Date Night: 9 East Bay Parents’ Night Out (PNO)

This round-up of delightfully helpful Parents Nights Out was once 15-20 but now it is nine. Ok, we will take what we can get.

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 Toy Story 4.

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:

Asé Arts (Oakland) Kid’s Art Night Out is a fun evening full of art-making. Parents take the night off while your kids spend the evening learning how to paint a winter wonderland. The focus will be on how to create a depth of range in our paintings. Each participant will go home with a masterpiece to place on their holiday mantel. Dinner is included, for ages 5-10, from 5:30 pm – 8 pm, cost is $50. Select Fridays, 1-2 times a month. Check Instagram for more info>

Aran’s Art Studio (Castro Valley) Kids will recreate and design using acrylic paint and creativity, plus pizza dinner and snacks. Frequent Saturdays from 5 pm to 7 pm. For kids ages 6 -12. Other Saturdays are specific to teens (5:30 to 8 pm, 11+). $50/child includes food and materials. Website >

Axé Oakland (Oakland) Kids learn capoeira, play games, and enjoy an outdoor movie together. Dinner is not included, so feed them first. The last Friday of each month from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. $40/child includes popcorn and activities. $35 for a second sibling. Website >

Color Me Mine (Alameda) Called Kids Night Out for good reason, kids can paint pottery and eat ice cream before their movie of the month from 6pm to 9pm. Often offered on select Saturdays. Suggested for ages 5 and up. $29/child and includes pottery project but NO DINNER (there is a snack though). Website >

COPA Soccer Training Center (Walnut Creek) Available from 5 pm – 8 pm for ages 4 – 12 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. You will need to pack a dinner though, or eat beforehand. Usually occurs monthly, so check their website for the next one. Website>

Hanabi Judo (Albany) Every first Saturday of the month from 6 pm to 9:30 pm (changes may apply in case of tournament or holiday), kids will enjoy pizza, games, movie with popcorn and freshly baked cookies. Non-members are welcome to take advantage of the Kids Night Out. $25/child $20 per additional child. Pizza is $5 per child. 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 about $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) offers monthly night care from 5pm – 9pm, one to two Fridays a month (some daytime options available too from 9 am-4 pm at $10hr). Your kiddos will get to tumble and play their little hearts out and come home ready for bed. Prices are $35 for three hours – $20 for first sibling, second sibling $15. Website >

Swings and Wings (Alameda) offers occasional date night drop-off childcare from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm for $45 per child. Includes dinner, movie, and treats. Website >

Ultimate Sports Connection, Kids’ Night In (Concord) Kids, ages 4 to 12, can do gymnastics, trampoline, and inflatable games. Meal is not provided so pack a hearty snack. $60 per child. Website > 

Yama Kids Yoga (Berkeley) puts on a Kids’ Movie Night once a month on a Friday from 6 pm-9pm. Children 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 swimsuit, food, or jammies? Extra mask? Don’t forget the goods.
4. Now, get out of there and have fun!

Our preschool hosts monthly kid parties in which the children stick around until 11pm, 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 years old.

Do you have a favorite PNO location that we missed?

xxx