According to behavioral therapists, playtime is a vital aspect of a child’s developmental process. Play Street Museum in Flower Mound is meeting this important need for children in the area.
Play Street is owned and operated by Patricia and Alysha Beckwith. Patricia is a retired educator who serves as general manager of the franchise. And Alysha works full-time as an attorney and part-time as a Navy Reserve officer and Play Street manager.
“Play Street Museum is an upscale, educationally focused children’s museum targeted primarily to children ages 1 to 8 years that provides entertainment in a cognitively enriching and intellectually stimulating environment through superior, quality dramatic and imaginative play,” Alysha says.
Play Street provides what Alysha refers to as “edu-tainment” within its 3,000-square-foot neighborhood park-themed facility, filled with child-sized structures, props and costumes.
“Kids can pretend to work in our kids-sized pet store, diner, post office and house or play the climber in the park, complete with a full-sized tree,” Alysha says. “There are themed books in each structure, along with craft tables stocked with crayons, markers, colored pencils, play foam and a monthly changing curriculum for children to explore.”
Alysha says Play Street offers a much-needed service for children in the community.
“Play Street Museum provides an outlet for children to engage in imaginative and dramatic play in a clean, safe, climate-controlled environment where parents can either participate in the play or monitor the fun in comfort,” she says.
Alysha says research has shown that imaginative and dramatic play can teach children cooperation and decision-making skills and the ability to emotionally self-regulate.
“Researchers have also recently discovered that play helps children to reduce stress and can even mitigate some of the negative effects of trauma,” she says.
“According to the American Psychological Association, play therapy for children is one of the most popular forms of therapy for kids. … Play is not only important but essential. Play is how kids learn to be adults, and too much of it has been replaced with structured, adult-led activities that don’t allow kids to explore their own personalities,” Alysha says.
It appears that the community agrees. Alysha says the response to Play Street Museum has been “awesome.”
“Many of our customers have visited other Play Streets before we opened and have not been shy about their joy in having one in their own backyard. We have been voted by Hulafrog as one of the best places for indoor play in Denton County and voted by DFW Child as one of the best indoor party venues.”
Alysha says Play Street is known for its parties.
“Our parties are held Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and you get exclusive use of the museum for an hour and a half,” she says. “We have different tiers; however, we aim to make every party special for the child and totally stress-free for the parent.”
In addition, Play Street Museum offers a weekly storytime and special events, including Pajama Jam, Superhero Play Time, the Creature Teacher and Breakfast at Play Street.
“We are proud to be serving this community,” Alysha says. “We are appreciative of all the support, word of mouth and positive feedback we’ve received and hope to be serving this community for years to come.”