I just can't express enough how much we love this place! First of all..owned by a woman of color is…read morealready a green flag in my book. I have literally done almost every single thing this place has to offer from open play, to preschool, OT, hosting a birthday party there and special events like the holiday party and carnival. In terms of birthday parties, it was SO easy. Literally one of the most stress free kids parties I've hosted. The staff were so so kind and super helpful. They helped with everything from setup to clean up so we could just be present and enjoy the day. The party room is super spacious with room for kids and adults. We had a pretty large group and were totally comfortable in the space. I appreciated that we could bring all our own food and decorations and the crew literally helped me setup everything. For open play there is an awesome variety of things for kids to do. I especially love the quiet room. It's great for my neurodivergent kid to have space to both jump in the bounce house and move that energy out and chill in the quiet and calm area. We're big fans and have really enjoyed all aspects of this whole place for 5 years now. Keep it up yall! You're doing great.

We celebrated my child's birthday at Swings & Wings and it was honestly the easiest, most fun party…read morewe've ever hosted! We booked the private party package and had access to the whole play space -- bounce house, ball pit, climbers, all of it. Our host took care of setup and cleanup so we could actually enjoy the party instead of running around. The kids had a blast, and I loved that there was a quiet/sensory room for anyone who needed a break from the excitement. My daughter and her friends had a BLAST! If you're looking for an stress-free, kid-approved birthday spot in Alameda, Swings & Wings is it. We'll be back!

We had a team building event this weekend and were looking to have some outdoor fun. Nathan brought…read moreeverything we needed and set up a great spread. We had a great time running around and I got to shoot my manager in the butt. Definitely recommend!

From the owner: We are proud to host Nerf events across the bay area! We use 3D printed blasters made in-house from…read moreour team here in San Jose. We also offer custom printed blasters as well if you want to have a party favor that everyone talks about!

A magical place! My 6-year-old son is autistic and it was such a relief to be welcomed by a team…read morethat just gets it. The space is super clean and feels like a kid's dream. There's so much to do, climbing, building, exploring, getting wiggles out, and even a quiet room to chill. You can tell the folks behind it really thought through everything. The vibe, the décor, even the website feel so neurodiverse-affirming. They have tech to help build community around members too. We live in Novato so the distance makes a membership tough right now, but I'm hoping we can join in the summer when school isn't in the way. I'd love to see Spirited Play Labs expand to more places as this is the future IMO (please come to Novato, I'll help!). For families like ours, where typical play spaces can feel stressful or isolating, this place is a true gem, welcoming, thoughtful, and hopeful for the future. Thank you!!!

We've been coming to SPL for years, and it has always been such a positive experience. The play…read moresessions with Lia mean so much to us. we truly appreciate her patience, guidance, and support. Every visit, we notice progress. My daughter used to play only by herself, but now we see her becoming more independent and interacting with Lia, which fills our hearts. As a mom of a child on the spectrum, I know how hard it can be. My daughter doesn't have friends, but when we come here, she has one. In other spaces, the stares that come with her stimming can be so difficult to ignore, but here at SPL, we feel safe, accepted, and not judged. That sense of belonging is rare for special needs families, and we are so grateful to have found it here. I love how the staff embraces inclusion and acceptance. it shows in everything they do. I truly wish there were more places and programs like this for our kids, because families like ours need community.

Love this place so much! I've came here multiple times and the workers are so sweet! I love how…read morethere's always new things to work on and I also love the environment! Planning on coming back in the future already!

I came here for a work/team bonding activity and the workers here were very attentive and active…read morewith questions and support with refilling our paints. Definitely recommend doing a painting session for a team activity! Finding a parking spot isn't impossible but you might need to walk depending on the time/day you visit. There's a lot of restaurants and shopping options for a post painting session!

We had such a great time celebrating our boys birthday with Bricks 4 Kidz. Stacey and her team were…read moreabsolutely incredible! They had tons of creative activities for kids of all ages and the kids were so engaged the entire time! For anyone that loves legos, they will love working with Bricks 4 Kids!

Bricks 4 Kidz has been a constant in our summer camp rotation for several years now! I have a 9…read moreyear old girl and a 6 year old boy and they always ask to go back, often for multiple weeks of camp in the summer. They love the instructors and the projects, and the fact that play and free time are always mixed in. They incorporate engineering concepts in such fun ways. It seems like there's always new content to keep my kids interested and I really appreciate the great communication and care from the owner, Stacey. I also feel it's a great value for my money - summer camps can be really expensive and this one is just as good as the pricey ones we've tried without breaking the bank. Recently my son's weekly B4K class at his school was moved to the Zoom platform due to schools closing. I have been SO impressed by how well Stacey can hold a group of small kids' attention, especially when you consider they are already feeling burned out by so many other classes on Zoom. We will continue to be back for more, even if schools are closed!

We had such a fun and chill birthday party with JG! I am really impressed with their communication…read moresetting up the party and how friendly, flexible, and fun they were on the day of. When asked what did you think of the party my kid said, "It was so fun! Can we do it again here next year!?" Highly highly recommend. Perfect for a range of ages as well. Thank you JG coaches!!!

Jumpin' Gymsters is great for both camps & birthday parties! I first sent my then 5yr old son to a…read morefew of their summer sessions in 2023 and was really worried about how he would do. He really struggled at a previous camp but things were so different at Jumpin Gymsters. Carol, Carlos and the other staff members really helped him to feel safe and keep him happy and engaged. He had so much fun, he didnt want to leave at the end of the day. They really helped build his social confidence as well and he made a lasting friend there that summer. We had such a great experience with them that we decided to hire them for my son's sixth birthday party (which went really well) and also sent all three of our kids to some 2024 summer sessons. I can't recommend them enough!

I took my daughter here yesterday for a couple hours to play yesterday. It's been raining, so she…read moreneeded to get out and burn off some energy. She's 2 years old and loves to play. It was $15, which was well worth it. The place is small but cute and was packed with kids ranging from 1-4 years old. She was so excited to play in the ball pit and structures. They have little areas set up for imagination play such as a veterinarian area, a grocery check out area with play food and shopping carts, little play houses, reading nooks, blocks areas, so much to play with and explore. It's so cute to see her figure out all of these play areas. We hung out at the tables in the back and let her enjoy herself with all of the other little kids. I felt totally comfortable there and did not need to worry about my little one, like some of those bigger places get a lot of rowdy older kids. Other notes about the facility: They had coffee, tea and water for free. The bathrooms were clean, especially loved the regular changing tables in there (the foldable ones make me nervous). Socks were $3 for play socks with rubber grips on the bottom. She loved it and we all had a great afternoon. We will come back when in Oakland for another play day.

great little indoor play place for my 4.5 year old. $3 for trampoline socks if you don't bring your…read moreown, and they have snacks ($1), plaza parking, lots of tables and chairs and free wifi if you're like me and need to do some work while you're solo parenting. Everything is in one central room so it's easy to "work" and keep an eye on your little one. Lots of pretend play stations with Melissa and Doug or that style of toys - grocery, vet, kitchen -- plus duplo wall, magnatiles, connect 4, a small toddler foam area, and the star of the show, the giant play structure with a swing, slide, and large ball pit. The complimentary water, tea, keurig coffee were a plus for me. I know my little one will want ot be back - this occupied her for about 3 hours and she could have stayed longer.

We had a great experience working with them. The mermaid arrived on time, was very professional,…read moreand did an incredible job entertaining the kids. Highly recommend for any party!

We had Bay Area Mermaids for the activities for my daughter's birthday. From the moment I first…read morereached out, Ava was incredibly responsive, had answers to all my questions, and was exceptional in all her communication. She solicited my input and crafted the activities exactly to our needs. The day of the party was executed flawlessly with slime making, a bracelet craft, and treasure hunt. We loved their positive energy and how great they were with the kids!

Birthday party. Excellent experience. Toddlers and TK. Will go again. Good to have in the community.read more

Space to Grow Therapy now has an on-site facility, filled with lots of fun for your kids providing…read morecolorful sensory gyms and playrooms! There are slides, swings, rock climbing walls, and plenty of toys to keep your kids busy. The site has plenty of parking out front. In addition to free play, they offer occupational and speech therapy services, on-site and in home. The therapists have extensive experience, and are passionate in what they do and ensuring they are providing a quality experience. I would highly recommend this business if your child needs any services, or a fun place to play!

Elk's Lodge hosted a delightful birthday celebration in August, and it was a memorable experience…read more The festivities took place in one of their elegant ballrooms, downstairs, and were expertly catered by High Street Station. The food was simply scrumptious, and it was heartwarming to witness older Alameda residents coming together to celebrate the birthdays of their peers. We were also served by the Alameda Boy Scouts who were great servants and made sure our glasses were full and assisted with busing our plates. Elk's Lodge, a renowned national fraternal organization, has a close-knit Alameda chapter. The dance floor was a lively spot, and their Chardonnay was an absolute treat. I eagerly anticipate attending another event at this wonderful venue. Additionally, they provide ample parking in their own lot.

A very generous neighbor of mine invited my husband and me to the Alameda Elks Lodge Annual Crab…read moreFeed, which was held yesterday evening. I'm giving the lodge a four star for my dining experience and an enjoyable evening. My husband has been here more than a few times to play games of pool with our friendly neighbor and one of his friends. I have been here before for another event almost three years ago. The interior is beautiful, but the walls are thin. One can actually hear people talking in the next room. Our meeting place was the Mahogany Room for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. I did not want to stuff myself with the appetizers and not have enough room in my stomach for the main entree - crab. Nor did I want any libation before the meal. After the cocktail hour, we were escorted to the Rathskeller (basement of the lodge) where the dinner was held. The gentlemen on the waitstaff were lined up in an orderly manner, serving us whatever we desired - be it the bowtie/penne pasta, dinner rolls/garlic bread, coffee, dessert. Presentation of the crab, the wines (red and white), Caesar salad and the antipasti plates was excellent...casual, yet classy. Dessert was a serving of raspberry sorbet. The only minor drawback was the bowtie/penne pasta served on the same plate as the salad plate. Even though I did not win any of the door prizes after making a donation of $20 for 20 raffle tickets, they had some nice ones, such as the $100 gift card from Scott's Seafood, $100 gift card for Yoshi's dinner and show, $50 gift cards from La Penca Azul, C'era Una Volta, 1400 Bar and Grill, Jim's Coffee Shop, Pier 29. From what I heard, the lodge raised about $1,500 in raffle ticket sales. I also have to give kudos to the waitstaff, many of whom were very tolerable and patient with this woman who sat at the next table behind my husband. She was in the wine (whine) mode. "I want penne pasta. I don't want this dinner roll with butter. I want some garlic bread. Don't you guys have any garlic bread?" On and on she went...egads...she had a sense of entitlement. Yes, there were two bottles of wine at each table, but her incessant whining almost had me do a "face palm" on her. Ooh, I wanted to offer her a piece of cheese, which would have complemented a glass of wine very well. (Now, quit your whining, lady...lol.)