Collab&Play in Glendale is a co-working office space with on-site childcare. PHOTO COURTESY COLLAB&PLAY
School is out and your kids are on the loose, but you might still have work to get done. When it’s inconvenient to hire a babysitter, or you just need to get your children out of the house, we’ve found amazing places where you can work and they can play. From child-friendly coffee shops to full-time drop-off care, we’ve got you covered.
It Takes a Village
A celeb-approved (Rebecca Romijn is an investor) tot hot spot, WeVillage (13335 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; www.wevillage.com) features drop-off childcare from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. “I couldn’t find a beautiful space with high-quality care that fit my schedule, so I decided to create it,” says founder Karen Beninati. Kids can play in the thoughtfully designed play area for an hourly rate that ranges from $14-$22 depending on age. Monthly are yearly memberships are available, as are a preschool program and catered meals.
Home of the ‘Babyccino’
Swork Coffee Bar (2160 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock; www.swork.com) is hip and mostly business. It’s a great place for freelancers looking to get some work done, but it has a cool kid-friendly area in the back. You’ll love the rustic/industrial décor – a break from colorful cartoon characters. You need to watch your children, but if you’ve got kids old enough to hang out and play while you work, you’re golden. You can even get a “Babyccino” (steamed milk) or tasty pastry for your little ones! The play area is not contained, so be on alert for bolters. Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The adorable Snooknuk play place has fun classes for kids, a café for meals and snacks, and is convenient to nearby studios. PHOTO COURTESY SNOOKNUK
Park Adjacent
Highland Park staple Cafe de Leche (5000 York Blvd; www.cafedeleche.net) recently converted its kids’ spot into a roasting area. But you can still grab some great coffee (or try the delicious espresso con Horchata) and take your kiddo to play at York Park across the street. And good news for Altadena parents: the newer Altadena location (2477 Lake Ave.) has a back patio that is perfect for kiddos. They have ring-toss games, books, even almond-milk steamers!
Collaborate With Kids
This Glendale work space is genius. Collab&Play (1800 S. Brand Blvd.; www.collabandplay.com) is a co-working office with on-site childcare. Freelancers, entrepreneurs and anyone who needs office space can set up shop in the communal office from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Bring your kids with you to work and access full-time childcare if you need it. “Breastfeeding moms are able to get back to work and continue breastfeeding without the hassle of pumping,” says owner Silvana Arzeno Toledo. Packages are based on the number of hours or days you need, and range from 10 hours for $230 to unlimited use for $960 a month. Space rental and printing privileges depend on your package.
Catch Up and Play
The Coop has free wifi and an espresso bar for parents, and a wide range of spaces where kids can run and play. PHOTO COURTESY THE COOP
An indoor playground in Atwater Village, The Great Escape Club (3525 Glenhurst Ave.; www.thegreatescapeclub.squarespace.com) is a fun spot where little ones can climb and bounce. There is no parent lounge, but there’s wifi in the play area so you can catch up on email while the kids are busy. The club is best for ages 6 months to 7 years, and $12 gets your kid in from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for Mon.-Fri. open play. Money-saving membership packages are also available.
A Lounge With Free Coffee
At Pamper & Play in West L.A. (2279 Westwood Blvd.; www.pamperplay.com), you can set up in the parent lounge while kids ages 8 months to 8 years are entertained in the supervised play area. The facility welcomes walk-ins and provides free coffee and wi-fi for grown-ups and healthy snacks available for purchase for the little ones. The admission price is $12 per hour per child for ages 3 and up, $15 for ages 2 and younger. Five-hour play packs (to be used over multiple visits) are $36 for ages 3 and up and $46 for younger children. Summer hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. through Sept. 12.
Biz Adjacent
This Larchmont play place and class studio features an adorable space and great coffee for grownups. Supervised play hours at Snooknuk (506 Larchmont Blvd.; www.snooknuk.com) are from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and admission is just $8 per day per child. The cafe sells sandwiches, salads and pastries if you or the little ones get hungry. Entertainment industry parents will appreciate that Paramount Studios and Raleigh Studios are nearby.
The Great Escape in Atwater Village has no parent lounge, but does offer wifi in the play area so parents can keep up with email while the kids play. PHOTO COURTESY THE GREAT ESCAPE
Not Cooped Up
At the COOP South Bay (903 N Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach; www.thecoopsouthbay.com), there’s no onsite childcare, but there is free wifi and an espresso bar for parents. The kids will have a blast in the ball pit, bouncer and giant slide, tee pee and dance and gaming floor, which are super clean and disinfected daily. And they might just burn off enough energy to let you get some work done. Admission is $12 per child for two hours of playtime, or purchase a monthly or 10-visit pass for $100. The COOP is open from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri.
Go See Amy
Amy’s Playground (1115 Mission St., South Pasadena; www.amysindoorplayground.com) is a large, comfy indoor playground best for ages 5 and younger (though there is no age limit). Couches and picnic tables are available — as is wifi. You’re welcome to bring food in or purchase snacks at Amy’s store. Complimentary coffee is provided for adults who need a pick-me-up. Day passes are $8-$12 depending on age, and packages are available. Check their site for fun weekly activities such as Balloon Artists Thursdays! Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., and until 6 p.m. on Fridays.
Lindsey Hunter Lopez is a former entertainment writer and English teacher, and a mom of two.
