I decide to pull a review I did from my old blog before I started HipsterHenry.com. In fact this place is the very reason that I created HipsterHenry.com.
The Little TreeHouse
10 West Gravers Lane, (Chestnut Hill) Philadelphia, PA 19118 website>What local kid’s play space in the burbs had me dying to get back to the peace and quite of the the city? That would be The Tree House Play Cafe in Chestnut Hill. As soon as we got there I realized that we had made a terrible mistake. This was so not the morning I had in mind. The place was way too small, overcrowded and so disappointing.
How could I lead my family astray this far? Well I will tell you. I just realized when I went to grab pictures to add to the blog how misleading they are. In fact there is no climbing equipment, train table or cute little play kitchen like they show in the picture below. That giraffe must have moved on to greener pastures because he wasn’t there either.
The atmosphere reminded me of classroom that just found out they were having a substitute and early dismissal after a round of pixi sticks. The chaos wasn’t cute, fun or the least bit enjoyable. The place is a hybrid. Part cafe, part play space and everything is way too small. You start by being smooshed into the check in area which is packed with parents and little ones. Then you go into the “cafe” part which is a sea of shushly suburban moms in sweatshirts zoning out and pretending to watch their children.
Unfortunately I will be standing since the moms don’t really get up much which leaves very little turn over of the tables. I found one that was missing the chairs but at least I had a place to put the car seat a.k.a Ollie. It was right next to a mom that had her nose in her laptop. She looked up at me once with one of those interrupt my “me time” and I will kill you looks. So we didn’t really chat it up.
We threw our jackets on the floor…since that was the only place for them and my husband and son headed into the play area. The play area is actually the smallest area in the place. The play area was filled with colliding, coughing, runny nose kids swirling around different mom cliques sitting on the floor. As far as the toy selection it pretty much resembled a grocery store the night before a major snow storm. Anything you really wanted they were out of. The play kitchen was bare because one little munchkin had all the wooden food in a wagon and was taking her time wheeling it around and around the small play area.
What they are not showing is all the merchandise that is throw in front of the hand washing station. If fact I didn’t even see this until we were leaving and I was about 4 feet from it.
This train table…totally not there
The most disappointing thing I noticed was that very few parents were actually playing with their kids. The Tree House Play Cafe is basically a dumping ground for suburban moms.
Oh and how could I forget the woman that was flashing everyone while she was falling asleep breast feeding. I so did not need to see that. These women made me look like mom of the year.
These stacking blocks…totally not there.
Omg. I totalllllllllllly was thinking about having my daughter’s first party here. Thank God I just stumbled on your site while googling reviews for camden childrens garden. Her bday is July 14 and I was considering a princess party theme… I looked into the aquarium which was way too much. I def dont want a house party bc we dont have enough space… And this treehouse place looked so modern and cleaaaan! Oh well, thanks for the heads up! Any ideas for a goooood affordable princess party that can handle around 80-100 people? When i say princess, i mean a pink and gold theme and her wearing a tiara lol. Ive been googling tea party places and cant find anything “just right”
Just wanted to say that aside from the giraffe, I have always seen most of that stuff, including the train table. We went almost 1x/week in the winter because it’s my 2 year old’s favorite place in the world, but it’s one of my least favorites. Primarily because a lot of the toys are in rough shape and the food is atrocious. I’ve been there since it opened however many years ago and it’s gone downhill big time. That being said, I think that it is more meant for toddlers than preschool age children as far as interest level goes. It holds so much potential to be an amazing place but falls incredibly short every time we go.
I agree, this place is a waste of money, you could go to your public library children’s dept. for the same thing.
great site…found it off your comment on a Dutch wonderland review.
Always looking for things to do this summer with my 2 &5 year old…
Dear Hipster Henry,
I agree with some could what you say and disagree with the rest. Yes, toys could be put back or it could be run tighter. But you are whining about being scrunched at the entrance. How much space should they wasted on an entryway? Secondly, I have been there about 30 times and I have seen the train table every time. Third, you are picking on a woman for being absorbed in something and giving you a look. Why are you blaming the place for that, or going on a rant about suburbia vs city life. Finally, and most importantly, you criticize parents for not playing enough with their kids and just half-watching them. Yes, that is EXACTLY the purpose of the place: to create a space where people don’t need to entertain their children… where their children can just play with themselves. The goal is to be able to hang out, read a book, drink a cup of coffee, talk to other people, do whatever. News flash. 2 year olds are not that much fun to be around ALL THE TIME. If you want to play with your kid, why would you go anywhere? Especially with a 1-2 year old?
You are right. The place has potential that it doesn’t live up to. But your comments are so negative that I wonder what it is you were even looking for or hoped to find? I think the problem might be whatever assumption you made going into it.
Thanks for your comments Steve. What I do is tell my opinion (as you just did) and what I observe. I found your comments pretty interesting thanks for taking the time to write!