Review of MoBu Kids (formerly Monkey Business)
Review by Caroline Holt
February 28, 2010

442 S Washington Street
Falls Church, Virginia 22046
703.241.PLAY
Google Map

MoBu Kids (which changed its name from Monkey Business due to another growing business who has the same name) is a great, local mom-owned play and education space in Falls Church, Virginia. It is bright, vibrant and clean, and offers a host of classes and open gym time for your preschool and young school aged children.

When we arrived at MoBu, we were welcomed by a young woman at the desk. We paid our open gym entry, sanitized our hands and headed (shoe free) into the play area. We set our coats and shoes down on the bench in front, but later learned that there cubbies and coat racks around the corner near the bathrooms. Unlike most other gyms we have been to, they did not stress the importance of wearing socks (I am ambivalent about this). We opened the gate and found two other moms with 18-20 month olds climbing and laughing. My son took all of one minute to acclimate himself and begin climbing on and over every brightly colored object around. I was immediately impressed with the quality of the equipment and how well maintained it all is.

According to the owner, Melissa Steele, she is “excited to offer the first private play studio in Northern Virginia featuring custom designed sculptured foam play equipment by TivoliToo and a gymnastics safety flooring that is ideal for young children to hop, skip, jump, and roll around on.” The space combines a giant Little Tykes treehouse with Tysons Corner playarea-esque climbing sculptures of monkeys and waterfalls and vibrant gym-quality mats and climbing blocks. Oh, and there’s a great climbing wall!

After about 20 minutes, two other families arrived. I was disappointed that both caregivers (one a mom and one a nanny) spent the entire time on their cell phones, and those of us with under two year olds (by that point there were four moms with four toddlers having a blast) spent our time policing their children’s behavior to avoid collisions as kids scaled slides, slid head first, ran in circles, etc. The level of energy and intensity shifted dramatically, and my hairy eyeball in their directions did not discourage the caregiver’s cell phone use or encourage them to monitor their children. It wasn’t until one of their little ones fell off the slide that the nanny got off the phone…for a minute.

Unfortunately, the woman at the desk did not notice the shift in noise or activity level (you cannot see the playspace from the desk), and when I mentioned it on the way out she said “yeah, we don’t have a policy against cell phones, but if you think they are too rowdy I could go in there and ask them to settle down.”

I had heard that MoBu was more low-key than other gyms (this was typically a positive), but given it is also a smaller space than most of the open gym spaces we have been to, I think they need to better monitor the space and/or specify age groups to keep everyone safe and comfortable. Another mommy/toddler duo left with us about 15 minutes after the arrival of the bigger kids. They dynamic had changed and I was concerned for my son’s safety after he took two beatings to the head by bigger kids sliding down on top of him or pushing him as he walked up the steps.

Beyond their Open Play time, I have heard rave reviews about their classes (which include free access to Open Play). We did not attend any, however, according to their site “this one-of-a-kind environment is combined with limited class sizes and themed music and play programs designed to engage your child. At each class skilled and energetic teachers lead your child through activities to strengthen their cognitive, motor, and social skills. Among other things, your child will sing, dance, play musical instruments, navigate obstacle courses, and play interactive games, including parachute play and Wild and Crazy Jungle Bubble Time!” You can attend your first class for free by calling their main number.

We definitely enjoyed ourselves for 35 minutes, and I really loved the ambiance. If you have little ones, I would suggest going in the morning when you are less likely to find big kids. If you are a family with bigger kids, make sure to police them for everyone’s enjoyment and safety!

Getting there
MoBu Kids is in a little strip mall, just beyond the intersection of Rt. 7 and Rt. 29 in Falls Church. Look for the Elevation Burger. There are about 10 free parking spaces in the lot.

Getting in
Art, Ballet and Music & Movement classes meet once per week and cost $112-140 per session; class registration includes access to Open Play. MoBu Kids runs open gym nearly every weekday and charges $8 for drop in per child (no discount for siblings) for one hour of play. You can also host birthday parties, send your child(ren) to summer day camp, drop off for Parents Night Out programs ($25) or participate in other fun activities. Check out their website for more information or to register.

Getting fed
While there is no food or drink allowed in the play area, you and your children can work up a great appetite, then head next door to Elevation Burger for organic grass-fed beef burgers, milkshakes and those delicious fries.

Have you been to MoBu Kids? If you have comments and would like to share with the Our Kids readers, email Our Kids.