Review of Great Kids Village - Silver Spring
January 22, 2010
by Kim Engstrom
8504 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301.309.2FUN
Google Map
The GKV interns, Andrew and Anna Ross enjoying their parents new play space!
The play space is geared towards younger children. It is one large room with dividers separating the different play areas, making it easy to keep track of multiple kids. There are dedicated rooms for art, trains and blocks, and imaginative play. At the entrance to the facility is a large climbing structure, and there are several smaller STEP 2 slides and climbing toys located throughout the room.
The largest areas of GKV however are for the “restaurant” and the dress-up stage, both big hits for my 3 and 5 year olds. The restaurant has a grocery area, kitchen area and a restaurant booth. The stage is great for imaginative play and performance and the dress–ups were clean and well stocked for both boys and girls. Scattered throughout the facility are ride on and push toys of every variety. The large back area of the room has a slide, small miniature golf course and a basketball hoop.
The facility is brand new and all the toys are fresh and clean. GKV has a “no shoes” policy which helps to keep the facility clean for the many crawlers coming through their doors. They are also a “peanut free” facility and advertise that no unauthorized food be brought into the facility, although baby food, formula, and milk are allowed.
Admission for drop in play is $10 per child ages 2 to 10, $7 for babies and toddlers ages 7 to 24 months. On the day that we visited, kid’s admission was only $6 due to a Grand Opening promotion that appears to run through 2/10/10 but call ahead of time to double check. Great Kids Village also offers family “neighborships” that range in price from $20 - $30 per month depending on the length of your commitment. Neighborships entitle the family members to unlimited open play and discounts on other programs offered. The current open play schedule is listed below:
- Monday: 11:30am to 5:30pm
- Tuesday through Friday: 10am to 5:30pm
- Saturdays: 9:30am to 7pm
- Sundays: 11:30am to 6pm
- Extended hours for neighbors only Thursdays until 7pm
- John Henry will perform on Monday, February 15, 2010 at 10:30am. Purchase tickets online.
- The Great Zucchini will perform on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 10:30am. Purchase tickets online.
Great Kids Village offers several enrichment programs in addition to open play. They currently run Mommy and Me Programs as well as 2 hour drop off enrichment for 3 to 5 year olds called Kids Fun Club. These programs are drop-in based and are paid through a punch card system. 10 hour punch cards currently sell for $125 for “neighbors” and $175 for day pass guests. Birthday parties and camps through Andy’s Parties are also offered at Great Kids Village.
The immediate area surrounding GKV is loaded with kid friendly dining options. Baja Fresh is across the street, Moby Dick and Noodles and Company are around the corner and the Fractured Prune donut shop is just a few doors down. Preschooler playtime and a donut shop, what more can a kid (or parent) want?!
Have you been to Great Kids Village in Silver Spring? What's your opinion? Just drop us a note and Our Kids will add your comments to this review.
