Newly Opened Little Pandas Play Cafe Has What Families Have Been Missing

There are a few places I know I can always go with my young daughter in tow: tried-and-true favorites like the park and playground on a sunny day, the local library for toddler story time, and any shop with a vast toy selection. But what I have really been missing living north of Seattle is an indoor play place … that is, until now.

Tucked in a small stretch of businesses in Everett, we found Little Pandas Play Cafe. It just opened, and has already filled a much-needed space for local families.

A welcoming environment for parents and kids

Walking into Little Pandas Play Cafe, it’s impossible not to smile when you see the bright, vibrant colors and inviting space. From cute neon signs to watermelon-hued play shops and structures, it’s a far cry from beige or boring. It’s warm and inviting.

We were greeted by friendly staff, who checked my daughter in for a day of play with a $14 day pass (and then took my coffee order — a rose latte that I actually got to enjoy hot while my daughter played).

Once we checked in, it was time to get shoes off and grippy socks on. There is a cubby next to the play area entrance where you can stash your shoes and use some hand sanitizer before entering the space. The play area is a socks-only space for everyone, which helps keep it clean. While kids are required to wear grippy socks, grown-ups can wear regular ones.

What we loved about the indoor play space

There is plenty of room to explore at Little Pandas Play Cafe, with nine different attractions that appeal to kids ages 0–6. It’s not the biggest indoor playground we’ve visited, nor the smallest. It’s the Goldilocks of indoor playgrounds: just right. From anywhere in the café, I had a full view of the play space and could spot my daughter as she ventured between the different areas, playing to her heart’s content.

My daughter is usually stuck like Velcro to my side. Or perhaps, I’m the one sticking — often following her around on the playground and playing alongside her. But here, she engaged in independent play for hours. She first beelined to the bright pink supermarket, with miniature shopping carts waiting to be filled to the brim with play groceries, and a cash register where she could play shopkeeper.

The play supermarket helps keep the neighboring restaurant fully stocked. My daughter pushed the cart over with supplies for pizza and prepared for her second shift of the day as restaurant owner.

The large play structure is the main attraction, with places to climb, swing and explore. The tunnel across the top leads to a bright pink spiral slide, where kids can whoosh down onto a vibrant green mat. Tucked behind the slide, you’ll find a dress-up closet with superhero and princess capes alongside masks, crowns and magic wands.

Amidst all the independent play, the big play structure is where my daughter made a handful of friends. She attended a small convention of fellow preschoolers under the tunnel, where they planned out superhero storylines and restaurant menus. They climbed upward and took turns on the spiral slide, sharing giggles as they exclaimed “Let’s do it again!” — their capes billowing behind them as they made their way.

Encouraging creative and imaginative play

Near the pink slide, there’s a small blue doctor’s office, complete with X-ray images, patient files and doctor equipment for ultimate pretend play. My daughter sat patiently for her check-up before getting a clean bill of health from her new bestie (perhaps it was the basket of play groceries she brought with her — an apple a day keeps the doctor away, right?).

There’s also a shelf filled with plastic tools, construction trucks and equipment. My daughter put safety first with a hard hat (and magic wand) before playing with the toy drill, screws and saw.

The center of the play area has a three-story dollhouse, filled with dolls, furniture and accessories. This central station will be rotated regularly, and you may find a train set or other attraction there on your visit.

While the play space is designed for ages 6 and younger, there is some flexibility. Azka, one of the owners of the café, believes there’s no age limit for imagination. If kids older than 6 want to play, she encourages parents to check in with staff. Appealing especially to older kids, there is a table with baskets of Magna-Tiles and space to build. We have a smaller set of Magna-Tiles at home, and it was so fascinating to see what kids could do with more tiles. Endless possibilities!

Infant and toddler play

For the younger-than-2 crowd, the corner is a crawler’s paradise. The foam-tile floor is textured and soft, and there are plenty of toys and activities within reach, including busy boards and Lovevery toys. Large climbing blocks and a soft mini slide are especially fun for toddlers, while a foam bench and cushions offer sitting spots for parents (and help contain the area).

In all areas of the play space, cleanliness is a priority. The staff regularly cleans and disinfects each play section using Force of Nature spray. I appreciated the commitment to keeping it clean, and know the kids benefit from it, too.

Little Pandas Play Cafe menu

I started my morning off with a latte, thinking we would only stay for an hour or two before moving on to the rest of our day. When the need for a midday snack break hit, it was hard to resist a little bit of sugar. My daughter enjoyed a scoop of strawberry ice cream with sprinkles and whipped cream, while I indulged in a falooda. Described as a “party in your mouth,” the South Asian dessert drink has ice cream, chia seeds, jelly, vermicelli and fun toppings. Little Pandas Play Cafe puts its own spin on the drink, and you can choose between rose or mango flavors for a sweet, unique treat. (If you like boba like I do, you’ll love it!)

There are baked goods, too, including flaky croissants, cinnamon rolls, Danish pastries and cookies. Heartier options include kid-friendly chicken nuggets and mozzarella sticks. Everything is reasonably priced, with drinks ranging from $4–$9 and food costing $2–$5. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.

There’s also a cute corner of panda-themed merch — including tumblers and bags, all under $20 — and grab-and-go snacks such as applesauce and Goldfish crackers.

Planning a visit

No reservations are required for Little Pandas Play Cafe. We walked in on a Friday morning and got right to playing. Plan to spend at least a couple hours here, as there is so much for kids to do, they’ll want to keep playing. The day pass grants all-day access, but playtime is limited to two hours if the play space is at capacity.

The play space has plenty of seating inside for parents, including benches and cushions where they can watch their kids as they play (or join in the fun). Around the outside of the play area, there is counter seating where you can sip on your coffee and watch from a distance. For parents and caregivers who need to get some work done while the kids play, the café has free Wi-Fi. I saw plenty of parents on their laptops or phones, checking in regularly with their children as they played. (Keep in mind that the staff doesn’t supervise kids, so you’ll still need to monitor your kids as they play.)

The café area also has round tables with seating, and two comfortable armchairs in the corner. The tables were the perfect spot for a snack break.

Building community

Little Pandas Play Cafe is a small business owned by local parents, Azka and Kishan Mistry, and it shows in every aspect of the café. They have young children and were looking for a place just like this when they first had their son — a spot where they could meet their friends (and make new ones!) and build a community of parents going through the early years with kids. When they couldn’t find that close to home, they decided to make it themselves.

In just the first days of opening, that community has already come together. Grandparents bring little ones in for weekend playdates, friends reconnect over coffee while their kids play, and working parents get tasks done, sitting at the counter while their kids make new friends. It’s a lively, vibrant space that fosters connection and brings local families together.

To further engage parents and build community, the café owners plan to host seminars and classes for families.

I am truly so excited to see how the community grows over time. I already can’t wait for my next café visit (and neither can my daughter).