Being a new parent can sometimes be isolating. Lonely. Confusing. Just downright overwhelming. Having two daughters with just an eighteen-month age difference, I understood this completely during their earlier years. It was always refreshing to get out to go see other mothers, families and children, even though it felt easier to stay at home. Finding a place to visit that was age appropriate for my toddler, as well as my infant, during these heat waves of summer or freezing temperatures of our New England winters proved to be difficult. So, when I heard a childhood friend was opening up a play space for infants, toddlers and beyond, I knew I had to drag my girls to check the spot out- even if they were now almost-8 and 9 years old!
I set my GPS to Juicebox Junkies in Johnston, saw a 25-minute drive ahead of me so in true Rhode Island fashion, packed my cooler for the day drip. Just kidding, no cooler needed, we knew we would hit plenty of Dunkin’s on the way! The drive takes us through the backroads of Gloucester, Smithfield and Scituate. A Juicebox Junkies sign greets us right over the Scituate/Johnston line, we pull into the lot which has plenty of parking (small town girl here, bad parking situations stress me out).
We walk through the door and are cheerfully welcomed by Amanda, the owner. As a mother of two young children, her vision was to create a play space for toddlers and early elementary age children, while not forgetting about the infant siblings that need a comfortable place to play as well. Parenthood is a journey best taken with other parents and Amanda sees that and hopes to create and nurture those bonds through this play space. Opening up Juicebox Junkies was a drastic change from her corporate job but a change she wanted to make for her family, which in turn would be a wonderful addition for families with young children in Rhode Island.
Other than Amanda’s smiling face upon entrance, the cubbies and benches are plentiful for you to stash your shoes and throw on your socks before going into the main play area. No socks? No problem, they can be purchased inexpensively if you forget! Toys for varying ages are found throughout the play area- dolls, a mini-trampoline, walkers and infant playmats are sure to keep children busy. Oh, and I can’t forget the rock climber, slide and sand table! While the children play, there is age-appropriate music playing in the background at the perfect volume.
My daughters are enthralled with the back room- a darkened spot with sensory items galore- squishy stuffed animals, textured floor mats, light strings to touch and a bubbling light-up station (for lack of a better description). They could have spent hours soaking up this room, exclaiming they want a bedroom like that when we left. I take a peek in the bathroom because…why not? It is spotless with a changing table, diaper pail and toddler toilet seat. When I leave Juicebox Junkies, I am disappointed it was not around when my children were at the age when I could have used it the most, but so happy that it is there for mothers, fathers and children now. Juicebox Junkies offers birthday parties, story times with local authors, Baby Talk infant group, Tiny Tots playgroups and more. As of now, the hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays from 9:30am to 3:00pm and Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Closed Tuesdays and Sundays. But as always, check the Juicebox Junkies website for latest up to date hours and play pricing.
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