Rise and Shine: Tacoma’s Sunrise Play Café Is a New Go-To Spot for Families

One of my absolute favorite things about moving to the South Sound from the Eastside a while back has been discovering the plethora of kid-friendly gems in our nearest major city, beautiful Tacoma. From Wright Park and Point Ruston to the Children’s Museum of Tacoma and Melanie’s Park, Tacoma is full of amazing spots we keep coming back to. I am thrilled to add a brand-new indoor play place to our growing list of must-visit Tacoma destinations: Sunrise Play Café.

An indoor play place designed by moms

When two toddler moms who are passionate about raising kids, supporting families and building community come together to open an indoor playground, you know it’s going to be something special. Sunrise Play Café is a gorgeous, thoughtfully designed haven for free play and fun that even parents will enjoy. My 3-year-old son and I visited during opening week and we both left beaming.

Founders and friends, Jordan Zenisek and Susan Saccone, each with two young kids, built the space after recognizing a real need for Tacoma-area parents in the trenches of the 0–6 years: somewhere to get out of the house early, let their kids play freely, beat isolation, and connect with other caregivers over a delicious cup of coffee, a locally made pastry or a nutritious meal.

Plenty of ways to play

I had been ogling images of the bright, warm and aesthetically pleasing space before our visit, and I was delighted to find it looked just as stunning in person. Every detail is beautifully designed, from the blush pink booths in the dining room and the modern, comfortable bar stools, to the adorable play structure in soft, playful colors that are actually pleasing to look at.

And the play space isn’t just for looks. The custom 1,400-square-foot playscape offers tons of ways for kids to explore and play. It features climbing structures, slides, a hospital complete with costumes, a fire station with a switchboard, a mock kitchen and more. 

The entire area is fitted with soft, cushioned flooring to keep little ones safe. All surfaces are pretty slick, however, so grippy socks are required to play. They have some adorable Sunrise Play Café-branded ones for purchase if you forget. 

Plus, there are plans for developing even more ways to play: an outdoor space in the side yard with picnic tables, water play and more. Hopefully in time for summer!

What we loved

My son made a beeline for the slides and especially loved the twisty one, which I, of course, had to try for myself and can confirm is surprisingly fast and a lot of fun. He also loved “driving” the fire truck and scaling the climbing wall. Beyond that, there are large modular foam blocks for open-ended play, a magnetic tile wall, and plenty of interactive activity boards mounted to the walls to keep curious kids busy at every turn. 

I honestly hadn’t planned on my Velcro toddler playing on his own, let alone spending the full two hours exploring. I ended up wishing I had brought my computer to get some work done but instead I soaked in a few rare moments of calm, sipping my iced Americano. I was dragging him out by the end.

The clever bar seating surrounding the playground gives parents a clear line of sight, so it’s easy to keep an eye on your little one while enjoying a premium coffee, sampling their fresh menu and socializing with a friend or catching up on some work (there’s free Wi-Fi!).

Favorites on the café menu

Susan and Jordan put real thought into creating a menu that’s both wholesome and genuinely appealing to families, which sets them apart from your average play place. You’ll find options like avocado toast, flatbreads and fresh salads, alongside a thoughtfully crafted kids menu (clearly designed by people who feed kids every day). Think chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and even waffles, all served with a choice of fruit or cheese on kid-friendly plates. My son loved the waffle, topped with whipped cream and a delicious berry sauce, and I was more than happy to help him finish it. They will also serve wine and beer soon — as if we parents needed even more of a reason to visit.

What parents should know

The play area is enclosed with a half door that many younger toddlers can’t open on their own. There were a few moments when little ones tried to slip out without a parent nearby, which made coming and going a bit tricky — especially when it wasn’t clear if they were meant to leave. At one point, I even had to track down a parent when a little one made a break for it. I wonder if removing the door would alleviate some of the confusion and encourage everyone to keep a closer watch. Either way, I took it as a good reminder that we’re all exhausted parents of young kids doing our best, and looking out for each other comes with the territory. Just note that caregivers are responsible for supervising their own children, as there is no staff designated for this. Also keep in mind that the café does not have a separate area for infants and toddlers, meaning little ones may be crawling around in the same space as bigger kids. 

Any time I head to an indoor playground, cleanliness is a top priority. This spot is brand-new so it was naturally clean and sparkling, but after speaking with Susan, I felt confident it would stay this way. Play structures and high-touch surfaces are sanitized every hour throughout the day and the whole place gets a thorough deep clean every night. Plus, I was happy to hear they don’t use harsh chemicals but an organic, nontoxic option called Force of Nature that is proven to kill germs without any of the harmful stuff.

We visited on a Friday morning and were lucky to snag a free street parking spot pretty quickly. There isn’t a designated lot yet, so plan to build in a little extra time and patience when looking for parking. They’re currently working on securing a parking lot across the street, which should help ease some of the parking challenges once available.

Indoor birthday parties and special events

I was thrilled to discover they also host birthday parties and have a large room for rent. If you’ve ever crammed into a tiny party room for a kid’s birthday, you know how much a little space can elevate the experience. When booking a party, you get exclusive access to the party room as well as the play area during your party time (the café will remain open). They have package options that include everything from balloon arches to custom themes and food options.

Plus, keep an eye on their website or sign up for their newsletter to stay in the loop on offerings like music classes, sleep consultant and lactation consultant workshops, community classes for parents and more.

Sunrise Play Café is clearly a work of heart. Jordan and Susan were both on-site during our visit, running around ensuring a pleasant experience for everyone. Their vision came together authentically. They clearly understand what families and the community need and it shows in every detail, from the lemon water station to the cozy nursing nook with a comfy rocking chair. I look forward to watching this business grow and shine and I am thrilled to have another special reason to venture to Tacoma.