As a mom of two very young children under three, I’m always on the look-out for indoor playgrounds for young tots to go to on those high AQI days. I was a bit downhearted though when my initial finds cost at least a hundred per kid—a bit much especially since we would probably only spend an hour or two there then go home to nap. Whichever mall we went the story was the same, and I started to wonder how young children have fun indoors here without breaking their parents’ banks.
It turns out I just didn’t know where to look.
Molly Fantasy is an indoor playground at Capital Mall in Sanyuanqiao that is EVERYTHING I’ve been looking for! It’s an affordable indoor playground perfect for babies and toddlers. The two jungle gyms and the giant ball pit give the young ‘uns all the exercise they’ll need for the day, and for their downtime they can head over to the little “shops” where kids can role-play Big People jobs. One-time entrance is just 40 RMB, but only 20RMB if you purchase their 200RMB membership card through their app (the QR Code is by their cashier). This also means that you can use the card for ten times before the card runs out. At the entrance of the play area is a staff member with her hand sanitizer-spray ready. After swiping your card she sprays this sanitizer at the children’s hands and also reminds both the guardian and child to put on their socks (for those who didn’t bring socks, the establishment is also selling them for 1RMB a pair).
Usually my older daughter is off after the sanitizing part. She squeals happily as she practically flies into the ball pit, walking through the balls to climb up the rope stairs and head for the slide. After she’s done with that she loves going to the “supermarket” where she picks up some fruits and vegetables. Then she heads over to the little kitchen to prepare something for me to eat. My younger daughter on the other hand just walks around the different shops like a little Manager and then runs back to me whenever she’s discovered something new. Earlier this week we visited the playground again and, after explaining to her that she needed to start contributing to the home, I decided she should try out being a postal worker.
It turns out that the job was a bit too big for her and so she decided that she’d rather go back to being my little baby instead.
For the price, I honestly expected a place that’s not well-maintained. On the contrary, the place is very clean and the staff reorganizes the different toys when there’s no new customer coming in. There was this one time for example when I once saw a little boy pee on the floor. After I reported it to the staff she simply brought another green square mat, came over to where the boy was and switched the stained one with the clean one. Bravo! Clean in a jiffy!
I suggest going on a weekday if possible, since these types of places are usually busier on the weekends. There are also other activities that the family can do, including riding a merry-go-round, some arcade games, and a train for a few more kuai. Suffice to say that Molly Fantasy has become our new low-cost boredom-buster.
Molly Fantasy (莫莉乐园)
3F Capital Mall, Sanyuanqiao (凯德Mall太阳宫店 )
13 Comments
Great tip! I’ve been looking for an affordable play area! We could host play dates there!
Yes Jessica, that’d be great! The kids would love it! 🙂
here’s a huge list of them in Beijing!! it’s all in Chinese however. http://www.aeonfantasy.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=15
Thanks for the link Liora!
the addresses for Beijing begin with this 北京 and Chaoyang District are 市朝阳 but that’s as far as my Mandarin skills go.
trying to find this mall. There’s no listing here…it’s also called TaiYangGuang here it is. http://www.capitalandmallasia.com/en/corporate/malls/china/capitamall-taiyanggong
here is the address for the CapitaRetail Mall Tai Yang Guang location discussed here 北京太阳宫凯德店 北京市朝阳区太阳宫中路12号凯德MALL3层 010-84150776 I just called. They are open 10am to 10pm 7 days a week.
Hello Moms
I’m new to Beijing with my family aswell. My little 4 year old is super bored at home and I have not found even one suitable play areas that does not bust my budget so her fun days have been limited to once or Mac twice a month and that’s not cool for a little girl. Thank you so much for this post. Can someone advise me as to the Subway directions to the Mall where Molly’s Fantasy is?? Which Exit and how to get there I would highly appreciate it. My daughter will be the happiest girl when I take her there.
Just a Mom
Hey Yshrene! I’ll ask Jackie to respond directly. There could be a play center or park closer to you (and parks are free!). I’ll send you an email soon. 🙂
Hi Liora!
Thank you for sharing so much valuable information! Will try to include those types of details next time! 😀
Hi Yshrene!
Capital Mall is by Taiyanggong Station’s Exit C. It is on Line #10. 🙂
I agree that Beijing can get quite pricy! I’m really glad you found this helpful! ^^
Thanks a lot for this recommendation! As a stay-at-home dad my husband is not into mommy groups and especially on very hot, very bad air or cold winter days, my guys are easily bored. There should be another one in Auchan (beside Aika and Decathlon at Laiguangying) according to their website, also not far for the Wangjing based crowd, will check that place out soon!
Thanks for the tip MaZ! We know a couple of dads who are stay at home dads – we should connect them to your husband! Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com if you’d like us to do so. Hopefully your husband isn’t the dad we’re thinking of >.<
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