Find yourself needing a Kallax shelving unit or maybe just craving Swedish meatballs? Good news Emeryville’s monster store, IKEA, is a colorful and fascinating place for children, too. Take advantage of the little-known Småland (IKEA’s free children’s play area). Then head upstairs to the children’s area to hop on beds and climb through the tunnel before grabbing a snack.
Småland Childcare Play Area
We recently took a trip to IKEA’s Småland children’s play area to answer my six-year-old’s burning question; “what is that place?”. Potty trained kids 36-48” tall can play in this supervised playroom for 60 minutes every day (or 90 minutes for IKEA Family club members). The hours posted at the store and on the website were inconsistent so we had to try a few times to find Småland open. Weekends mid-day are probably your best bet but calling ahead might help avoid disappointment.
To drop your kids off, fill out a quick waiver and you’ll receive a claim ticket in return. Parents must remain inside IKEA, but with that free hour, you can quietly browse the store, enjoy a cup of coffee at the cafe, or maybe even chill out in the sofa section.
While you are enjoying your alone time, kids in Småland can color, play games, listen to storytime, and watch a movie. Since parents aren’t actually allowed inside it is still a bit of a mystery what lies behind those red walls. But my six-year-old informed me that it is mostly tables with coloring and card games with a small stage for storytime. He had a great time and has asked multiple times if we can return.
Other Child-Friendly Favorites at IKEA
After picking up your kids, head upstairs to check out the children’s section and Swedish restaurant. The restaurant at IKEA is a great inexpensive family dining option and features an impressive Bay view. IKEA Family Members receive various weekday deals, including Wednesdays where kids eat free. Family Membership is free, so just do it.
The cafe has a cafeteria-style layout, and preschoolers love selecting a metal tray pusher to move the food to the table. If you’re looking for a quick grab-and-go option, IKEA’s Bistro right by the check-out has hot dogs, pizza, cinnamon rolls, and strawberry soft ice.
Plan Your Visit to IKEA’s Småland, Emeryville
Location: 4400 Shellmound St, Emeryville
Find plenty of parking in the large parking structure. There’s a small family parking lot to the north of the parking garage close to the entrance of the store (and that GIANT chair) to get into the store with little ones much quicker.
Småland Hours: Monday – Friday: noon – 4 pm; Saturday: 10 am – 8:30 pm; Sunday: 10 am – 7:30 pm. Call in advance to confirm hours, occasionally they close for staffing reasons.
Admission: Free for 60 minutes daily (or 90 minutes for IKEA Family club members) for potty-trained kids 36 -48″ tall.
