Whenever I’m asked where the hot play dates are happening during the dog days of summer, my knee-jerk response is usually “any place that’s air-conditioned!” But after visiting the new Hudson’s House of Play, I can confidently say there’s no cooler place around for kids to beat the heat.
Located on Riverwalk Place in West, New York, this local play palace provides a safe (and colossally clean!) environment for young ones ages 5 month to 5 years to spend an afternoon doing what they enjoy most: having fun and making friends! Owner (and mom of three) Dawn Menon opened her “dream space” (2,000 square feet of kid-friendliness) with the goal of bringing her love of childrens’ parties, play, and enrichment into one centralized spot, and she’s certainly succeeded. The designated infant area—complete with cushioned floors that are steam-cleaned daily—is fully enclosed and filled with classic and creative toys, which my 9-month-old took to instantly. Meanwhile, my 7 year-old had a blast grocery shopping at “Trader Jack’s” and making treats at “Sprinkles Bakery,” just two of the fun-filled playrooms named after Menon’s sons.
Hudson House isn’t just a fun spot for kids, either. The kid in me had an equally good time hanging out in the cozy café nook, where I leisurely sipped a cup of coffee, nibbled on locally baked goodies, and acquainted myself with some of the other moms while the kids played. Oh, and did I mention THERE’S NO MEMBERSHIP FEE! You can purchase passes by the day ($14 plus tax per child; $12/each additional sibling; $8.00/under 6 months) or a 5-pack for $50 (perfect for last-minute play dates). Dawn and her staff also throw amazing birthday parties (packages start at $995 plus tax for 15 children). A word to the wise: this place is sure to be a hit, so call ahead to check play space availability.
Hudson’s House of Play
Open Tues- Friday 9:30 to 5pm, Saturdays 9am to Noon
40 Riverwalk Place, West New York, NJ
201-751-4300
Leslie Gracz-Weinstein is a contributing mom-editor to Bergen Mama, she lives in Fort Lee with her two kids and finds really fun things to do.
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