Photo Credit: Imagine Play

Imagine Play Turns 1

Imagine Play recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary with an awesome anniversary party on October 22nd. A popular place in Elk Grove for parents and youngsters to hang out, the fun filled indoor play area boasts a castle with a slide, a pirate ship with a slide, toys galore, games, lots of pretend play, art projects, hourly activities, special events, birthday parties, and more.

Imagine Play October 2017
Photo Credit: Imagine Play

Imagine Play October 2018
Photo Credit: Imagine Play

Over the course of the past year, Imagine Play has rapidly grown, adding the pirate ship with a slide, and continually offering new toys and new items for children to play with. Each month there is a pretend theme. So for example, one month it might be pretend camping with a tent and an area where you can roast marshmallows and everything. Another month you might get to garden and pick vegetables. As a result, the kids are constantly entertained with new toys and activities, and there are new events and new offerings every single month. They have also added a lot of special events during the year and Parents Drop Off Night. With this, you can drop your child at Imagine Play for a few hours and do whatever you want.

Storytime with Ice Princess
Photo Credit: Imagine Play

1 Year Anniversary Party

Imagine Play’s 1 Year Anniversary Party was fantastic. Throughout the day they had a continuous stream of activities. They started with airplane making with Skye followed by story time with Ice Princess. Belle from Beauty and the Beast came and some lucky youngsters seemed thrilled to meet her.

Belle warmly greets excited young girls

Moana came and showed the kids how to do the hula. Finally, the day concluded with a visit from Catboy. All the kids had plenty of time in between to enjoy all the normal toys, play activities, games, art projects, and slides at Imagine Play.

Moana teaches children how to do the hula
Photo Credit: Imagine Play

Catboy visits with youngsters
Photo Credit: Imagine Play

Also, Chelsea Perez had a display of Usborne Books which she sold during Imagine Play’s 1 Year Anniversary party.

Touches You Will Appreciate

When you walk into Imagine Play, there are thoughtful touches all around. They have free coffee and tea with a nice Keurig coffee/teamaker. The wifi is free. Consequently, it’s perfectly normal to see parents on their smart phones or laptops while the kids play. You can borrow free charging stations for your laptop. Most noteworthy, each bathroom has a changing table with wipes. Since my toddler is still in pull-ups, I really appreciate all the amenities.

Imagine Play sells Melissa and Doug toys. Since Christmas isn’t too far away, it’s not a bad idea to start picking out Christmas gifts for family or friends. Personally, I keep buying the Melissa & Doug Scratch Art books and kits to make bracelets and headbands because they keep my girls occupied when they are bored or if we are traveling. Actually, I have a ready collection of Melissa & Doug toys and activities purchased from Imagine Play in my closet. It’s handy just in case we need a quick present for a child’s birthday party.

Melissa & Doug toys available for purchase at Imagine Play

Melissa & Doug activities available for purchase from Imagine Play

Passes, Punch Cards, & Memberships

Imagine Play offers 8 punch cards for $88. It’s a reasonable option if you anticipate visiting often doing the year. If you plan to visit Imagine Play often, bring guests, and enjoy their special events, you should consider the Open Play and VIP Memberships. Their Open Play Membership costs $299 annually or $75 for 3 months and includes unlimited general admissions, 10% off snack bar products, special member hours, 20% off special events, and 1 monthly guest pass. The VIP Membership costs $350 annually and includes unlimited general admissions, 12 special events a year, 10% off snack bar products, special member hours, 25% off birthday parties, and 2 monthly guest passes. They also offer daily Open Play for $12.50 for your 1st child and $8.50 for each additional child. Babies age 12 months and younger are free.

Anna & Elsa pose with Isabelle, Avery, Roxana, & Evangeline
at the Valentine’s Day Frozen event

Special Events

Special events have proven to be very popular at Imagine Play. For example, they have a Halloween Game, Craft, and Pumpkin Hunt on October 31. During the past year, the special events from characters such as Elsa from Frozen have completely sold out. In fact, if you want to go to an Imagine Play event, it’s a good idea to purchase a spot for your child as soon as you find out about it.

Imagine Play also has Parent Drop Off Night. With this, you can drop off your child for 3 hours and go have some fun. They accept children 3 to 9 years of age. The child needs to be potty-trained. But they can make exceptions for under 3 if the child is potty-trained.

Imagine Play’s party room decorated for a Paw Patrol themed birthday party
Photo Credit: Imagine Play

Birthdays

In addition, Imagine Play offers children’s birthday party packages. It’s wonderful because you can bring your own food if you want a they offer you a well decorated space and plenty of entertainment and all you need to do is show up. A Semi Private Party for 10 Children costs $185 and offers semi-private use of the play area for 2 hours, a private party room for 1.5 hours, one party attendant, a birthday party banner, goodie bags, a special crown or tiara for the guest of honor child, plates, utentils, and table covering, and water or juice boxes. Also, you can add additional children up to 15 for $14 per child.

A Private Party for 20 children costs $375 and offers private use of the play area for 2.5 hours, a private party room for 2 hours, two party attendants, a birthday party banner, goodie bags, a special crown or tiara for the guest of honor, plates, utensils and table covering, water or juice boxes, and an art and craft activity. A Themed Party for 20 children costs $525 and offers private use of the play area for 3 hours, a party party room for 2.5 hours, two party attendants, a birthday party banner, themed goodie bags, a special crown or tiara for the guest of honor, themed plates, utensils, and table covering, colored fans, tassels, and 15 balloons, 20 waters and juice boxes, and a guided art and craft activity. For the Private Party and Themed Party, you can add additional children for up to 30 for $14 per child.

Furthermore, all parties include a free admission voucher for the birthday child for a future visit and a digital birthday party invitation. For your guests, the Private Party and Private Themed Party offers 50% off vouchers. Party ad ons include an art and craft activity, game, or facepainting for $25, a mascot or character special appearance with a storytime, singalong, dance game, facepainting, or picture time for $100, and additional decorations such as themed table coverings, themed table toppers, and a themed Happy Birthday banner for $25.

Call Imagine Play or submit an inquiry on their website HERE if you are interested in having a birthday party at Imagine Play.

Imagine Play’s party room decorated for Imagine Play’s 1 Year Anniversary
Photo Credit: Imagine Play

Thoughts

In the past year, I know I personally have taken my children many times to Imagine Play. Both my children enjoy the slides. My 2 year old enjoys the ride on toys quite a bit and loves playing inside the castle and pretending she is shopping. However, my 6 year old loves the hourly activities, art projects, and playing dress up.

I appreciate the free wi-fi and the fact that I can sit and watch my kids play. If I’m super busy with work or writing, I can always get things done on my laptop while still watching my kids play.

I love that there are loads of activities for children. It’s impossible for your child to get through them all in one session. All the activities, toys, games, atmosphere, and amenities are really well thought out. You don’t have to worry about your kids getting bored. They have new activities every hour and they change out their toys, games, and supplies constantly. So you will see a constant stream of new and exciting things for your kids. The special events and birthday parties are a lot of fun to take your kids to. Also, the birthday parties are incredibly easy to book and the staff at Imagine Play do it all for you.

Imagine Play is a great indoor play area for children and is ideal for kids 7 and under. Important to note, I have also seen older children enjoy art projects and activities at Imagine Play like a wind tunnel.

Carissa Cheung plays at Imagine Play

Check Out Imagine Play

Imagine Play’s 1 Year Anniversary was a fabulous and well executed event. I love having a VIP membership and my daughters beg all the time to go to Imagine Play. While you might assume that your children might get bored of going to the same place, I can assure you with Imagine Play’s constant flow of new toys, activities, events, and Parents Nights Out, your children will not be at a loss for entertainment. Like me, I think most parents who check out Imagine Play will come to appreciate the down time to just sit and relax while your kids play. I have no reservations whatsoever about recommending Imagine Play for you and your family.

Congratulations to Imagine Play on your 1 year anniversary! I’m thrilled you have made it this far and look forward to continuing to bring my kids to play.