Editor’s Note: The Playday Cafe closed for business on October 10, 2017 and is no longer open.
The Playday Cafe, located just minutes from Champaign-Urbana in St. Joseph, Illinois, is an indoor playspace loaded with toys, art, comfy couches and free wifi. Adults take note: There is also free coffee offered when you bring your child to explore in this adorably appointed space.
The motto of the Playday Cafe is “Adulting is hard, getting out with your kids shouldn’t be!” and I’m happy to report that this whimsical and fun filled space fits the bill.
The decor is clean, on trend, and straight out of an Instagram feed, As a mother of four boys, I appreciated the “prettiness” of the space.
But don’t let that prettiness fool you, The Play Day Cafe is well stocked for your kids to stay engaged and entertained. From a child friendly art studio space, to pretend play stations, the Play Day Cafe is thoughtfully designed to put parents at ease while kids ages 1-10 explore and create.
I’ll admit I was a little worried at first bringing a group of four boys to the space for the first time. What if they are rowdy (what if…ha!), what if they break something? What if they are too big in the space and there are babies and the mix of boy energy and crawling babies just doesn’t mix well.
But there was no need to worry. The space was large enough for my older (but under 10) boys, and was engaging enough that they stayed entertained for a couple of hours.
My friend and I cozied up on a strategically placed couch to watch our boys play with the child sized kitchen. The boys explored a few more areas in the space, but for the most part, stayed in the light-filled main room. No friend to chat with? The coffee table by the couch had an array of adult-friendly reading material, and even a fun coloring book.
All I could think of while I was there was “Where was this place when my boys were little?” Because I think I would be at the Play Day Cafe almost everyday.
The Play Day Cafe promises on their Facebook page that: “Our rooms of indoor toys to inspire imaginations of all ages. Free gourmet coffee and lounge space for adults as well as games, books, and free wifi.” While we were there, my friend and I did have some coffee, we lounged, we caught up, and most importantly: watched our boys engage in imaginative play with high quality toys that didn’t involve sibling fights, screens, or tantrums. All in all: It was a dreamy afternoon in St. Joseph at the Play Day Cafe.
The Play Day Cafe
211 North Lincoln Street, St. Joseph, IL
217-469-0073
Hours: The Playday Cafe is closed for business as of 10/10/2017
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. (closed for lunch at 1:00-3:00 p.m.) 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Visiting with older kids (ages 10 and up) while the littles play? There are Busy Boxes to keep them occupied, and they can also use the art room, that is stocked with free art supplies, and children are encouraged to create mini masterpieces. There are snacks for purchase, a stocked kitchen with utensils and microwave if you want to bring in your own snacks/ lunch, and free coffee for adults w/ child paid play pass. The bathroom is also well stocked with extra “diaper bag” supplies for all those emergencies that can happen with little ones in tow- including extra clothes!
The Play Day Cafe offers several birthday party options and has three ways to pay for your play: A daily play pass, a monthly family pass, and a yearly family pass.
- Single Play Pass: $8
- Under One: $5.00
- Anyone over 10: FREE
- Monthly Family Pass: $50 per month
- Annual Family Pass: $40 per month
Want to learn more about visiting St. Joseph? Here’s a few other stories:
Top 10 Things to Do with Kids in St. Joseph
Review of The Wheelhouse: Family-Friendly, Eclectic Food in St. Joseph
Pop into our reader favorite El Toro for some of the Best Mexican Food in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
Enjoy a latte, some tea, ice cream, or a light lunch at local favorite Geschenk Boutique and Coffee and Tea Haus, recommended by our readers for some of the Best Coffee in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond.