The Milleridge Inn opens soft play space in Jericho shopping village

The Village Play Café, an indoor soft play area for kids has opened at The Milleridge Inn Village in Jericho.

The play space for kids age 6 months to 6 years is next door to the restaurant. It has already been attracting visitors who stop in before or after a meal at the historic eatery, says Adam Panetta, manager of The Milleridge Inn. Others have been visiting the pedestrian village as a destination of its own since the play space opened last month.

"We do have regular guests go just for that," Panetta says. 

The Village Play Café is a colorful space with padded flooring, soft climbing blocks, a mini ball pit, slides, cars, an inflatable bounce area and interactive toys that encourage movement and imaginative play.

Panetta says it’s been very popular so far, especially after getting traction on social media. "We had the most people we’ve had here this past weekend."

The space is smaller than most other indoor play spaces, notes Panetta.

"All these other ones are huge and parents, can’t see their kids, so it’s good for when you just need to kill some time or on a rainy day," he says. "They have a place to go. They can watch their kids the whole time."

Parents can sit outside the play space, which has tables and chairs and free Wi-Fi.

The Village Play Café is also available for birthday parties, starting at $499.99 for up to 12 guests for a 90-minute party with food, drinks and cupcakes.