Play Cafe at Judson Mill in Greenville, SC is about to make every parent of little kids dreams come true with their huge indoor play area and cafe.
Austin Motes and Daniel Kingsbury are both dads with little kids. They acutely understand the challenge of finding fun, safe, and affordable places for their kids to play indoors but not at the expense of the sanity of the parents. And with Greenville growing so fast and so many new families coming to put down roots here – many of whom work from home – they also saw the need for a massive indoor space that allows parents to work but where their kids can get out energy and play.
They started dreaming up something big. Like really, really big.
Enter the new Play Cafe of Judson Mill, a massive new indoor play space with structures up to three stories tall and a cafe and comfortable tables and chairs for parents to get some work done.
The photo below is a possible rendering of what one of the playgrounds at the Play Cafe will look like.
About the Play Cafe
Austin Motes works in construction and has extensive knowledge of what it takes to navigate building codes and permits. Daniel Kingsbury owns SC Party Rentals so his expertise lies in entertainment. These Greenville natives are the co-owners of the Play Cafe and it’s their experience as parents and their knowledge of their respective industries that will make this new business venture appealing to families in Greenville (and beyond).
The vision behind the Play Cafe, they both told me, was to have a fun and relaxing place for kids to play safely but also to make sure parents didn’t need a vacation after spending a couple of hours there with their kids.
To that end, there will be no arcade, no loud air blowing through inflatables, and no musical aspects. Of course, kids will be loud but none of the play structures will add to that noise.
The Indoor Playgrounds
Austin and Daniel have quite literally scoured the world to find the coolest indoor play structures to bring to Greenville. They have gone to the biggest convention of theme park operators and inventors to find unique aspects to bring to the Play Cafe. This is no small deal to say the least.
The entire Play Cafe will occupy more than 14,500 square feet, which is enormous.
There will be two huge play structures, one of them two stories high and the other three stories high. They will be netted, and have slides, climbing structures, balls to throw and play with, tunnels, ladders, and other surprises.
Smaller kids will have an enclosed area to play apart from the bigger kids as well as a sensory area to explore. One side of the enclosed space will have a bartop counter where parents can sit with their coffee and laptops and watch their kids.
The Play Cafe is designed for kids ages 12 and under and while kids can play on any structure they’d like, one structure will be geared more for kids under 5 years old and the other for kids ages 6-12.
It’s obvious two dads and their wives planned this space, which I so appreciate!
Imagination Stations
For kids who may not want to play on the larger structures, the Play Cafe will have several Imagination Stations. These are small areas that are themed where kids can use their imaginations to become whatever their little hearts desire.
Some of the themed Imagination Stations will include a veterinarian’s office, a fire station, a princess castle, and a doctor’s office.
Safety at the Play Cafe
Safety is, of course, of utmost importance at the Play Cafe. All the play structures are sturdy, strong, and basically indestructible. These aren’t flimsy structures.
Additionally, when parents and their kids come to play, they will be given wristbands. To exit the facility, the kids must have the same wristband as their parents or they cannot leave. And there is only one entrance and exit so parents don’t need to worry about their little escape artists wandering off.
The Cafe
The Cafe will have comfortable seating throughout the space and service coffee, smoothies, pizza, and sandwiches.
The Play Cafe will also be working with Feed & Seed, also located at Judson Mill, to offer healthier options if parents want to choose those.
And working parents, this is your place to bring the kids so you can get some work done. There will be plenty of space to bring your laptop, connect to the Wifi, and let your kids get some energy out while you meet your deadlines.
Birthday Parties & Special Events
The Play Cafe at Judson Mill will offer several different birthday party packages for guests, ranging from a more budget-friendly version to an all out turnkey event where the parents only need to reserve the room and everything else will be handled for them. Um, yes please.
There will be 10 birthday party rooms – yes, 10. So if the weather looks bad for your outdoor party, you have a pretty good chance of snagging one of the birthday party rooms here at the Play Cafe.
Additionally, all the party rooms will be the same with the option of projecting a theme throughout the room. Think a princess castle or jungle full of dinosaurs.
Play Passes & Memberships
The pricing for a day of play has not been finalized yet but it will be competitive and there will be discounts for siblings.
Memberships, homeschool days, tot times, and special needs hours will also be part of the new Play Cafe at Judson Mill.
Opening Date
It took an entire year for Austin and Daniel to find the location and get the permits for the Play Cafe and while they have a lot in place already, the space will not be ready for business for around six months – so hopefully by September 2023.
In the meantime, be sure to follow the Play Cafe on Facebook and we will be updating our readers as soon as it’s open!
Play Cafe at Judson Mill
701 Easley Bridge Road, Greenville
Play Cafe Facebook
Want to play now?
While you wait, try one of these indoor playgrounds near Greenville, SC.
More indoor fun!