As the weather freezes and we’re all forced to look for indoor places to play, I’m reposting my review of Interactions, and will be posting about new indoor place spaces in the DC area all week long!
The APISS kids and I went to try out Interactions Learn and Play in Kensington, a new open gym and play space that opened in January. Interactions is independently owned by a group of local parent entrepreneurs that sought to create a community space for families with young children to learn together.
The kids and I had A BLAST and we had the entire place to ourselves!
The facility was safe, inviting, extremely clean and packed full of fun and educational toys and equipment. There are separate areas for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, making music and physical play. Each play station or activity is labeled with the skills your child will acquire and exercise in that station. My kids loved the ride on train, kid coaster, ball pits, singing on a kid karaoke machine, the climbing station and every other half-hour the staff inflates the small, non-threatening moonbounce with slide. When my kids got tuckered out on all the physically-stimulating gear, they moved on to more cerebral play like puzzles, word games, practicing writing their letters on dry erase cards, blocks and interactive books.
The target age range for Interactions Learn and Play is 0-4 years. I brought my not-yet-in-kindergarten 5 year old with me and he had as much fun as his almost 3 year old sister. However, kids much older are discouraged to preserve a safe environment for younger attendees, unless an older child is there to help his or her younger siblings.
The cost is $12 for the first child, $6 for additional siblings. Right now they take cash only, so hit the ATM before arriving. If you fall in love with the place, you can purchase discounted family passes for 6 visits/$60 for 1 child, 6 visits/$90 for a two-child family and 6 visits/$120 for a three-child family and so forth.
Families are welcome to bring lunch and snacks to eat in the lobby area, but unfortunately are not allowed to go out and come back in again later that day after grabbing lunch or a nap. So pack some fruit and cheese – our grumbling tummies (and bad mommy’s snack-less bag) cut short our play time to my kids’ dismay. There is a large, clean, super-well equipped family restroom right in the heart of the play area, making it easy for kids to take potty breaks without missing too much of the action. You can safely step away with one child and still hear if your other kid needs your help. Since I’m in the thick of potty-training my almost 3 year old, having the restroom nearby and accessible was key. There’s a changing table, mini-potty for little ones, diaper pail and various anti-bacterial supplies.
In summation, I believe Interactions Learn and Play is a great indoor play and learn option for babies up to prekindergarten kids. Located in the heart of Kensington and right off the Connecticut Avenue/Kensington exit on the Beltway, it’s conveniently located for many Montgomery County and DC-area families. I liked that the place wasn’t crowded, but I hope that APISS readers check it out and more families attend. Supporting a new, independently- owned local business is so important, especially one that offers the much-needed resource of drop-in indoor play options during the week.
Interactions Learn and Play
Open Gym and Play Space for Kids 0-4 years
3809 Farragut Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895 MAP
Phone: 301.946.1010
Hours: Monday – Friday 10am – 7pm
Saturdays 10am-1:30pm (call first, Saturday hours subject to change)
Closed Sundays & Holidays
$12 per child, $6 per sibling, cash only
