Creative Spaces for Kids

Messy play. Climbing structures. A quiet space with books and puzzles. 

When kids arrive at Sensory Seekers, they can get creative with sand, Play-Doh and paint. 

They can work their energy out on swings, climbing structures and crash pits. Or, they can ease in with a moment in the play center’s calm down room, checking out books, puzzles, blocks and Legos. 

 As for parents? They get to take a moment to themselves, knowing that their kids are having fun and NOT making a mess at home. 

It’s a common scene at indoor play spaces across the state. 

“I see parents and grandparents meeting up at the cafe and allowing the children to play, and the grandparents are there to be able to make those memories, and then the parents are there, and you know that now nobody has to worry about their house being clean,” says Kristie Ranahan, owner of Village Play Cafe in Manchester.

In recent years, several indoor children’s play spaces have opened in New Hampshire, giving kids ages 6 and younger a place to stretch their imaginations that also offers third spaces to parents. 

“It’s just nice to talk to other people that are in the same situation as you,” says Christina Shibilia, a Sensory Seekers owner. “(Your kid’s) running around playing, you know it’s a safe space, you can see them,

Sensory Seekers is an inclusive sensory play gym designed specifically for children with sensory needs. Courtesy Photo

but you can also sit and have a moment to be a mom.”

Sensory Seekers is an inclusive play space with locations in Hudson and Concord. It was designed to support children with sensory needs and welcomes children of all abilities for its play space and special events. Marc and Christina Shibilia purchased the business in 2025, a few years after the original Concord location opened. In addition to serving as a place to play and connect, Sensory Seekers is also an approved site for supervised visits and a space where many therapists work with clients. 

When Ranahan, owner of Village Play Cafe in Manchester, moved to New Hampshire from Florida, she was surprised to learn there weren’t more play spaces for young kids. She especially saw a need for creative spaces for kids who are neurodivergent. 

“We definitely need to have sensory rooms. We definitely need to have quiet spaces where kids can kind of not only just let out their energy but also quiet their mind,” she says. 

Village Play Cafe includes two sensory rooms. Through Village Play Foundation, Ranahan offers free play for children on the spectrum every other week.

These indoor play spaces host music and dance classes, disco afternoons, princess tea parties, and other creative events in addition to the everyday offerings of jungle gyms, art stations, and giant stuffed animals. 

“We have a ball pit that’s a 5-by-5-by-3-foot-high ball pit that’s apparently a big deal to little toddlers,” says Megan Greene-Costa, owner of Little Hearts Playroom in Amherst. “They love that. We have a tiny one for the babies too on the other side that they love.” 

Village Play is the ultimate spot for parents and their little ones. Drop by for a safe play environment or to connect with other families through shared experiences. Courtesy Photo

Little Hearts opened in 2023 and expanded its footprint a year later. In addition to a popular ball pit, they have slides, books, space for art play, building blocks, monkey bars, Legos and more. It’s enough to keep kids — and their parents, grandparents and nannies — happy and entertained. 

Jessie Perry opened The Playspace in Goffstown, when her son was just a year old. It offers music and movement groups, sensory groups, bubble dance parties and crafts for all ages. Creating a community for kids and caregivers was a big reason she decided to open. 

“We (opened) for the community,” she says. “Being a place where people can come and feel not so lonely, even if it’s just me there, having people to talk to and relate to, and find friends for their kids, or whatever that may be, just being part of the community and being able to help other parents.”

Play Spaces Across the State

Little Hearts Playroom
Amherst • littleheartsplayroom.com

Sensory Seekers
Concord and Hudson • sensoryseekers.org

The Playhouse
Goffstown • theplayhousegoffstown.com

Village Play Cafe
Manchester • villageplaycafenh.com

The Playroom
Gilford • theplayroom603.com

The Village Playroom
Salem • villageplayroom.com

Happy Place
Windham • happyplaceplay.com

Imagine Art & Play
Hampton Falls • imaginenh.com

The Play Loft
Pelham • theplayloftpelham.com

The Creative Duckling
Pembroke • thecreativeduckling.com

Jump & Jive
Keene • jumpandjive4all.com