It’s the idea we’ve all had at some point, usually mid-meltdown, laptop balancing on one knee, baby wipes in hand, and a toddler launching goldfish across the room.
There should be a space where little kids can play safely and moms can breathe. Not a chaotic trampoline park. Not a grimy play zone. Something better. Something designed for us… parents in the thick of it, trying to work, trying to show up, trying not to lose our minds.
Danielle Huppler didn’t just think about it. She built it.
After years of feeling overwhelmed by the lack of truly functional spaces for young children and their caregivers, she created Play & Stay, a thoughtfully designed indoor play space where kids can explore, socialize, and stay engaged while parents stay close and get a break (or finally send that email).
Located in Scottsdale, Play & Stay is warm, calm, and intuitive… exactly the kind of place Danielle wished existed during her early years of motherhood. “I wasn’t looking to start a business,” she says. “I was looking for a lifeline. And when I realized it didn’t exist, I knew I had to create it.”
From the safe, enclosed play areas and supervised staff to the peaceful parent seating and low-stress vibe, everything at Play & Stay is intentional. This is not a drop-off daycare. This is a place where parents or caregivers can catch a breath or work while their littles are supervised and having fun.
It’s also not a noisy gym. It’s a beautifully functional solution for modern parents, many of whom are now working remotely and juggling it all.
Here’s how it works: families book either a morning or afternoon session, and they can stay for as long as they’d like within that block of time. Activities like crafts, dance parties, and guided play keep the littles engaged (the space is designed for ages 0 to 6), while trained staff—aka the beloved “playground crew”—ensure everyone’s having fun and staying safe. Grippy socks are required, coffee is available, outside snacks are welcome, and the Wi-Fi is fast. While drop-ins are available, memberships are the most effective and affordable option for families who plan to visit regularly.
It’s the new go-to for moms, dads, grandparents, and nannies alike. Whether you want to squeeze in some work emails, chat with a friend, or find comfort knowing you don’t have to leave your child to catch a break, Play & Stay delivers.
“I wanted a space where you could exhale,” Danielle says. “Where your kids are stimulated and safe, and you’re still right there, supported.”
And it’s grown. Families now commute from across the Valley just to spend their mornings at Play & Stay.
Danielle’s journey, rooted in motherhood and shaped by a genuine desire to make life easier for others, has now expanded next door to Work & Stay, a curated co-working space with private meeting rooms and communal areas, designed specifically for parents who want professional productivity without sacrificing proximity.
“I didn’t realize how much the workplace had changed until I saw parents setting up full remote offices in our lounge area,” she says. “That’s when I knew we needed more. Not louder spaces. Smarter ones.”
Whether it’s the dad who thought he was depressed, but realized he just needed structure and connection… or the mom who finally finished her resume and found a new job while her toddler played happily nearby, the hot spot is making a very real difference.
Because as Danielle proves, sometimes the best businesses don’t start with a plan. They start with a parent thinking, There has to be a better way. And then building it.
playandstayaz.com
“I didn’t realize how much the workplace had changed until I saw parents setting up full remote offices in our lounge area. That’s when I knew we needed more. Not louder spaces. Smarter ones.”
“I wanted a space where you could exhale. Where your kids are stimulated and safe, and you’re still right there.”