Play Cafe, Oakland

Play Cafe is the brainchild of parents Ericka and Ron, who were tired of seeking out places where their kids could both get out of the house and find something nutritious to eat. Luckily, they came up with the solution themselves. Within Play Cafe's confines, kids dive into a sea of plastic balls or play dress-up near a wardrobe full of costumes. The town-themed play set gives them lots of chances to act like grown-ups. They sip pretend shakes at the malt shoppe or check out the latest blockbuster at the theater. Blazes are extinguished with the help of pretend firemen, while little drivers hop onto cars to cruise around town or make honking noises in a pretend traffic jam.

At the onsite snack bar, parents fuel their brood with selections from the menu, which lists hot and cold sandwiches, edamame, and string cheese. While enjoying a salad with their brood, parents can surf the web or get some work done thanks to free WiFi. Periodically, special guests make an appearance to paint faces, play music, or teach quantum physics via sock puppet.