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:

Aran’s Art Studio (Castro Valley) Kids will recreate and design using acrylic paint and creativity, plus pizza dinner and snacks. Frequent Saturdays from 5:30 pm to 8 pm. For kids ages 6 and older. $70/child includes food and materials. Website >

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

Encore Gym (Walnut Creek) Located in the Shadelands SportsMall, the gymnastics center hosts Parents’ Night Out on occasional Saturdays from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm for kids 3 to 12 years old. Must be potty trained. $40 per child. Website >

Hanabi Judo (Albany) Every first Saturday of the month from 6 pm 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. $30/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) This gymnastics gym offers monthly night care from 5 pm – 8 pm, one to two Saturdays a month. 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 the first sibling, and $15 for a second sibling. Website >

Swings and Wings (Alameda) The indoor playspace offers occasional date night drop-off childcare from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm for $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 >

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 – 9 pm. 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 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