Family Tides
When Danielle Migliacci envisioned Mini Minds Playtime, an indoor children’s play space opening in Galloway this month, building community was at the heart of it.
“I saw a need for a community-focused play space that wasn’t just about entertainment — it’s about growth and togetherness. That’s what really sparked it, creating a space that supports both kids’ development and parents’ peace of mind,” Migliacci said.
With that vision in mind, Migliacci is preparing to welcome families to the new space this month with a soft opening set for Tuesday, Nov. 11, through Friday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. An event is planned for Saturday, Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Cafe con Amor on site until 2 p.m. to help parents get their caffeine fix. RSVPing to the event is recommended.
The soft opening will give families a preview of what’s to come before the official grand opening, set for the weekend of Nov. 22-23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The grand opening will feature character visits from favorites such as Bluey, Stitch, Elsa and Spider-Man.
After about a year of planning and preparation, Migliacci’s vision is finally coming full circle — one that began with her own search for something local.
Part of Migliacci’s inspiration for Mini Minds Playtime came from her search for a nearby place where her 2-year-old son Jason could explore and learn through creativity. Finding few local options, she soon realized other moms were in a similar boat.
“I found that there was nowhere to go with my son when he was born, and I wanted to get out of the house. I wanted something for infants, and it just wasn’t around this area. I found myself as he was getting older and walking, we had to drive an hour to go to any place to play, to have any interaction with kids because he wasn’t in daycare yet,” she explained.
Migliacci said she had a clear vision in mind based on what she liked for her own son but did additional research on what would appeal to a range of ages.
“I really had a vision, before I went to these other places, based on what I personally liked for my son as well. I’m not just going to throw a bunch of things in a room and say, ‘OK, have at it.’ I really took the time to research each age group and what they would be into,” she said.
The new space is designed for newborns through age 8, with areas tailored to every stage of play — from infant development and soft play zones to imaginative playsets such as a hair salon and doctor’s office, plus climbing structures with tubes and a slide.
“We have a little bit of everything for everyone,” Migliacci said. “We tried to keep in mind, too, parents with multiple children. It’s hard to take an 8 year old to a place for a 2 year old.”
Rather than something sprawling, the space was intentionally designed with a manageable layout, allowing parents to relax without worrying about losing sight of their kids. Cleanliness is also a top priority, with planned daily sanitation and scheduled deep cleanings.
The space will also include an area for parents to sit or for families bringing their own food. Mini Minds also plans to sell snacks and coffee. For the play area, Migliacci said her goal is to combine fun with learning and connection.
“My goal for Mini Minds is to build a place where play meets development, and where kids can grow, friendships can form [and] families can feel connected. It’s more than just a play space. I really just want to turn it into a community where locals can come here, hang out, know their kids are safe and they’re playing in a clean atmosphere,” she said. “We’re focusing a lot on purposeful play — everything here encourages kids to learn while having fun. Our activities are designed to spark curiosity and social skills.”
To help bring that vision to life, Mini Minds will have staff on hand to encourage purposeful play and guide activities throughout the day.
“We’ll have staff here kind of playing with them as well and teaching them and having them just play on their own and in groups,” she said. “We’re building a warm community-center space that parents can enjoy, too.”
Looking ahead, Mini Minds will host family-friendly events such as a workshop where kids can decorate their own North Pole mailbox for Santa letters on Dec. 6 and breakfast with Santa on Dec. 14. More themed parties, character visits, tea parties and other interactive events are also in the works.
All play sessions include unlimited play for the day, meaning families can head home, squeeze in a nap or lunch, and return later. Children 8 months and under are $5 or free with a sibling. Admission for ages 9 months to 8 years is $20 plus tax. A sibling discount is offered at $11 plus tax.
Mini Minds offers discounted pricing for mommy or daddy groups of five or more children over 9 months at $15 per child, plus 10% off snacks and beverages. The play space also offers monthly memberships starting at $65 and birthday party packages.
Families are encouraged to reserve play sessions in advance, which can be booked online. To RSVP for the event on Nov. 15, email hello@minimindsplaytime.com. Learn more at minimindsplaytime.com or on Instagram at minimindsnj.
Madison Russ is an award-winning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area’s vibrant arts scene.
