Any Malls in the Sacramento Area W/ Play Areas? or Ikea/fast Food Play Areas?

Hi T.,

Sunrise has a decent indoor play area, but on cold/rainy days it can be packed, and there are frequently some kids playing who are clearly older than the intended age range which can make it hard for little ones to play freely.

Smalland (the IKEA play room) is great according to my son (3). he regularly asks to go there and since they have good food there too, we can easily make a morning or afternoon of it. The only thing is, it isn't a place for YOU to play with your kid. Adults are not allowed past the gate, so be prepared to hand your LO over to the care providers there while you spend an hour in the store or getting a cup of coffee in the restaurant. Also, upstairs in the children's section, all the toys are open available to play with , so we generally spend about 20 minutes up there playing together as well.

My son seemed to like the IKEA one, and all the indoor fast food ones seem to keep them entertained as well. We live in Natomas, and the McDonald's on Northgate is the one we go to most often.

There are a variety of places in Roseville. One is the Galleria Mall. It is nice for the younger crowd (6 and under). There are 2 indoor play areas near Sears on the 1st floor. On the 2nd floor in the food court, there is a large family restroom where there is a tv and small toys to keep the kids busy while you are helping another to go potty.

Whole Foods also has a grocery store play area. Aprons, baskets, and wooden and foam play food is available.

On Foothills and Main, there is McDonalds with an indoor play area.

Bounce U and Pump it Up are places in Roseville with many bounce houses.

One of my favorite places is Wacky Tacky in which there is a huge inclosed play ground. There's various obstacle courses, slides, and a ball pit.

There is a play area which is covered in the downtown mall next to Old town. It is best for under 4.
There is also the new "Art Beast" in midtown which is great, but you do have to pay.
I would love to hear if anyone has other places to go.

Sunrise Mall's play are is okay. As one mom said, older kids are often playing there as well. Also, when there are special occassions, the play area might be moved (which isn't an issue) or completely taken down... which is what happened at Easter last year.

Roseville Galleria has two play places. One in the new constrution (outside Sears) and the older Comcast one outside Sears (near Macy's). You will occassionally see an older kid, but not as much as at Sunrise (and usually playing with a younger kid).

Haven't dropped our daughters off at the IKEA play place (though I thought about it last weekend). They like going through with us and looking, and of course, playing in the kids area.

Fast food restaurant play places can be good, if you find a good one. That's trial and error, and can't recall where the really nice one was (probably Roseville/Rocklin).

I do not believe that Arden Mall has a play place for kids.

Sunrise and galleria mall have them. I don't remember seeing one at Ikea. I know the one at galleria was outside, but I'm not sure if it still is because of all the remodeling.
W. M

You should try Art Beast on K Street in midtown. You will have to pay an entrance fee but it benefits a non-profit and they have monthly passes and punch cards. You can bring a lunch from home and hang out all day in several different areas. If you go to a mall or IKEA, what are the odds of leaving without buying something? Either way you will spend money, it may as well go to something worthwhile.