Parents with unpredictable work schedules and even less predictable toddlers, rejoice! We’ve done the child care problem-solving for you and found four local businesses that cater to your parenting and professional demands. Whether you need a freshly-brewed cortado and a little distraction for the kiddos or radio silence and committed, trustworthy child care, one of these co-work/play spaces in the DMV promises to help keep your wee one stimulated while you get the job done.
Workafrolic
This new kid on the block (as far as co-work spots go) recently opened and encompasses three floors of an Eckington row house that feature a playspace for kids up to 6 years old, a coworking space for parents to focus and pursue their professional and personal goals, and a shared multi-use floor where the two worlds collide with adult wellness classes, more structured child programming and other community events. Who wants to move in?
1707 North Capitol St., NE (Eckington)
202-506-2770
Online: workafrolic.com
Grounded Coffee Shop
If your kids are a bit older or have honed the fine art of independent play (ahem, share your secrets), the train table and cozy sofa nestled by the fireplace at this delightful little coffee shop are probably just enough to buy you an hour or two of downtime to plow through your to-do list. A chocolate croissant and fruit smoothie for them, a cappuccino and an éclair (made on-site!) for you, and everyone leaves happy. We love that you can look into the kitchen while your pastries are being made, too!
6919 Telegraph Rd. (Alexandria, Va)
703-341-6612
Online: groundedcoffeeshop.com
Sprout at Saffron
Sprout at Saffron’s mission is to satisfy the parent, professional, AND yogi in you. With quiet spaces (equipped with printing services and free WiFi) to work, yoga classes to strengthen and relax, and art classes and open play for kids up to six years old, you just might emerge feeling more grounded and well-rounded. Art, dance, and music classes for older kids are available, too. Oh, and did we mention that there’s a parent NAP ROOM? Sign us up.
3260 Wilson Blvd. (Arlington, Va)
703-276-2355
Online: sproutatsaffron.com
Grounded Coffee Shop
If your kids are a bit older or have honed the fine art of independent play (ahem, share your secrets), the train table and cozy sofa nestled by the fireplace at this delightful little coffee shop are probably just enough to buy you an hour or two of downtime to plow through your to-do list. A chocolate croissant and fruit smoothie for them, a cappuccino and an éclair (made on-site!) for you, and everyone leaves happy. We love that you can look into the kitchen while your pastries are being made, too!
6919 Telegraph Rd. (Alexandria, Va)
703-341-6612
Online: groundedcoffeeshop.com
Play, Work or Dash
If your kids can entertain themselves for only so long before they start licking the floor tiles, try out the shared office space at Play, Work or Dash while your little ones (ages 9 months to 8 years) frolic in the supervised play space. Adult perks: up to three hours per day of uninterrupted work time, free coffee and tea, tablets with live video feed of your cherubs, and a professional work space to meet with clients. Kid perks: daily arts and crafts projects, story time, organized games, and a huge range of toys and puzzles. If your child is at least two years old, you can even go off-site to run an errand or attend a meeting!
8214-B Old Courthouse Rd. (Vienna, Va)
703-345-7801
Online: playworkdash.com
Ridgetop Coffee and Tea
A glass-enclosed play space teeming with climbing equipment, a train table, doll houses, puzzles, and LEGOs galore promises to make your children almost forget to ask for the treats that they probably spied with their laser cookie-eyes when you first walked into this huge and welcoming coffee shop. Don’t fret: the owners at Ridgetop Coffee and Tea truly have thought of everything—including tiny single-serving size containers of plain Cheerios, string cheese, and mandarin oranges to satisfy tiny hunger pangs while you cozy up with your laptop on one of the many tables that offer a bird’s eye view into the play area. Juggling a conference call while you loaded the kids into the car and forgot diapers and wipes? Ridgetop has you covered. We also have a soft spot for their scones and stuffed croissants.
21631 Ridgetop Cir. (Sterling, Va)
703-444-6444
Online: ridgetopcoffeeandtea.com
Do you know of any co-work/co-play spots in D.C. that working mamas should check out? Tell us in the Comments section below.
—Katie Brown
