https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:26:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917754 Tue, 28 Jul 2020 08:31:56 +0000 MrsSCB 2917754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally I would not. I'm comfortable with outdoor dining and outdoor playgrounds, but we don't do anything indoors yet (other than grocery shopping). Maybe it would depend on what the current spread is like where you are, but I can't really see myself doing anything indoors for awhile regardless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917753 Tue, 28 Jul 2020 06:50:22 +0000 misolee 2917753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not. But even under normal circumstances, I didn't normally take my kids to these play areas bc they weren't superclean to begin with. One of the local play areas did end up permanently closing at the beginning of this craziness. Another really popular one is open with precautions in place like all guests must be wearing masks (including children) but I don't know if they are actually getting any business. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917751 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 23:58:20 +0000 bees_knees 2917751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I came here to comment on private bookings but I see it was already suggested! A+ idea, and hopefully a creative way to stay open! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917750 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 23:39:34 +0000 ALV91711 2917750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me no but we don’t generally go to indoor playgrounds in normal times as when we have someone always ends up sick. </p> <p>I like the ideas that have been mentioned of private bookings or timed tickets. If I were going to go these would make me feel more comfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917748 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 23:27:08 +0000 Grace 2917748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you have to take into account the covid situation in your area. Is it under control? Is testing sufficient? That kind of thing. Then you can make a call. Having said that, my city of 700,000 has a whopping 12 cases and there are no indoor playspaces open. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917747 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 23:26:53 +0000 karenbme 2917747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LadyDi: As others have said, totally depends on where/what infection rates are. The other thing you might think about, though, is timed tickets for very small numbers at a time—like a private booking but a shorter window. If families can’t swing a big block, maybe an hour or half hour would work. The Y near my BIL does this and allows three families at a time and they use it (but only with families they know). BIL’s wife is a ped. intensive care doctor, so if she’s comfortable it’s probably lower risk? Their kids are back in daycare, though, too, which lots of people (including me) aren’t doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917745 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 21:48:31 +0000 PinkElephant 2917745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's an unfortunate "heck, no!" from me, too. For me, it's primarily lack of trust of the other people who might be using the space at the same time as me - I've seen too much behavior I find questionable for the risk to be worth it to me. That said, it's hot (or in your case, cold) out, people are bored, and you'd probably still get business. </p> <p>But...I think the board has to consider how you'd feel if your playspace was ever linked to a COVID outbreak, and how your staff feel about having to act as the social distancing police. This is the part that gets really hard, IMO. I actually had a conversation today with a friend about kids' programs we help run (sports for her, Girl Scouts for me), and how we are reluctant to run them this fall because of how we'd feel if someone got sick after one of our events, and how we feel about having to be the social distancing police for other families. I am also a PTO officer at my kids' schools, and we as a board have been talking about needing to have people sign liability waivers if we are able to have events this year (saying that they understand the risks of group gatherings and agree to abide by whatever social distancing rules are in place at that point). Please know I'm not saying this from a point of judgement or snark - I'm trying to empathize with how you feel, because thinking about these things and the possibility of liability/fault/blame (besides how terrible I'd feel!) is really scary to me.</p> <p>Crazy world right now. I'm sorry you're having to make this decision. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917741 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 21:18:25 +0000 wrkbrk 2917741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LadyDi: No. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917740 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 20:56:29 +0000 Silva 2917740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted no but private bookings would be something I'd consider- if it was a family in our bubble. If the cost was low enough I'd even consider renting for us and one other family, just for a change of pace. Thats how I ended up with a bouncy house coming to my yard for a total of 6 children to play in.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917738 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 19:44:50 +0000 Jess1483 2917738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We run an indoor/outdoor children’s play place. I live in one of the lowest Covid states, and we only opened our playground. We did at one point consider private bookings but decided that for now it put our employees at too much risk. It is likely to be our next step whenever we feel safe. Other children’s play areas have opened though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917737 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:16:34 +0000 LadyDi 2917737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charleysmom: @MrsSRS: @erinbaderin: The idea of private bookings is great, I hadn't thought of that. I'll bring it up at the meeting. Thanks!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917735 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:58:56 +0000 Miss Ariel 2917735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted maybe. </p> <p>My thought would be if it’s a situation where kids are already in school/daycare around each other for something like a birthday party. That would also mean extended families (cousins, grandparents, etc....) wouldn’t be there, but that would be hard to enforce. I’ve read it’s less likely to be transmitted on surfaces, so you could possibly have a second group join and hour or so after the first leaves.</p> <p>It definitely wouldn’t be drop in play, which it sounds like you’re looking for, but could be an option.</p> <p>Of course the employees actually running the place would be exposed to all, which isn’t great... but maybe that could be mitagated with masks and distancing?</p> <p>I know places like this have opened near us, but we haven’t been to any. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917734 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:53:14 +0000 erinbaderin 2917734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agreed that I would not, but would definitely be open to booking it privately if that was an option. I just would feel too nervous about an indoor space with people interacting for extended periods of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917733 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:27:23 +0000 bhbee 2917733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not, but we have several places near us in Texas that are open with more limited numbers and precautions like you describe. I think they are getting some usage since it’s so hot here, I think there are always some families who would do it. </p> <p>They are trying to get creative with things like themed outdoor play dates when weather allows, I believe they still do parties, they have private play dates you can book, and they’re offering a kind of preschool option linked below if you want food for thought. </p> <p><a href="https://www.playstreetmuseum.com/unschool" rel="nofollow">https://www.playstreetmuseum.com/unschool</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917732 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:01:31 +0000 MrsSRS 2917732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not. But I second booking privately. I bet there will be a large desire for that. And you could have a scholarship option if you charge a slightly higher price most of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917730 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:48:48 +0000 JJ2626 2917730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn’t. It’s sad but indoor play spaces should be the very last to open. I wouldn’t take my kid to a place like this until there is a widely used vaccine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917729 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:48:27 +0000 charleysmom 2917729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I would not. Is it possible to let families book private play time? That will help keep the numbers down and allow for sanitizing between bookings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917728 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:25:12 +0000 catgirl 2917728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely not. I was already hesitant about indoor play spaces in winter with regular colds and flu, so definitely not with Covid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917727 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:10:46 +0000 PurplePeony 2917727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We won’t go to an indoor entertainment space until our county/state is in Phase 4 (our final phase). Even then, we’ll probably stick to large, well-ventilated places for awhile. Unfortunately, a play space in a church basement would likely be among the last places I’d choose to go back to. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917726 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:08:23 +0000 AB810 2917726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not. I am not taking my children to any indoor spaces currently (stores, etc) and we aren't going to outdoor spaces. School will be the only space I plan on taking my kids in the near future other than hikes/nature activities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917725 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:04:29 +0000 KT326 2917725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I wouldn't. </p> <p>I'm on the board of our little league and we have been trying to figure out how to safely open up again once we get the go ahead from the country. It's a difficult decision! I'm not even sure if I want my son going back this year even if we can have games again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917724 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:01:00 +0000 gotkimchi 2917724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not because I feel like indoor spaces are the worst option and my first priority is getting my kids (4+6) back to school. So school will be our only outing for us - we’re still avoiding restaurants, gatherings, events etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/indoor-play-centers-during-covid#post-2917723 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:48:03 +0000 LadyDi 2917723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looking for some help here. No judgement regardless of how you respond, but would you take your kids to an indoor play center during the pandemic? If so, what parameters would you like to see in place. </p> <p>I am asking because I am on the board of a small, non-profit indoor play center that is open from Labor Day - Memorial Day. We have a meeting next week to discuss whether or now we'll be reopening, so I wanted to get some perspective from other moms. I am sure if we open we'll have parameters in place, such as making sure only a certain number of people are there, mask wearing above age 2, sanitizer, etc. But a lot of things about a play center are challenging during these times. It's meant for kids to play together, not apart, there's a lot of sharing of toys, etc. Also, we cater to the under 5 crowd, so a lot of kids wouldn't be wearing masks. </p> <p>I am so torn about this. As a board member I want to say I will try to take my kids. But I don't know. I do know that I will be so sad if we fold because of this. Our business model is to offer very low cost play so ALL families and caregivers have a space to bring their children in the winter, regardless of income. We're run out of the basement of a church (but are not a part of the church) that doesn't ask us to pay rent but we do have to pay the utilities. We have a small amount of money in savings but not a lot and we were not granted a PPP loan. </p> <p>Anyway, everyone here is always so thoughtful so I wanted to check with the hive and see what you're thoughts were on something like this. </p>