Circus Play Cafe
Family of 4
$15-20 CAD (~$11-15 USD) for play admission + cafe purchases
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Ages
0-5 years
About
Circus Play Cafe understands something that most family venues get wrong: parents need a good time too. This indoor play cafe on Commercial Drive combines a thoughtfully designed play space for babies and toddlers (ages 0-5) with a proper cafe serving real espresso drinks and decent food. It's the combination that makes it work.
The play space occupies a bright, clean room with age-appropriate equipment: soft climbing structures, a pretend kitchen and market, a dress-up corner, a book nook, sensory tables with rice and sand, a ball pit, and rotating toys and activities. Everything is sized for little bodies and padded for inevitable tumbles. The staff maintain the space well — it's clean and organized, which is no small feat in a room full of toddlers.
The cafe side serves proper espresso drinks (lattes, cappuccinos, pour-overs), fresh pastries, sandwiches, and snacks. It's not an afterthought — the coffee is genuinely good. Parents sit at tables just steps from the play area, able to watch their kids while actually enjoying a hot drink.
The atmosphere is relaxed, supportive, and judgment-free — a space where spilled milk and tantrum interruptions are treated as normal life, not disruptions.
Classes and workshops run throughout the week: music sessions, art activities, and toddler movement classes. These are drop-in friendly and provide structured activities for kids who thrive with a bit of guided play. The schedule is posted on the website and changes weekly.
Practically: play admission is very affordable (about $6-9 per child depending on age). Babies under 6 months are free. Adults don't pay a play admission fee. Socks are required in the play area for everyone. Nursing and breastfeeding are actively welcomed — there's a comfortable nursing area. Baby changing facilities are available.
The cafe is located at the corner of East 12th Avenue and Commercial Drive, one of Vancouver's most character-filled neighborhoods. After play cafe time, you can walk the Drive — browse independent bookshops, get ice cream, visit the Italian delis, or grab lunch at one of dozens of family-friendly restaurants.
Circus Play Cafe is a Vancouver staple for parents of babies and toddlers. On a rainy day (and there are many), it's one of the best places in the city to be with a child under 5.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Indoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings right at 9am opening for the calmest play experience. Check their schedule for special classes like music and art.
Wait Times
Minimal — capacity limits mean it never feels overcrowded
Nearby Food
The cafe serves good coffee, pastries, and light meals. Commercial Drive (1 block away) has dozens of restaurants and cafes including Sal y Limon, La Grotta del Formaggio, and JJ Bean Coffee.
Why Kids Love It
Circus Play Cafe is a sanctuary for parents of babies and toddlers. This indoor play cafe on Commercial Drive is specifically designed for children 0-5, which means everything is sized, padded, and safe for the smallest humans. The play space has climbing structures, a pretend kitchen, dress-up corner, book nook, sensory tables, and a ball pit — all clean and thoughtfully maintained.
What makes it special is the combination of play for kids and good coffee for parents. The cafe serves proper espresso drinks, pastries, and light meals, so parents can actually sit down and enjoy a hot beverage while their toddler is happily occupied three feet away. It's the rare family venue where both parent and child are genuinely having a good time.
Classes and workshops — music, art, yoga — run throughout the week. Birthday parties are available too.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Designed for ages 0-5 — older kids won't find it engaging
- The cafe serves real espresso drinks — parents, this is for you
- Socks are required in the play area for both kids and adults
- Check the weekly schedule for music, art, and movement classes
- The Commercial Drive neighborhood is great for a post-play walk with independent shops and cafes
What to Bring
- Socks for everyone entering the play area
- A spare outfit for messy play at sensory stations
- Nursing supplies — the cafe is very breastfeeding-friendly
- Your own mug if you're eco-minded (they welcome it)
- A willingness to let your coffee go cold while your toddler shows you everything
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$15-20 CAD (~$11-15 USD) for play admission + cafe purchases
Tips to Save
- Babies under 6 months are free.
- Sibling rate is discounted.
- Adults enter free — you only pay for kids.
- The cafe serves good coffee and snacks at reasonable prices.
- Check for class passes and regular visitor discounts.