Rachel and Justin Boddie were already fans of the Play Street Museum in their hometown of Plano, Texas, when they decided to open a location of the small franchise in Highlands Ranch. With three small children of their own—six-year-old twins and a three-year-old—they saw how the space engaged young imaginations and little bodies.

No Batteries, No Screens

Play Street Museum was developed by a former elementary school teacher with one rule: no batteries and no screens in the play space. The play street is filled with kid-size store fronts that reflect what you might find in an old town square: a grocery store, a doctor’s office, a restaurant, a pet rescue, and a house on fire complete with a slide. Nothing lights up, buzzes, or talks back, leaving kids free to create their own stories with imaginative play items around them.

Play Street Museum Highlands Ranch
Photo: Rachel Boddie

Interactive Exhibits

It’s more than a town square, though. Air tubes and a magnetic wall with a customizable ball track offer a different dimension of exploration. Step into the Discovery Rug area for books, costumes, and other imaginative play elements that reflect a new theme every other month. If kids need a break, the craft area engages them in hands-on creation, including Paint Your Own Pottery activities.

Special Events

Open play hours are available on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but weekends at Play Street Museum are reserved for special events and birthday parties. Check the online calendar or the Facebook page to find special themed events like Pint Size Play just for kids age three and under, Breakfast at PSM including Saturday morning play with donuts and juice, and a special parent-child Paint Your Own Pottery evenings.

This article was originally published in February 2020.
Deborah Mock

Deborah Mock is the editor for Colorado Parent magazine.