Kids Empire Ballwin
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Kids Empire Ballwin is a highly-rated, well-maintained indoor playground ideal for high-energy children, offering unlimited play with same-day re-entry. Its unique value proposition lies in its strong safety measures, including staffed locking gates, which is particularly beneficial for families with children who wander. It's a popular choice for full-day family outings and birthday parties, providing good value for extended visits.
Key Highlights
- ✓Facility is consistently well-kept and clean; socks were barely dirty after a full day of play.
- ✓Strong emphasis on safety, featuring a gate with staff nearby and locking gates at the front check-in area preventing unsupervised access to the parking lot.
- ✓Staff is helpful and friendly, with one reviewer specifically mentioning McKenna for excellent service.
- ✓Highly recommended as a great place for birthday parties.
- ✓Perfect indoor escape for colder months or rainy days, allowing kids to release energy.
Standout Features
- ⭐Unlimited play time with the ability to 'leave and return on the same day' by keeping your receipt.
- ⭐Admission includes '2 adult admissions' with each child's entry.
- ⭐Features popular attractions like an 'electric ride on motorcycle' and a 'sled run'.
- ⭐Offers a 'variety of activities' that keep kids engaged and prevent boredom.
- ⭐Snacks and drinks available on-site are 'really decently priced'.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Remember to 'bring socks' as they are required for play.
- →To maximize value, 'plan to spend a significant amount of time' (e.g., a full day) at the venue.
- →If your kids are picky eaters or you prefer outside options, 'utilize the re-entry policy' to leave for food and return.
- →For frequent visitors, consider the 'punch card for $159 before tax' as it 'saved 2 admission fees'.
- →Keep your 'printed receipt' handy for same-day re-entry.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The baby area is described as 'pretty pathetic', making it less suitable for infants or parents expecting a quality dedicated space for the youngest children.
- ⚠For the price (over $40 for two kids), parents feel obligated to spend 'A LOT of time there' to get value, making short visits potentially feel overpriced.
- ⚠Limited on-site food options may not appeal to picky eaters; one child 'didn't like the items in the lunch available at the location'.
Price & Value
Individual kid admission is around '$19.XX', with '2 adult admissions included' per child. Value is greatly enhanced by the 'no time limit' and 'same-day re-entry' policies, making it 'pretty great to play all day long'. A 'punch card for $159 before tax' offers a discount (saves 2 admission fees) for frequent visitors. While 'over $40 for two kids' can feel steep for short visits, the overall sentiment is that the price is 'pretty fair' for the amenities and duration of play offered. Snacks and drinks on-site are 'decently priced'.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Highly beneficial for children with autism or those prone to wandering, as 'locking gates' at the check-in area prevent unsupervised access to the 'parking lot without an adult', offering peace of mind to parents.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •'Outside food is not allowed in' the facility.
- •On-site 'snacks and drinks' are available and described as 'really decently priced'.
- •Parents can 'leave to get food' and 'return with their printed receipt' on the same day.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not explicitly detailed regarding capacity or cost, but reviews mention safety gates preventing unsupervised access to the 'parking lot', implying on-site or adjacent parking is available.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Popular during 'colder months/raining days' and 'Spring Break', indicating it can accommodate a good number of visitors.
- •No specific complaints about overcrowding or long waits were mentioned.
🛡️Safety Features
- •A 'gate with staffs nearby' monitors entry and exit.
- •Features a 'check-in area right inside the front doors that has locking gates' into the play area.
- •The gate system effectively prevents children, particularly those who 'wander/run away' (e.g., autistic children), from accessing the parking lot unsupervised.
- •Socks are required for play, contributing to hygiene and safety.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Short visits if you are concerned about price, as the value is tied to extended play.
- • Visiting if you primarily need a dedicated, well-equipped area for infants or young babies.
- • Expecting to bring your own outside food, as it is not allowed.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Birthday Party - KidsSnack Package
$29.90 - $39.90 per child (depending on location)Duration: 3 hours reserved seating/dedicated tables
Hassle-free birthday party package.
Includes:
- •3 hours dedicated Tables
- •Extended Park Access
- •Birthday Parade with Huggy (subject to availability)
- •Invitation Cards
- •Kids Empire Goodie Bag per Child
- •Birthday Cake (Vanilla Fruit or Chocolate)
- •Unlimited family size drink & fruit gummies
- •Motor Circuit Ride (1 per child)
- •Bring outside food option
- •Pizza (2 slices per Guest)
- •Special Gift to the Celebrant (A return pass to Kids Empire!)
Birthday Party - KidsMeal Package
$39.90 - $49.90 per child (depending on location)Duration: 3 hours reserved seating/dedicated tables
Hassle-free birthday party package.
Includes:
- •3 hours dedicated Tables
- •Extended Park Access
- •Birthday Parade with Huggy
- •Invitation Cards
- •Kids Empire Goodie Bag per Child
- •Birthday Cake (Vanilla Fruit or Chocolate)
- •Unlimited family size drink & fruit gummies
- •Motor Circuit Ride (1 per child)
- •Bring outside food option
- •Pizza (2 slices per Guest)
- •Special Gift to the Celebrant (A return pass to Kids Empire!)
Snack Box
$6.75Food option available in the park.
Includes:
- •PB&J JAMWICH
- •Choice of Doritos, Cheetos, or Lay’s
- •Choice of String cheese, snack pack, or apple sauce
- •Choice of Capri-Sun, Honest Kids juice, or water
- •FREE LOLLIPOP AND 5 FLAMES (added to your card)
Events & Schedule
🍎Food Policy
- • Outside food is allowed for birthday parties.
- • Pizza (2 slices per guest) is included in birthday packages.
- • Snack Box available for purchase: $6.75.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • NON-GRIP SOCKS MANDATORY FOR EVERYONE.
- • Kids Empire socks for adults and kids available for $3 at the front desk.
- • Waiver mandatory for every child and adult attending Kids Empire.
- • Waiver mandatory for every child and adult attending a party.
📅Booking Policy
- • A $150 deposit is required for birthday party bookings.
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 7 reviews)
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Quyen H.
a month agoI’ve been here numerous of times. It’s a good indoor playground for kids to release their energies during colder months/raining days. It’s also a great place for birthday parties. The facility is well upkeep through out the years. I didn’t realize they offer punch card for $159 before tax until recently. It’s a good deal if your kids like to come here often (saved 2 admission fees). I also liked that 2 adult admissions are included with one kid. There is no time limit, and kids can leave and return on the same day. My kid always had a blast here, especially the electric ride on motorcycle and sled run. There is a gate with staffs nearby made it a safer place compared to other places in town.
Katie Linder
2 weeks agoIt was alright but for the price of two kids being over $40, you better spend A LOT of time there. It’s cool that you can leave and come back, but I don’t need that much time at one place. Also the baby area is pretty pathetic. Honestly if you are looking into this place, check out Go Play! in Chesterfield. Far superior in every aspect.
Stephanie Hamlett
a month agoWe spent a full day of spring break here, and our whole family loved it! We took a break around lunchtime and left to get food since outside food is not allowed in, and one of our kiddos didn't like the items in the lunch available at the location. It was easy enough to return with our printed receipt to enjoy several more hours of fun! The facility was clean, and we will definitely be returning in the future!
Michelle Thompson
4 weeks agoI wish I lived closer. This is my kid's favorite play place so far and there's so much for him to do that he never gets bored. It's generally pretty clean and the workers are always helpful. Plus the price is pretty great to get to play all day long. Definitely worth a 45 minute drive for us.
Danielle Russell
3 months agoThis was our family’s first visit and we had a blast! Kids Empire was such a great time for so many reasons. Most importantly it was safe, with a check in area right inside the front doors that has locking gates going into the play area. My son is Autistic and wanders/runs away, but there was no way he’d have access to the parking lot without an adult. It was the perfect size play area with things to do for all ages. It was so CLEAN. You have to wear socks and when we left I noticed my socks were barely dirty. We appreciate that adult admission is included with kids, and felt that $19.XX per kid was pretty fair considering there is no play time limit and there is access to a variety of activities. The snacks and drinks were really decently priced too. You can leave and come back on the same day & admission with your receipt which is a nice perk. And lastly, staff was so helpful and nice. McKenna especially was really friendly, greeted us right away with a smile, and explained everything since it was our first time there. We live an hour away but will definitely come to Kids Empire as often as we can!