The Town Square Play Cafe

Located in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake, the Town Square Play Cafe is a new on the scene indoor play area for ages 0-6. A family owned business, the indoor play space has gross motor play such as slides, swings, and lots to climb on. For fine motor, kids can play with gears on the walls, magnatiles, scarves, and more. Kids can also engage in imaginative play in the vet area, grocery store, farm, sand box, ice cream shop, doll houses, and more. Our favorite part was the interactive projection sandbox, which adjusts the scene as you dig. There is also a gated baby area. 

Day passes for ages 1 and older are $15, with a sibling add on of $8. Children under one are $8. Ten packs of play passes offer a discount at $120. After school play specials are $8. There is also a membership option. The cafe is open 9:00-4:00 Monday through Friday, and 8:00-10:30 Saturday and Sunday. Birthday parties take place on the weekend after general play. It is recommended that you book in advance, as there is a limit on capacity. 

Half day summer camp options are available for potty trained children ages 2.5 to 6, with options for 2 days a week in the morning, to 3 afternoons, and between. Themed weeks include Superheroes, Space, Fun on the Farm, and Water World. 

Firefly: Charlottesville

 On our latest trip to Snowshoe, as always when we take our boys, we had to stop for a break half way home.  My husband found this awesome restaurant in Charlottesville and it was the perfect stop for us. Firefly advertises as a family-friendly restaurant and game room. One great thing - you can see the games from your table, so you never have to take your eyes off the kids, but you can take a break while you sit and eat for a few. There is an awesome menu with typical bar food as well as tons of vegan options. I ordered the jackfruit wonton nachos, labeled as an appetizer, but a huge amount of food that I couldn't finish in one sitting. The boys got the vegan bites (nuggets) on the kids menu. My husband got a regular burger, and everyone enjoyed their food. 

They are open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Friday and brunch or dinner on Saturdays. There is trivia on Tuesday, Bingo on Wednesdays, and Karaoke on Thursdays. There are pinball machines, arcade games, and skeeball for purchase as well as a wide variety of board games that you can play for free at your table. The paid games take quarters or dollars, and there is an ATM on site. There is free parking in a small lot up front and an additional lot in the back. If you're looking for an easy stop on your way out of town through Charlottesville, check them out! 

Apelu Island Cafe

We stopped by Apelu Island Cafe on a whim after the St. Paddy's Day parade in Norfolk last weekend and after passing it a few times and waiting for it to open. We were greeted right away, and we ordered while the kids went over to check out their play area. Small and tucked in where it won't bother anyone, it is a small play area with just enough items to hold the attention of their younger guests. There are some card and table games also for all to enjoy. 

The cafe is owned by four Samoan sisters and offers Polynesian specialties. All of the employees had huge smiles and spoke to everyone around us. The customers were friendly and people held easy conversations. There are both communal seating options as well as independent tables. 

It's a great spot to stop in for a coffee with friends while you play a game, or to get a some work done while your kid plays for a little while. The shop is open seven days a week with hours ranging from 7-5, and is located on East Little Creek Road in the shopping center with Walmart Supercenter. Businesses that welcome in families are my absolute favorite kind to support!  

Jurassic World Live Tour

We spent the rainy Saturday at the Hampton Coliseum for Jurassic World Live Tour. The tour features a brave, smart, and fierce female scientist who uncovers an evil plan and works to save her dinosaur. I loved that this typical male dominated industry had a female lead who saved her male partner. In the STEM world, women still only make up 35% of the industry. I loved this for the girls in the audience. Super powerful. 

The show had some explosives, but nothing too loud or extreme. There was a variety of dinosaurs, and my kids were silent and watching the entire time. 

Summer Camp 2024 Round Up

Believe it or not, summer is around the corner and camps are already filling up. Here's a roundup of some local camps by city: 

Chesapeake: 

• 4-H Camp. Ages 5-12, learning by doing through photography, technology, animals, leadership, health, nutrition, and more. 
• Atlantic Shores: Grades k3-6th, praise and worship, field trips, devotions 
• Camp Outback: Girl Scout Camp, grades 1-6, traditional day camp 
• ME3 Sports Camp: Christian sports camp ages 5-13
• Now You're Cookin'- a variety of cooking camps 
• Sum One Cares Learning Leaps: Ages 5-12, designed to close instructional gaps in math and language arts and build leaders' social and emotional skills while having fun. 
• Our Sensory Farm: ages 3-12, farmventure camp 
• Painting With a Twist: ages 6-13, half day art camps 
• PottsNPaint: pottery, clay, glass, and canvas. More information to come. 
• School of Rock- music camp for all levels 
• Shining Stars Dance Academy- Ages 4-15, dance camp 
• Triple R Ranch- overnight Christian camp 
• Wonderforest School:  3-11yrs, outdoor nature school summer camp and single summer enrichment classes.

Hampton:

• The Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center: ages 10-18. Visual and performing arts 
• Painting With a Twist: ages 6-13, half day art camps 
• RIDERS: summer day camp at Hampton University, more info to come 
• Steamhouse- Stem academy camp, grades elementary - high school 
• Virginia Air and Space Science Center- space camp with various themes, grades k-8
• Youth Sailing Camp: water safety, sailing, racing 

Newport News: 

• 4-H Camp. Ages 5-12, learning by doing through photography, technology, animals, leadership, health, nutrition, and more. 
• Christopher Newport University: a variety of sports camps offered. 
• Colonial Baseball Instruction Camp: 
• Cub Scouts : BB Guns, Archery, and more
• D-Bat: baseball and softball academy 
• Newport News Parks and Recreation Camps 
• Youth Summer Sailing Camp: sailing camp for ages 5-13
• Riverside Fitness Camp: ages 3-12
• Starving Artist Studio- art camp, more information coming soon. 
• Stick Power Field Hockey- Field hockey summer camp for girls ages 6-18
• The First Tee- Golf camp through the YMCA 
• Torggler Fine Arts Center- art camps for ages 5-14
• Village Studio Arts- art camp 
• Virginia Living Museum- grades prek-5 

Norfolk:

• Apasus Girl Scout Camp: Grades 1-12 participate in traditional camp activities. 
• BLAST: Free three day program at ODU for 8th and 9th graders. 
• Chrysler Museum: ages 6-17, art camp 
• Citizen k9 Dog Training: ages 8-14, for dogs and kids 
• Coastal Broadway Collaborative: musical theatre intensive ages 10-18
• d'Art Center: ages 6-13, STEAM summer camp, different themed weeks 
• Frank W, Cox Highschool camps- a variety of sports, drama, and more.
• Generic Theater for Kids: Musical and acting camp 
• Hermitage Museum: Art camp, more info to come 
• H.O.P.E.: STEM, social skills, field trips, and creative projects. 
• Kellam Drama Kids' Camps: ages 6-13
• Kroc Center: more information to come 
• ODU: A variety of sports camps 
• Music Theory Studios: ages 7-16, learn to record music, make beats, create mixes and more
• Nauticus: ages 8-14, science and sailing camp 
• Norfolk Academy: grades k-12, a variety of camps offered 
• Norfolk Christian: Prek-12th grade, a variety of camps offered, full and half day 
• Norfolk Indoor Sports Turf: sports camps ages 5 and up
• Norfolk Parks and Recreation: based at the Norfolk rec centers, swimming, field trips, and more
• Outside The Lines Studio: ages 4-13, art camps 
• Pinot's Palette: more information to come 
• St. Patrick's- Wolfhound Weeks, a wide variety of camp offerings. half and full day options. 
• Studio360- dance camp, more info to come 
• The Dragonfly Art Studio- art camp, grades 1-8 
• TGA- gymnastics camp. Half and full day options 
• Virginia Stage Company- grades 5 and up 
• Virginia Zoo- zoo camp, grades k- 8th 

Poquoson: 

• Poquoson Community Recreation: More info to come

Portsmouth: 

• Children's Museum of Virginia: Rising 1st-5th grade, themed weeks 
• City of Portsmouth Parks and Recreation 
• P.A.L.- Police Athletic League: more information to come 

Smithfield: 

• Smithfield Little Theater- theater camp 

Suffolk:

• Make Something Studio- ages 6-16 half day art camps 
• Mullholland Family Ranch: horse camp for ages 8-14. Christian based.
• Nansemond Suffolk: ages 3 to rising grade 11, a variety of options. More info coming soon. 
• Organic Roots Academy: ages 3-14, farm and wilderness camp 
• Seven Pines Farm- Junior Homesteader Camp 
• Suffolk Art League- Summer art short sessions for ages 5-14,  and full day camp for ages 13-18
• Suffolk Forensics Camp- free half day camp for ages 12-15
• Suffolk Parks and Rec- options for ages 7-18. 

Surry: 

• Chano on the James: Christian overnight summer camp.

Virginia Beach: 

• Aerial Spirit: Ages 8-teens. All levels aerial/circus arts. 
• Angles Keepers: different themes weekly, call for more details.
• Art on the Boulevard: Art camp for kids.
• Bach to Rock: music camp 
• Ballet Virginia: Ages 4 and up, dance, choreography, and story creation. 
• Beach FC: More information coming soon. 
• Beach Soccer VB: More information coming soon. 
• Billabong Surf Camp: ages 6-17, for beginner and intermediate surfers 
• Blue Marlin Baseball Camp: More information coming soon. 
• Camp Hope Haven: ages 8-15, children come for one week overnight, traditional camp activities while they learn about Christianity. 
• Cape Henry Collegiate: day camps for grades Prek3-12th, a variety of programs from art, academics, sports, and fun. 
• Celebrate Jesus Bible Camp: ages 4-16, outdoor camp from 9:00-1:00. 
• Chesapeake Bay Academy: Grades 1-8, learning based camps, full and half day available 
• Chesapean Outdoors: dolphin watching, kayaking, bike tours, adventure camp. ages 8-12
• Chuckitup Basketball Camp: grades 1st-age 15 
• Coastal Edge Skate Camp: skateboarding camp for ages 6 and up, beginner and intermediates 
• Code Ninjas: Coding camp for kids ages 5-14.
• Dance Space: themed weeks, half day dance camp 
• D-Bat: baseball and softball academy 
• Excalibur Gymnastics: full day programs for ages 5-9 
• First Landing Junior Ranger Summer Camp: educational programing, hikes, outdoor skills and more for ages 4-12. 
• Float and Flow Virginia: SUP classes, yoga, ages 10-18
• Fox Music: music camp for ages 6-14
• GameOn Gaming Center: STEM camps for ages 8-15
• Golf Camp at First Tee: ages 5-17 
• Governor's School of the Arts: a wide variety of camps 
• Hunt Club Farm: Farm camp ages 6-12 
• Noah's Art Studio: Ages 3-15, art camp offered at half or full day. 
• Nike Soccer Camp at the Virginia Beach Fieldhouse: ages 6-14.
• Makin' Music Performing Arts Camp: ages 7-13 
• Marlins Camps: a variety of sports camps on Virginia Wesleyan's campus 
• Military Aviation Museum: STEM based camp for ages 5-17
• Music in Motion: Ages 2.5-12, movement and creative exploration 
• My Gym: Ages 2.5 (potty trained)- 10, Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1-4
• Ocean Breeze: Junior Lifeguard Camps, 3rd-8th graders 
• Ocean Tumblers: Gymnastics Camp, more information to come 
• Simon Family JCC: Grades k-8, swimming, outdoor play, field trips, and themed weeks. 
• Ocean View Christian Academy: rising 1st-5th grade, bible camp 
• Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Center 
• Parish Day School: Ages 2-7, Camp Turtle Trap 
• Performing Arts Academy: all ages and levels 
• PottsNPaint: pottery, clay, glass, and canvas. More information to come. 
• Rich Theater: ages 7-18, theater camp 
• Roseoldian Farm: horse camp, ages 6 and up 
• School of Rock- music camp for all levels 
• Semper Soccer Camps- soccer camps held by Regent University 
• Simon Family JCC- ages k and up, day camp, daily swimming, field trips 
• Sum One Cares- learning leaps program, designed to close instructional gaps in math and language arts and build social emotional skills while having fun 
• Surf and Adventure Camp- 3 day camp from 9-12, ages 8-18
• The Little Gym- ages 3-8, different themes each week, gymnastics camp 
• VB Kidfit: ages 5 and up 
• VB Surf Sessions: full and half day camp options, 3 day or 5 day 
• Virginia Aquarium: grades prek-3rd, adaptations, forest friends, predators, and more 
• Virginia Beach Field House- wide variety of sports camps 
• Virginia Museum of Contemporary Arts: ages 6 and up (younger options available with caregiver) 
• Virginia Beach Parks and Rec: swimming, trips, sports, and more 
• Virginia Beach Sea Camp and Kayak: see, touch, and work with aquatics in Virginia Beach
• Virginia Rush: soccer camp, U6-U15
• What The Farm- ages 5-14, learn about sustainable agricultural practices  
• WRV Stake and Surf Camps: ages 6 and up 

Williamsburg: 

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Ages 6-16, educational and fun day camp.
• Camp Launch and Orbit: for gifted learners in grades 7-10, focus on Stem, writing, and social skills. 
• Camp Skimino- Overnight Girl Scouts camp for grades 2-12. 
• Tidewater Sharks: soccer camp 6-13
• Virginia Legacy Soccer Club- Ages 9-16

Yorktown:

• Eleve Dance Center: more information to come 
• Jamestown Settlement: Ages 4-third grade, educational programs with early American history.
• Virginia Legacy Soccer Club- Ages 9-16
• Watermen's Museum: more information to come 
• Yorktown Arts Foundation: More information to come  
• Yorktown Stables: equestrian camp 

Multiple Locations:

• Boys and Girls Club- Ages 6-18
• Mad Science of Hampton Roads
• YMCA: ages 5-12, swimming, sports, field trips, and more. 
• SheEO- BuildHER business day camp.