Guide to Visiting Little Explorers Play House

Parents of little ones know a visit to a play space is among the most foolproof ways to entertain the smallest members of the family. So, it’s no surprise that parents in south Brooklyn are thrilled to have a new play space in their neighborhood.

The recently debuted Little Explorers Play House sits at the border of Midwood and Mapleton, and it’s already a popular play space for families looking for a safe, screen-free attraction on a cold or rainy day. Read on for the inside scoop on this bright new Montessori-style play space.

For more indoor play options, see our roundup of the best indoor play spaces in Brooklyn and our comprehensive NYC Kids Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones.

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Every corner of the Little Explorers Play House is designed for a child’s comfort.

First Impressions of Little Explorers Play House

Little Explorers Play House is easy to miss, nestled between furniture stores in the shadow of the elevated F train tracks in south Brooklyn. But, while the play space has a small footprint, the high ceilings and smart design give it an open, inviting feel.

A green-and-white color scheme creates clean, calming vibes. The centerpiece is a large climbing structure with a four-lane slide (tall enough to be fun but not too intimidating for my little one). A ball pit is waiting at the bottom of the slide, and it’s just the right size for babies and toddlers to roll around in (just be mindful of bigger kids sliding down from above).

RELATED: 24 Top Indoor Play Spaces in NYC

Kids love spinning on the huge merry-go-round. 

Another highlight is a merry-go-round with a circular bench big enough to fit half a dozen kids. Little ones can grab the big wheel in the center and pretend to drive, but this ride runs on parent power. My daughter was happy to let me get my cardio in while I pushed her around and around until we were both dizzy.

If you prefer more relaxing activities, there are plenty of places for little ones to climb and play on the main structure and on smaller climbing toys at ground level. Wooden toys and puzzles abound, and there are also some cool play walls. One of them gives kids the chance to pop plastic balls into a tube as a current of air pushes them up and out. Another wall looks like a supersized Lite Brite toy, and my daughter enjoyed pushing the colorful cylinders into the giant light-up peg board.

Little Explorers is designed for ages 0-6, but I think it’s best suited for the 4 and under crowd. My 3-year-old was one of the bigger kids there when we visited the play space on a weekday morning in January. She wore herself out in the best way and didn’t want to leave when it was time to head home for a nap.

RELATED: Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Brooklyn

A slide into the ball pit is a guaranteed kid-pleaser at Little Explorers. 

Know Before You Go to Little Explorers Play House

• Open play sessions start at $30 and include admission for one adult; additional adults pay $5. Unlimited play passes or multi-visit options are available.
• A party room is available for celebrations.
• Everyone must wear socks to enter the play space. Socks are available for purchase if you forget.
• There are cubbies and hooks at the entrance for shoes and coats.
• Packaged snacks, juice boxes, and coffee are available for purchase.
• Adults must sign a waiver before entering.
• All children must have adult supervision.

Photos by the author