The Town Square Play Cafe

Located in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake, the Town Square Play Cafe is a new 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. 

The Play Spot

I'm excited to say that there is a new play area in Hampton Roads. Open in November, The Play Spot is located in Chesapeake in the Grassfield area. The owners are the same family who own Higher Vision Studios in Virginia Beach, which has been around since 1999. After their son was diagnosed with and beat eye cancer, their family knew that creating memories together was priceless. 

The goal with The Play Spot is for families to play together, rather than parents sitting and watching kids play. Family play sessions are sold in two hour ticketed intervals. Everyone over the age of one must have their own ticket. 

Ninja Warrior Classes are also offered during the week. These classes include 45 minutes of Ninja Warrior Training followed by 30 minutes of Open Play Time for each parent and child. Classes use obstacle courses, martial arts, and gymnastics to improve agility, coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility. Classes are for ages 3-5 or 5-10. Birthday parties are available, and summer camp information will be out soon. 

Dynamic Duo's Activity Center

Located on the second floor inside Greenbrier Mall, Dynamic Duo's Activity Center has several offerings for parents. A daily play pass costs $15.00, or parents can select the three hour stay and play option for $25. They also offer a homeschool package, mall employee packages, and group rates of ten or more. If parents need after school care or birthday parties, this is also available. 

Owner Kenya is a former teacher of 20 years in early childhood development and a mom. She leads the toddler early learning and preschool classes which focus on primary skills, hands on learning time, and play to encourage social emotional learning. All classes include a snack and a drink. 

Located inside is a trampoline, basketball game, air hockey, play kitchen, climbing options, ride on cars, fine motor items, building materials and more. Head over to the mall and check it out! 

Our Sensory Farm

Every October and November, Our Sensory Farm transforms into a glowing magical place. Grab your family and arrive an hour before sunset to feed animals, partake in a scavenger hunt, and let the kids climb, swing, and explore. 

Then, head to the s'mores bar where you can mix it up with Reeses candy, Mr. Goodbar, and more. Let the kids get decked out in all sorts of glow attire and snag glow toys. While the sun sets,  the farm transforms into a glowing dance space backlit by glowing trees. Let the kids run in and out of tents of different colors. 

Owner of My Sensory Farm, Shannon is a mom and former special education teacher. Founded in 2020, the farm's mission is to make a difference in the lives of children with all abilities by creating a mini working farm and adventure forest that promotes inclusive outdoor experiences. They host farm play days and play dates, hold a farm school, welcome field trips, and have special events like Glowvember throughout the year. 

Water Play in Hampton Roads

Chesapeake:
Western Branch Community Center

YMCA

Hampton: 

Hampton Rec Center Pools

Peninsula Town Center Pop Fountains - Free and open to the public 

Newport News: 

Denbigh Community Center- Splash Pad

Doris Miller Community Center Pool and Spray Play Area

Fort Eustis Splash Pad and Park 

YMCA

Norfolk: 

Botanical Gardens

Virginia Zoo 

Town Point Park - Free splashpad in the park, close to Waterside 

Shoop Park Splash Pad- free and open to the public 

The Beach: Three guarded beaches with free parking and lots of unguarded beach throughout Ocean View. 
 
YMCA- Norfolk has two YMCAs, one with an indoor and one with an outdoor pool. 

Norview Rec Center Splash Pad- free and open to the public 

Norfolk Rec Center Pools (Northside, Huntersville, Southside, Berkley, Chesterfield)

The Kroc Center

Portsmouth: 

Portsmouth Splash Park - Free and open to the public 

Westbury Splash Park Cavalier Manor Pool- $1 admission to the public 

YMCA

Suffolk:

Cypress Park Pool

YMCA

Virginia Beach:

Gator Pool- (military only)

Oceana's Aeropalms Water Park (military only)

VB Rec center pools (Williams Park has splash pad) 

Ocean Breeze Water Park 

Simon Family JCC

YMCA

Williamsburg:

Busch Gardens

Water Country USA 

Great Wolf Lodge

Free demos with Music Together of Hampton Roads

I posted about Music Together of Hampton Roads several years ago on our first visit, and I'm so excited to share that they are offering several free demo classes this week. The Music Together program dates back to 1987 and has spread all over the world. Locally, classes are held in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake, and virtually on Zoom. There are both indoor and outdoor classes available. 

Classes are family style and range from birth to age four. Children will explore different instruments, shake their hands, wiggle, and shake their bodies. Classes last nine weeks during fall, winter, and spring, and six weeks during the summer. Each class is 45 minutes. Check out one of the free demos happening this week! Please sign up online to reserve your spot and instruments! 

Demo options: 

• Tuesday, March 22nd, 10:00-10:45: Outdoor Class - Larchmont United Methodist Church, Norfolk. Meet in the side yard. 
• Wednesday, March 23rd, Outdoor Class - Chesapeake City Park, Chesapeake. Meet in the shelter by the Fun Forrest. 
• Thursday, March 24th 10:00-10:45 Indoor Class - RPM Dance, Suffolk 
• Friday, March 25th, 10:30-11:15 Outdoor Class - Wycliffe Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, meet on the front lawn. 
  

Bluebird Gap Farm: Updates!

We stopped by one of our favorites, Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton, and were so excited to see that they are working on new updates! Besides the usual animals, playground, and gardens, the city of Hampton has added in a pathway which leads around to a beautiful duck pond, more structures for all kinds of birds, and is currently building aviaries for what looks like three birds. One is a red-tailed hawk, but the other two don't have signage yet. There is also a new section with three emus. 

Also new is the rock play garden inside the Adventure Woods section. I am so excited to come back as it gets warmer to see what else is coming! More details about Bluebird Gap Farm here. 

City Center at Oyster Point Lights and Holiday Cheer

We took a visit to Newport News' Oyster Point for the first time this week. Take a walk around the lake and see the ten minute light show that plays every half hour. While walking around, you'll encounter 16 snow machines, 55 trees, and a 50 foot tree, all tuned to music. The lights are on between 5-9, with a photo pavilion Thursday through Sunday from 5-8. 

If you head there this Saturday, December 18th from 12-3, you'll catch their Holiday Cheer program with free hot chocolate and cookies, be able to paint homemade ornaments, and take photos with an 8.5 foot elf!

8 INDOOR Play Areas in Hampton Roads

Fall weather is coming! Here are some indoor places to get out and play. 

01. The Pink Roller- Located in Norfolk's Military Circle Mall, the Pink Roller is an indoor play area for ages 8 and under. I'd say that this area is best for babies-preschoolers. The Pink Roller does not have food options, but is located very close to the food court.

02. MacArthur Center- Also in Norfolk, MacArthur's play area is the best of all of Hampton Road's local malls. For just the price of parking, kids can play in this awesome space. It is fenced in and there is a guard keeping an extra watchful eye. There is a height limit, and kids cannot wear shoes. This is located in the food court, with lots of food options.

03. Funville- Funville has recently made some changes to make their space more toddler friendly. The are the biggest indoor playground on this list and your kids will come out seriously tired, but they are also the most expensive. Plan to be here a while. There is a separate toddler section which has a discounted price. They have a full cafe on site, but food can take a while to get. There are two Hampton Road's locations, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.

04. FunZone- Located inside the Virginia Beach Field House, Fun Zone is an indoor playground which has $5.00 day passes. (It used to be $3)  Call ahead on weekends to make sure there isn't a birthday party that has the space rented.

05. Haygood Skating Center- A new discovery of mine, you can pay for just the play area, There is a cafe and small scale bowling on site too.  

06. Polkadot Play, Virginia Beach's latest play area is perfect for young kids. This sensory gym offers classes, drop off times, and free play. 

07. The Tot Lot is located in Lynnhaven Mall. Another freebie. I don't love that there is no guard, but I love being here on a weekday when school is back in session for bigger kids. 

08. Also without a guard, but Pembroke Mall's play area has a special place in my heart because I swear playing there helped to encourage RT to walk. 

If you're still looking for more options, check out our indoor tab. There are lots of places in our area for kids to play, learn, move, and get their energy out! 

Fall Family Festivals in Hampton Roads

With Rosh Hashanah this week, fall is officially here! During fall in Hampton Roads there is so much to do, eat, see, and so many places to play. Enjoy! 

September: 

Beach Music Weekend- Sept. 10-12 

Taco Fest- Sept. 11 12-8 (kids under ten free) 

Hampton Roads Pride Fest- Sept. 12 12-4

A Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival - Sept. 11, 11-5

Growl Fest at the Virginia Zoo- Sept. 11 5-9 

Isle of Wight County Fair- Sept. 16-12

Mt. Pleasant Christian School Fall Fest- Sept. 17-19 9-5

Apple Extravaganza- Sept. 18, 10 am

The Great Food Truck Festival- Sept. 18, 11-6

Chubby's Pumpkin Festival: Sept. 22- Oct. 31 

Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend- Sept. 24-26 

Epps Farm Supply Fall Fest- Sept. 25 8-3

Virginia State Fair- Sept 24-Oct. 3

Hunt Club Farm Harvest- Sept. 25-Oct. 31 10-6

Greek Fest (drive thru)- Sept. 30-Oct. 2 10:30-7

October: 

Virginia Beach KOA Fall Festival- Oct. 1-3

Chubby's Pumpkin Festival: Sept. 22- Oct. 31 

Virginia Children's Festival- Oct. 2 10-3

Great American Food Festival- Oct. 6 3-7

Suffolk Peanut Fest- Oct. 8-10 10am-11pm 

Bluebird Gap Farm Fall Festival-Oct. 17-18 10-5

MOCA Family Fest- Oct. 17 10:00

Neon Festival- Oct 21-22

Newport News Fall Greek Festival- Oct. 21-22 11-9

Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show- Oct 22-24 10-5

First Baptist of Suffolk's Fall Festival Trunk or Treat- Oct. 29 6-8 

City Center Fall Festival- Oct. 30 12-6

Ambassadors for Christ's Fall Fest- Oct. 30 6-9

November: 

Lynnhaven River Now Fall Festival- Nov. 6 

Oyster and South Festival at Greenbrier Farms- Nov. 20

Big Changes at Chuck E. Cheese

When I was in college as a freshman, my roommate worked at Chuck E. Cheese, and we ate Chuck E. Cheese pizza many late nights. Talk about a 90's blast from the past when I had to stop by. We were driving by a Chuck E. Cheese recently and there were no cars in the parking lot, so we decided to stop in. We had the entire place to ourselves and I did a little digging into the recent changes and how to get the best deals.

Charles Entertainment Cheese actually began with the symbol of a vulgar cigar smoking rat in the 70's. Since then he has bucked the habit and moved to a more child friendly act. Charles celebrates other children's birthdays because he is apparently an orphan who never got to celebrate his own. Originally called Pizza Time Theater, it turned into Chuck E. Cheese and has grown to over 300 locations in the 90's and early 2000's. In 2012, the symbol of Chuck E. Cheese as the Jersey rat became a rock star mouse. With that change, the singer of Bowling For Soup became the new voice of Chuck E. 

Since then, the rebrand stores are dropping the animatronics and opting for more updated technology. Tokens have been replaced with cards. These cards also load the tickets digitally. There are two different ways you can purchase - by the hour or by the points. There are combo meals available for food too. Be sure to check the coupons tab online, which differs for each individual store. Also check out the The first Sunday of each month when they host Sensory Friendly Sundays, opening two hours early with less noise and lights at select locations. 

Check out these current deals: 

• Every day savings, 10% off any games package with the purchase of a food combo
• Two for Tuesday: Two large one topping pizzas $22
• All You Can Play Wednesday: One hour unlimited play for $14.99
• Download the Chuck E Cheese app and scores rewards and points plus games for kids.
  
• Reward Pages: Reward kids with things like potty training or grades and redeem it for points at your local Chuck E. Cheese

Fireworks in Hampton Roads

Round those kids up and check out one of the many fireworks displays here in Hampton Roads.

Friday:

Elizabeth City: South Water Street. Friday Art Walk. Starts at 4 pm, ends with fireworks.

Williamsburg: Busch Gardens, nightly fireworks at 9:15.

Saturday:
Chesapeake: Celebrate Freedom, Chesapeake City Park. Concert and food vendors. $5 parking. Concerts from 7:00-9:30, then fireworks.

Isle of White- Independence Day Celebration Fireworks Show, food and vendors, Heritage Park Fairgrounds, gates at 5 pm, fireworks after dark.

Portsmouth: 102nd Patriotic Salute: kids games, activities, DJ, food, and programs, plus 40 vendors and a bike and skateboard parade. Takes place in Cradock Afton Square. Begins at 10:30.

Williamsburg: Busch Gardens, nightly fireworks at 9:15.

Sunday:
Kill Devil Hills- Fourth Fireworks Show, Avalon Pier. Also, Freedom 5k.

Manteo: Fourth of July Celebration, kids games and activities, music, contests, and treats. Shows during the day. Fireworks after dark. Begins at 3 pm.

Nags Head: Fireworks Spectacular. Fireworks begin at 9:25 and launch from Nags Head Fishing Pier.

Norfolk: 4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks: Town Point Park. Food for sale and concerts. 5:00-11:00 pm. Fireworks at 9:30.

Norfolk: Ghent’s Bike & Dog parade. No fireworks, but join to watch or parade from 9:30-1:30 pm.

Norfolk: July 4th Fireworks Cruise: American Rover cruise along the Elizabeth River. Departs at 7:30. Best view of the fireworks.

Suffolk: Constant’s Warf Park & Marina. Opens at 5:30 for music, fireworks at 9:00.

Virginia Beach: Mount Trashmore. DJ and food vendors. Event begins at 8:00, fireworks at 9:30.

Virginia Beach Oceanfront: Multiple locations for music including 17th street and the 24th street stage. Fireworks at 9:30.

Williamsburg: Lights of Freedom at Colonial Williamsburg. Begins at 9:20.

Williamsburg: Busch Gardens, nightly fireworks at 9:15.

Yorktown: All day long events, fireworks over the York River at 9:15. 

Summer Meal Offerings

Local summer meal offerings. (Updated as more cities post their information.)

Chesapeake:

Hampton:

For more information, contact Edwina Forrest at (757) 727-2350 or via email at eforrest@hampton.k12.va.us.

Norfolk:

• The summer meals program is open to all children 18 & under, free of cost. Select locations start serving summer meals on Monday, June 21st.

  The summer meals program spans beyond schools to various recreation centers, camps, community centers, and libraries across Norfolk to help us reach Norfolk children where they already are. 

  No enrollment necessary, just simply show up to a feeding site during serving times.

• As School Nutrition prepares to transition into the summer academic break, there will be some changes to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). 

  What is not changing:

  • Breakfast and lunch will be offered free of charge on all operational days to children participating in educational and childcare programs occurring in Norfolk Public Schools.
  • Grab-N-Go breakfast and lunch for any child (age 18 and under) will be available free of charge at the updated locations listed below. Meals may be picked up by a child or an adult.  Enrollment in an NPS program is not required. 
  • Meals for the weekend will be available on the last serving day of each week.

  What is changing:

  • There will be no meal service during the week of June 21-25. If you will need food assistance during this time, please contact the Office of School Nutrition by June 17^th at schoolnutrition@nps.k12.va.us. 
  • Plans for mobile meal service will be announced very soon!!! Please continue to check our web site and follow us on social media at @SchoolMeals_NPS.   
  • Effective June 28, Grab-N-Go meals (choice of hot and cold options) will be available at the following schools, Monday- Thursday. Times are listed below.

  1. Camp Allen Elementary                                      12:00 PM- 1:00 PM        
  2. Coleman Place Elementary                                 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
  3. Ingleside Elementary                                         11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
  4. James Monroe Elementary                                 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
  5. Larchmont Elementary                                      11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
  6. Ocean View Elementary                                     11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
  7. Norview Elementary                                            1:00 PM- 2:00 PM
  8. Richard Bowling Elementary                               11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
  9. Southside STEM Academy                                    1:00 PM- 2:00 PM
  10. Helena Elementary                                            11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
  11. Tarrallton Elementary                                        12:00 PM- 1:00 PM
  12. Tidewater Park Elementary                                  1:00 PM- 2:00 PM
  13. Willoughby Early Childhood Center                     12:00 PM- 1:00 PM

  • Effective week of July 14, Grab-N-Go (cold) meals will be available at the following Norfolk Libraries from 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM on a first come, first served basis.

  14. Baron F. Black (6700 E Tanners Creek Drive)    Tuesday & Wednesday 
  15. Blyden Branch (879 E Princess Anne Road)      Monday & Tuesday
  16. Janaf Brach (124 Janaf Shopping Center)        Wednesday & Thursday
  17. Jordan Newby Anchor (1425 Norchester Ave)   Friday only
  18. Mary Pretlow Anchor (111 W Ocean View Ave) Tuesday- Friday
  19. Park Place Branch (620 W 29th St)                  Friday only
  20. Slover (235 E Plume Street)                           Tuesday- Friday

Virginia Beach: 
Summer Food Service will resume Monday, June 28, via the regular drive-thru model. Both breakfast and lunch meals will be provided Monday-Thursday between 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., with Thursday’s bag containing breakfast and lunch meals for Friday-Sunday. All students, whether in a face-to-face summer program or picking up meals through the drive-thru model, will receive a free breakfast and lunch.

Meal pickup service will be offered at the following schools:

Historic Greenbrier Farms

I have passed Greenbrier farms several times, but we had never been until recently. I wish I hadn't waited so long. The farm is open to the public and has barnyard animals, a huge garden center, a tire swing, greenhouses, a farm stand, fishing hole, a kids' play area with sand to dig, bounce houses, and a jungle gym. Also located on the property are u-pick strawberry fields, peach trees, pumpkins, tulips, and sunflowers. 

Strawberry picking is $16 for 5 pounds or $8 for a quart. Check Facebook before you go to make sure fields are open. Although we didn't pick them here, we did buy a strawberry plant to bring back home. 

Although we didn't take advantage of them on this trip, their signs state that there are trails for walking, bike riding, and horseback riding. Bring a dollar to buy carrots and feed the rabbits or grab some fruit from the store to eat as a snack between playing. Ice cream was for sale during our trip, and it looks like it is available regularly. Best of all... even my "too cool to smile in a picture" babe was caught with a big grin!