New Play Space Alert: Laro Tayo Is a Community Social Hub

Laro Tayo is more than the name of a brand-new indoor play space in Kent — it’s also an invitation. It means “let’s play!” in Tagalog, and the space welcomes kids to do just that. 

The vibrant, open space has colorful murals, natural light coming in the windows, imaginative toys and comfortable couches. There’s room to explore, relax and connect. But most importantly, to play. 

Laro Tayo quietly opened its doors on Oct. 13, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting planned for Oct. 22. 

An indoor play space two years in the making 

From the moment I stepped inside with my young daughter, we felt like we were visiting a friend’s home — a gorgeous, spacious, thoughtfully curated home, that is. We were greeted warmly by Joysha Fajardo, owner and founder of Laro Tayo and mom of two. Fajardo currently runs Laro Tayo as a one-woman show, but she has built a social corner that connects kids, parents, caregivers and community members.

Fajardo first established the idea for Laro Tayo two years ago and has spent that time refining her vision and bringing it to life. At its very foundation is the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. From bright, colorful murals done by Filipina artist Shayla Hufana to children’s books by local author Annie Cheng, there are elements throughout Laro Tayo that honor Filipino culture and history. 

Part of that community spirit is support and enthusiasm for other local businesses. Talk to Fajardo for five minutes and you’ll walk away with a new favorite local coffee shop, bakery or juicery, some of which she discovered by bringing Laro Tayo to local farmers markets (and yes, I’m still thinking about the ube crinkle cookies and cupcakes she shared from Ube Overload). Some — like Aufe Coffee — will be highlighted at Laro Tayo through pop-up shops and special events. 

Our experience at Laro Tayo 

Once my daughter and I had taken off our shoes and tucked them in a cubby (leaving our socks on), my daughter beelined for the play area. During our two-hour play session, there was not a part of the play space that she left untouched. Every aspect of it felt intentional and engaging, and she played with extra imagination and focus. 

While she could play on her own, certain elements encouraged cooperation and making new friends — like the seesaw and play kitchen. 

Imaginative play for young kids 

Three custom-built wooden houses are the stars of the show in the open play area. In the center, one serves as a kitchen with a wooden fridge and stove. A bakery counter sits in front, with wooden pastries and other treats, a nod to the play café trend. (You won’t find real coffee here, unless you bring your own or come during a special pop-up event.) Kids can ring pretend orders in at the counter and serve their friends at the nearby table. 

Next to the kitchen and café, there’s an animal hospital complete with a check-in counter, cubbies filled with Beanie Babies waiting for their appointments, and vet tools to make each go smoothly. My daughter got right to work, slipping on the vet tech uniform, opening a wooden laptop and checking X-rays for each animal. 

If your kids love tinkering, there’s a wooden workbench with a vice, screwdriver, wrench and more tools for building. And a wooden vehicle with an open engine invites kids to play mechanic. 

My daughter couldn’t resist the climbing dome, making her way to the top and then dropping back down to the ground. Natural elements are incorporated throughout the space, with plenty of wood toys and knit accessories. There are plans to rotate the toys seasonally. 

And if you have a kid who loves to slide and climb, there’s more coming soon: The play area will have a small playset with stairs, a slide, a tunnel and a tower. 

Parents and caregivers can watch it all from the lounge area, with tables and chairs along the wall. It’s the perfect spot to get some work done, chat with other parents and invite the kids over for a snack break. There’s also a flex room (perfect for parties!) that offers additional seating and tabletop activities. 

A space for infants and crawlers 

The play area for the youngest kids feels especially like a stylish friend’s living room — something my Pinterest board could only dream of. There’s plenty of seating with two leather couches and armchairs, while a wooden swing and floor mat offer sensory experiences for little ones. 

The shelves are thoughtfully filled (but not crowded) with soft blocks and wooden toys. My daughter loved peeking in the baskets and discovering new toys to play with, even taking a few quiet minutes to build a tower of blocks while I relaxed on the couch. 

A retractable gate separates the play area from the entrance, keeping kids contained. 

Accessibility and inclusivity throughout 

Laro Tayo is ADA-accessible, with an open layout and wide doorways that make it easier to navigate the space in a wheelchair. 

Tucked in the sensory-friendly corner of the space, a magnetic wall with tiles invites kids to take a break and play quietly. The Nugget play couch and Chunk play ottoman act as a spot to rest and recharge, or even grab a book for a story time break. (Take note: The Nugget and Chunk can shapeshift at the hands of creative kids. In our time there, we saw the play furniture turn into a fort, a rolling wheel, a clever hiding spot and more.) 

While the play space is designed for ages 0–5, older kids are welcome to play. Guidelines for play are hung throughout the space, along with wet wipes and hand sanitizer. The space is cleaned and sanitized between play sessions, and there’s an “oopsie bin” for any toys that get dirty during playtime. 

Special events and party rentals 

Laro Tayo can be rented out on weeknights and weekends for private parties and events. You’re welcome to bring your own food and decorations, and you get use of the entire space. The flex room has a refrigerator and microwave, with plenty of seating and room to celebrate. Fajardo offers referrals for local event planners and other resources to simplify the party planning process further (like Wonder Spark, which offers character parties and whimsical decorations). 

In addition to being a space for private events, Laro Tayo is building a weekly lineup of workshops and classes for parents, caregivers and families. From mindfulness workshops to family yoga and story time, each offering further builds a sense of community and offers families new ways to connect. 

It’s a truly special space, and I know we will be back. After all, my daughter’s request when it was time to go home was simply: “Let’s play more!”