Westside families looking for a place to let young kids burn energy without a screen in sight now have a 5,000-square-foot option on Pico Boulevard.

Fun Play World, an indoor playground at 828 Pico Blvd., Suite 4, opened its second location in Santa Monica in 2025 after launching in Cheviot Hills around 2023. Owner Natalie Lapidus told the Santa Monica Sun she created the concept out of her own experience as a working parent.

"As a working mom, I just wanted a place where I could sit down with my laptop while my kids played safely," Lapidus said.

The space features a multi-level climbing structure with slides and obstacles, a ball pit, a dedicated toddler zone and an air-cannon machine. There are no televisions in the playroom. An upstairs arcade is in the works, pending permits.

Lapidus and her husband, Ruslan Balashov, are no strangers to L.A. entertainment ventures. The couple emigrated from Russia in 2014 and launched Maze Rooms, an escape room brand that grew to more than 15 rooms across Los Angeles, according to a December 2021 Los Angeles Times profile. Fun Play World grew from a different impulse: giving parents of preschoolers and kindergartners a clean, enclosed space where kids interact with each other instead of devices.

During weekday open play, the crowd skews toward nannies with young children and parents hosting playdates, according to Lapidus. She said many families avoid public outdoor playgrounds due to safety and cleanliness concerns, and the air-conditioned indoor option appeals during extreme heat.

What it costs

Walk-in open play runs $35 per child for two hours. Sibling discounts bring the second child to $25 and a third to $20. Two adults per family are included free; additional adults cost $15. A monthly membership is $200.

Birthday parties require renting the entire venue. Packages start at $1,800 for up to 20 kids, with VIP options reaching $5,700, plus an 18% service fee on all events. Saturday mornings are reserved for parties, with open play beginning at 2 p.m.

The facility is nut-free. All children and adults must wear socks on the play floor. Outside food and drinks are allowed in the party area, and families can bring lunch or order delivery during open play.

Hours and access

Open play hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Street meter parking is available on Pico Boulevard, with a public lot behind the building. Contact: (502) 324-3004 or [email protected].