Date Night: 21 East Bay Parents’ Night Out (PNO)

Parents Night Out, also called PNO, is evening childcare dressed up as a drop-off kid party! Hosted by a local children-centric venue, children usually eat pizza, have dessert (gasp!), watch movies, and play with other kids of a similar age until way past their bedtime. The formula varies depending on which organization is playing host. In some cases, your kids will do gymnastics or make art, in others they’ll zonk out in front of Inside Out 2.

While the kids play, you’ll have a date night out before you hurry back on the deadline to bring home your child and scrub, brush, and tuck into bed. Might one of these options work for your family? Only you can determine that, but I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!

Here are some East Bay PNO programs to consider for your next date night:

Alameda Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense Academy (Alameda)

Last Saturday of the month, 5 pm -9 pm. Siblings welcome! Kids enjoy a fun evening planned with games and activities that your kids will rave about. And the best part? When you come to pick them up, they’ll be well-fed, exhausted, and ready to sleep. You’re welcome, parents! Ages 5-12, $40. Website>

Aran’s Art Studio (Castro Valley)

Called Kids’ Night Out, kids will recreate and design using acrylic paint and creativity, plus pizza dinner and snacks. Occasional Saturdays from 5:30 to 8 pm. For kids ages 5 and older. $60/child includes food and materials. Website >

Axé Oakland (Oakland)

Parents’ Night Out every last Friday from 5:30 to 9 pm, $60 for one child, $100 for two. Capoeira, pizza, games, and an outdoor movie. Axé is a Black-owned business. Website >

Bay Aerials (Fremont)

Drop the kids off and enjoy a well-deserved evening to yourself while they flip, tumble, and play the night away. Bay Aerials’ Kids Night Out is the ultimate weekend event, packed with gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, music, themed activities, and more. From 5 pm – 9 pm, $75, fun themes like Cupid’s Cartwheel Party, Lucky Leprechaun, and April Fools Flip. Website > 

Color Me Mine (Alameda)

Kids Night Out includes pottery painting, games, a movie, and snacks. Occasional Saturdays from 6 pm to 9 pm. For kids 6+. $45/child. Website >

COPA Soccer Training Center (Walnut Creek)

Available from 6:30-9:30 pm on the first Friday and occasional Saturdays for ages 3-10 years of age, this fun soccer themed PNO offers fun and engaging activities on their turf and futsal areas, family-friendly movie, and a variety of board games. Snacks provided (not dinner!). $40 for members, $60 for non-members. Website > and register here>

Creative Community (Oakland)

Creative Community offers a date-night drop-off evening session on occasional Saturdays. This special night (5 pm – 8 pm) at a partner studio in Oakland or suitable outdoor location is open to kids 3-11, and will be filled with play time, art exploration, and more. $40 per child, $35 for siblings. Add $10 to include a meal. Website >

Encore Gym (Walnut Creek)

Located in the Shadelands SportsMall, the gymnastics center hosts Parents’ Night Out on occasional Saturdays from 6:30 to 9:30 pm for kids 3 to 11 years old. Must be potty trained. $45 per child. Website >

Hanabi Judo (Albany)

Hanabi Judo usually holds a Parents’ Night Out on the first Saturday of the month from 6 to 9:30 pm (changes may apply in case of a tournament or holiday). Kids will enjoy pizza, judo, games, and a movie with popcorn. Non-members are welcome to take advantage of the Kids Night Out. $40 per child. Pizza is $5 per child. Website >

Head Over Heels (Emeryville)

Enjoy an evening out while your kids enjoy a night of flipping, jumping and playing! Parent’s Night Out (PNO) is a way for you to have a night out and have your child(ren) in a safe, active, and fun environment. For children ages 4 and up. Children must be completely potty trained. Pizza, open gym play time, and then a movie. 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm. Price is $50 per kid. Website >

I Flip Gymnastics (Richmond)

IFlip staff will entertain the kids while you enjoy a well-deserved night out! Children are grouped by age to spend the evening doing gymnastics, pizza dinner, art project, movie time, and much more, all for less than the cost of babysitting. Many PNO’s line up with holidays, too! They offer sibling discounts, and Parents’ Night Out is open to the public, too, so invite a friend. Advance registration is required; select Fridays and Saturdays 6 pm – 10 pm, $60 per child | $50 for siblings. Open to children ages 3-17 years. Website>

PRAM (Richmond)

If you’re a member of this local community group, you’re invited to a PNO where kids will play and enjoy themselves. Membership is $7 a month, so if you think you’ll utilize PNO or the group’s other events, it may be very well worth it. Website >

Ruby’s Tumbling (Alameda)

This gymnastics gym offers night care from 5 to 8 pm, on some Saturdays, based on demand. Your kiddos will get to tumble and play their little hearts out and come home ready for bed. Prices are $40 for three hours. Website > and sign-up here>

Sparkologie (Pleasant Hill)

From 5 to 8 pm on frequent Saturdays, kids can enjoy themed art activities, games, and crafts. The age of participants varies between ages 4-13, depending on the theme and project. Kids Night Out includes pizza and snacks for $45 (discounts for siblings). Website >

Swings and Wings (Alameda)

The indoor playspace offers occasional Friday night drop-off childcare from 5:30 to 8:30 pm for $54.50 per child (discount codes available online for special sibling rates). Includes dinner, movie, treats, and playtime. For children ages 3 to 8. Must be potty trained. Website >

The Busy Bee (Alameda)

The Busy Bee indoor play space is tucked into the South Shore Center in Alameda. Friday movie night is from 6 pm to 9 pm for $40 per child (siblings save $5), ages 3-8. Includes a slice of pizza (cheese or pepperoni), a juice box, and popcorn. Sleeping bags and pillows are encouraged. Check for up to date offerings on their Website >

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (Berkeley)

This local church offers an evening of free childcare for parents to go out together, once a month from September through May on third Saturdays. Website >

The Village Kids’ Club (Alameda)

Check under their Weekend Social Programs to find lots of fun Saturday evening programs, like Movie Social, Crafting with Gemstones, and Slime Night. Scheduled from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm, for $45-$60. Website >

Tutu School (Berkeley)

This adorable ballet school offers the occasional Parents Night Out, from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm for only $15. The January one is a Winter PJ Party, how cute! Website>

Ultimate Sports Connection (Concord)

Kid’s Night In is for ages 4 to 12 on certain Saturday nights from 5:30 to 9 pm. Kids can do gymnastics, trampoline, and play inflatable games. Pizza provided. $65 per child ($55 if you sign up a week in advance!). Website > 

Yama Kids Yoga (Berkeley)

Kids’ Movie Night at Yama Kids is usually once a month on a Saturday from 6 to 9 pm from August through May. Children, ages 5-13, watch a movie from the comfort of a yoga mat and are served pizza and popcorn. $40 per child; $20 for additional siblings. Website >

Before you drop off your child for a kids’ night out:

1. Always make a reservation.
2. Double-check the pick-up and drop-off times. You won’t want to miss a minute (or be late).
3. Pack a bag (if needed). Do you need to provide a swimsuit, food, or jammies? Don’t forget the goods.
4. Now, get out of there and have fun!

Our preschool hosts monthly kid parties where the children stick around until 11 pm, eat pizza, and fall asleep watching a movie. This setup is my measure for all other such programs. I’m excited that there are so many kinds to choose from in our area, starting for children as young as two.

Do you have a favorite PNO location that we missed?

xxx