Of course I always Yelp before I go anywhere but I found it interesting there were no recent reviews for The Activity Center. We were invited to a 5 year old birthday party and it's a cool spot. There's lot of fun activities such as air hockey, basketball, a doll house. magnetic tiles, jumbo jenga tiles, foosball, a VR headset, an art room, big screen TV, and a crafts table. Yes, there's lots of stuff to run around and play with and to fit whatever interest your LO's heart desires. My LO just turned 3 so a lot of the games really weren't for her but she LOVES crafting so we spent most of the time at the craft table The art room looked cool but would be cramped if a bunch of kids ran in there There is a connected room with a long table where the kids eat and pizza and cake are served The owner and his family are super nice and helpful. One star off for no longer having a parking lot. My friend said it had been converted to an outdoor play area but we came on a day it had rained so maybe that's why it wasn't available for the party. Parking is a pain but persistence paid off and I found a spot two blocks down. Be careful of permit only parking areas I don't live in the area so I don't see myself coming often but it think it's a neat place to take your kids but I feel age 5 and over would appreciate it more read more

For less than $100/day per child, you can enroll your child in a day camp from 830am-5pm. They also have a 3pm or was it a 330pm option for less. You can also throw a bday party. I took 2 kids (not mine) age 7 to this camp. The facility is huge with different rooms, activity areas, and even a kitchen to make lunch as a group. The day the kids went, it was lasagna rolls. Before choosing this place, I looked at other day/summer camps like Zooga or options like Pamper N Play. I asked some questions via email and they were pretty fast in responding and being very helpful. Upon arriving, there were a couple kids who were "regulars" and all seemed happy and excited to be there. The facility looks like a very equipped community center/rec room. Clean, well maintained, a huge plethora of toys to keep a kid very busy. During the day they leave the venue to go to the beach, a local park, zip lining, etc. Seems very well run, organized, and they start the day off by having a meeting as a group to talk about the day's schedule and activities. I came to pick up the kids 15 min early and they were having such a good time, I let them play until it was time to go because they did not want to leave. Worth trying out to see if your kid enjoys it! read more

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Had an amazing time with my 2.5 year old daughter. We painted in art room, colored on tables, made bracelets and necklaces played games, it was perfect. The owner and his daughter were very friendly and accommodating. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone that wants to spend a good time outside their home. We took advantage of all the kid activities but also activities for older kids with video games, lounge areas, giant connect four, jenga, ping pong, mini pool, from what I could see. Enjoy when you visit Alejandro read more

The Activity Center - So much fun in giant paint room - Kids Activities Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Went here for birthday. The owner was really rude and disrespectful. When i asked him for a slice of pizza for my son he gave me attitude and threw one on my plate.. when the party was over he didn't ask everyone nicely to leave but he was so rude and basically kicked us out. I would never ever do a birthday here. He is not a nice man. Stay away from this place read more

What a fantastic place! They are FULL of all kinds of activities, like air hockey and video games and even boast Virtual Reality experiences. They even have chess! There's a side room where entertainers can perform for party guests away from any distractions. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to visit again! Thank you Activity Center! read more

An amazing camp! So many things to do and fantastic meals. Very free and fun. Price is a bit high but worth the price

We went to a birthday party here and they did cupcake decorating w the kids. Another parent pulled up a stool to have my three year old join her friends and the man lashed out at us telling us there was not space for her and put my daughter into tears. This is not the tone you use with kids. Absolutely rude personell and I can't recommend. He also yelled at me and told me I was making my daughter "more important than everyone else at the party." Which isn't what I was doing. I was just trying to join the party and have her enjoy the time with her friends. Totally unacceptable. For the record, we walked up late we were not there for the entire explanation of the rule that no more than eight kids could be at the table. We heard the owner (I presume) tell another kid he had to get down from the table because he needed a tray. I saw one of the trays empty, so I moved it to the corner where she was near her friends. I did not say that if my daughter did not do the activity at that exact moment, she was going to cry. She wasn't crying at all after the birthday girl's mom walked her over and said let's join, here are your friends and there wasn't a clear place for her. I told the owner that he put her in tears because of the attitude he scolded her and me with- not because my daughter is a brat...I never was told or heard the only eight kids at the table rule or the fact that they'd planned to allow kids in shifts to do the activity-- had he started with those requests or reiterated that in a calm way then there would have been zero issue. All I heard was that "you need a tray you need a tray" because "we need space to work" and I thought by "we"what was meant perhaps was the three year olds. I thought he didn't want a mess and the trays helped space the kids out. I am very sorry I misinterpreted that and I didn't realize that a small miscommunication would result in the level of ire and public anger that it did. The kids were the ones decorating! It's just cupcake decorating and I have never been so disrespected at a children's party venue. Once I was very much yelled at, and the owner made a scene of it, I removed my daughter and retreated quickly as I didn't want a public screaming match and knew I needed to calm myself and my daughter down. I had no interest in fighting over cupcakes-- it's just beyond. read more

My 7 year old son and I absolutely LOVE this place! So many fun things for kids to do & it keeps him entertained for hours.... He never wants to leave and always asks when we can come back again! There is no other place like this! They even offer an area for adults, which is fabulous! My hope is that they open more locations, because it is that good! We live about 40 minutes away, but this place is worth the drive for sure! We are so excited to try the cooking class they offer on select Sunday evenings. My son loves to cook, so this will be such a treat for him :) The owner Sean is extremely helpful, as well as every other staff member we have met. You can tell they really care about the children and the community, almost like in a Disneyland experience type of way, where everyone is super friendly, happy, and caring :) Strongly Recommend The Activity Center :) read more

I desperately needed childcare from December 17-21, because beverly works except LAUSD decides to give 3 weeks off instead of 2. The year before my kids had great experience at The Activity Center so I decided why not let's send them again. Sean, is such a great guy and he keeps the children busy. I LOVE that the children cook their own food and snacks it teaches them great skills. Everyday my child and her friends were excited to know what was on the menu and what they will all cook that day. She came home with slime, art projects, tie dye shirts. I practically had to argue with her and her friends to leave at 3:30PM. It's a great feeling knowing you are working and your child is at a safe place having fun all day. I highly recommend Sean and his staff. I hope to join in on one of the cool cook out days, where your child cooks and your family joins later to eat. read more

Had a great experience at the Center as a drop in for a day! Easy to sign-up, extended care available, perfectly convenient. Had an amazing cooking experience, spent time in the local park, and hang out with the friends! Thank you so very much!!! Hope to be back soon! Highly recommend! read more

We took our daughter here, and she had a blast running around doing all different kinds of things, painting, playing games, decorating pumpkins... And lucky me, I got to play ping pong and air hockey! Two of my personal favorite activities. The place is huge and they have so much to offer, so much going on, and so much in store, from what I hear. Keep your eyes and ears peeled and tell all your friends! It's so great to have this new addition in Santa Monica - much needed and SO spacious! read more

After school, weekends, parties... this place is such a winner. Kids had a blast. So many things to do! Spec'd up with everything from air hockey, pool, table tennis, art rooms, playstations... ah jeez even the bean bags became an endless game. Couldn't recommend it more. Call me a bad mum if you want but I loved the fact that it wasn't MY house getting "played to bits" for a change too! read more

As a neighboring business of The Activity Center, i must say, i have yet to see a hungry or unhappy kid leave this place. They are all smiles, have more games and activities than one can shake a stick at, the prepare the most amazing meals (which i've been lucky enough to enjoy, and ENJOY i did), and the owner and employees have a great energy. This is definitely something i wish i had when i was youngER. read more

My 8yo daughter and 9.5yo son had a great week of camp here! They made all sorts of goodies in the kitchen and went on fun field trips. The owner, Sean, is great with kids and the counselors are super nice and fun to be around. We'll be back for sure! read more

I have a grandson who is 3 and a half years of age, and I highly recommend The Activity Center.

My kids tried a cooking class at The Activity Center Santa Monica recently. I met the owner Sean, and my kids really enjoyed the cooking class where they cut up ingredients and made 2 kinds of pasta. They also enjoyed the large facility that had air hockey, pool, video games, sports on TV, an art room, and kitchen. There's fabulous science Sunday classes, art and several days of cooking classes. They have chess and lots of board games. There are coaches and wifi for parents to work. It's also an amazing place for birthday parties and large groups, probably ages 6-12. Highly recommend! read more

Our kids have been going to the Activity Center for over a year. Our youngest son wants to be a chef when he grows up and he rushes out of school to go to his cooking class. On holidays or school breaks I rely on the Activity Center and trust that my kids will be entertained, stimulated and learn. They have lots of enrichment activities at the center and also take the kids out to many creative activities outside. read more

Great place! Kids have so much fun in their summer camp program. They do crafts, cook, go on field trips, make slime :) It's amazing. What's best is that we don't have to prepare their lunch. The owner is really nice and professional. Would definitely come back!!! read more

Great place, simple choice if you need a birthday party or have fun with your kid.

What a great place! Tons of stuff to do, definitely a place all kids would love to hang out in.

Found a great new spot on the Westside for a variety of ages. My youngest and I went to the Activity Center on Saturday afternoon for a play date with a friend and had a GREAT time! There are so many things there to allow for hours of fun and it was VERY reasonable! She did several art projects including painting and ceramics, played some really cool video games together and enjoyed some snacks. The other mother and I stayed and hung out in the parent lounge and were able to have some adult catch up time, while still being able to play with our daughters. I can't wait to try the Saturday evening drop off to go to dinner and a movie. We are also signing up for an afternoon cooking series drop off class that begins in January... A perfect time to go grocery shopping, run errands or even get my nails done! The west side has needed a place like this for years! Our girls did not want to leave! The staff was really friendly and helpful... The owner Sean was also there and hands on. They also do birthday parties and more! Check them out! read more