San Ramon Indoor Play Space: PlayStar Kids

PlayStar Kids is a contemporary-looking open play space suitable for children 6 and under. Located in the posh San Ramon City Center Bishop Ranch shopping center, children can engage in a variety of active and quiet activities.

Play Star features a mid-sized play space of approximately 3,500 square feet:

• Movement activities: Rock climbing wall, play structure.
• Dramatic play centers: Playhouse, a sweet, miniature cottage with a metal bell to ring, play kitchen, costumes, tent.
• Tabletop activities: LEGOs, train set, puzzles, dinosaurs, and blocks.
• Engineering toys: Magnetic gears,  build-your-own maze.
• Infant space: padded floors, blocks, plush dolls, stacking rings, rattles, floor activity mat.

I visited with my 3-year-old and she had a wonderful time exploring the play space. The tunnel slide was her — and many of the little ones — favorite activity. Do note, however, it is very fast, but not to worry as the floors are completely padded.

I was most impressed by the engineering and strategic thinking activities that were unique to this play space. Similar to Lawrence Hall of Science, PlayStar has an area to create a ball obstacle course using different materials such as PVC pipes, wooden tracks, and rubber tubes. Also available was a detachable track wooden floor maze to create their own maze and navigate using bright colored balls.

The magnetic wall promoted literacy with letters, words, and pictures for matching in Spanish and English. I was pleased to see how inclusive the toys were– gender-neutral and dolls of color.

Based on the location of this play space, it can be an all-day affair. You’ll find plenty of shopping, eating, and drinking (coffee!) opportunities for moms to check out. There’s also a central courtyard with Adirondack chairs and large foam construction blocks for children to play.

Plan your visit to PlayStar in San Ramon

Admissions: $20/child includes accompanying adults and siblings under 6 months old. Additional siblings over 6 months are $5 each.

A monthly pass is $85 per child and $25 for any additional sibling over 6 months old.

Address: City Center Bishop Ranch: 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, Suite 2605 (on the second floor), San Ramon CA 94583

Hours:
Subject to change the current opening hours are:
Tuesday – Saturday 9:30 am – 5 pm; Friday 9:30 am – 6 pm; Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

For more information or to learn about private party rental: Website >

Things to know before you go to Play Star Kids:

• Socks are required for both adults and child(s). (available for purchase if you forget)
• No shoes allowed within the play space.
• Bathrooms include baby changing tables.
• No food or drinks allowed.
• There are Music Together classes right next door; more info here>

[Photos by Sarah Lee and PlayStar staff; used with permission]