This fun, new, indoor play space in Sellwood is also a toddler co-op play program.
My son has always been a good going-out baby. As an infant, he’d be content to hang out in his car seat or be held without much fuss. He’s still happy when we leave the house, but now as a 19-month-old, his main objective is to explore everything. I’m thankful that our city has a variety of indoor play spaces that are engaging and safe for littles, especially when the weather isn’t cooperating for an outdoor adventure. And working at PDX Parent means we get the opportunity to visit lots of fun, new play spaces.
Enter Poppy Collective PDX. Nestled in Sellwood, this neighborhood spot is clean, organized and lots of fun for little kids. Some neighbors might recognize the space; it used to be home to Treehouse Playschool. After it shuttered, Poppy Collective owner Taryn Babb leased the space and transformed it into a warm and welcoming area for littles and their families. Like the name suggests, Poppy Collective is a play program co-op for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 ½ years. (As noted on the website, it is not a day care or preschool program.) But the genius part is that it also doubles as an afternoon and weekend indoor play space open to families not part of the co-op.
Mornings are the best time to hit up libraries and indoor play spaces for my son, so after he had breakfast and my husband and I drank lots of coffee, we packed up and headed out. The first thing I noticed is how welcoming Poppy Collective is. Co-op educator Chelsea Hoshaw introduced herself to us, explained the co-op/indoor play space concept and had us fill out a waiver for our son before he dashed off to play.
Poppy Collective has wood flooring, lots of natural light and is organized with a mix of Montessori- and Waldorf-type activities and toys. There’s a pretend kitchen, a tree house, train tracks, costumes and scarves, sensory bins, and cozy little nooks for quiet play or looking through books. Thanks to some recent hand-me-down toys from parent friends, my son loves anything with wheels. He gravitated toward the wooden train set first, but by the time we left, he had played with all the cars, trucks and a ride-on ladybug.
Since the space is a co-op program, the restroom area is roomy, and well equipped for babies and toddlers, including potty seats, toddler steps at the sink and a changing table. Outside snacks are also allowed; kids can refuel at the child-size tables and chairs near the front.
My happy-go-lucky guy had a great time at Poppy Collective; he does at every play space we visit. But what stood out for me as a parent was the sense of community here. Many places we visit, while loads of fun, feel anonymous for parents as they watch over their children at play. When we visited, the families there seemed to already know each other, but they also all introduced themselves to us, and asked questions about our son. It’s places like this that help build community, especially helpful during those long days with littles.
If You Go
Poppy Collective PDX
Where: 6032 SE Milwaukie Ave.
Hours: Open-play hours: Monday and Thursday, 4-6 pm; Saturday, 9 am-1 pm; and Sunday, 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Admission: $10 per child for weekday drop-in play and $15 for weekend play
Ages: 1-5
Pro tip: Grippy socks are required and a waiver needs to needs to be filled out before playing.
More Than a Play Space
While most families will visit Poppy Collective for drop-in play sessions, the Sellwood space also functions as a co-op play program. Toddlers ages 18 months to 3 ½ years learn, play and explore during the half-day programs. Enrollment is available part-time. Visit the website to find out more and register.