Opening 2027
welcome to
2-Hour Anytime Drop Off
Big Confidence StartsWith Small Adventures.
What will they actually do?
Nobody hands them a plan, and the space is never quite the same twice. Kids come with friends from school or the neighborhood, or come on their own and leave with new ones. One day it is a fort that takes an hour and a whole crew to build. Another day it is a fashion show on the stage, a puppet theater, a pulley system, a mural, or a pretend business. It all happens across 12,000 square feet, indoor and outdoor. Littles under 6 have their own space to play alongside a caregiver.
- Tires
- Wood
- Rope
- Fabric
- Costumes
- Cardboard
- Clay
- A stage
- Garden
- Art studio
- Basketball court
- Construction area
Kids pick what to do, who to do it with, and when to change their mind.
Wheelhouse Play is inspired by The Yard, the adventure playground that has run without parents on Governors Island since 2016. Here is what people say about it.
“I’ve never seen my children this engaged for 4 uninterrupted hours.”
A parent at The Yard, Governors IslandIndependence is good for everyone in the family
Their time
- They choose what to build, who to play with, and when to start over.
- They try hard things in a place built for it: climbing, using tools, and overcoming problems.
- They spend two hours on real things with real friends, away from a screen.
- They leave with the confidence earned from making choices and resolving challenges without their caregivers.
Your time
- Two hours you do not have to plan, referee, or entertain.
- Time to get something done, or to do nothing at all.
- Peace of mind that your child is trying new things, safely.
- We are always here. Put us on the schedule for 2 hours each week. Or stop by any time you need. We got you.
Is it okay to leave?
Yes! It can feel odd the first time, but something magical happens when kids are trusted to do things on their own. It is even easier when they come together, so drop off a few friends from school or the kids from down the street and let them run their own adventure. Wheelhouse is special because it gives kids the opportunity to be creative and resilient in a space that is safely staffed by trained Play Crew.
Who is watching your kid?
Trained, first-aid certified crew, on the floor the whole time. The Play Crew watches the way lifeguards do: close enough to help, far enough that the kids run the play.
- Play Crew are first aid certified, rigorously selected, and trained to keep your kids safe.
- Play Crew are trained in conflict resolution and positive discipline, so they help kids work things out instead of taking over.
- The space is gated and fenced, and exits are monitored.
- Sessions are capped to maintain a safe staffing ratio.
Which of these sounds like you?
You need two hours. Come whenever you need us. Your child spends time in a safe, fun place and you are free to do whatever you need.
Get first dibsYou know kids need more free time and less screen time. Here is a place built for it, run by people trained to protect it.
Meet some researchersYour kids don't want a little-kid playground. Designed for ages 6-16, with real tools, real materials, costumes and a stage, art, sports and anything else they can imagine.
See what they'll doReal tools, real projects, real building, no school required.
See how it worksYou might have just heard it's fun. It is. Come on by, we are looking forward to meeting you.
Get the dirtHave a child under 6? Littles, ages 0 to 5, get their own area to play, with a caregiver right there.
Get the dirt before we open
Pop your email in and be part of building Wheelhouse Play. You will get updates as we get closer to opening, invitations to focus groups and feedback sessions, access to the space before the grand opening, and special deals on memberships.