although they do LOVE the arcade area, they really loved playing everywhere!
My littlest guy is 2 and although he loves to keep up with his brothers, he really enjoyed playing in the little donut shop area.
This little space is perfect for the little ones – especially the new walkers. It is a little set off to the side out of the way of the “race track” but yet still close enough for anyone on one of their pedal cars to still utilize the donut shops drive thru window!
The older boys definitely loved the climbing playscape featuring the ball blasters…I am pretty sure that is where they spent the majority of their time. It is really fun – they can load balls and launch them across, over and over again.
The little guy also enjoyed playing with the ball fountain located in the lower portion of the ball blaster area.
Another really fun part of the playscape is the slides. You go pretty fast down the slides – which all of my boys loved – ESPECIALLY the 2 year old… I am sure not all 2 or 3 or even some 4 year olds are going to be as fearless as he is… so I would suggest taking the first slide down with your kiddos if you think they might get a little nervous.
I am not sure how I managed to miss getting any photos of the ball pit with the interactive screen… I think it was always so busy I never got the chance to take a photo that wouldn’t have gotten anyone else’s kiddos in it. But any way – this is super fun too – I feel like kids love a ball pit anyway. But with the interactive screen to play games on, it was really engaging as well.
I know this sounds like a lot of stuff – and it is – which is why one of the things I really like about It’s Playtime is the set up. Having 3 kids, it’s essentially impossible to keep an eye on all of them at some large open play places, which causes me lots of anxiety with large crowds. It’s Playtime is relatively contained…there is only one entrance and exit and one in the actual play space beyond the lobby area – the playscape also sort of has one way in and one way out.
So even if I couldn’t see each of the boys every minute, I knew they were somewhere in there and if they came out I would see them. AND – what is EVEN better – they have lots of places for parents to sit and sip their coffee and chat with friends in the central lobby area – and on the wall – a large TV with several camera views of various locations within the play area. You can actually keep your eye on your kiddos AND sit down and relax for a little bit. LOVE that feature.
After playing for a little bit, your little ones can come and have a snack in the lobby area with you – you are welcome to bring your own snacks and they also have a variety of very reasonably priced snacks and drinks available to purchase as well.
There are 2 water fountains as well for anyone just needing a quick water break. And of course – there are two great bathrooms just around the corner behind the water fountains. There is a changing table located in the larger stall of the women’s bathroom…. and if your little one needs to do a little primping – check out the Frozen vanity in the women’s bathroom as well. So cute.
If you want to leave and take a lunch break, that is no problem either – your admission is good for the entire day – you can come and go throughout the day at no additional charge.
Speaking of charges – It’s Playtime does not charge admission for adults or children under 2 (That means your little ones under 2 are Free!!). Another big bonus in my books! I am never fond of when I have to pay to go in somewhere just to sit and watch my kids play. But not only do you get in for free – you are welcome to enjoy everything It’s Playtime has to offer along side your kids OR just let them go and have fun while you sit down and catch up on emails (Free wifi too!), chat with friends, or just enjoy them having fun while relaxing (guilt free) for a little while.
We have been back a couple of times now and the kids have loved it just as much each visit. The owner, Aimee (a mom to young kiddos herself) and her staff are so friendly and easy going. Parents at Rex’s party were all commenting about what a great place it was also! If you need a place to help wear out a nap-fighting 2 year old… Give It’s Playtime a try! It has worked for me every time! 🙂
It’s Playtime
380 West Main Street Avon, CT 06001
Email: AimeeEdgar@itsplaytimeavon.com
You can also find them on Facebook.
Hours (2020):
Monday 9:30-4 pm
Tuesday 9:30-5 pm
Wednesday 9:30-5 pm
Thursday 9-5 pm
Friday 9-5 pm
Saturday 12-3:30 pm (Anyone who comes in after 2:35 will be free admission until 3:30 on Saturday only.)
Sunday 12-6 pm
Pricing (2020):
All Admissions are good for the entire day with FREE re-entry
Prices include the 10% CT state tax
- General Admission………………………………….……$14.95
- General Admission + $16 game bracelet .…….$25.95 (a $30 value- savings of $5)
- General Admission + $ 26 game bracelet ……….…$30.95 (a $40 value- savings of $10)
- Grip socks ………………………………………………………….$3.00
- Adult athletic socks………………..$2.00
MEMBERSHIPS
- Family with one child……….$75.95 per month (Paid for in 5 visits)
- Family with two children……$125.95 per month (Paid for in 4 visits)
- Family with three children….$155.95 per month (Paid for in 3.5 visits)
- Family with four children…….$175.95 per month (Paid for in just under 3 visits)
Details:
Stroller Friendly: YES
Coffee Mug Friendly: Absolutely…There is even a Starbucks located in the same plaza 🙂
Restroom: YES (and water fountains too!)
Baby Changing Station: YES (Located in the larger stall of the women’s restroom)
Parking: YES – lots of free parking
Food for Sale: YES – Snacks and drinks
Outside Food Allowed: YES – you just have to keep all the food in the lobby area – it can’t go into the play space.
Cash Required: NO – credit and debit cards are accepted
Age Recommendations: Probably best for ages 1-7 (but older kids can have fun there too!)
Dress Code: Socks are required – Parents included – everyone must remove their shoes AND have socks past the front desk.
Evening/Weekend Hours: YES
Discounts: Monthly memberships are available.
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