On a quest to find somewhere new to spend time with my 4-year-old niece, we ventured from Berkeley to Lo’s Playtown in Benicia — and I’m so glad we made the trip to this family-friendly playspace and lounge.
Tucked into a quiet shopping center, this indoor playspace is a preschooler’s dream with just the right mix of imaginative play, climbing, and art. It is thoughtfully designed for the needs of younger kids and caregivers, clean and organized. I loved it, and more importantly, my niece did not want to leave.
Here’s what we explored during our visit:
The Imaginative Play Room 🛒
We started in the imaginative play room, which has a “Main Street” vibe with pint-sized versions of real-world locations. There’s a cafe and grocery store, both incredibly well-stocked with accessories like pretend food, dishware, and aprons for the workers. My niece spent forever loading baked goods into a basket and then scanning them on the conveyor belt of the checkout counter. Everything is scaled for small hands and growing minds — and the playsets are in great shape, with clever props.
The Gross Motor + Art Room (aka The Bean Room!) 🖌️
Next, we moved into the gross motor room, which is the most energetic area in the space. There’s a climbing structure with a swing, a number of ride-on toys, and a cool plastic wall designed for painting on. The highlight for my niece? The two giant sensory “sandboxes” filled not with sand, but dried beans. Genius! She used the construction toys to scoop and dump beans. I didn’t have to worry about sand getting stuck in the creases of her clothing and coming home with us — major win.
The Baby Room 👶
This calm, carpeted nook is for crawlers. It has soft climbing structures, a simplified train table, chairs for feeding, and a peaceful vibe that lets little ones explore without getting trampled by toddlers. If I were here with a baby and a big kid, I’d appreciate the calm, Montessori vibe.
The Parent Work Space ☕
Now here’s something I wasn’t expecting: a cozy workspace for grown-ups, complete with free Wi-Fi, a coffee station (included with admission!), and comfy chairs. It’s tucked away but still close enough to keep an eye on your child in the main playroom. I wasn’t there to work, but when I took my niece home, I encouraged my sister to use it as a Work-From-Home space once in a while. It would be the ideal environment to keep her daughter busy while she works on lesson plans.
The Birthday Party Room 🎈
Also at Lo’s Playtown is a party room with enough space for a festive crew of guests. It’s bright and simple — ready to be decorated to suit any theme for a 2-hour party that includes private use of the play zones. For $75 you can add a theme or activity that the staff will implement for you.
Plan Your Visit to Lo’s Playtown & Lounge
I chatted at length with Lo’s Playtown owner Lauren about her vision for the space. Her passion for contributing to the family-friendly vibe of Benicia was heartwarming. She gave me tons of tips about places to eat and other activities for kids nearby. (Stay tuned for a post about other Benecia activities!) She is committed to maintaining a luxury, relaxed vibe, unlike the frenetic energy of many indoor playspaces (ball pits, we’re looking at you!). So… booking a timeslot in advance is part of the Lo’s Playtown process. This ensures that the space is not too crowded. See the booking process here >
Pricing at Lo’s Playtown
As of this writing, a 90-minute play session for a child is $15, and the sibling rate for the same session is $5. A one-month membership costs $60 for the first child, plus $15 to add a sibling. The price of a 6-week summer pass is $75, so if you might visit once per week this summer, that’s definitely the way to go! (Don’t forget, after purchasing a membership, you’ll still need to hop online to book your playtime.)
📍 Location: Benicia (about 30 minutes from Berkeley without traffic)
👫 Best for Toddlers and Preschoolers, roughly ages 1-6
⏰ Hours: Vary, but since advanced booking is required, you’ll see the options when you sign up on the booking page (scroll way down)
🛑 Wear socks; you will be required to remove shoes upon arrival
🚗 Parking is free in the onsite lot and on the street
Find Lo’s Playtown at 425 Military E, STE J, Benicia, California
Website >
