PlayWiseKids

PlayWiseKids is a large, indoor play and activity center located just off I-95 in Columbia, Maryland. Inside, you’ll find the warehouse-like space divided into several different areas with everything from a giant sandbox to a life-size fire engine. There is a café on the premises, and a store with products that you can use to recreate and extend the experiences from your day at PlayWiseKids. They offer drop-in play, field trips, and birthday parties.

If your preschooler loves dramatic play, PlayWiseKids offers lots of different types. There is a small house with furniture and a kitchen set. There’s even a garden in the green rug lawn with artificial flowers that can be picked. Other dramatic play areas include a dance studio, fire engine, ambulance and doctor’s office, and a television weather station – where kids report the weather in front of a large map and watch themselves on a closed circuit tv.

 

The giant sandbox is great for preschoolers who like the beach. There’s lots of room and lots of sand toys, along with a boat half buried in the sand.

 

There are several chairs for adults in most of the play areas, so you can rest while watching your kids, and there are even massage chairs (extra cost) scattered around if you want to really relax.

 

The walls are low between play areas, and there are a variety of activities for different age ranges, so if you’ve got several preschoolers with you (you have to maintain a ratio of one adult for every five kids) with different interests, or kids of several ages, you can supervise all of them easily.

It’s hard to find nutritious snacks and meals at the café, entrées are limited to hot dogs and pizza. Most of the other foods available are either sweets or chips. They did have applesauce and fruit cups. In the vending machines, there are juices and water along with sodas, as well as baked crackers and trail mixes. When the café is open, the website and signs in the building state that outside food is not allowed, but it was not enforced when we visited.

 

If you want your kids eating healthier fare, there are two good options. Your admission fee is good for the day, and there are several eateries in surrounding shopping centers, so you could go elsewhere for lunch and come back. The other option is to bring your preschooler at a time when the café is closed and bringing your own food is encouraged, mostly during the day on school days.

 

The building has very high ceilings and temperature is tough to regulate. It was cold outside the day we went, and somewhat chilly inside. Most adults were wearing light jackets or sweaters, though your preschooler may be fine once they get to playing.

Your preschooler will have lots of different activities to choose from at PlayWiseKids. Compared to other indoor play places in the area, admission is reasonable and drop-in play times are very flexible. Drop-in play is available anytime the facility is open. Because it is so large, it can accommodate lots of people and there’s little, if any, waiting for individual toys or play areas. PlayWiseKids is well staffed and clean.

Hours and prices are subject to change, see website and contact information below so you can verify.

 

6570 Dobbin Rd

Columbia, MD 21045

410-772-1540

 

Monday through Friday: 9:30 to 5

Saturday: 9:30 to 7

Sunday: 11:30 to 6

PlayWiseKids is closed July 4, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

 

Children (ages 2-10): $8.95

Toddlers (12 to 24 months): $5.95

Adults (age 11 and up): $3.00

Babies (0 to 11 months): Free

Six and 12 month memberships are available and include store and birthday party discounts.

 

PlayWiseKids has free parking in front and back of the building, though it gets crowded much faster than the facility does. Open space in the lot is narrow and can be tough to maneuver.