#138 – Bring your Kids to Stay and Play

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Arlington County’s Stay and Play program is one of the most welcoming early childhood offerings in the county — a 90-minute drop-in style session designed specifically for children ages 12 to 36 months and the adults who care for them. Held at various Arlington County recreation centers, the program gives toddlers a gentle, structured introduction to socializing outside the home in a safe, clean, and thoughtfully equipped environment. Parks and Recreation staff set up age-appropriate toys and rotate through organized activities including storytime, simple crafts, sensory play, and movement experiences — giving little ones plenty to explore while caregivers get a chance to connect with other families in the neighborhood.

The format is refreshingly simple: caregivers stay for the full session alongside their children, making it as much a community-building experience for parents as it is a developmental one for toddlers. Sessions run from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. and registration is required in advance. Each child must be accompanied by a participating adult, and any siblings attending must also be registered and meet the age requirements. Spots fill up — so check the current schedule and register early at arlingtonva.us or call Arlington Parks and Recreation directly for location-specific information.