Rainbow Play Systems - Raleigh

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    I'd heard briefly about this place from other people in town, and with the weather being as hot as it is, we decided to check it out. Basically it's an indoor showroom for outdoor play structures that holds open play times on weekday mornings from 10am - 2pm. You can also rent the room for birthday parties in the afternoons and on the weekends. Occasionally, when no parties are scheduled, the room is open for play times on the weekends, but you'll need to call first to see if the room is booked.

    When you enter the building you find yourself in a "Tots to Teen" furniture showroom. Check in at the desk in the middle of the store and they'll show you where the Party Room is. The admission fee is $5 per child, but you should check websites like Groupon before you go because Rainbow has been known to run specials. Once you pay your admission you can even go offsite to get lunch and come back without paying a re-entry fee as long as you make it back before 2.

     There are three large play structures, complete with baby swings, in the Party Room. There is also a special small child area for crawlers and new walkers with soft blocks and bean bag chairs (I was told the blocks and bean bags get cleaned every afternoon). Picnic tables line the perimeter of the room and parents are encouraged to bring whatever food and drink they think their kids might need. A wipe dispenser hangs on the wall to clean up those little messes - like when my 11 month-old spit up all over the floor. Bathrooms are located just outside the Party Room.

The small child area

    If you can stand the outdoor temperatures, children are welcome to play on several play structures  out in front of the building.

    My preschooler and kindergartener had a great time running around playing with other kids, and the baby enjoyed crawling around and barfing on the floor. I would definitely go back when the weather is too hot or too cold to be outdoors. What a great idea to turn the showroom into a pay-for-play gymnasium!