Check N’ Play, a modern, emotionally enriching, screen-free play space and café for children ages six and under and the caregivers who support them, has launched its flagship location at Brea Mall and will celebrate with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 28 with the Brea (Calif.) Chamber of Commerce.
Located on the upper level of Brea Mall across from Zara Man, the 6,000-square-foot haven for families pairs immersive, guided play with a thoughtfully designed café created with caregivers in mind. The play space welcomes all children ages six and under and is best suited for confident walkers. All play sessions are facilitated by trained attendants, providing a structured, supportive experience that prioritizes safety, engagement and peace of mind for families.
Parents of fully potty-trained children may choose to stay in the space or enjoy the café nearby while remaining on-site. The experience is further supported through rotating enrichment programming, wellness classes and parenting workshops, as well as customizable birthday parties and private event rentals — all offered through one structured membership for families seeking consistent access to purposeful, guided interaction for their children.
The full-service café offers high-quality coffee, tea and light fare in a calm, welcoming environment. The café and play space are intentionally separated to support child safety and focused play, while still allowing caregivers to relax, connect or work nearby while remaining responsible for their children.
Founded by mother and children’s book author, Steffanie Balsells Najera, Check N’ Play was created to reimagine what family spaces can look and feel like — where kids can explore curiosity, creativity and connection and caregivers feel welcomed and supported. Children move through beautifully designed, immersive play zones that invite imagination and hands-on discovery. Spaces include a creative art studio, movement and climbing areas, dramatic play environments like a kitchen and construction site and cozy corners for reading and connection. Each zone is thoughtfully curated to support sensory exploration, social interaction and open-ended play.
“Play is powerful — and at Check N’ Play, we use it as a foundation for emotional growth, creativity and family bonding,” said Najera. “It’s a place where learning feels like fun for kids and support feels natural for caregivers.”
At the heart of the experience are The Weirdots—Check N’ Play’s official mascots and original characters featured in Najera’s children’s book series—created to help young children explore big feelings with humor and empathy. The Weirdots bring social-emotional learning to life through character-led storytelling and playful prompts that help children recognize emotions, practice empathy and build early self-expression skills throughout the space.
As the first of many, Check N’ Play is building toward expansion across the U.S.
