OODAZU is a place for parents to let their kids play with freedom. The name itself is an acronym standing for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act (a military-based decision processing framework) that captures how kids naturally take in the world and make it their own. The 'Zu' is a nod to 1960's Californian slang for 'cool.'
This community-focused hub is here to provide families with fun, development, and peace of mind. That mission extends to the OODAZU Party Boutique, which began organically as customers requested party supplies, and quickly grew into a full-fledged retail element. Party balloons, supplies, and gifts are all available in person and online. OODAZU, with branches in Chamblee, Decatur, and Buckhead, seeks to serve as the ultimate third place for families. Kids of all ages can find fun, friends, and enriching activities here.
The concept began in Buckhead in 2019. Clair Flores took the reins in July 2022 with a vision for expansion. "From the beginning, I knew the goal was to expand because I saw the viability,” Clair explains. “There's a need for children's activities and places where families love to go."
The beauty of OODAZU lies in its accessibility. Memberships at Chamblee and Buckhead are only $40 per month per child, including parents, and come with a wide range of benefits: unlimited play, discounts on their extremely popular camps, reduced fees for birthday parties, unlimited coffee for parents, and half-off Parents’ Night Out events. OODAZU camps are offered as half-day or full-day options and span across school breaks and teacher workdays. Birthday parties are much-loved, as they provide a full-service, stress-free model with themes that kids love.
Memberships provide the greatest value, even for 1 year olds. The play center is designed with sections for various age groups to expose children to new people and sensory experiences. Clair’s commitment to working with local small businesses results in a rotating selection of offerings (from Occupational Therapy to STEM & Robotics programs) that meet an elevated set of community needs. She’s always open to other businesses approaching her for collaboration or space usage. "I’m an open book in terms of options and things that the community wants and needs,” Clair says. “I want to meet the community where we are." OODAZU wants to contribute to each city it resides in on multiple levels. From supporting families to enriching the local economy, their vision is ever-expanding and mission-oriented.
Club OODAZU is the newest offering, and it’s worth the drive down to Decatur. The 67,000-square-foot space is a full-service family sports facility that includes the OODAZU Decatur indoor playground. Unlimited access to both facilities is available for $60 per month for the first child and $30 for additional children. It offers multiple youth sports, perfect for kids curious to try, where they can dabble in basketball, volleyball, flag football, pickleball, and indoor/outdoor soccer. Batting cages on a turf field, a dance studio, and a tumbling room round out the vast array of options.
First Sports classes, for kids 18 months to 5 years, introduce them to sports in a non-competitive and age-appropriate manner. "It allows kids to explore sports that maybe they haven't explored before,” Clair says excitedly. “It’s a safe space where kids can do that." For athletes ready to take their game to the next level, OODAZU Elite Sports Academy offers a competitive edge program focused on speed, strength, agility, and long-term athlete development.
Classroom spaces offer piano lessons, language immersion, robotics, and STEM. There’s even a full gym for parents that overlooks the courts from glass walls, making it easy to keep an eye on your child while getting in a moment for self-care. They’ve included a cafe and quiet workspaces as well, perfect for answering last-minute emails or decompressing while your children explore a new sport. Since the sports facility is attached to the play center, it makes it easy to go back and forth between the two spaces, especially for those with multiple children.
Parenting can feel overwhelming on days when the weather prevents outdoor play, or children are simply bored with their local playground. OODAZU offers a respite for kids and parents alike to engage, explore, and enjoy. "I’m mom to a five and a seven-year-old,” Clair tells me. “And as we were building this, we looked at the community and said, 'Where is there a need?' We built around that."
The emphasis on building around community needs and the universal needs of all young families is what drives Clair and her team to keep evolving OODAZU’s offerings. It’s crafted with intention for energetic kids and parents in need of a little hands-free time. Visit for Drop-In Play and see the magic for yourself.
There's a need for children's activities and places where families love to go.